Sankey Favors Abandoning Two-Division SEC

[FltDoc]

That will be fine till we get a year with Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia all on the schedule.

I use to worry about that scenario, but coming around to TWO thoughts:

(1) The only fair way is to play everyone every _____ year(s) (Dependent upon total teams (16, 20, ??)

(2) If we can't compete in that environment, then it will FORCE UK to hire someone who can.

 

[NoviG8r]

That will be fine till we get a year with Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia all on the schedule.

Almost zero chance any of the 4 teams mentioned being a permanent opponent for UK. Which means that for 2 years you would have NONE of those teams on your schedule. Everybody has to play everybody else at least twice every 4 years.

 

[vhcat70]

I think they have to try to make the schedules somewhat comparable. I think UGA likely ends up with UF, AU and Crackolina, of course those are just guesses. I suppose Texas get OU, ATM and Arky who was a big rival in the old SWC.

Doesn't matter what the perceived or actual strength of your three perm opponents are. If they're weak, then the other six will be strong by definition, balancing out the schedule. Same thing the other way around. Not at all like current perm opponent in opposite division.

 

[vhcat70]

Disagree with picking (although we’ll have no real say in the matter) three weak teams to be in our pod.

This isn't a pod system. It's 3 perm + alternating 6-6. Every team's perm 3 will be different.

 

[vhcat70]

Best part of 3-6 to me is likely not playing LV every year. We'll want all non-conference games at home.

 

[drbubba]

Commissioner Greg Sankey says SEC is 'leaning heavily' on moving away from 2-division model

The SEC is heavily leaning on moving away from a 2-division model.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

16 teams
No Divisions?

Ceritifiably stupid. He proved that when he couldn't connect the dots in the UNC case.

 

[rqarnold]

This would be awful news for us.

Why?

 

[CNJ1966]

I sat down and fooled around with a 3 team permanent schedule. What I tried to do was preserve traditional rivalries and make it as “geographically friendly” as possible for traveling fans (ie try to have border state teams playing each other as much as possible.) Here’s what I came up with:
Bama: AU, UT, LSU
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, LSU, OK
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, ATM
LSU: Ole Miss, BAMA, Ark
ATM: Texas, OK, MSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, Ole Miss
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, UK
UK: UT, VU, UF
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, Missouri
VU: UK, UT, Missouri
Missouri: Ark, VU, SC

Let me know if y’all find any screw-ups

 

[BBNFORLIFE]

That has been the case for awhile, but right now it's the opposite, East has 2 weakest and 2 strongest teams.

That’s debatable grumpy.

 

[BBNFORLIFE]

I sat down and fooled around with a 3 team permanent schedule. What I tried to do was preserve traditional rivalries and make it as “geographically friendly” as possible for traveling fans (ie try to have border state teams playing each other as much as possible.) Here’s what I came up with:
Bama: AU, UT, LSU
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, LSU, OK
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, ATM
LSU: Ole Miss, BAMA, Ark
ATM: Texas, OK, MSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, Ole Miss
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, UK
UK: UT, VU, UF
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, Missouri
VU: UK, UT, Missouri
Missouri: Ark, VU, SC

Let me know if y’all find any screw-ups

UK would likely get UT, UGA, and candy

 

[CNJ1966]

The problem with that is, who would you then remove from UGA? Auburn is traditional rival, as is UF, and SC is border state....but I tell ya man, it’s impossible to make it perfect!

 

[oddis500]

Vanderbilt is going to be highly sought after- a lot of programs are going to suddenly remember long-standing rivalries with the Commodores.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Vanderbilt is going to be highly sought after- a lot of programs are going to suddenly remember long-standing rivalries with the Commodores.

Think TN and UK will be 2 of vandy permanent rivals.

 

[gojvc]

It's going to be the 3+6 model which I'm good with. Everyone will play everyone home and away every 4 yrs.

Tennessee Vanderbilt and South Carolina are who I want for our permanent football games.

I’d like to play home and home with Vanderbilt every year.

 

[Thecycle27]

I understand why they are going to a super conference but it is going to be brutal. Do you how good a team will have to just be competitive? Lincoln Riley saw the writing on the wall.

Even if UK got VU-Missouri-UT-SC as their 4 games they have 5 more games against teams that are almost guaranteed to have more talent.

Make a lot more money but getting to 7-8 wins is going to be a chore. If Louisville improves under Brohm then UK goes from 4 guaranteed OOC games to 2. That is Brutal.

The only question is who going to be sitting next to VU annually.

 

[oddis500]

I understand why they are going to a super conference but it is going to be brutal. Do you how good a team will have to just be competitive? Lincoln Riley saw the writing on the wall.

Even if UK got VU-Missouri-UT-SC as their 4 games they have 5 more games against teams that are almost guaranteed to have more talent.

