Before the SEC begins its nine-game conference schedule next season to match others across the Power Five, the league could be laughing all the way to the bank with a record number of College Football Playoff appearances at the end of the 2025 campaign.

While the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla., could also be an option, school officials favor a bowl close to home that would allow fans to attend the game. The only other could be the Alamo Bowl, held Dec. 30 in San Antonio. Of course, the Cougars (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) could be in line for a bigger postseason destination if they continue to win.

The Huskies and Utes have soft schedules and open roads to 9- or 10-win regular seasons, which should translate to coveted bowl assignments.

It's safe to say that there are few people in the nation who expected Virginia to hold the record that they do. They own a comfortable overall record of 7-1, bu