The coronavirus pandemic forced the Southeastern Conference to alter its 2020 football schedules, with every team given a 10-game slate consisting solely of league opposition.
There was both normalcy and guarded optimism Wednesday afternoon as the SEC released its 2021 schedules. The SEC was able to play 68 of 70 regular-season contests this past season, with only the Georgia-Vanderbilt and Ole Miss-Texas A&M matchups unable to take place due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
Alabama’s win over Florida in the SEC title game on Dec. 19 had to be accompanied by three regular-season finales to make up for postponements.
“We are proud to have completed the 2020 football season under unique circumstances and will now focus on playing the 2021 football season as scheduled,” league commissioner Greg Sankey said in a release. “Circumstances around the COVID-19 virus will continue to guide our decision-making should any adjustments need to be made.”
With nonconference showdowns returning to the league lineup later this year, each SEC team will play 12 games over 13 weekends, thus getting just one open date.