SEC Releases Tie-Breaker Scenarios For 2024 CFB Season

On Wednesday, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) released a new tie-breaking format to determine which programs will compete in its championship game this fall. The new procedure is necessary as the now-16 team SEC will go without divisions for the first time since 1991.

According to the conference's press release , six unique statistical methods will be used in descending order until the tie is eventually broken.

The initial measure will be the head-to-head record amongst tied teams, followed by the record against all common opponents.

If the tie remains, the third procedure involving the records against the best common conference opponent will be factored in. This process will be repeated for all common opponents of the tied teams until the deadlock is broken.

If the tie is still not dissolved, the cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponent teams among those tied will be measured.

Following the fourth scenario, the next measurement will be the capped relative total scoring margin versus all conference opponents of the tied teams.

If the tie somehow manages to overcome the previous five tie-breaking options, a random draw among the tied teams will determine the outcome.

The release also added that if there is a clear conference champion but a tie amongst two or more teams for second place, the conference champion will be the home team in the Championship Game, and the numerous tiebreaking procedures will be used to determine its opponent.

Likewise, if there is a tie for first place between two teams, both programs will qualify for the Championship Game. The rigorous tie-breaking procedure will then determine who is named as the regular season champion and home team for the title game.

The 2024 SEC Championship Game will be held on Dec. 7 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

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