re: Why did the SEC let in Arkansas?

What did the "SEC" have to do with letting Arkansas into the conference? Hint - it has to do with the Fraternity-of-the-Big-Red "A."

Alabama allowed Arkansas in to beat up LSU, Mississippi (when needed), Tennessee (on occasion) and any other team that needs a loss to insure Alabama wins the West. They in turn agreed to play a close game occasionally against Alabama so that the rest of the teams don't get suspicious, but they are strictly prohibited from actually winning a game against the Tide.

That is Arkansas' only job, act as Alabama's wing man ... and it is the reason they were allowed in. So far it has worked out well.

I could tell you the agreement Alabama has with South Carolina and Florida about Georgia to keep the doggies down. But actually, so far it hasn't been much of a problem when Georgia wins the East.