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3 Annual Opponents “4 Year Cycle”
Posted on 9/25/25 at 9:48 am
Posted on 9/25/25 at 9:48 am
It’s interesting that they’re going to look at the 3 annual opponents again in 4 years…which is around 2030 when the next round of media deals & (presumed) realignment happens.
9
Posted on 9/25/25 at 9:53 am to southernboisb
People just need to enjoy games and worry less about "conferences".
The originating need for a "conference" was geographical, academic, and by-law oriented.
None of that exists now. It's a joke that we still whack to the notion of conferences and comparing one against the other (there's basically only two now) like it means something.
These are just media packages, and they will be restructured more often and faster than you can spell E-S-P-N. Just kick back and enjoy.
The originating need for a "conference" was geographical, academic, and by-law oriented.
None of that exists now. It's a joke that we still whack to the notion of conferences and comparing one against the other (there's basically only two now) like it means something.
These are just media packages, and they will be restructured more often and faster than you can spell E-S-P-N. Just kick back and enjoy.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 9:54 am to MtVernon
I am a Georgia fan. I have never gotten the "SEC-SEC" stuff. Frankly the rest of the conference can go to hell.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 9:57 am to southernboisb
quote:
It’s interesting that they’re going to look at the 3 annual opponents again in 4 years
If Alabama, Georgia, and Vanderbilt all suck in 4 years it would be unfair to the rest of the conference for Auburn to get to play all 3 each year.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:02 am to southernboisb
quote:ESPN deal ends in 2034. But, maximizing the TV ratings ahead of that will be paramount.
which is around 2030 when the next round of media deals & (presumed) realignment happens
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:04 am to Tarpon08
DSOR & IB are glued to Auburn.
So Vandy would be the only discussion.
Personally, I think LSU got the easiest selection.
So Vandy would be the only discussion.
Personally, I think LSU got the easiest selection.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:08 am to BevoBucks
True, the SEC’s does happen later.
But doesn’t stop realignment (esp. when the ACC cost will be ~$75 million to leave).
But doesn’t stop realignment (esp. when the ACC cost will be ~$75 million to leave).
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:28 am to Tarpon08
quote:
If Alabama, Georgia, and Vanderbilt all suck in 4 years it would be unfair to the rest of the conference for Auburn to get to play all 3 each year.
Auburn will be playing Georgia and Alabama until a comet takes us out.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:42 am to Tarpon08
quote:
If Alabama, Georgia, and Vanderbilt all suck in 4 years it would be unfair to the rest of the conference for Auburn to get to play all 3 each year.
The idea has a lot of potential as a de facto relegation system.
Teams that get relegated might have to win more games to make the playoffs, but there’s also less risk of having a terrible win-loss record any given season.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:54 am to southernboisb
I'm not sure how feasible it is with other teams' schedules, but I think it'd be better if all teams that don't absolutely have three permanent rivals they must play each year (thinking Texas here) rotated their third, least-necessary permanent team every four years between each other.
That means you'd play more teams more than half of the time. For example, OU could be playing teams like Arkansas and A&M (along with Ole Miss) 8 out of the next 12 years instead of just 6 out of 12 for Arkansas/A&M and 12 out of 12 for Ole Miss.
My ideal situation for OU would be that we play Texas every year, and then we rotate our other two permanent opponents every four years. That's probably not workable, but that would give us the most exposure to all teams in the conference while keeping the one rivalry we absolutely have to have every year.
That means you'd play more teams more than half of the time. For example, OU could be playing teams like Arkansas and A&M (along with Ole Miss) 8 out of the next 12 years instead of just 6 out of 12 for Arkansas/A&M and 12 out of 12 for Ole Miss.
My ideal situation for OU would be that we play Texas every year, and then we rotate our other two permanent opponents every four years. That's probably not workable, but that would give us the most exposure to all teams in the conference while keeping the one rivalry we absolutely have to have every year.
This post was edited on 9/25/25 at 10:58 am
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:54 am to aubiecat
quote:Yep. It’s the only thing that keeps Auburn relevant as a college.
Auburn will be playing Georgia and Alabama until a comet takes us out.
