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The SEC has the only logical geographical configuration.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:30 pm
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:30 pm
All the other leagues have lost their minds, now make no sense and have geometrically increased their travel costs. They just add whatever school floats by on a raft.
And their names now suck. The Big Ten? Or B16 or whatever that is? They now have 20 schools. How about the Big Ten+Ten More? They will never be the equal of the SEC.
All the schools in the SEC are from states that touch each other. Getting rid of the divisions also makes sense. Putting Missouri in the East never made sense anyway.
Yes, it's a new landscape with NIL and the portal, but the SEC remains the strongest league, and the one that continues to make the most sense.
And their names now suck. The Big Ten? Or B16 or whatever that is? They now have 20 schools. How about the Big Ten+Ten More? They will never be the equal of the SEC.
All the schools in the SEC are from states that touch each other. Getting rid of the divisions also makes sense. Putting Missouri in the East never made sense anyway.
Yes, it's a new landscape with NIL and the portal, but the SEC remains the strongest league, and the one that continues to make the most sense.
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Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:36 pm to ht1950
quote:
The SEC has the only logical geographical configuration.
2 mega-conferences with geographic divisions.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:36 pm to ht1950
Disagree with you on division play ending. Winning the West was an accomplishment every year. I hate to lose that because it made thing more fun in a way. The West is the best and hardest division in college ball and always felt like such a milestone to see Bama climb that mountain. It will be missed.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:39 pm to ht1950
It's ultimately why we'll win, if there's something to be won. Strip away everything else (tv markets, brands, Fox contracts, etc.) and we still have something fans care about where the Big Ten does not. When the novelty wears off, it's going to be brutal for them
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:45 pm to RollingwiththeTide
Re: dropping the divisions. Something had to give, though. Pods? Didn't excite me. Was it possible to keep important rivalries going with sixteen teams and keep everyone happy? Most of the crucial rivalries are still intact.
I like the idea of the two best teams going to Atlanta to fight for the title. Sometimes, that was the case, but there were years when the two best teams were in the same division. Winning the SEC will still be a huge achievement, no matter what.
At first, I didn't like the idea of a 12-team playoff, to switch to another subject. But after this year, I can see how it could work to the benefit of the game.
I fully expect at least four SEC teams to go to the first 12-team playoff, including the loser of the SEC title game.
Both 'Bama and Georgia deserved to be in the playoff this year. Both proved that over the season. I am actually looking forward to this new era.
I like the idea of the two best teams going to Atlanta to fight for the title. Sometimes, that was the case, but there were years when the two best teams were in the same division. Winning the SEC will still be a huge achievement, no matter what.
At first, I didn't like the idea of a 12-team playoff, to switch to another subject. But after this year, I can see how it could work to the benefit of the game.
I fully expect at least four SEC teams to go to the first 12-team playoff, including the loser of the SEC title game.
Both 'Bama and Georgia deserved to be in the playoff this year. Both proved that over the season. I am actually looking forward to this new era.
This post was edited on 12/31/23 at 11:02 pm
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:49 pm to ht1950
If there’s one thing Sankey has done as commissioner that I’m happy with, it’s that he expanded but kept us regionalized.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:51 pm to ht1950
I think the SunBelt has done a good job geographically.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 10:59 pm to TROJANFORCEONE
I was referring to P5 leagues. For instance, SMU and Stanford going to the ACC. I am still wondering what the Rose Bowl thinks of no more Pac-12/Big Ten matchups.
At least, the Rose Bowl will be open to anyone who makes the playoff now.
At least, the Rose Bowl will be open to anyone who makes the playoff now.
This post was edited on 1/1/24 at 9:47 am
Posted on 12/31/23 at 11:03 pm to RollingwiththeTide
quote:There's no real reason divisions couldn't still exist. I mean it would have been pretty easy to stick OU in the east and us in the west, but whatever...we have no say in such matters.
