The SEC endured criticism after sticking with an eight-game conference schedule for 2024, even after the conference grows to 16 teams. Other conferences like the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 play nine conference games.

Dissent from the peanut gallery can be ignored, but blowback from the College Football Playoff selection committee would be a stinging rebuke with real consequences.

The CFP will expand to 12 teams in 2024, and the playoff selection committee will determine six at-large bids. While it’s not apparent how much strength of schedule will factor into those debates, the SEC would seem to be leaving itself vulnerable to rejection in instances of similar resumes, because its members will play a fewer conference games than many Power Five peers.

On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams discuss why the SEC decided to stick with an eight-game conference schedule and the ramifications of that decision.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.