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re: A Different List of Permanent Opponents: Geography, Rivalries, and Balance
Posted on 8/24/25 at 11:36 am to ibldprplgld
Posted on 8/24/25 at 11:36 am to ibldprplgld
quote:
And honestly, who gives a shite about missouri? No one I've seen tbh.
That's what I started with them. Someone has to be one of their three permanents.
2
Posted on 8/24/25 at 11:40 am to all4AU
quote:
That's what I started with them. Someone has to be one of their three permanents.
Yup. I like your selections for LSU.
quote:
LSU: Ark, OM, Fla
Posted on 8/24/25 at 11:42 am to Harry Boutte
quote:
I agree, and it would be simple for the OP to switch out A&M for Ark with LSU.
OU: Ark, Texas, Miz
LSU: UF, OM, A&M
I think that would be a difficult 3 for LSU.
ETA: As evidenced by the comments from LSU, I don't think A&M/LSU is something that must be an annual thing. They'd still play every other year.
This post was edited on 8/24/25 at 11:45 am
Posted on 8/24/25 at 11:46 am to BigBro
quote:
Option 2
LSU vs Arkansas
Oklahoma vs Mizzou
This is the way.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 11:51 am to Pvt Hudson
quote:
A&M feels more like Texas, LSU, Arkansas
Agreed. The LSU/Florida game is more of a recent series due to permanent opponents being added after A&M and Missouri joined the league rather than a traditional rivalry.
I'd switch out LSU vs Florida and replace it with A&M for LSU and Tennessee for Florida...
LSU: OM, A&M, Arkansas
Florida: UGA, Tennessee, South Carolina
Tennessee: Bama, Florida, Vandy
A&M: Texas, LSU, Missouri
Arkansas: Texas, LSU, Missouri
Texas: OU, A&M, Arkansas
Other than those changes, the rest of the OP's list of permanent opponents looks reasonable
This post was edited on 8/24/25 at 12:00 pm
Posted on 8/24/25 at 12:02 pm to 308
quote:
It all started with that 7OT theft job that was put on LSU.
Oh yeah you were robbed that game. No doubt at all.
But it just adds to the animosity with the ags that's turning into a good rivalry.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 12:04 pm to all4AU
Probably the best I’ve seen
Posted on 8/24/25 at 12:10 pm to all4AU
this is the best i've seen so far. nothing is gonna be perfect.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 1:31 pm to BigBro
Quote
“Who are LSU and Oklahoma playing for Thanksgiving?”
LSU-Tulane
Oklahoma-Oklahoma State
Arkansas-Missouri
TX-A&M
Ole Miss-State
Aub-Bama
FL-FLST
GA-Tech
USC-Clemmie
UK-LOU
UT-Vandy
Then the world is back on its axis again.
“Who are LSU and Oklahoma playing for Thanksgiving?”
LSU-Tulane
Oklahoma-Oklahoma State
Arkansas-Missouri
TX-A&M
Ole Miss-State
Aub-Bama
FL-FLST
GA-Tech
USC-Clemmie
UK-LOU
UT-Vandy
Then the world is back on its axis again.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 1:59 pm to Godawgs4
quote:
LSU-Tulane Oklahoma-Oklahoma State Arkansas-Missouri TX-A&M Ole Miss-State Aub-Bama FL-FLST GA-Tech USC-Clemmie UK-LOU UT-Vandy Then the world is back on its axis again.
Kansas vs Mizzou should happen in that universe..
Florida vs FSU
So Carolina vs Clemson
Kentucky vs Louisville
Georgia vs GT
Alabama vs Auburn
Texas vs A&M
Ole Miss vs Miss State
Tennessee vs Vanderbilt
LSU vs Oklahoma!!
Arkansas vs Ok State
Mizzou vs Kansas
This would be solid imo!
