The SEC is dealing with a type of good issues. As the convention expands to 16 with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, SEC management is debating find out how to assemble its schedule.
The format that’s obtained the most buzz has every group going through three “permanent rivals” every season as a part of the nine-game convention schedule. The different six video games would come from a rotation that includes the remaining 12 groups in the convention.
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While there are some apparent everlasting rivals for some groups, others aren’t so clear. It’s not a simple proposition, but it surely’s the one that may have every SEC group taking part in one another each two years.
This scheduling mannequin is engaging as a result of it units up a faculty to play each different SEC program over a two-year cycle, with each dwelling and away video games in opposition to each different faculty over a four-year cycle. Year 1 can have a group’s three annual rivals plus six different SEC opponents. Those six are then rotated out for the remainder of the convention in Year 2, permitting for video games in opposition to all 15 convention foes. – Chip Patterson, CBS Sports
So, over a two-year span, Oklahoma can have confronted each group in the convention. Over a four-year span, they are going to have hosted each group in the convention.
One of the complaints with the present format is the actuality that groups like Texas A&M haven’t hosted Georgia regardless of being in the identical convention for greater than a decade. And they’ve performed only one time as convention foes. The format getting the most consideration would repair that.
No format will go away everybody joyful, however right here’s a tackle how the everlasting rivals may align in the expanded SEC.
Nov 26, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide huge receiver Ja’Corey Brooks (7) recovers an onside kick try by the Auburn Tigers and runs it up the sideline as working again Jahmyr Gibbs (1) trails at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama gained 49-27. Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Iron Bowl? Check. Third Saturday in October? Check, verify. Annual matchups with LSU? Let’s go!
This is perhaps a bit daunting for the Crimson Tide, particularly in the yr that they’d play Georgia, however with the College Football Playoff increasing to 12 groups, the Tide can afford a few losses and nonetheless make the 12-team area.
LSU may get changed with certainly one of the Mississippi faculties if this one didn’t fly with Bama administration.
AP Photo/L.G. Patterson
The “Border Wars” between Arkansas and these three can be great. Reunite with outdated Southwest Conference foe Texas and ignite a border rivalry with Oklahoma.
Nov 21, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers receiver Anthony Schwartz (1) makes a landing catch in opposition to the Tennessee Volunteers throughout the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
The Iron Bowl will probably be preserved for all time, no matter the convention measurement. Auburn’s proximity to Athens makes that one a must have matchup as nicely. Despite being in numerous divisions, the Tigers and the Bulldogs have met all however one yr since 1919. The one yr they missed was in 1943, throughout World War II. They’ve performed 127 instances of their historical past.
Sep 3, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Amari Burney (2) celebrates with linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) and teammates after he intercepted the ball in opposition to the Utah Utes throughout the second half at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The “World’s Largest Cocktail Party” between Florida and Georgia isn’t going wherever. The Swamp Bowl carries a enjoyable moniker. Let’s hold that one collectively as nicely. Florida and LSU have performed yearly since 1953
Georgia Bulldogs tight finish Brock Bowers (19) hauls in a reception in opposition to Florida Gators security Tre’Vez Johnson (16) and security Rashad Torrence II (22) throughout the first quarter of an NCAA soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Georgia Bulldogs hold two marquee video games after which their regional matchup with the Gamecocks.
Oct 29, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers working again Jaylen Wright (20) runs the ball in opposition to Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jordan Wright (15) throughout the first half at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee vs. Kentucky is a sport that ought to occur and Vanderbilt makes lots of sense as nicely. One wild card opponent that might be an possibility for the Wildcats is Missouri, merely primarily based on proximity.
LSU Tigers security Greg Brooks Jr. (3) stops Florida Gators working again Trevor Etienne (7) as Florida takes on LSU at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 15, 2022. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
The Swamp Bowl, Alabama, and the Battle for the Golden Boot. Feels like a winner to me.
Nov 24, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs gamers have fun with the Egg Bowl trophy after the sport in opposition to the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi state is a troublesome group to put past Ole Miss. You may go a number of completely different instructions, however that is what we settled with and assume it gives the alternative for some good matchups and robust rivalries.
Oct 08, 2011; Manhattan, KS, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback James Franklin (1) will get away from Kansas State Wildcats defensive finish Adam Davis (97) throughout first-half motion at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State led at the half 10-3. Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Ole Miss Rebels
It was awfully tempting to present Missouri the Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M to LSU, however finally opted to maintain Arkansas and LSU collectively in the Battle for the Golden Boot. But it’s not all dangerous, pitting the Aggies and the Tigers in opposition to each other. They’ve acquired Big 12 historical past to work with and have been the two groups that left for the SEC in the final spherical of realignment.
Nov 24, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts whereas a play is revewed throughout the fourth quarter of the sport in opposition to the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Missouri Tigers
- Vanderbilt Commodores
The Egg Bowl is a must have annual matchup no matter how the SEC buildings the schedule. Ole Miss will get the proximity profit with Vanderbilt however can have a little bit of journey forward of them with Missouri, although not as a lot as Texas A&M.
Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto (11) tries to get to Texas’ Casey Thompson (11) throughout the Red River Showdown faculty soccer sport between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Oklahoma gained 55-48. Bryan Terry – The Oklahoman
- Texas Longhorns
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Missouri Tigers
The Red River Showdown will all the time be a marquee sport and the SEC and ESPN can’t wait to get their fingers on it. Missouri isn’t a lot a “rival” as they’re a group that they’ve a ton of historical past with relationship again to their Big 8 days. Arkansas simply is sensible. Fayetteville is nearer to Norman than Austin.
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Shane Beamer of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates after defeating the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Florida Gators
- Kentucky Wildcats
Less than three hours separate the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs. The Gamecocks and the Gators ought to create a Steve Spurrier Trophy and go it forwards and backwards every season after the legendary coach frolicked at each spots.
Oct 22, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throughout the first in opposition to the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks half at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Vanderbilt Commodores
Tennessee will get the in-state matchup with Vanderbilt and a border battle with Kentucky. And then you may’t take away the “Third Saturday in October.”
Nov 27, 1998; Austin, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Texas Longhorns working again Ricky Williams (34) breaking a 60 yard run for a landing to interrupt the NCAA speeding report in opposition to Texas A&M Aggies. RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
- Texas Longhorns
- Missouri Tigers
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
Whether you prefer it or not Texas A&M, right here come the Longhorns. This will probably be their marquee sport yearly. And as a lot as we’d have favored to maintain the Aggies and LSU collectively, it made extra sense to maintain the Tigers with Arkansas.
Like talked about above, Missouri is sensible primarily based on their historical past collectively in the Big 12 and of their exit from the Big 12.
Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws throughout the first half in opposition to the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Arkansas Razorbacks
These choices for the Longhorns really feel nearly computerized. You can’t deliver Texas and Oklahoma into the SEC and break up them up. That sport goes to occur yearly. And as a lot as Aggies could not prefer it, they’re going to get Texas yearly. The SEC isn’t going to let that matchup fall by the wayside.
Arkansas and Texas reunite from their Southwest Conference days.
Nov 26, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel meet at mid area after a shutout win by the Volunteers at FirstBank Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Ole Miss Rebels
We’re going to let the Commodores get the advantage of proximity with their everlasting rivals. Each of their matchups is inside a four-hour drive.
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