SEC Championship Game to end after 2026 as College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - The Southeastern Conference Championship Game will be played for the last time this season after the College Football Playoff announced Tuesday it will expand from 12 teams to 24 teams, effective next season.Alexis Thornton spoke with three-time SEC champion DJ Jones of Columbus and Auburn University students about what the change means for college football culture.Final game set for Dec. 5 in AtlantaThe final SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It will be the 35th edition of a matchup that began in 1992.The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams starting in the 2027-28 season.Auburn students reactOne Auburn student questioned the end of the game.“The history of the SEC itself, like thinking that 2026 is going to be the last year, like it’s like, whoa, why?” the student said. “Why are we just cutting that short?”Another student said the game has been part of SEC history.“It’s been a tradition for a while, a