If LSU wants Tulane, we’ll need to find someone for Arkansas.. they don’t want Mizzou
This post was edited on 8/24/25 at 2:01 pm
Posted on 8/24/25 at 2:03 pm to all4AU
quote:
Tennessee and Ole Miss both get lighter permanents because of Vandy,
Eh, I say give Tenner and Ole Piss to Vandy. It at least gives Vandy a good chance at a winning record.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 3:09 pm to all4AU
I had something very similar to yours - I'm hell bent on getting Auburn v Florida restored - that has been the biggest travesty from SEC HQ since 2003 - 
ALA - AUB MSU TEN
ARK - LSU OKU TEX
AUB - ALA FLA UGA
FLA - AUB UGA LSU
UGA - AUB FLA USC
KEN - USC TEN VAN
LSU - ARK FLA OLE
OLE - LSU MSU VAN
MSU - ALA OLE A&M
MIZ - OKU USC A&M
OKU - ARK MIZ TEX
USC - UGA KEN MIZ
TEN - ALA KEN VAN
TEX - ARK OKU A&M
A&M - MSU MIZ TEX
VAN - KEN OLE TEN
----------------------------------------
Thanksgiving Weekend -
Thursday 7pm CST - Egg Bowl
Friday 230pm CST - Arkansas v LSU - Das Boot
Saturday -
Iron Bowl
Florida v FSU
Georgia v Georgia Tech
Kentucky v Louisville
Missouri v Oklahoma
South Carolina v Clem
Tennessee v Vanderbilt
Texas A&M v Texas U
ALA - AUB MSU TEN
ARK - LSU OKU TEX
AUB - ALA FLA UGA
FLA - AUB UGA LSU
UGA - AUB FLA USC
KEN - USC TEN VAN
LSU - ARK FLA OLE
OLE - LSU MSU VAN
MSU - ALA OLE A&M
MIZ - OKU USC A&M
OKU - ARK MIZ TEX
USC - UGA KEN MIZ
TEN - ALA KEN VAN
TEX - ARK OKU A&M
A&M - MSU MIZ TEX
VAN - KEN OLE TEN
----------------------------------------
Thanksgiving Weekend -
Thursday 7pm CST - Egg Bowl
Friday 230pm CST - Arkansas v LSU - Das Boot
Saturday -
Iron Bowl
Florida v FSU
Georgia v Georgia Tech
Kentucky v Louisville
Missouri v Oklahoma
South Carolina v Clem
Tennessee v Vanderbilt
Texas A&M v Texas U
Posted on 8/24/25 at 3:14 pm to 1801
Not that they are even considering this cause SEC headquarters are idiots, but they better system would be,,
South Eastern Conference Wins
I think the SEC's scheduling issues with the conference going to 9 games is going to bring the same unbalanced issues we see now(IE: Florida playing aTm 6 times since they joined vs UGA only once). The goal: minimize strength-of-schedule gaps, balance non-rivalry games, and ensure every 3-year player faces all teams. Here's my POD system idea:
POD Structure
Divide 16 teams into 4 PODs (4 teams each).
Cluster geographically, keeping in-state teams together (e.g., Vanderbilt/Tennessee, Florida/Georgia).
Example PODs:
South: Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
East: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky.
Central: LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State
West: Texas A&M, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma.
Cross-POD Rivalries
Each team gets one cross-POD rival to preserve history (e.g., Auburn vs.Georgia) or start new ones. (The Battle of Columbus USCe vs Mizzu)
This keeps traditions alive while adding fresh matchups.
9-Game Schedule
Play all 3 teams in your POD (home/away rotates).
Play your 3 cross-POD rivals (one from each other's POD; fixed annually).
Play 3 teams from a rotating "match POD" (non-rivals, for variety).
Yearly Match POD Rotations & Championship
Year 1: East vs. South (best record advances to SEC title); West vs. Central (best advances).
Year 2: East vs. Central; West vs. South.
Year 3: East vs. West; Central vs. South.
The cycle repeats every 3 years.
Tiebreakers
6/9 games are common between any two teams.
For ties: Use the record in those 6 shared games first.
This setup ensures balance, protects rivalries, and rotates opponents fairly.
Cross POD Rivals
East
Florida: S-Tennessee, C-LSU, W-aTm
UGA: S-Aubrun, C-Ole Miss, W-Texas
USC: S-Alabama, C-Mizzu, W-OU
Kentucky: S-Vandy, C-MSU, W-Arkansas
South
Alabama: E-USC, C-LSU, W-aTm
Auburn: E-UGA, C-Ole Miss, W-OU
Tennessee: E-Florida, C-Mizzu, W-Texas
Vanderbilt: E-UK, C-MSU, W-Arkansas
Central
LSU: E-Florida, S-Bama, W-aTm
MSU: E-UK, S-Vandy, W-OU
Ole Miss: E-UGA, S-Auburn, W-Texas
Missouri: E-USC, S-Tennessee, W-Arkansas
West
Oklahoma: E-USC, S-Auburn, C-MSU
Texas: E-UGA, S-Tennessee, C-Ole Miss
Texas A&M: E-Florida, S-Bama, C-LSU
Arkansas: E-UK, S-Vandy, C-Mizzu
South Eastern Conference Wins
I think the SEC's scheduling issues with the conference going to 9 games is going to bring the same unbalanced issues we see now(IE: Florida playing aTm 6 times since they joined vs UGA only once). The goal: minimize strength-of-schedule gaps, balance non-rivalry games, and ensure every 3-year player faces all teams. Here's my POD system idea:
POD Structure
Divide 16 teams into 4 PODs (4 teams each).
