What SEC schedule model does Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin support? It's not that simple

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin hasn't decided which SEC schedule model he supports. It's not that simple, he says.

"I don't have a preference right now," he said after two days of coaches' meetings.

With Oklahoma and Texas joining in 2025, the league must adjust its scheduling format to account for 16 teams. In the current divisional system, teams play the same seven opponents every season plus one rotating cross-divisional opponent. A number of SEC programs only see each other once every six years.

Eight- and nine-game options are being considered for the new structure. Harsin said he hasn't decided whether eight or nine conference games would be better for Auburn.

Of course, the Tigers already have consistently one of the most difficult schedules in college football, with Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU matchups every year.

"Our schedule's pretty good," Harsin said, laughing. "It's strong."

A nine-game format being considered involves every team keeping three "rivalry" opponents every season, while the other six opponents rotate. Harsin said he also does not have a preference on which three teams should be the constant for Auburn, if that model is used.

AUBURN OPPONENTS: Would Jabari Smith have committed to Auburn basketball in NIL era? Bruce Pearl doesn't know

WHICH SCHEDULE?: Alabama's Nick Saban: Consider this before switching to 9-game SEC football schedule

"More so just learning about what went into these models. That was more of what the meetings were, just educating us on how they came up with the two different models they've got," Harsin said. "There's a lot of information in there that they've done that's way over our heads as far as just fairness, and there's a lot of other factors that go into it. But right now, I don't have and I don't think anybody has necessarily made a final decision on what that model is. Now that you've heard it, you want to process it."

One of the main factors Harsin is considering is what a nine-game structure would mean for having a nonconference, Power Five opponent every year.

"Exciting opponents that are going to be very competitive," he said. "People are going to enjoy those games. Your players, too."

He pointed out the value in recruiting when a team gets to venture out of the SEC region more often. For instance, Auburn played at Penn State last season in a home-and-home.

"That's motivating for the players," Harsin said. "It also helps your recruiting with your players that want to come in. Like, 'We get to play these guys.' And it might be somebody that's from their home state."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: SEC football schedule 2022: Auburn coach Bryan Harsin on format