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re: SEC teams your team has played the fewest times
Posted on 6/2/20 at 8:44 pm to molsusports
Posted on 6/2/20 at 8:44 pm to molsusports
quote:
molsusports
The other question that arose in my mind was which teams are the most important rivals for each team- which relates to the frequency of times played but doesn't exactly match.
At first pass I would guess (ooc rivals mentioned but not ranked in parentheses):
Georgia: (Ga Tech)
1) Auburn and Florida
South Carolina: (Clemson)
1) UGA
2) Florida
& people wonder why I don't see SC as a rivalry.
1
Posted on 6/2/20 at 11:46 pm to southernboisb
Setting that aside I don't know why the roommate switch (rotating pod) solution hasn't been adopted so we can do a complete round robin rapidly.
Years 1 & 2 Divisions are:
1) UF, UGA, USC, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
2) Bama, Auburn, Tenn, Arky, MU, KY, Vandy
Years 3 & 4 Divisions are:
1) UF, UGA, USC, Arky, MU, KY, Vanderbilt
2) Bama, Auburn, Tenn, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Schedules by team:
Alabama
1&2: Auburn, Tenn, UF, UGA, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: Auburn, Tenn, UF, USC, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Auburn
1&2: Bama, Tenn, UGA, USC, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Tenn, UGA, UF, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Tennessee
1&2: Bama, Auburn, USC, Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Auburn, USC, UGA, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Florida:
1&2: UGA, USC, Bama, Tennessee, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
3&4: UGA, USC, Bama, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
UGA:
1&2: UF, USC, Auburn, Bama, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
3&4: UF, USC, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
USC:
1&2: UF, UGA, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
3&4: UF, UGA, Tennessee, Bama, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
LSU:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Arkansas, MSU, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, A&M, Missouri, MSU, Ole Miss, Kentucky
Ole Miss:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, A&M, Arkansas, MSU, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, A&M, MSU, Kentucky, Missouri
MSU:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, A&M, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Missouri
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, A&M, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
Texas A&M:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, MSU, Kentucky
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, MSU, Vanderbilt
Arkansas:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Missouri, MSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Missouri:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Arkansas, MSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Kentucky:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, A&M, Arkansas, Missouri, MSU, Vanderbilt
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss, Kentucky
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Arkansas, Missouri, MSU, Kentucky
Years 1 & 2 Divisions are:
1) UF, UGA, USC, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
2) Bama, Auburn, Tenn, Arky, MU, KY, Vandy
Years 3 & 4 Divisions are:
1) UF, UGA, USC, Arky, MU, KY, Vanderbilt
2) Bama, Auburn, Tenn, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Schedules by team:
Alabama
1&2: Auburn, Tenn, UF, UGA, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: Auburn, Tenn, UF, USC, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Auburn
1&2: Bama, Tenn, UGA, USC, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Tenn, UGA, UF, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Tennessee
1&2: Bama, Auburn, USC, Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Auburn, USC, UGA, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
Florida:
1&2: UGA, USC, Bama, Tennessee, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
3&4: UGA, USC, Bama, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
UGA:
1&2: UF, USC, Auburn, Bama, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
3&4: UF, USC, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
USC:
1&2: UF, UGA, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, A&M, Ole Miss, MSU
3&4: UF, UGA, Tennessee, Bama, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
LSU:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Arkansas, MSU, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, A&M, Missouri, MSU, Ole Miss, Kentucky
Ole Miss:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, A&M, Arkansas, MSU, Vanderbilt
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, A&M, MSU, Kentucky, Missouri
MSU:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, A&M, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Missouri
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, A&M, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
Texas A&M:
1&2: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, MSU, Kentucky
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, MSU, Vanderbilt
Arkansas:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Missouri, MSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Missouri:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Arkansas, MSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Kentucky:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, A&M, Arkansas, Missouri, MSU, Vanderbilt
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, LSU, Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt:
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss, Kentucky
3&4: UF, UGA, USC, A&M, Arkansas, Missouri, MSU, Kentucky
This post was edited on 6/3/20 at 12:20 am
Posted on 6/3/20 at 1:41 am to tkeefer
Take away the 3 games Arkansas and Vanderbilt played before Arkansas joined the SEC and we've played Vanderbilt the least.
