For years, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has been recognized as college football’s toughest league. With teams competing for national titles, massive fan bases, and a history of playoff success, the SEC has always maintained its place at the top of the Power Four.
But in 2025, an unexpected challenge to that old narrative may come from a group that few would expect. According to a breakdown of the 2025 college football out-of-conference (OOC) schedules, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will lead all Power Four leagues in Power Four OOC matchups, while the mighty SEC trails behind.
This puts the SEC’s toughness narrative to the test and raises questions about scheduling balance and fairness among the top conferences.
SEC Trails ACC in Power Four out of Conference Matchups, Shaking Up the 2025 Landscape
The ACC is loading its 2025 schedule with several big games, bringing in top opponents from the SEC, Big Ten, and other Power Four conferences. Conversely, SEC non-conference schedules appear less aggressive than in the past seasons.
Because of this contrast, experts and enthusiasts have debated whether the SEC is intentionally avoiding tougher non-conference challenges.
Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:
College football 2025 out of conference schedule mega 🧵debunks a common SEC myth
Number of P4 Opponents:
SEC: 18
ACC: 24
Big 10: 13
Big 12: 12# without a p4:
SEC: 1
ACC: 2
Big 10: 6
Big 12: 4# w/multiple p4 OOCs:
SEC: 3
ACC: 8
Big 10: 0
Big 12: 0— College Football Nerds (@CFBNerds) May 20, 2025
Number of P4 Opponents:
SEC: 18
ACC: 24
Big 10: 13
Big 12: 12
Number without a P4:
SEC: 1
ACC: 2
Big 10: 6
Big 12: 4
Number with multiple P4 OOCs:
SEC: 3
ACC: 8
Big 10: 0
Big 12: 0
Implications for the 2025 Season
Different scheduling formats could have major implications for the committee’s playoff positioning and the respected position it holds in its conference. For the committee, which has consistently considered early-season opponents in choosing teams, the ACC approach could prove valuable.
If ACC teams perform well in these games, it could shift the narrative on conference strength and challenge the SEC’s traditional supremacy.
As the SEC shapes its schedule, it must consider how this affects both viewers at live events and those watching on TV. Playing high-stakes matchups on a national scale causes excitement and interest, which the SEC’s conservative approach might not achieve as much.
KEEP READING: ‘Gloomy, It’s Dark’ – Paul Finebaum Highlights Grim Reality of SEC Football in 2025
Although the SEC leads in college football, their 2025 out-of-conference schedule hints at a changing landscape in the Power Four. The ACC’s willingness to schedule more Power Four opponents puts pressure on the SEC to reconsider its approach.
The upcoming games will determine whether the ACC’s bold scheduling pays off-and whether the SEC can maintain its claim as sport’s strongest conference.
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