re: If the SEC goes to the 3-6 scheduling option, which 3 permanent opponents should we face?

Kentucky and Vanderbilt would be Saban’s picks along with Tennessee

quote:

---

I hear what you are saying, but any four team pod/division that doesn't include all the schools that are in the same state is complete bullshite in my opinion.

If Texas and TAM aren't in the same division it looks ridiculously weak for both of them, like they're hiding like cowards.

---

There is no "perfect" solution and Texas and A&M are the only two schools from the same state that wouldn't be in the same division. IMO, that's not enough of an issue to screw everything up over. Particularly if it meant you would lose the OU v. Texas rivalry each year...which I'm CERTAIN from a marketing stand point means more than a Texas vs. A&M rivalry that hasn't been played in 10 years...and hasn't really been missed by either side.

quote:

---

I get that a four team division of LSU, Ark, Ole, MSST lines up really well for us, but why fault us for having a great geographic location? frick, the whole conference is based on location to begin with.

---

Because balance is better for the league as a whole.

quote:

---

That is really why I think they just two an East/West division and we then rotate 1 or 2 teams from the East every season.

---

If you play an 8 game conference schedule then, for example, LSU, would only play each East opponent once every 8 years. And they would only play an away game in that Eastern' division opponents town once every 16 years. Why have a 16 team conference at that point? The west and east would essentially be two separate conferences. No different than if LSU played one Big 10, or ACC, or Pac 12 team a year.

The reason Texas and OU are joining the SEC, and the reason the SEC wants them, is to secure more and more money for media rights. If you bring Texas and OU in, but then lose the annual Iron Bowl, or Red River Shootout, or Cocktail Party, etc., the league becomes less marketable. Those are traditional games that draw attention.

Selfishly, as an LSU fan I hate the thought of losing the annual LSU v. Alabama game. But, again, there is no perfect scheduling solution and I think the 4 division scheme allows for the LEAGUE to be as entertaining as possible. Sure, losing LSU v. Alabama sucks. But that blow is lessened when it is replaced by LSU playing OU and Texas in the same season as well as Florida and Georgia in the next. I'd hate a scenario where LSU would play Georgia, Florida, Tennessee once every blue moon.

There have been a ton of “who are out real rivals” threads but simply put I want the most fun games to watch. Florida, Auburn and A&M always seem like fun, even, unpredictable contests. Like the Tulane rivalry, I am not sure current Ole Miss students, players and coaches actually hate LSU as they once did (maybe they do…). In a weird way, playing certain teams every other year will actually make those games more exciting when they do happen (Bama, Texas, Arkansas, Miss St)

From the referenced article

3 perm opponents:


4 perm opponents:


If it shakes out like this Aubie gonna be pissed.

A$m, OM and MSU

quote:

---

Bama would throw a fit if they had to play LSU and Auburn every year while (hypothetically) Georgia got Vandy and S Carolina. You know Bama is going to petition the conference for “fairness” in regard to their strength of schedule.

---

The SI article points out that the league will be divided into two pools to get the "lesser" teams to agree to a 3-6 format. The eight "power" teams and everyone else. Such a team like UGA, under this format, would have two permanent opponents from that power group and one for the bottom programs. The SI proposal has UGA getting Auburn, Florida, and Kentucky.

Damn it's going to suck the years you have 5 conference road games.

As long as we can still regularly kick ATM and Ole Piss’ asses, I don’t care who the 3rd is. For the sake of the OP’s question, Tennessee since I have family near there and would have a free room and food for the trip.

it would end up being Texas A$M, Ole Miss, Miss St

Yeah, LOL at Delly putting UThug with the Bottom Eight.