Disagree with you on division play ending. Winning the West was an accomplishment every year. I hate to lose that because it made thing more fun in a way. The West is the best and hardest division in college ball and always felt like such a milestone to see Bama climb that mountain. It will be missed.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 11:08 pm to ht1950
Here is my biggest problem without divisions. You are playing all year to come in at least number 2. If I’m to old school fine I will wear that proudly but every team should be fighting to be number 1 in their division in their league. Don’t settle for second. The CFP makes more sense to be one of the 2 best but in the SEC fight to be number 1 in the division you play in then win the SECCG and be number 1 outright. I know that sound contradictory and dumb but be the best in your division first. Then the best in the whole conference. Then after that the SEC can land in the playoff in any position knowing that the SEC most often times finishes the whole damn deal number 1.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 11:20 pm to RollingwiththeTide
Did you have misgivings about the 12-team playoff at first like I did? But I've come around.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 11:36 pm to TROJANFORCEONE
quote:
SunBelt has done a good job geographically.
I didn't realize the Sunbelt has been vacated from Florida entirely.
Posted on 12/31/23 at 11:47 pm to ht1950
Still do to some degree. I just don’t want the regular season in college watered down to much. In basketball it’s already ruined. To many bids for to many teams that do not deserve the bid. College Football should get a true champ most years not the hottest team at the time. I know this year got messed up but that’s this stupid system. Winning the SEC does mean more than most leagues. I just don’t think Bama, Georgia, and LSU has gotten full credit for doing it in recent years. The SEC champ in number 1 most years. Division play has helped push SEC teams to the top. I just hate to lose all that.
Posted on 1/1/24 at 9:03 am to RollingwiththeTide
you are throwing away a cool aspect of the game without divisions.
it keeps a level of interest in place that otherwise might be missing among mediocre to poor teams - which is a good thing. think Falcons/Saints, Steelers/Browns/Bengals/Ravens. there are a lot of fans who will show up for those games even in down years. it’s a very marketable aspect of the product and you kinda toss it away by eliminating divisions.
LSU Arkie is another example. used to LOVE that game on Thanksgiving weekend and it came to be somewhat of a tradition and developed into its own sort of rivalry that had implications on reaching the SEC championship. now it’s just another game.
and they have taken away Auburn which has produced some of the most epic matches in our history. super close games for almost 20 years. poof. gone. OU in. blah.
it keeps a level of interest in place that otherwise might be missing among mediocre to poor teams - which is a good thing. think Falcons/Saints, Steelers/Browns/Bengals/Ravens. there are a lot of fans who will show up for those games even in down years. it’s a very marketable aspect of the product and you kinda toss it away by eliminating divisions.
LSU Arkie is another example. used to LOVE that game on Thanksgiving weekend and it came to be somewhat of a tradition and developed into its own sort of rivalry that had implications on reaching the SEC championship. now it’s just another game.
and they have taken away Auburn which has produced some of the most epic matches in our history. super close games for almost 20 years. poof. gone. OU in. blah.
Posted on 1/1/24 at 9:09 am to ht1950
B1G has 20 teams now? since when
Posted on 1/1/24 at 9:17 am to SOBMarcus
In 2024, Big Ten+ will have 18 schools, when USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon join. I exaggerated a little, but trust me, it won't be long before they go to 20. I wouldn't be surprised if they pick up a team or two from the ACC.
Posted on 1/1/24 at 9:20 am to RollingwiththeTide
quote:
The West
quote:
It will be missed.
Speak for yourself. SEC East (less Georgia) is now on the menu!
This post was edited on 1/1/24 at 9:22 am
Posted on 1/1/24 at 9:27 am to DocHogliday
I will miss divisions. It makes it much harder to get to Atlanta without them.
It’s also not going to be fun watching Bama-Georgia three times, some years.
It’s also not going to be fun watching Bama-Georgia three times, some years.
Posted on 1/1/24 at 9:31 am to ht1950
quote:
All the schools in the SEC are from states that touch each other.
Hey, we're not all Catholic... or Aggies.
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