Posted on 6/3/20 at 1:51 am to molsusports
quote:
Arkansas:
1) A&M, LSU
3) Missouri
Most of our games against Missouri have come since 2012. I'd definitely put Ole Miss ahead of Missouri.
Posted on 6/3/20 at 6:53 am to molsusports
Because their breakdown should have the B6 in the groups of 3 & the rest in groups of 4...broken down by geography.
Then, as I discussed with another poster on here, he also wanted the same amount of B6 opponents for ALL teams EACH year. Don't think there's a format to allow that.
With your breakdown above, that's the # B6 played years 1-2/3-4 per team. I feel for SC; yet LSU gets a cakewalk.
Then, as I discussed with another poster on here, he also wanted the same amount of B6 opponents for ALL teams EACH year. Don't think there's a format to allow that.
quote:
Alabama-3/4
Auburn-3/5
Tennessee-3/4
Florida-4/3
UGA-4/2
USC-5/4
LSU-2/3
Ole Miss-3/4
MSU-3/4
Texas A&M-3/4
Arkansas-4/2
Missouri-4/2
Kentucky-3/3
Vanderbilt-4/2
With your breakdown above, that's the # B6 played years 1-2/3-4 per team. I feel for SC; yet LSU gets a cakewalk.
This post was edited on 6/3/20 at 6:55 am
Posted on 6/3/20 at 10:39 am to southernboisb
The same number of B6 teams each year for every team is literally impossible and has never been a part of scheduling. Even if allowed to play a 13 game all in conference schedule, the non big six teams would play six and the big six would play five.
The within division division of power teams is very even FWIW. Since you picked out LSU I would note they would play either UF and UGA or Bama, Auburn, and Tennessee in division. That seems very similar to their present in division slate of Bama and Auburn. There are always variations in schedule difficulties (look at Florida this year or Auburn last year for examples) but this would generally be more even for more teams.
FWIW (and arguably like this year with the old format) schools like UF and UGA have a pretty easy in division pathway to the conference championship game - but it's hard to obsess over that as a difference since that's what Florida has scheduled for 2020.
The geography has been altered (diluted arguably) by expansion twice since the 90s but every team has three fixed opponents that are geographically logical and that compares favorably to what was consistently present before expansion.
The within division division of power teams is very even FWIW. Since you picked out LSU I would note they would play either UF and UGA or Bama, Auburn, and Tennessee in division. That seems very similar to their present in division slate of Bama and Auburn. There are always variations in schedule difficulties (look at Florida this year or Auburn last year for examples) but this would generally be more even for more teams.
FWIW (and arguably like this year with the old format) schools like UF and UGA have a pretty easy in division pathway to the conference championship game - but it's hard to obsess over that as a difference since that's what Florida has scheduled for 2020.
The geography has been altered (diluted arguably) by expansion twice since the 90s but every team has three fixed opponents that are geographically logical and that compares favorably to what was consistently present before expansion.
Posted on 6/3/20 at 10:47 am to tkeefer
Such a shame we don’t get to see the gamecocks more often. I want to see a good game at Williams-Brice. Like a top 25 game with something on the line.
Posted on 6/3/20 at 10:56 am to tkeefer
It's a shame that we've only played A&M once since they joined the conference. That was a great game. Would like to get them in Lexington with the momentum Stoops has had.
Posted on 6/3/20 at 11:04 pm to molsusports
quote:
molsusports
The within division division of power teams is very even FWIW. Since you picked out LSU I would note they would play either UF and UGA or Bama, Auburn, and Tennessee in division. That seems very similar to their present in division slate of Bama and Auburn. There are always variations in schedule difficulties (look at Florida this year or Auburn last year for examples) but this would generally be more even for more teams.