Cluster geographically, keeping in-state teams together (e.g., Vanderbilt/Tennessee, Florida/Georgia).
Example PODs:
South: Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
East: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky.
Central: LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State
West: Texas A&M, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma.
Cross-POD Rivalries
Each team gets one cross-POD rival to preserve history (e.g., Auburn vs.Georgia) or start new ones. (The Battle of Columbus USCe vs Mizzu)
This keeps traditions alive while adding fresh matchups.
9-Game Schedule
Play all 3 teams in your POD (home/away rotates).
Play your 3 cross-POD rivals (one from each other's POD; fixed annually).
Play 3 teams from a rotating "match POD" (non-rivals, for variety).
Yearly Match POD Rotations & Championship
Year 1: East vs. South (best record advances to SEC title); West vs. Central (best advances).
Year 2: East vs. Central; West vs. South.
Year 3: East vs. West; Central vs. South.
The cycle repeats every 3 years.
Tiebreakers
6/9 games are common between any two teams.
For ties: Use the record in those 6 shared games first.
This setup ensures balance, protects rivalries, and rotates opponents fairly.
Cross POD Rivals
East
Florida: S-Tennessee, C-LSU, W-aTm
UGA: S-Aubrun, C-Ole Miss, W-Texas
USC: S-Alabama, C-Mizzu, W-OU
Kentucky: S-Vandy, C-MSU, W-Arkansas
South
Alabama: E-USC, C-LSU, W-aTm
Auburn: E-UGA, C-Ole Miss, W-OU
Tennessee: E-Florida, C-Mizzu, W-Texas
Vanderbilt: E-UK, C-MSU, W-Arkansas
Central
LSU: E-Florida, S-Bama, W-aTm
MSU: E-UK, S-Vandy, W-OU
Ole Miss: E-UGA, S-Auburn, W-Texas
Missouri: E-USC, S-Tennessee, W-Arkansas
West
Oklahoma: E-USC, S-Auburn, C-MSU
Texas: E-UGA, S-Tennessee, C-Ole Miss
Texas A&M: E-Florida, S-Bama, C-LSU
Arkansas: E-UK, S-Vandy, C-Mizzu
Posted on 8/24/25 at 3:27 pm to Tammany Tom
quote:
I see LSU having Ole Miss and A&M as yearly opponents as a virtual lock. LSU’s third opponent will be one of the following three: Bama, Florida, or Arkansas.
If we already have ole Miss and A&M, the only options are Arky or OU, for Thanksgiving. Would love to get the Arky Black Friday games back, but think it will be OU.
And by time we start getting a decent rival with them, SEC will change things again.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 3:27 pm to 1801
My only thought 1801 is a few teams are loaded with 3 heavy permanents (Ark, Aub, and Fla), and add Oklahoma to the list of teams getting off light.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 3:40 pm to PurpleSingularity
quote:
I hope LSU can somehow maneuver away from A&M as a permanent opponent…it makes us look bad to be that closely associated with that clown program
So the real reason is LSU is afraid to lose to Texas A&M more often down the road.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 4:05 pm to all4AU
quote:
My only thought 1801 is a few teams are loaded with 3 heavy permanents (Ark, Aub, and Fla), and add Oklahoma to the list of teams getting off light.
fair point - your pairings are more balanced - mine didn't keep Auburn v State and its now 97 meetings - and paired MSU v A&M - which has no real history prior to 2012 - Indy Snow Bowl was the only game since 1937 -
This post was edited on 8/24/25 at 4:11 pm
Posted on 8/24/25 at 4:22 pm to BigBro
Oklahoma has played Missouri 97 times. They need to keep use that at Thanksgiving. Let lsu and Arkansas go back to black Friday game
Posted on 8/24/25 at 4:48 pm to Pvt Hudson
quote:
A&M feels more like Texas, LSU, Arkansas
Agree, but hoping for Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Miss State.
Posted on 8/24/25 at 5:10 pm to GobyGator
you obviously put a lot of thought into this, but I don’t think that they’re going to give A&M that schedule..
If I’m reading it right..
A&M Schedule
All Years
Texas
Oklahoma
LSU
Georgia
Alabama
Mizzou
Y1 + OM, ARK, MS
Y2 + AUB, TN, V
Y3 + FL, SC, KY
holy hell at Year 2
If I’m reading it right..
A&M Schedule
All Years
Texas
Oklahoma
LSU
Georgia
Alabama
Mizzou
Y1 + OM, ARK, MS
Y2 + AUB, TN, V
Y3 + FL, SC, KY
holy hell at Year 2
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