Kirby Smart Unleashes Strong Words on Future of SEC Championship Game

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has joined the conversation regarding the potential elimination of the SEC Championship Game. His comments reflect a growing concern among high-level administrators about the downstream changes of an expanded postseason.

Smart addressed the issue during a recent conversation with On3's Chris Low. He suggested that the future of the game depends entirely on the size of the College Football Playoff field.

"Where we are right now with 12 teams, I don’t necessarily agree that [conference championship] needs to quit being played," Smart said. "But if it gets to 16 or 24 and we’ve got to move the end of the season up and we’ve got to get everything done by the second week of January, then I’d say it probably has to go."

Future of conference championship games in expanded CFP

Smart is not the only leader in the Southeastern Conference expressing these views. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne has also questioned the necessity of the title game as the sport shifts toward a larger playoff field.

The primary concern for coaches and administrators is the cumulative effect of extra games on student athletes. A 16 team or 24 team playoff would require some programs to play up to 17 or 18 games in a single season.

If the playoff field grows, a conference title game becomes a riskier event with diminishing returns. Teams want to win a title. In years past, winning a Power 4 championship was a major achievement, but it may become secondary to ensuring a healthy roster for a deep playoff run. Something akin to the final regular-season game in the NFL, where playoff teams rest their starters.

Conference commissioners are currently balancing massive television contracts against the physical health of their players. The revenue generated by a title game is significant, yet the risk of losing a star player before the national tournament is a constant worry for coaching staffs across the country.

Impact of playoff expansion on college football schedule

The logistical requirements of a larger playoff would likely force a total reorganization of the winter calendar. Moving the national championship finish line to early January creates a very tight window for all other postseason events.

Smart pointed out that finishing the season by the second week of January would require major adjustments. These changes could include starting the regular season earlier in August or removing the conference championship week entirely to save time.

NEW: Georgia’s Kirby Smart tells @Clowfb he’d favor eliminating the SEC Championship Game depending on CFP parameters:

"Where we are right now with 12 teams, I don’t necessarily agree that it needs to quit being played. But if it gets to 16 or 24 and we’ve got to move the end… pic.twitter.com/q2GK3PjMKa
— On3 (@On3) April 2, 2026

The elimination of these games would represent a shift in the sport's identity. For decades, the SEC Championship Game has been a cornerstone of the college football season and a massive draw for fans and sponsors. However, the playoff has taken attention and significance away from all conference championship games.

Without a title game, the SEC would likely rely on regular-season records or head-to-head tiebreakers to determine its champion.