The Atlantic Coast Conference is officially on the clock.

The SEC will be moving from an eight to nine-game conference football schedule beginning in 2026, the conference announced Aug. 21.

The first thing going against the rivalry is that it exists outside of conference play and does not receive any protection like Iowa's rivalries against Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

"Clemson is back."

Another tough slate is on tap for Kentucky football in 2025.

The usual suspects of Georgia and Texas should be firmly in the mix, while Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and others have hopes, too.