Who will Memphis football be playing non-conference games against in 10 years?
The Tigers historically have played SEC teams, and they’ll host Arkansas this season on Sept. 20. That opportunity could become more difficult, though, as the SEC considers a move to nine conference games that likely will be tied to College Football Playoff expansion.
While nothing has been set, the ongoing discussions about the future of the CFP format have led to a discussion about the SEC — which currently plays eight conference games a season — copying the Big Ten and moving to nine. That could have a significant impact on Memphis’ ability to schedule games against SEC opponents in the future.
The Tigers are already having some trouble getting those games. A home-and-home deal with Missouri broke down and led to a compromise where Memphis’ “home game” in 2023 was played in St. Louis, and Memphis had to agree to a two-for-one deal to get Arkansas on the schedule. The Tigers have a home-and-home planned with Mississippi State in 2028 and 2029, but that’s the only other power conference opponent currently on future schedules.
While many Group of Five teams play two power conference games each season, Memphis typically plays only one.
Will scheduling get tougher? If the SEC goes to nine conference games, the three non-conference spots likely would include one game against a fellow power conference team, which means there would be even fewer spots for Memphis to fit into any team’s schedule.
Memphis football future non-conference schedules
- 2025: Chattanooga, at Georgia State, at Troy, Arkansas
- 2026: Arkansas State, at Boise State, at Arkansas, UT Martin
- 2027: at Arkansas State, Southern Miss, at Middle Tennessee, (one open slot)
- 2028: at Arkansas, Mississippi State, Arkansas State, (one open slot)
- 2029: at Arkansas State, at Mississippi State, (two open slots)
- 2030: Boise State, at Southern Miss, (two open slots)
- 2031: at Boise State, (three open slots)
Although many scheduling decisions happen years in advance, the Tigers do have an open slot for 2027. They do not have a power conference opponent on the schedule for that season.
There are SEC teams with open slots in 2027 (like Ole Miss), so it’s still possible the Tigers could add for that year.
How Memphis’ scheduling plans could affect CFP case in future
With one power conference opponent on the schedule most seasons, Memphis has little wiggle room if it wants to claim the Group of Five’s CFP spot. The Tigers likely will be in playoff contention any time they go 10-2 or better and make the AAC title game, but a team that plays multiple power conference opponents and wins at least one could have a leg up on Memphis.
Playing multiple opponents of that caliber, though, opens the door for more expected losses. And losing multiple games also doesn’t help a playoff résumé. Those are similar concerns to the ones being raised by SEC athletic directors during discussions about adding more competitive non-conference games or extra conference games.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
