The Southeastern Conference announced plans to eliminate the traditional "cupcake weekend" of games against weaker opponents in favor of conference matchups during the next-to-last weekend of the regular season, beginning in 2027.

The change will replace the longstanding practice of SEC teams scheduling games against Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs and lower-tier Football Bowl Subdivision teams during the penultimate weekend of the season. Instead, conference members will face each other in what promises to be more competitive late-season contests.

The decision was discussed during the SEC Spring Meetings, where conference officials and coaches addressed various topics including the ongoing expansion of the College Football Playoff. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko provided commentary on playoff expansion during the meetings, though specific details of his remarks were not elaborated.

The scheduling change reflects the evolving landscape of college football, where conferences are increasingly prioritizing strength of schedule and competitive balance. The move comes as the SEC continues to adapt to recent conference realignment and the expanded playoff format.

The new format will take effect for the 2027 season, giving teams and the conference time to adjust scheduling agreements and television contracts. The change is expected to create more meaningful late-season games that could impact playoff positioning and conference standings.