Georgia-Auburn game could be sacrificed in SEC scheduling
The Georgia-Auburn rivalry includes this battle: Uga vs. Robert Baker. (Montgomery Advertiser)
There is a chance that SEC conference expansion will claim one significant victim: The Georgia-Auburn series.
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said Wednesday that SEC athletic directors will meet near the end of the month to discuss future football scheduling. With the conference’s addition of Texas A&M and Missouri, the two biggest questions: 1) Will the SEC go to a nine-game conference schedule? 2) Will expansion force for the end of the SEC’s annual East-West rivalry games of Georgia-Auburn and Alabama-Tennessee?
Answer to No. 1: Probably not.
Answer to No. 2: Possibly.
Georgia-Auburn is known as the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” dating back to 1892. They have played every year since 1898, with three exceptions: 1917, 1918 and 1943. The reasons: World War I and World War II. It appears “Conference Armageddon” may have an equal impact.
The ACC recently announced that teams will begin playing nine-game conference schedules when Pittsburgh and Syracuse officially join the league. McGarity is against the SEC increasing from eight-game schedules and does not sense there’s any movement in that direction. He said nine conference games might necessitate schools dropping a traditional local rivalry. Examples: Georgia-Georgia Tech, Florida-Florida State and South-Carolina-Clemson.
The future of Georgia-Auburn is less certain. Expansion will lead to schools playing six games against division opponents and two against the opposite division. (The current breakdown is five-three.) But there are only two traditional East-West rivalries in the SEC, which could lead to schools rotating opponents from the opposite division.
“I think if you ask Alabama and Tennessee, like us and Auburn, we’d like to retain the games,” McGarity said. “But does that work? What do the other 10 schools think? Those four schools like having those games but there’s no other East-West match-up that has that piece of history to it. So I don’t where that fits in.”
He said athletic directors will study “numerous models” when they meet.
“With 14 teams, not everybody will be happy,” he said. “Some will have a problem with everything. But we’ll make decisions based on the best situation of the league.”
By Jeff Schultz
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522 comments Add your comment
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
4:47 pm
Even comparing the SEC ( Considered the best BCS Conference by far ) to the ACC ( which gets consideration as the worst BCS conference along with the Big East ) is asinine.
Tech fans often look at their record for the season as a measure for success but they don’t put it in the context of the ACC.
For example. 7 or 8 wins in the ACC would equate to 3-4 in the SEC.
Techs best year of late the 2009 10 win team would equate to around 7 or 8 wins in the SEC.
You have to put things in the proper context
Boss Hog
February 8th, 2012
4:49 pm
Walking on water? Nah, frying fish? Sure.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
4:49 pm
You can never prove that’s true, headley.
FJR
February 8th, 2012
4:49 pm
@buzzed
Where Tech’s stadium is, it’s probably safer than Athens on game day. it’s not like it’s near Turner Field or the Georgia Dome. It’s more or less in midtown. Unless you’re scared of wealthy gay people or 20 something attorneys, it’s pretty safe.
Chuck
February 8th, 2012
4:50 pm
Not going to happen. Alabama and Tennessee already raised hell about this very same issue and it is why Mizzou ended up in the East Division. I am no even sure why the AJC decided to publish this.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
4:57 pm
You can never prove that’s true, headley.
No because Tech will never have to play an SEC schedule.
But we can project based on what we know.
Take these numbers for instance.
In BCS games where the match ups are “even” ( i.e. Not Va Tech playing Vanderbilt )
SEC – 16 – 7
ACC – 02 – 13
Its pretty much obvious to everyone which conference is superior.
Groundhogday
February 8th, 2012
4:59 pm
@ FJR…
You’ve obviously never been past Coke HQ on North Ave headed west…..try Googling “The Bluff” in Atlanta and look at it on a map….
Ghost
February 8th, 2012
4:59 pm
IMHO PJ would drop Georgia from the schedule in a hot minute if he could.
Boss Hog
February 8th, 2012
5:00 pm
headley lamar for SEC commissioner! He’ll get it straightened out. Then he could become the GOV.
Michael
February 8th, 2012
5:01 pm
I like GORDON”S plan !!!!!!!!!!!!!
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:01 pm
Those numbers don’t do anything to help project the record of an ACC team playing an SEC schedule, headley.
2012 Preseason Fulmer Cup Champs
February 8th, 2012
5:02 pm
Well, if UGA loses Auburn they can always replace them with GA Southern or West GA college. It would make it easier to get to the SEC Championship and then lose to Auburn, Bama or LSU.
Techster
February 8th, 2012
5:04 pm
The crime dogs ran away from Bama. So is anyone really surprised that they want to duck Auburn too?
