The Texas Longhorns are No. 1 in the national polls and so are naturally atop the SEC. The Aggies could be a rising star.

Left out of the national championship for the last two seasons, the SEC is eager to reclaim its mantle as the most dominant conference in college football in 2025. Key to good placement in the College Football Playoff will be how the selection committee views your strength of schedule,

The move comes as the College Football Playoff prepares to implement new metrics in 2025 that emphasize strength of schedule, a shift that could give SEC teams an edge. Under the new model, each school will play three permanent rivals and rotate through six additional conference opponents each season.

The Southeastern Conference announced Thursday a new scheduling format for football starting in 2026, adding a ninth conference game, keeping long-standing rivalries and mandating all teams play a “high quality nonconference game.

Texas isn't bringing famed live mascot Bevo, a 2,100-pound steer, to Ohio Stadium for its Aug. 30 opener against Buckeyes.