This is debatable because, as I pointed out earlier SC would have the toughest schedule out of all 14 teams & LSU the weakest. All that is based off you going by the breakdown on that website. I'm sure if you adjust the pods, then it'll be more balanced for all.
quote:
FWIW (and arguably like this year with the old format) schools like UF and UGA have a pretty easy in division pathway to the conference championship game - but it's hard to obsess over that as a difference since that's what Florida has scheduled for 2020.
While I can't really argue against that, I CAN say that it's based off geography (except Mizz.....but that's another conversation on it's own). The West has easier teams as well. So, it's not really an issue to be discussed because the divisions were NOT broken down by who is strong in football (let's not forget the '90's when Tn. pretty much chalked up an auto "W" on the schedule against Alabama - but nobody seems to want to acknowledge that history).
quote:
The geography has been altered (diluted arguably) by expansion twice since the 90s but every team has three fixed opponents that are geographically logical and that compares favorably to what was consistently present before expansion.
Define "geographically logical" & which 3 teams? How do you determine them? Per the OP's list, Georgia's top 3 are: Auburn (124), Florida (97), & Vanderbilt (80). That's 9 MORE than we've played SC, yet everybody clumps us with the GC's. So, shouldn't our history against the 'Dores count MORE than the history against SC? Auburn wants to play TN & FL more...yet they've played MSU 40 & 9 more than that duo. (FYI, Ala. & Fl. are tied @ 84...who gets the nod?)
Overall, there's a whole lot more that goes into scheduling than just pulling names out of a hat. Granted, the SEC SHOULD HAVE thought of scheduling when adding 2 more teams. However, what solutions can we come up with to possibly get things changed?
Now, not to go off on another tangent, but we know 2023-2025 is going to force some conferences to, possibly, shake things up. If that's the case, I'm almost positive the SEC will join them. After all, our current schedule rotation ends in 2026.
Posted on 6/4/20 at 9:52 am to tkeefer
Very interesting topic Keefer thank you for posting.
Posted on 6/5/20 at 2:42 am to southernboisb
I think the first point is simply untrue. The schedules (as they do now) would obviously vary considerably from year to year. If you are basing it on my proposed pods and schedules there would be years where the number of "big six" teams in division would be as low as one for UF and UGA (when they play MU, Arky, KY, Vsndy and only each other in division). They would still play two of three from the opposite three team pod of UT, AU, UA - but it seems unlikely that would matter since both play two and the head to head between UF/UGA probably determines who gets to ATL.
LSU FWIW never plays fewer than two in division (as well as A&M who seems like a safe bet to be better than Tennessee on average). UF and UGA would have two big six in division opponents in the 50% of years and one in the other 50% of years. UA, Tenn, AU, LSU, USC, MU, Ary, KY, and Vanderbilt would have two big six in division in 50% of years and three in three big six in the other 50%. A&M, OM, and MSU would have three big six (LSU, UF, UGA) 50% of the time and four (LSU, UA, AU, Tenn) the other 50% of the time.
If it wasn't clear the pods proposed in roommate switch ideas innately do fix three teams for every team (the other five played switch every two years). Just to reclarify that point they would be:
UA: AU, Tenn, FL
AU: UA, Tenn, UGA
Tenn: USC, UA, AU
UF: UA, UGA, USC
UGA: UF, AU, USC
LSU: A&M, OM MSU
A&M, LSU, OM, MSU
OM: MSU, A&M, LSU
MSU: OM, A&M, LSU
AR: MU, KY, VY
MU: AR, KY, VY
KY: VY, AR, MU
VY: KY, AR, MU
Those are geographically linked so some travel and interest is regional but still allows every team to literally play every other team at least 50% of the time.