Texas Dawg
February 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
Well, I can tell you all from living in Texas, if they got rid of Texas vs. Texas A&M, they will do ANYTHING in college football these days. I’m telling that game meant the whole world to Texas A&M folks, and half the world to Texas folks and if that goes, it is not beyond comprehension that UGA vs. Auburn could be on the chopping block. Greed ruins everything.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
Now lets look at the bowl games. Again no homecoming games here. The match ups are supposed to be even ( although the SEC often plays its lower ranked teams against higher ranked teams from other conferences. Ala Chick Fil A bowl where ACC #2 team plays SEC #5 )
SEC Record last year
6-3
ACC
2-6
Now lets look at all time bowl records.
SEC 201 – 157
ACC 88 – 92
Finally lets look at the one bowl game that matches an ACC vs SEC opponent every year.
Even though the SEC plays a team 3 seeds lower from its conference it still wins that game.
10 of the last 16.
Case closed.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:08 pm
Of course #2 vs #5 is not based on ranking, headley, but don’t let facts get in your way. Last year, by way of example, South Carolina won their division and played in the Peach Bowl. And lost.
Paul in NH
February 8th, 2012
5:09 pm
I agree with Jeff that the SEC will likely not go to more than an 8 game schedule. If they go to 9, that makes it less likely that mid tier teams will become bowl eligible – meaning less $$$ for the conference. Rivalries and tradtion go out of the window when “amateur” athletics show their true reason for existence.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:09 pm
Additionally, bowl games are a terrible means by which to measure a team. You don’t get a month to prepare or have teams that are completely uninterested in the game during the regular season.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:10 pm
Those numbers don’t do anything to help project the record of an ACC team playing an SEC schedule, headley.
Not precisely but ill bet its pretty close.
What say you ? How well would Tech do in the SEC.
They would probably dominate right.
I can see Tech beating Alabama, LSU, Georgia (lol), Auburn, South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, etc etc on a regular basis. Cant you lol.
Bottom line take whatever win total a team has in the ACC and knock 3 or 4 off it if they played in the SEC.
Those numbers don’t lie.
Bolt Dog
February 8th, 2012
5:11 pm
Pure dilution of college sports… makes no sense. Right out of the gate, instead of taking a three hour or so drive to Alabama to see how we match up against the best, we get to go a place 700 miles away. How is that good? I’ve hoped this mess would help us to divest ourselves of the Tech game 47 years too late, but losing the Auburn game would hurt. It’s one of the games that epitomizes what college football in the south is all about.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:12 pm
Last thing, headley. Let’s assume that you’re right about the #2 vs #5 thing. Doesn’t that pretty much cut to the heart of the idea that an 8 win ACC is a 4 win SEC team?
Jesus christ
February 8th, 2012
5:13 pm
The IQ of Auburn and Dawg grads equals minus 43.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:14 pm
What numbers, headley? You’re making this stuff up as you go.
I have no idea how well Tech would do in the SEC. If we played Tennessee’s schedule, probably not too hot. If we played UGA’s schedule, probably about 6-2.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:15 pm
Of course #2 vs #5 is not based on ranking, headley, but don’t let facts get in your way
No its based on picking order.
Its not absolute but pretty close.
I think you are the one letting facts get in the way.
The very fact you would even compare the two conferences shows you are.
1. Just a homer stirring up an argument even though you know its a false one.
2. Blind
How has Tech ( ACC ) done against an SEC Team ( UGA ) the last 10 years.
Was Tech uninterested in those games too ? Bigger fish to fry ?
Either way ive won this argument hands down. If this were a fight they would have called it.
If you were a horse they would have shot you by now.
Its all over.
Fell free to continue spinning it though.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:16 pm
If we played UGA’s schedule, probably about 6-2.
LOL.
What numbers, headley? You’re making this stuff up as you go.
Nope sorry. Those are the real numbers. Look it up.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:17 pm
In your own mind you have, headley. You don’t deal with facts.
How’d the women of Troy do this season?
Fair n Balanced
February 8th, 2012
5:17 pm
I was not for this expansion in the first place! If this game is sacrificed and removes us further from the traditions of the SEC…..not much else is sacred. One day they will put Auburn in the East (it’s more east than MO) and then Bammer won’t be playing Auburn either!
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:18 pm
Let’s think this through. We probably beat Kentucky, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Miss State, and Vandy. I think we would definitely lose to South Carolina. Florida and Auburn are tossups, so I split the difference.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:19 pm
Last thing, headley. Let’s assume that you’re right about the #2 vs #5 thing. Doesn’t that pretty much cut to the heart of the idea that an 8 win ACC is a 4 win SEC team?
If anything it validates it.
The SEC using a much lower ranked, seeded, picked team from its conference routinely beats a much higher seeded, ranked, picked team from the ACC.
duronimo
February 8th, 2012
5:19 pm
I would rather see the tech game go if it’s a choice between them and auburn.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
Florida and Auburn are tossups, so I split the difference.