Make a lot more money but getting to 7-8 wins is going to be a chore. If Louisville improves under Brohm then UK goes from 4 guaranteed OOC games to 2. That is Brutal.

The only question is who going to be sitting next to VU annually.

It really does beg the question of whether it’s even worth playing Louisville. I mean, what’s the point? I would rather play either a guaranteed win or a high-level OOC team we rarely see (USC, Notre Dame, UCLA) where it would be a a fun road trip home/home. What do we gain by bitch slapping Louisville every year?

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

That’s debatable grumpy.

Of course it's debatable, but UGA and UT both beat the brakes off the west winner. Vand and Missouri are not very good. UT beat Bama, the number 2 team in the west, UGA beat UT. I don't see how you can defend the west having one of the top 2 teams in the SEC.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I sat down and fooled around with a 3 team permanent schedule. What I tried to do was preserve traditional rivalries and make it as “geographically friendly” as possible for traveling fans (ie try to have border state teams playing each other as much as possible.) Here’s what I came up with:
Bama: AU, UT, LSU
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, LSU, OK
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, ATM
LSU: Ole Miss, BAMA, Ark
ATM: Texas, OK, MSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, Ole Miss
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, UK
UK: UT, VU, UF
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, Missouri
VU: UK, UT, Missouri
Missouri: Ark, VU, SC

Let me know if y’all find any screw-ups

That actually looks pretty fair, but I may be missing OU and Texas being mixed in. That will be a big deal.

 

[Kats meow]

Sankey is a liberal progressive Yankee moron.

….who let UNC go unpunished for 18 years of academic fraud.

 

[LosGatos]

I’d pass on trying to save rivalry games, because there aren’t that many good ones, and I’d want to set the schedule up to where everyone plays one another every 2 years.

Makes for more interesting match ups.

Can't see passing on rivalry games. Several of them are big TV attractions. Seems almost certain the schedule will preserve OU/UTx, Iron Bowl, GA/UF. Maybe Al/LSU, Al/UTn, AU/GA. I also expect the schedule to allow the UTx/A&M, two MS schools to play ever year. UTn/UK way down the list.

 

[LosGatos]

I sat down and fooled around with a 3 team permanent schedule. What I tried to do was preserve traditional rivalries and make it as “geographically friendly” as possible for traveling fans (ie try to have border state teams playing each other as much as possible.) Here’s what I came up with:
Bama: AU, UT, LSU
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, LSU, OK
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, ATM
LSU: Ole Miss, BAMA, Ark
ATM: Texas, OK, MSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, Ole Miss
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, UK
UK: UT, VU, UF
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, Missouri
VU: UK, UT, Missouri
Missouri: Ark, VU, SC

Let me know if y’all find any screw-ups

Excellent job. You covered all the important games I thought of.

 

[vhcat70]

I sat down and fooled around with a 3 team permanent schedule. What I tried to do was preserve traditional rivalries and make it as “geographically friendly” as possible for traveling fans (ie try to have border state teams playing each other as much as possible.) Here’s what I came up with:
Bama: AU, UT, LSU
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, LSU, OK
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, ATM
LSU: Ole Miss, BAMA, Ark
ATM: Texas, OK, MSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, Ole Miss
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, UK
UK: UT, VU, UF
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, Missouri
VU: UK, UT, Missouri
Missouri: Ark, VU, SC

Let me know if y’all find any screw-ups

Not screwups, but I think this keeps more traditional rivalries intact. This strength of each school's permanent rivals isn't a issue as if the every year rivals are weak, then the other six have to be tough. Same thing other way around.

Bama: AU, UT, MSU AL is MSU's #2 rival.
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, SC, V V & OM are current perm rivals & played every year before divisions.
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, AL
LSU: A&M, FL, Ark LSU is A&M's biggest current SEC rival.
ATM: Texas, OK, LSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, MO MO is next door & rivals going back to Big 8 days. OM is nowhere with OK.
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, LSU LSU & FL are current perm rivals.
UK: UT, VU, MO
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, OM We border MO, not FL.
VU: UK, UT, OM
Missouri: Ark, UK, OU

 

[optimus-blue]

Why are y’all scared? I’m excited about getting to play other teams on a regular basis. We’ve feasted on a down SEC East, but those days are over. Time Stoops gets with the times or leaves!

This is no different than what we do in basketball.

SEC basketball is so weak… not the same

 

[Colonial Farm 80]

Commissioner Greg Sankey says SEC is 'leaning heavily' on moving away from 2-division model

The SEC is heavily leaning on moving away from a 2-division model.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

16 teams
No Divisions?

I do not know whether this is good or bad in the long run, but it will create more variability and serendipity with scheduling of conference games.

