re: Why did the SEC only play 6 conference games a season up til the late 80's

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Six was not mandated, it was the minimum. The SEC office was not involved in scheduling so each team set its own. Remember this system was originally set up when the SEC had ten schools and a season was ten games. It wasn’t until expansion and creation of divisions that scheduling became controlled by the REC through their puppets at the SEC office in Birmingham.

Also when the system was set up, travel was by bus or train... which influenced playing teams within a reasonable distance. LSU did not play Georgia for 25 years partly for that reason.

You young fellers should be aware that the world of 14 SEC teams, air travel, unbelievable practice facilities, 12 game seasons.. is new.

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Travel was a factor, but money considerations were a factor, too. Remember that, back in those days, teams used to split the gate, so, there was a lot of incentive to schedule to your financial needs.

Florida and Auburn played a lot not just because of proximity, but also because they were regarded as out of the way places, with small stadiums, that the big boys didn't want to travel to if they could avoid it. Being in similar situations, they were willing to play each other home and home. Auburn had to agree to play home games in Birmingham in order to entice UT to play them.

Bama won a few SEC titles by playing more games than the minimum and could do so because other schools wanted the payday that came with scheduling the Tide.