And that’s coming from someone whose family originates from the GA side of lake Walter F. George
Posted on 9/25/25 at 10:55 am to southernboisb
quote:
they’re
In this case, it means the media (ABC/ESPN) so they can stay abreast of the best ratings matchups. Nothing to do with fans.
Rodo
Posted on 9/25/25 at 11:11 am to Yokelhoma
quote:
I'm not sure how feasible it is with other teams' schedules, but I think it'd be better if all teams that don't absolutely have three permanent rivals they must play each year (thinking Texas here) rotated their third, least-necessary permanent team every four years between each other.
That means you'd play more teams more than half of the time. For example, OU could be playing teams like Arkansas and A&M (along with Ole Miss) 8 out of the next 12 years instead of just 6 out of 12 for Arkansas/A&M and 12 out of 12 for Ole Miss.
My ideal situation for OU would be that we play Texas every year, and then we rotate our other two permanent opponents every four years. That's probably not workable, but that would give us the most exposure to all teams in the conference while keeping the one rivalry we absolutely have to have every year.
This definitely could work, but I'm not sure Birmingham is willing to put in the work required to make it work.
Oklahoma
P1: Texas (Play 4x every 4 years)
P2: Ole Miss
P3: Missouri / Texas A&M (Play Both 3x every 4 years)
Missouri
P1: Arkansas
P2: So Carolina
P3: Texas A&M / Oklahoma (3x)
Texas A&M
P1: Texas
P2: LSU
P3: Oklahoma / Missouri (3x)
Or something like that.. The trick is making it work for all 16 teams. It isn't easy, but it's doable.
This post was edited on 9/25/25 at 11:18 am
Posted on 9/25/25 at 11:17 am to MtVernon
quote:
People just need to enjoy games and worry less about "conferences".
easy to say when your team has changed conferences so many times.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 11:24 am to southernboisb
I think they only said that to placate fans who didn't like the original arrangement
Nothing more permanent than a temporary solution
Nothing more permanent than a temporary solution
Posted on 9/25/25 at 11:28 am to Topwater Trout
quote:
easy to say when your team has changed conferences so many times.
and your conference has changed teams so many times.
The changing landscape has affected us both, whether changing or staying.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 6:14 pm to BigBro
Keep in mind there may be MORE than 16 in the SEC then.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 6:15 pm to cardboardboxer
Hince why I brought up realignment part.
Posted on 9/25/25 at 6:22 pm to southernboisb
quote:
interesting that they’re going to look at the 3 annual opponents again in 4 years
They will not remove traditional rivals. They will ensure competitive balance is maintained as much as possible.
I think it is a good decision
Posted on 9/25/25 at 7:52 pm to southernboisb
quote:
Keep in mind there may be MORE than 16 in the SEC then.
SEC grant of rights ends 2034, ACC (Idiots) ends 2036.
Yeah the last 4 schools I could see are UNC, UVA, Duke, and Kansas. Could also see ND over Duke or Kansas. Significantly improves the value of the conference for Men’s BB and actually dilutes the football schedules a little for the 8 NC contending teams (Big 6 +Tx and OU). All are members of the AAU and all but Duke are the states flagship universities. These 9 conference game schedules are going to be brutal…bring in 4 mid tier football programs to increase the win Pctg. While improving the BB product at the same time all while maintaining a contiguous regional footprint while also adding several large metro areas for raw viewership numbers. I know people think cord cutting is decreasing ESPN value and it is, but YoutubeTV, HULU, and DirectTV stream all pay similar carriage fees to ESPN like cable companies.
The Big 10 has like 5 competitive programs (OSU, UM, PennSt, Oregon, USC) compared to our 8 and the SEC is a significantly deeper league. Let the BiG take Clemson, FSU, and maybe Miami to try and keep up…I know the arguments for adding Clemson and FSU to the SEC and I respectfully disagree. Nope, don’t want. FSU had their chance.
What’s left of the big 12 and the ACC would essentially be relegated to the group of 5 level and the top 2 leagues would be all that was left. I could see a mandate to go to a 10 game conference e schedule and +1 from ether the BiG or what’s left of the ACC/Big 12.
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