What happened: Joel Klatt projected via FootballScoop.com that the SEC and Big Ten will establish a joint scheduling agreement following the expansion of the College Football Playoff. That timeline aligns with the recent CFP-ESPN handshake deal to expand the field as conferences weigh eliminating their championship games.

Why it matters: Direct scheduling between the two conferences would reshape non-conference slates and playoff selection criteria after Nick Saban publicly questioned Big Ten depth earlier this season. Locking in head-to-head matchups also offsets inventory lost if leagues drop their conference title games.

What to watch: Conference leaders and CFP officials must ratify a formal contract for the 2027 postseason format and decide the status of conference title games before finalizing interconference schedules.