LOL.
What about UGA. Is that a “tossup” too ?
LOL
Dawg Haus
February 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
The mere thought of seeing those classic rivalries sacrificed makes my stomach churn. Why don’t they stick the newbies in the West, along with Vandy, and put Bama and Auburn in the East? That way, Georgia-Auburn won’t be touched, Bama-Tennessee won’t be touched.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:21 pm
ACC is 10-9 in the Chick-fil-A bowl against the SEC. They only started getting the #2 pick four or five years ago.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:21 pm
I would rather see the tech game go if it’s a choice between them and auburn.
Me too.
For one its an ACC team which unless its Va Tech isn’t really any competition.
Secondly Tech really is light years behind us and will be lucky to win once a decade.
Doesn’t make for much excitement. At least Auburn has a chance of winning.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:22 pm
UGA didn’t play UGA this year, headley.
GTBob
February 8th, 2012
5:23 pm
I think we would definitely lose to South Carolina.
I don’t know George. After watching the South Carolina vs. Navy game I really don’t think their defense would have much of a chance against us.
Paul in NH
February 8th, 2012
5:23 pm
“The SEC using a much lower ranked, seeded, picked team from its conference routinely beats a much higher seeded, ranked, picked team from the ACC.”
Routinely beats??? The record in the last 10 Peach Bowls is 5-5.
Dumbo
February 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
George Stein…some of your comments are about as good as Ben Stein’s
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
ACC is 10-9 in the Chick-fil-A bowl against the SEC. They only started getting the #2 pick four or five years ago.
umm wrong.
They have lost 10 of the last 16.
they did win the first 4.
January 2, 1993 North Carolina 21 Mississippi State 17 notes
December 31, 1993 Clemson 14 Kentucky 13 notes
January 1, 1995 North Carolina State 28 Mississippi State 24 notes
December 30, 1995 Virginia 34 Georgia 27 notes
December 28, 1996 LSU 10 Clemson 7 notes
January 2, 1998 Auburn 21 Clemson 17 notes
December 31, 1998 Georgia 35 Virginia 33 notes
December 30, 1999 Mississippi State 17 Clemson 7 notes
December 29, 2000 LSU 28 Georgia Tech 14 notes
December 31, 2001 North Carolina 16 Auburn 10 notes
December 31, 2002 Maryland 30 Tennessee 3 notes
January 2, 2004 Clemson 27 Tennessee 14 notes
December 31, 2004 Miami (Florida) 27 Florida 10 notes
December 30, 2005 LSU 40 Miami (Florida) 3 notes
December 30, 2006 Georgia 31 Virginia Tech 24 notes
December 31, 2007 Auburn 23 Clemson 20 (OT) notes
December 31, 2008 LSU 38 Georgia Tech 3 notes
December 31, 2009 Virginia Tech 37 Tennessee 14 notes
December 31, 2010 Florida State 26 South Carolina 17 notes
December 31, 2011 Auburn 43 Virginia 24 notes
Better count again.
5150 UOAD
February 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
But that was the WHOLE reason MIZZOU came to the SEC east instead of Auburn.
Stephen
February 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
All I can say is they need to think long and hard about this. It takes a hundred years to build a hundred year tradition. Can’t unbreak a streak.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:25 pm
I don’t know if that’s a compliment or a dig, Dumbo.
Maybe, Bob, but I think we’d lose to them.
Facts, Paul.
Ghost
February 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
Hypothetically give tech Missouri’s 2012 SEC schedule. Find 6 conference wins , Replace Bama with ole miss. Losses UGA, SC, Florida, Tenn. Vandy, Texas am , Toss up Kentucky, likely win Ole miss.
Kentucky and Ole Miss have more depth.
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
When you fudge the numbers you lose all credibility.
Again case close.
Goodnight and good luck.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
Do you have trouble adding, headley?
Bill Bass
February 8th, 2012
5:27 pm
This is why the league will HAVE to expand to 16 teams. Then, you go to 4 pods of 4 teams each, and play the three teams in your pod and two teams from each other pod. A nine conference game slate, but you get to play EVERYONE much more often…there will then also be a semi-final and a SECC that will be a defacto ticket to the BSCCG.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:27 pm
Take off the SEC colored glasses, Ghost.
George Stein
February 8th, 2012
5:29 pm
I agree, headly. The case is very close.
Dumbo
February 8th, 2012
5:30 pm
Well, as usual the peckerwood society idiots have arrived….the North Ave Boys….time to go
Paul in NH
February 8th, 2012
5:31 pm
headley lamar
February 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
When you fudge the numbers you lose all credibility.
————
This is coming from the man who claims that the SEC “routinely beats” the ACC in the Peach Bowl.
Who knew that headley lamar understood the concept of irony