The SEC Is Getting a New Schedule Model, but Which One Will Win Out?

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In the conference’s current format, teams play eight conference games: six each year from within their own division and two opponents from the opposite division, one on a permanent basis and one rotating—a 6-1-1 model that has long been the target of criticism both in and outside the league.

Why? Because it’s not equitable and doesn’t allow for more games against more teams within the conference. For instance, last year’s Alabama-Florida game in the Swamp was the first regular-season matchup between the two in 10 years.

If there’s one concept everyone in the league has agreed on, it’s that they should play one another more often. Either of these formats, 1–7 or 3–6, allows for such. The rotation would mean that each team will host and travel to every league opponent in a four-year stretch.

Aside from supplying an extra nonconference victory for those that need it, what good is the eight-game model over the nine-game format? For one, proponents say, it is an even number, and even numbers are easier to schedule. For example, under a nine-game model, an SEC team will play just four home games every other year.

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Already, there is compromise from one group to the other in regard to the three permanent opponents. In several versions of the permanent opponents floating around the league, it appears that the top eight teams would play two of their three permanent games against fellow top eight teams. They’d get two tops and one bottom. The bottom eight would get two bottoms and one from the top half.

Is this purposely done? Maybe. Might it be a compromise to get the bottom half on board with a nine-game schedule? It sure feels that way. And honestly, it makes a ton of sense, and it’s something the league used in creating the 10-game league schedule during the COVID-19 season.

Still, choosing a team’s permanent opponents will be a most tricky and unenviable endeavor that is sure to tick off virtually every fan base in the conference. Athletic directors and coaches have given their feedback on permanent opponents, but ultimately, conference officials will make the decisions. Good luck to SEC administrators Mark Womack, who is in charge of scheduling, and Charlie Hussey, who himself has been involved in this issue recently.

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So let’s give this a shot, shall we? We guessed on permanent opponents while (1) considering the primary and secondary rivalries; (2) using geography; and (3) creating as much equity as possible (remember, top half teams get two from their own and one from the bottom half; bottom half teams get two from their own and one from the top half):

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Missouri: Oklahoma; Arkansas; South Carolina
Arkansas: Missouri; Texas; Kentucky
Texas A&M: LSU; Texas; Mississippi State
Texas: Oklahoma; Texas A&M; Arkansas
Oklahoma: Texas; Missouri; Florida
LSU: Ole Miss; Texas A&M; Alabama
Ole Miss: Mississippi State; LSU; Vanderbilt
Mississippi State: Ole Miss; Kentucky; Texas A&M
Alabama: Auburn; Tennessee; LSU
Auburn: Alabama; Georgia; Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt: Tennessee; Ole Miss; Auburn
Tennessee: Vanderbilt; Alabama; South Carolina
Kentucky: Mississippi State; Arkansas; Georgia
Georgia: Auburn; Florida; Kentucky
Florida: Georgia; South Carolina; Oklahoma
South Carolina: Florida; Missouri; Tennessee

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