With all due respect to the fans who are more interested in the games like UGA/VY and AU/MSU they don't seem to pack the stadium for or watch those games in large numbers. I think it's reasonable to assume the 50% of the time they still play is a good compromise for that minority contingent of historical purists.
Given the apparent lack of forethought the SEC gave to scheduling before expanding to fourteen I hope they will fix this while maintaining core rivalries and schedule parity. This is the best solution apparently available and I hope they eventually convert to it (FWIW it can be adapted to 16 teams if they successfully add two teams from the possible teams like OU, VA, or NC - but I'm good with the 14 we have being enough).
LSU FWIW never plays fewer than two in division (as well as A&M who seems like a safe bet to be better than Tennessee on average). UF and UGA would have two big six in division opponents in the 50% of years and one in the other 50% of years. UA, Tenn, AU, LSU, USC, MU, Ary, KY, and Vanderbilt would have two big six in division in 50% of years and three in three big six in the other 50%. A&M, OM, and MSU would have three big six (LSU, UF, UGA) 50% of the time and four (LSU, UA, AU, Tenn) the other 50% of the time.
If it wasn't clear the pods proposed in roommate switch ideas innately do fix three teams for every team (the other five played switch every two years). Just to reclarify that point they would be:
UA: AU, Tenn, FL
AU: UA, Tenn, UGA
Tenn: USC, UA, AU
UF: UA, UGA, USC
UGA: UF, AU, USC
LSU: A&M, OM MSU
A&M, LSU, OM, MSU
OM: MSU, A&M, LSU
MSU: OM, A&M, LSU
AR: MU, KY, VY
MU: AR, KY, VY
KY: VY, AR, MU
VY: KY, AR, MU
Those are geographically linked so some travel and interest is regional but still allows every team to literally play every other team at least 50% of the time.
With all due respect to the fans who are more interested in the games like UGA/VY and AU/MSU they don't seem to pack the stadium for or watch those games in large numbers. I think it's reasonable to assume the 50% of the time they still play is a good compromise for that minority contingent of historical purists.
Given the apparent lack of forethought the SEC gave to scheduling before expanding to fourteen I hope they will fix this while maintaining core rivalries and schedule parity. This is the best solution apparently available and I hope they eventually convert to it (FWIW it can be adapted to 16 teams if they successfully add two teams from the possible teams like OU, VA, or NC - but I'm good with the 14 we have being enough).
Posted on 6/5/20 at 3:05 am to tkeefer
Odd fact, LSU is the only team that has played every other team in the conference at least 21 times but one (Missouri).
Posted on 6/5/20 at 3:10 am to tkeefer
quote:
AUBURN
Alabama -- 84
Florida -- 84
It's a shame we don't get to play Florida as often. Even though we played them every year till 2002, I still find it surprising that the difference in games against Alabama is just now even. I grew up in Jacksonville, so getting to bring my family and friends to that game is always fun. I've heard that following the 2026 season, there is going to be some changes to how conference games are scheduled. Really hoping they go with the pod system idea that has been thrown around.
Posted on 6/5/20 at 5:54 pm to molsusports
I made a mistake in my B6 opponents list above - was doing it off the top of my head. So here it is broken down:
9 teams
USC: (5/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn
3&4: UF, UGA, Tennessee, Bama
8 teams
Alabama (4/4)
1&2: Auburn, Tennessee, UF, UGA
3&4: Auburn, Tennessee, UF, LSU
Auburn (3/5)
1&2: Bama, Tennessee, UGA
3&4: Bama, Tennessee, UGA, UF, LSU
7 teams
Florida: (4/3)
1&2: UGA, Bama, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UGA, Bama, Auburn
UGA: (4/3) *noticed TN wasn't on here*
1&2: UF, Auburn, Bama, LSU
3&4: UF, Auburn, Tennessee
Ole Miss: (3/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, LSU
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
MSU: (3/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, LSU
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
Tennessee (3/4)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, UF
3&4: Bama, Auburn, UGA, LSU
Texas A&M: (3/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, LSU
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
6 teams
Arkansas: (4/2)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UF, UGA
Kentucky: (3/3)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee
3&4: UF, UGA, LSU
Missouri: (4/2)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UF, UGA
Vanderbilt: (4/2)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UF, UGA
5 teams
LSU: (2/3)
1&2: UF, UGA
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee
Still, you can't deny that SC has more of a challenge going 2 years playing every B6 except Bama. Yet LSU goes 2 years NOT playing Bama nor Auburn.
