Oklahoma Sooners fans, the countdown is on! We are officially just 7 DeMarco Murrays away from kickoff as OU prepares to take on Illinois State to open the 2025 season. But before we preview next week’s matchup, we’ve got breaking news that shakes the entire college football landscape: the SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026.

In this episode of Sooner State of Mind, Casey Mallon dives deep into what this historic shift means for the SEC, Oklahoma football, and the entire college football playoff picture. We break down:

• The impact of a nine-game SEC schedule on rivalries, strength of schedule, and bowl eligibility.

• What this move means for the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC, and how it changes the Power 5 balance.

• The playoff implications in the new 12-team CFP era, where strength of schedule could matter more than perfection.

• Who Oklahoma’s likely three permanent SEC rivals will be — from Texas and Texas A&M to Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, and even Florida.

Casey also opens the floor to Sooner Nation: who do YOU want OU’s three annual SEC opponents to be? Share your thoughts in the YouTube comments or hit us up on X @FootballDudesLA.

With SEC expansion, college football realignment, and the Sooners set to make noise in their new conference, this is a must-listen for every Oklahoma fan gearing up for 2025 and beyond.

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