 

[podgejeff_]

Our rivalries are UT/Vandy and then take your pick between USC/Mizzou/Miss State. The idea that Florida has a rivalry with us greater than either Tennessee or Georgia is ridiculous.

Tennessee has a rivalry with practically every team in the SEC seemingly.

 

[megablue]

I would prefer two (2) divisions, as currently in place, with the following in the East, playing nine (9) conference games a year, with two (2) rotating among the eight (8) in the West:

Kentucky
Tennessee
Vanderbilt
Georgia
Florida
South Carolina
Auburn
Alabama

I do not think this will happen, but it would be more geographically-aligned and it would be great to see us play Auburn and Alabama every year.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Why are y’all scared? I’m excited about getting to play other teams on a regular basis. We’ve feasted on a down SEC East, but those days are over. Time Stoops gets with the times or leaves!

This is no different than what we do in basketball.

Please tell me you didn’t mean to make that comparison. It’s important to me that you tell me that.

 

[Colonial Farm 80]

Time Stoops gets with the times or leaves!

Did you put reasonable thought into this before typing? Every sensible parameter says Stoops is the best Kentucky football coach since Bear Bryant. Stoops is the best recruiter and the best developer of players. He gets to the postseason and wins. These are timeless priorities. If there is one, let's hear your rational, fact-based argument against this.

 

[truebluewildcat]

Can't see passing on rivalry games. Several of them are big TV attractions. Seems almost certain the schedule will preserve OU/UTx, Iron Bowl, GA/UF. Maybe Al/LSU, Al/UTn, AU/GA. I also expect the schedule to allow the UTx/A&M, two MS schools to play ever year. UTn/UK way down the list.

Big national brands that can command the advertising and sponsor money would remain. TV contracts would assure it.

Everything else I think is on the chopping block as far as yearly basis goes.

Instate OOC types UGA and Gtech can be replaced with better, more competitive, more interesting games for both programs fan bases and general football fans/consumers. Same can be said about most in state type rivalries save a few. Conference UT UK lopsided history and blow outs…no thanks…that ain’t a rivalry

Also, I don’t think rivalry has to be based on geography and routine…“well we‘ve always played them”

I think Duke, UNC, KU are all bigger rivals in basketball than anyone we play in football regularly. We have gone years without playing them…when we play them you know it, you feel it, you see it. If we ever play IU again…it’ll be on…

Then I think the TV and conference scheduler type of folks have to be open to short term fly by night rivalries that pop up.

You see this a lot in pro sports. Two teams no real geographic relationship, no bitter history, they may even be teams with out a lot of great history/tradition. All of a sudden they’ll catch lightening in a bottle via some talent, coaching personality, etc...they’ll have a great game in the regular and/or post season then boom they are headliners on the marquee for the next 3-4 years til someone spits the bit and/or a hot new pair of new kids on the block take the reigns.

This is where I think a “flex” slots on the schedule across the landscape should be open. Especially in the OOC. Bama Texas was pretty exciting…every year there’s a few bowl games where everyone comes away thinking “huh…that was a great match up and game…I wonder if these two schools should set something up…”

So I guess it’s not so much rivalry on the chopping block, but what rivalry is, isnt, and what it can be.

 

[vhcat70]

Big national brands that can command the advertising and sponsor money would remain. TV contracts would assure it.

Everything else I think is on the chopping block as far as yearly basis goes.

Instate OOC types UGA and Gtech can be replaced with better, more competitive, more interesting games for both programs fan bases and general football fans/consumers. Same can be said about most in state type rivalries save a few. Conference UT UK lopsided history and blow outs…no thanks…that ain’t a rivalry

Also, I don’t think rivalry has to be based on geography and routine…“well we‘ve always played them”

I think Duke, UNC, KU are all bigger rivals in basketball than anyone we play in football regularly.

I'll worry about those hoops opponents when hoops starts paying the bills.

 

[rick64]

So would we be looking at 8 or 9 conference games?

 

[CNJ1966]

Excellent job. You covered all the important games I thought of.

Thanks LG

 

[CNJ1966]

Not screwups, but I think this keeps more traditional rivalries intact. This strength of each school's permanent rivals isn't a issue as if the every year rivals are weak, then the other six have to be tough. Same thing other way around.

Bama: AU, UT, MSU AL is MSU's #2 rival.
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, SC, V V & OM are current perm rivals & played every year before divisions.
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, AL
LSU: A&M, FL, Ark LSU is A&M's biggest current SEC rival.
ATM: Texas, OK, LSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, MO MO is next door & rivals going back to Big 8 days. OM is nowhere with OK.
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, LSU LSU & FL are current perm rivals.
UK: UT, VU, MO
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, OM We border MO, not FL.
VU: UK, UT, OM
Missouri: Ark, UK, OU

Not screwups, but I think this keeps more traditional rivalries intact. This strength of each school's permanent rivals isn't a issue as if the every year rivals are weak, then the other six have to be tough. Same thing other way around.

