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Predicting our 2024 conference slate

Posted on 2/14/23 at 7:20 am
Posted by RollTide1987
Augusta, GA
Member since Nov 2009
69808 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 7:20 am
With Texas and Oklahoma both coming into the conference starting that season, I have a hunch that the SEC will give us both of those teams based on historical trends. When the conference first expanded back in 1992 we got both Arkansas and South Carolina. Same thing in 2012 when we got both Texas A&M and Missouri. And if the rumors coming out of Birmingham are true, it's looking like our three permanent opponents will be Auburn, Tennessee, and Mississippi State. Assuming a 3-6 schedule format, I think our schedule is going to look something like this:

@ Texas
vs. Oklahoma
@ Tennessee
@ Mississippi State
vs. Auburn

Thank goodness the playoffs are expanding because the chances of going undefeated against that slate are slim to say the least. But what of the last four teams? If Texas and Oklahoma are on our schedule in 2024, I highly doubt we will draw Florida, Texas A&M, or LSU. At this point I'm just spitballing but I think the last four teams on our schedule for 2024 will be Kentucky, Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Arkansas. And if that were to come to fruition our SEC slate would look something like this:

@ Texas
vs. Kentucky
@ Ole Miss
vs. Oklahoma
@ Tennessee
vs. South Carolina
@ Mississippi State
vs. Arkansas
vs. Auburn
Posted by In Hsv
Huntsville
Member since Oct 2011
328 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 7:29 am to
Don't see us playing Texas three years in a row.
Posted by Riseupfromtherubble
You'll Never Walk Alone
Member since Jun 2011
39601 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 8:41 am to
I just hope we don’t lose any of our scheduled non conference games. Looking forward to the game in Tallahassee in 2025
Posted by Ssubba
Member since Oct 2014
7385 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 9:25 am to
The combo of UT/OU does not equal Mizzou/A&M, etc. No reason to give us Texas out the gate after just doing a home/away series. Give us OU. Georgia/UT would be a fun early season conference game that I'm sure ESPN would love.
This post was edited on 2/14/23 at 9:36 am
Posted by TidalSurge1
Ft Walton Beach
Member since Sep 2016
36467 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 10:28 am to
quote:

I just hope we don’t lose any of our scheduled non conference games. Looking forward to the game in Tallahassee in 2025

A 9th game cuts out 1 OOC rent-a-win game. A new SEC-wide scheduling grid might also require some OOC schedule alterations.

The 9-game model must align all rotations via a consistent schedule grid -- e.g., 1 SEC rival, 2 rotational & 1 OOC per month (Sep, Oct, Nov), with 8 byes in week-7 and 8 in week-8 -- which also accommodates the OOC rivalry games (FL-FSU, GA-GT, KY-UL, SC-CU).

9-game/3-6 model scheduling is like solving a Sudoku puzzle -- lots of interdependencies.

At this juncture, which SEC teams we'll play (h/a) in 2024 is just guesswork.
This post was edited on 2/19/23 at 12:27 pm
Posted by TidalSurge1
Ft Walton Beach
Member since Sep 2016
36467 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 11:58 am to
Sankey recently said an 8-game/no-divisions model (1 yearly rivalry, 7 rotational games) is also a viable option. Likely yearly rivals:

AL-AU
AR-MO
FL-GA
KY-SC
LS-TA
OM-MS
OK-TX
TN-VU

Regardless of whether the new scheduling model is 8 or 9 games, I want the SEC to ban FCS opponents and the CFP to disqualify teams that play them.
This post was edited on 2/17/23 at 7:42 pm
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
66950 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 12:36 pm to
quote:

Don't see us playing Texas three years in a row.

Never underestimate the SEC schedulers ability to do the illogical.
Posted by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
51536 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 12:41 pm to
Exactly, I think there is a lot of teams that absolutely do not want a 9 game sec schedule. I still believe it will only be 1 permanent rival and rotating the other 7. Divisions will be gone
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
66950 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 1:03 pm to
I will be again very disappointed if the SEC remains with an 8 game conference schedule.
Posted by TidalSurge1
Ft Walton Beach
Member since Sep 2016
36467 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 1:45 pm to
The 8-game/1-7 model's rotations are just as frequent as the 9-game/3-6 model's.

SEC FB programs vying for bowl eligibility are against a 9th intra-SEC game because it would ensure another loss for 8 SEC teams.

Although I prefer 9, I'd be ok with 8, but only if the SEC bans FCS opponents and requires 2 P5 and 2 G5 OOC opponents.
This post was edited on 2/20/23 at 5:12 pm
Posted by RolltidePA
North Carolina
Member since Dec 2010
5104 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 1:46 pm to
quote:

Don't see us playing Texas three years in a row.



If it's what the media folks think will be the biggest money maker, we'll be playing them every year.
Posted by Ssubba
Member since Oct 2014
7385 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 2:02 pm to
9 conference games is the only reason I'm excited for this expansion. It would be a massive slap in the face to ticket holders if the SEC trots out a 8 game schedule. More than ever college football has to adapt.
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
66950 posts
Posted on 2/14/23 at 2:48 pm to
quote:

It would be a massive slap in the face to ticket holders if the SEC trots out a 8 game schedule.

Yep, i can see your home slate to be Chattanooga, Kent State, Colorado State, Austin Peay, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Mississippi State, and Auburn
Posted by RollTide1987
Augusta, GA
Member since Nov 2009
69808 posts
Posted on 2/15/23 at 6:45 am to
quote:

I want the SEC to ban FCS opponents and the CFP to disqualify teams that play them.



I can definitely get behind this.
Posted by TidalSurge1
Ft Walton Beach
Member since Sep 2016
36467 posts
Posted on 2/15/23 at 7:32 am to
Imo, an 8-game/7-1 model is OK, but only if it requires playing 2 P5 & 2 G5 OOC opponents.

Maybe CFP qualification should also require G5s to play P5s in their OOC games.
This post was edited on 2/19/23 at 4:51 pm
Posted by TidalSurge1
Ft Walton Beach
Member since Sep 2016
36467 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 5:12 pm to
Assuming Bama's 3 rivals are AU, TN and OM, here's a guess at Bama's 2024-27 slates (w/o noting home/aways; weeks 1-3 = OOC games):

2024 - weeks 1-13:
WK SF WI OM FL TA TN xx OK SC MO MS AU
2025 - weeks 1-13:
FS LM WI OM FL TA TN xx OK SC MO MS AU
2026 - weeks 1-13:
WV SF FS OM LS TX TN xx GA KY AR VU AU
2027 - weeks 1-13:
WV OS __ OM LS TX TN xx GA KY AR VU AU
This post was edited on 2/23/23 at 12:03 am
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