Back Up Plan – Luke Combs, Bailey Zimmerman

A Powerful New Anthem for College Football Season

Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman have teamed up for a high-energy anthem that’s already making waves across college football fandom. Their latest collaboration, “Backup Plan,” has officially been selected as the 2025 SEC theme song on ABC, and it couldn’t have dropped at a better time.

Released in May as the second single from Zimmerman’s upcoming album Different Night Same Rodeo, “Backup Plan” is now the soundtrack to Saturdays in the South. The hype video, packed with SEC football highlights and adrenaline-fueled moments, has fans fired up for kickoff on August 23rd.

The SEC Network’s History with Luke Combs

This isn’t Luke Combs’ first rodeo with college football. In fact, he’s become a staple of SEC soundtracks. In 2021, the SEC Network used Combs’ Southern anthem “South On Ya,” and in 2024, his powerful cover of Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” carried fans through the season. Now, “Backup Plan” continues that tradition, but with a new twist, this time, he’s joined by rising star Bailey Zimmerman.

First Reactions to “Backup Plan”

When “Backup Plan” first hit streaming platforms, it sparked mixed reactions, especially among fans not yet sold on Zimmerman’s sound. But context is everything. As the official 2025 SEC anthem, the song takes on new life when paired with highlight reels and the electric atmosphere of football season.

Whether you’re a die-hard Luke Combs fan or slowly warming up to Zimmerman, the anthem’s punchy, stadium-ready vibe is impossible to ignore when paired with shots of roaring crowds, bone-crunching tackles, and Saturday traditions.

About the Songwriters

“Backup Plan” was written by Jimi Bell, Jon Sherwood, and Tucker Beathard, blending country grit with modern edge, perfectly tailored to match the high-stakes, heart-pounding energy of SEC football. With Combs’ powerhouse vocals and Zimmerman’s raw intensity, the track captures the spirit of a region where football isn’t just a game, it’s a way of life.

Why “Backup Plan” Works as the SEC Theme Song

College football and country music go hand in hand, especially in the South. “Backup Plan” hits all the right notes: it’s bold, emotionally charged, and full of momentum. Its lyrics and energy align perfectly with the SEC’s reputation for grit, heart, and tradition.

Add in Luke Combs’ authenticity, he’s a Carolina boy who bleeds football—and the choice feels like a no-brainer. The anthem not only sets the tone for the upcoming season, but cements Combs and Zimmerman as part of the SEC’s musical legacy.

Watch the Official SEC Hype Video Featuring “Backup Plan”

The official SEC on ABC teaser video, featuring “Backup Plan,” is already turning heads online. The mashup of SEC highlight footage with the track’s driving beat is giving fans chills, and making the wait for Week Zero even harder.

Final Thoughts: Combs, Zimmerman & the Sound of the South

Luke Combs has once again proven why his voice is synonymous with college football. And while Zimmerman may have started as a wildcard, “Backup Plan” proves he belongs on the big stage. Together, they’ve crafted a track that will echo through stadiums all season long.

Whether you’re tailgating on campus or watching from home, this year’s SEC anthem is guaranteed to raise goosebumps.