The SEC is entering the 9+1 era. Each SEC will now play nine conference games and one additional P4 team. That sounds really good and spicy. For our list today, that holds up. The one tomorrow? Maybe not. So, who has the best SEC OOC (out-of-conference) games in 2026? LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas understood the assignment. Let’s take a closer look at who will join them.
The BEST SEC OOC Games in 2026
Gold Star SEC OOC Games: Grab Your Popcorn
Three teams get a gold star? Who doesn’t want a gold star? LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas all have key SEC OOC games that will go a long way in helping set the narrative about the relative strength of the confernce.
- OOC Opponents: Clemson, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State
The Lane Train kicks off in earnest Week 1 in Tiger Stadium against Little Ole’ Clemson. Clemson was more sizzle than steak in 2025, having more players drafted than wins. Still, Dabo Swinney is a lightning bolt, and the Tigers still garner plenty of national attention. The Tigers have two other in-state games in Tech and McNeese. No word on whether or not a strong ass offer was made to secure the game against the Cowboys.
- OCC Opponents: UTEP, at Michigan, New Mexico
The Sooners were a Playoff team in 2025, at least that is what the committee told us. How they finished the season made that a big question. No doubt a key to the 2025 bid was their defensive stranglehold over the Wolverines in Norman. A trip to Ann Arbor in Week 2 could propel John Mateer and Oklahoma to the CFB Playoffs for a second straight year. Btw, Texas walked in and gave Michigan a Big Noon drubbing. No reason, the Sooners wouldn’t want to follow suit. Look out for New Mexico and head coach Jason Eck. He is a riser in college football and will be a hot commodity in the 2026 carousel.
Texas Longhorns
- OOC Opponents: Texas State, Ohio State, UTSA
Arch and the Horns got Hooked in Columbus to start the 2025 season. The loss likely cost Texas a playoff spot in 2025. They will get to return the favor when they welcome the Buckeyes to the 40 acres in Week 2. Nice to see the Horns welcome Lone Star cohorts Texas State and UTSA to Austin. Nice for the win-loss column, but it does little else to register much excitement.
Well, You Tried…
Well, we may not grab our popcorn, but these SEC OOC games will definitely have a place in our Quad Box this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide
- OOC Opponents: ECU, FSU, and Chattanooga
The Seminoles looked ready to take the world by storm when they knocked off Alabama to kick off 2025. Nothing else seemed to go right for Mike Norvell and Florida State after that. Norvell is under tremendous pressure, and heading to Bryant-Denny early in the season is not a recipe to cool the flames under your seat. Kalen DeBoer got a nice new extension this offseason, despite not really doing anything to merit the raise. It would be wise not to trip up again against the Noles or the fiery, high-scoring ECU Pirates.
Tennessee Volunteers
- OOC Opponents: Furman, at Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State
An SEC team in an OOC game on the road? Hats off to you, Danny White, or whoever the athletic director was when the Bobby Dodd game was scheduled. The Wramblin’ Wreck will be working with a new quarterback and offensive system. The Vols will counter with a new quarterback of their own. Kennesaw State is a solid choice and continues to make positive moves under Jerry Mack. He will likely be on the radar to make a move in the 2026 carousel.
Texas A&M Aggies
- OOC Opponents: Missouri State, at Arizona State, The Citadel
Another road contest? This time in Big 12 country. A trip to Sun Devil Stadium can be tricky. We are not sure what Kenny Dillingham will have in year three. This could be a challenge, but Mike Elko has built a strong and consistent foundation in College Station. The trip to the Arizona desert may be more sizzle than any steak.
Interesting..But Maybe an L
- OCC Schedule: North Alabama, at Utah, Tulsa
Ryan Silverfield has a big hill to climb in year one in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks fell behind in NIL, using the Portal, and pretty much everything else to make them competitive under Sam Pittman. That is why Pittman is gone. Silverfield will not only have to deal with a challenging SEC schedule, but the OCC schedule does him little favors or can help him secure a win or two. Rice-Eccles is one of the most gorgeous stadiums in the country. The Rocky Mountains surround the Ute faithful and make it one of the toughest places to play in the county. Clint Lamb is also making moves at Tulsa, and the Golden Wave could prove to be a thorn in Silverfield and the Razorbacks’ side.
Vanderbilt Commodores
- OCC Schedule: Austin Peay, Delaware, NC State
What does life look like without Diego Pavia? Many in the media, including this writer, think Vandy is destined to head back to earth and the bottom of the SEC. Jerry Kill and Tim Beck are still in Nashville and are destined to help Clark Lea prove that 2025 and 2026 weren’t a fluke. This isn’t your father’s Blue Hens. Delaware did a nice job in year one in their move to FBS in 2025. NC State and Dave Doren are always a challenge. The game being in Nashville may be a bonus, but it will all depend on how quickly Kill, Beck, and Lea can get young Jared Curtis up to speed.
Main Photo: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
