Ranking the Likelihood of Permanent Opponent Rivalries

Don't be surprised when they release the permanent opponents and you see bama vs vandy.

Florida vs. Oklahoma? That makes zero sense. Might as well have them play Auburn or LSU instead.

LSU is gonna get Oklahoma to "solve" the last playing date TV problem.

I think LSU will get OU, OMiss, and Aggies.

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Florida vs. Oklahoma? That makes zero sense. Might as well have them play Auburn or LSU instead.

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Seems I remember hearing this one was actually in the original plan… which is why I included it in my guesses… albeit with the lowest confidence.

The reason UF is unlikely to land many of their more historical rivals is this:

LSU- LSU is likely to get Ole Miss and Texas A&M ahead of Florida. That only leaves one spot left. That 3rd spot will be a debate between AL, FL, MSU, and Arky most likely. I think they’ll choose Arkansas because otherwise Arkansas’ 3 would all most certainly be expansion teams and I think they’ll want to weave some of the founders into their 3. Also it’s a trophy game.

Auburn- Florida won’t get assigned Auburn because there is no way they are going to make AU play Alabama, Georgia, and Florida every single season. Too difficult.

Tennessee- The Vols are a hot commodity in that Alabama, Vandy, and Kentucky all think their game with them will be permanent. I think the office is not going to give UT such an easy slate with both Vandy and Kentucky, so one of those will get dropped (sorry Kentucky). I think Tennessee is the most likely one of these three to get put on Florida’s schedule however I think Ole Miss-Tennessee will get picked for the Vols.

Ultimately the TV execs are going to want some big games to get assigned which is why I could see a random game between either Texas or Oklahoma and one of the original Big 6 members getting assigned. I this case, I could see OU-UF making sense.

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LSU- LSU is likely to get Ole Miss and Texas A&M ahead of Florida. That only leaves one spot left. That 3rd spot will be a debate between AL, FL, MSU, and Arky most likely. I think they’ll choose Arkansas because otherwise Arkansas’ 3 would all most certainly be expansion teams and I think they’ll want to weave some of the founders into their 3. Also it’s a trophy game.

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I think to put it simply, geography is going to a play a big role in these decisions because historically its the reason for some of the most heated rivalries.

For Tennessee that is going to be odd because of the shape of the state. But I think that means we lose the Florida game annually. We keep Bama and Vandy for sure. But I really think the third will be Kentucky. Its a pretty favorable draw if it shakes out that way considering the run Florida, Bama and then Georgia all went on during the past 20-25 years and the fact we played all of them every single year.

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Don't be surprised when they release the permanent opponents and you see bama vs vandy.

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Y’all are the biggest fricking victims on earth.

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LSU is gonna get Oklahoma to "solve" the last playing date TV problem.

I think LSU will get OU, OMiss, and Aggies.

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Thank you for mentioning the LSU scheduling problem for rivalry week. It is MAJOR factor in determining the 3 permanent opponents selected for LSU, and no one wants to hear it. 1 of LSU's 3 opponents have to be available to play on rivalry week, so that means someone other than Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss or A&M.

However, I believe there is a better and more likely solution than to make LSU and Oklahoma permanent opponents:
Switch Arkansas's rivalry week opponent to LSU and switch Missouri's to Oklahoma.
-Arkansas is the only SEC team other than Oklahoma that can be made available on rivalry week.
-For LSU, Arkansas is no doubt a better rivalry week opponent than Oklahoma.
-For Oklahoma, Missouri is a better rivalry week opponent as they have a history in the Big12.
-Arkansas and Missouri can still play as permanent opponents earlier in the season.

I think the SEC head office is aware of this option, and I believe Arkansas and Ole Miss are locks for 2 of the permanent opponents for LSU.

As for the 3rd team, its more about who is available.
-I doubt they give Auburn 3 tough permanent opponents in Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.
-The same could be said for Alabama who will undoubtedly have Auburn and Tennessee as 2 of their 3.
-Florida or A&M will most likely be the 3rd for LSU. But Alabama or Auburn is possible.

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Ultimately the TV execs are going to want some big games to get assigned which is why I could see a random game between either Texas or Oklahoma and one of the original Big 6 members getting assigned. I this case, I could see OU-UF making sense.

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I disagree. Remember in the new format, every team will play each other across 2 seasons. The big matchups will still happen.

I think the only 2 factors being considered by the SEC head office are preserving traditional rivalries and solving scheduling issues (Like the LSU-rivalry week issue)

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However, I believe there is a better and more likely solution than to make LSU and Oklahoma permanent opponents: Switch Arkansas's rivalry week opponent to LSU and switch Missouri's to Oklahoma. -Arkansas is the only SEC team other than Oklahoma that can be made available on rivalry week. -For LSU, Arkansas is no doubt a better rivalry week opponent than Oklahoma. -For Oklahoma, Missouri is a better rivalry week opponent as they have a history in the Big12. -Arkansas and Missouri can still play as permanent opponents earlier in the season.

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Amen! Get it done…it never should have been changed to begin with..

Nuttin wrong with bama having vandy if their other 2 permanents are Auburn and Tennessee