As to the 2nd part of your post, I'm in the group of NOT doing that type of format. As I stated earlier, I don't consider SC a rival as I would more for Miss. or Tenn. 2nd, the # of tiebreakers needed to sort out who is better than whom with lack of common opponents (something divisions resolve instantly). Lastly, let's take a look @ the schools & their "must play" B6 listing:
3 teams
UA: AU, Tenn, UF
AU: UA, Tenn, UGA
2 teams
Tenn: UA, AU
UF: UA, UGA
UGA: UF, AU
1 team
A&M: LSU
OM: LSU
MSU: LSU
0 teams
LSU:
AR:
MU:
KY:
VY:
Not to sound like a broken record, but the team that claims to argue about fair scheduling & that they can compete against anybody does seem to have grabbed the short end of the stick in both of these suggestions.
9 teams
USC: (5/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn
3&4: UF, UGA, Tennessee, Bama
8 teams
Alabama (4/4)
1&2: Auburn, Tennessee, UF, UGA
3&4: Auburn, Tennessee, UF, LSU
Auburn (3/5)
1&2: Bama, Tennessee, UGA
3&4: Bama, Tennessee, UGA, UF, LSU
7 teams
Florida: (4/3)
1&2: UGA, Bama, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UGA, Bama, Auburn
UGA: (4/3) *noticed TN wasn't on here*
1&2: UF, Auburn, Bama, LSU
3&4: UF, Auburn, Tennessee
Ole Miss: (3/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, LSU
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
MSU: (3/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, LSU
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
Tennessee (3/4)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, UF
3&4: Bama, Auburn, UGA, LSU
Texas A&M: (3/4)
1&2: UF, UGA, LSU
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
6 teams
Arkansas: (4/2)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UF, UGA
Kentucky: (3/3)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee
3&4: UF, UGA, LSU
Missouri: (4/2)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UF, UGA
Vanderbilt: (4/2)
1&2: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU
3&4: UF, UGA
5 teams
LSU: (2/3)
1&2: UF, UGA
3&4: Bama, Auburn, Tennessee
Still, you can't deny that SC has more of a challenge going 2 years playing every B6 except Bama. Yet LSU goes 2 years NOT playing Bama nor Auburn.
As to the 2nd part of your post, I'm in the group of NOT doing that type of format. As I stated earlier, I don't consider SC a rival as I would more for Miss. or Tenn. 2nd, the # of tiebreakers needed to sort out who is better than whom with lack of common opponents (something divisions resolve instantly). Lastly, let's take a look @ the schools & their "must play" B6 listing:
3 teams
UA: AU, Tenn, UF
AU: UA, Tenn, UGA
2 teams
Tenn: UA, AU
UF: UA, UGA
UGA: UF, AU
1 team
A&M: LSU
OM: LSU
MSU: LSU
0 teams
LSU:
AR:
MU:
KY:
VY:
Not to sound like a broken record, but the team that claims to argue about fair scheduling & that they can compete against anybody does seem to have grabbed the short end of the stick in both of these suggestions.
This post was edited on 6/5/20 at 9:28 pm
Posted on 6/5/20 at 6:02 pm to ChadThundercock
quote:
ChadThundercock
I've heard that following the 2026 season, there is going to be some changes to how conference games are scheduled. Really hoping they go with the pod system idea that has been thrown around.
What exactly have you heard? & is that just SEC or everybody?