Bama: AU, UT, MSU AL is MSU's #2 rival.
AU: Bama, UGA, MSU
ARK: Texas, Missouri, LSU
OLE MISS: MSU, SC, V V & OM are current perm rivals & played every year before divisions.
MSU: Ole Miss, AU, AL
LSU: A&M, FL, Ark LSU is A&M's biggest current SEC rival.
ATM: Texas, OK, LSU
Texas: ATM, Ark, OK
OK: Texas, ATM, MO MO is next door & rivals going back to Big 8 days. OM is nowhere with OK.
UGA: AU, UF, SC
UF: UGA, SC, LSU LSU & FL are current perm rivals.
UK: UT, VU, MO
UT: Bama, UK, VU
SC: UGA, UF, OM We border MO, not FL.
VU: UK, UT, OM
Missouri: Ark, UK, OU

I do actually think yours is a little better vhcat. You left 5 the same; of the 11 teams you changed, I’d say OM, LSU, FL, and VU are about the same; MSU, ATM,OK, UK, and MIZZ are better than mine; and only AL and SC I like mine better. I think it’s impossible to make one that doesn’t have an “oddball” matchup or two, but you did a great job. Kudos!

 

[truebluewildcat]

I'll worry about those hoops opponents when hoops starts paying the bills.

Yeah I think that’s the point of all the conference and scheduling changes…cash rules everything around me…

Big Brands head to head pay the bills. If that means UT v Texas instead of UK…so be it…

Maybe it means dropping a directional OOC opponent to squeeze in another conference game…or at least p5 match up

Bama v Texas was huge ratings wise…don’t the for a minute TV n conference didn’t think “hmmmm…maybe we multiply that by 16…”

Not every game would do what that game did but generally speaking replacing a lower tier OOC opponent with even just a mediocre P5 is going to make more money and better ratings.

I think it’ll get to the point where the TV contracts essentially give networks more say in scheduling.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Big national brands that can command the advertising and sponsor money would remain. TV contracts would assure it.

Everything else I think is on the chopping block as far as yearly basis goes.

Instate OOC types UGA and Gtech can be replaced with better, more competitive, more interesting games for both programs fan bases and general football fans/consumers. Same can be said about most in state type rivalries save a few. Conference UT UK lopsided history and blow outs…no thanks…that ain’t a rivalry

Also, I don’t think rivalry has to be based on geography and routine…“well we‘ve always played them”

I think Duke, UNC, KU are all bigger rivals in basketball than anyone we play in football regularly. We have gone years without playing them…when we play them you know it, you feel it, you see it. If we ever play IU again…it’ll be on…

Then I think the TV and conference scheduler type of folks have to be open to short term fly by night rivalries that pop up.

You see this a lot in pro sports. Two teams no real geographic relationship, no bitter history, they may even be teams with out a lot of great history/tradition. All of a sudden they’ll catch lightening in a bottle via some talent, coaching personality, etc...they’ll have a great game in the regular and/or post season then boom they are headliners on the marquee for the next 3-4 years til someone spits the bit and/or a hot new pair of new kids on the block take the reigns.

This is where I think a “flex” slots on the schedule across the landscape should be open. Especially in the OOC. Bama Texas was pretty exciting…every year there’s a few bowl games where everyone comes away thinking “huh…that was a great match up and game…I wonder if these two schools should set something up…”

So I guess it’s not so much rivalry on the chopping block, but what rivalry is, isnt, and what it can be.

I would be shocked if we dropped Tech. Don't think the trustees would allow it. We play 10 P5 games year, except in 23, SEC told us to drop OU so it wouldn't interfere with 24 conference schedule. We had home and home with them.

 

[Cefiro]

I’m all for this, I’d stop complaining about how easy our schedule is and see what we can do

 

[vhcat70]

I would be shocked if we dropped Tech. Don't think the trustees would allow it.

OK, but you'll never average more than 7 home games a year then. Maybe that's fine.

 

[truebluewildcat]

I would be shocked if we dropped Tech. Don't think the trustees would allow it. We play 10 P5 games year, except in 23, SEC told us to drop OU so it wouldn't interfere with 24 conference schedule. We had home and home with them.

Understand the sentiment, which has been and still is the prevailing sentiment across the landscape but I think a lot of old sentiments are changing. Money will play a big part.

I think Big media, adverts, sponsors will start to get a bit more hands on.

If they want UGA to play Ohio State, Kentucky to play Iowa based off previous bowl ratings…it will happen. Maybe it’s at the expense of UL and GT slots…or maybe if those games mean so much…history, tradition, board of trustees, means a lot to the state…okay…they can swap out with Kent State and Youngstown.