Also, keep in mind (I believe it's these 2) the PAC12 & B10 have some plans to decide 2023-2025. Expansion? Who knows & what does the SEC planning on doing as, like you said, the rotation ends in 2026?
Posted on 6/5/20 at 6:06 pm to tkeefer
Georgia has played Florida 98 times. Ackchually
Posted on 6/5/20 at 6:17 pm to magildachunks
quote:
Brings up bad memories
And our state actually rebuilt after the Civil war. What's Louisiana's excuse?
Posted on 6/5/20 at 6:24 pm to RD Dawg
quote:
And our state actually rebuilt after the Civil war. What's Louisiana's excuse?
Posted on 6/5/20 at 6:37 pm to tkeefer
I’m in favor of the 10 other SEC teams finding some sort of rotation for cross-division games. Let TDSOR & Bama/UT continue then let the remainder of the SEC play each other on a normal rotation. Why do all other 10 SEC teams have to suffer because Bama wants to keep beating up on Tennessee?
Posted on 6/5/20 at 8:34 pm to southernboisb
USC, A&M, OM, and MSU would play more big six opponents than other (especially big six) schools. But that is a byproduct of being in the same conference as six power programs. Schools in the modern SEC like Kentucky and Vanderbilt have always had harder schedules because they have one more big six team that they can play.
If you just do the math with a 12 team SEC your typical non big six team had an eight game conference schedule against eleven SEC teams. But six of the eleven were big six teams. On average that meant more than four big six opponents per year for the non power teams.
I also think our discussion is being deformed by considering Tennessee a formidable opponent. I don't want this conversation to be overrun with Aggies but since you bring up USC being punished by playing Tennessee maybe it's relevant to note that A&M has beaten USC every time they played (six years running) but USC has split the last six against Tennessee. I don't think that's a random anecdote- in the years LSU plays Tennessee I think LSU is more likely to lose to A&M (rarely) than Tennessee.
Frankly I don't think anything which considers playing UT more difficult than playing A&M (or other teams like Arkansas with Petrino) to be based on the modern teams of the SEC. I would agree if you argue that could change with the right hire at UT but that's true for many SEC programs and UT may not have the inherent competitive advantages they once relied upon to attract a coach that other programs highly value.
And to beat my own dead horse I would again point out the schools with the easiest paths to ATL are still UF and UGA in 50% of the schedules. They are up against the Arky, MU, VY, KY group those years to win the division and whatever your POV about out of division opponents they are evenly distributed amongst the best two programs (UF and UGA) The other twelve teams in the SEC will always have at least three significant in division opponents to contend with before they make it to ATL.
If you just do the math with a 12 team SEC your typical non big six team had an eight game conference schedule against eleven SEC teams. But six of the eleven were big six teams. On average that meant more than four big six opponents per year for the non power teams.
I also think our discussion is being deformed by considering Tennessee a formidable opponent. I don't want this conversation to be overrun with Aggies but since you bring up USC being punished by playing Tennessee maybe it's relevant to note that A&M has beaten USC every time they played (six years running) but USC has split the last six against Tennessee. I don't think that's a random anecdote- in the years LSU plays Tennessee I think LSU is more likely to lose to A&M (rarely) than Tennessee.
Frankly I don't think anything which considers playing UT more difficult than playing A&M (or other teams like Arkansas with Petrino) to be based on the modern teams of the SEC. I would agree if you argue that could change with the right hire at UT but that's true for many SEC programs and UT may not have the inherent competitive advantages they once relied upon to attract a coach that other programs highly value.
And to beat my own dead horse I would again point out the schools with the easiest paths to ATL are still UF and UGA in 50% of the schedules. They are up against the Arky, MU, VY, KY group those years to win the division and whatever your POV about out of division opponents they are evenly distributed amongst the best two programs (UF and UGA) The other twelve teams in the SEC will always have at least three significant in division opponents to contend with before they make it to ATL.
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