Revised 13-team SEC schedule shouldn’t endanger Georgia-Auburn rivalry
The revised SEC logo has 13 pennants. (SEC)
As MrSEC notes, you could easily get a headache trying to figure out how the SEC is going to make a 13-team schedule work next year, but from all indications that’s just what the league is going to be doing.
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity told Bulldogs Blog “that’s the direction we’ve heard, is that we’re moving along with 13,” and with Texas A&M now officially in the conference the SEC even issued a photo of the rejiggered logo with 13 pennants.
Indications are that the SEC probably will be sticking with eight conference games until a 14th team is added at sometime in the future. That leaves seven teams in one division (most likely the West) and six in the other.
The problem with handling unbalanced divisions, as MrSEC explains, is that while normally a schedule with eight conference games includes five division opponents and three games against opponents from the other division, with 13 teams three teams in the larger division must play six division games (and just two non-division contests).
So the conference has to decide which previously scheduled West vs. East games won’t take place next year.
The assumption everyone appears to be working under is that all of the current “permanent” East-West rivalries, including Georgia-Auburn, Alabama-Tennessee and Florida-LSU, will be maintained.
“It’s critical that the Georgia-Auburn series stay intact in football,” McGarity told the Macon Telegraph last week. “I can’t imagine that being displaced or being discontinued. I think your traditional rivalries are always going to be there. Tennessee-Alabama, count on that.”
I hope he’s right. Of course, if Missouri winds up being the eventual 14th team in the league, it’s quite likely that Auburn will move over to the SEC East and the Georgia-Auburn rivalry won’t need protecting.
But until then any schedule changes that would interrupt the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry need to be vetoed by Michael Adams and McGarity, if necessary.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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287 comments Add your comment
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
11:33 am
“Clemson and FSU will get blocked by in-state SEC members”
This is a myth, at least in regards to FSU. Florida was gun-ho to have FSU in the conference in 1990-1991. Having FSU in the SEC would require FSU to play opponents of equal caliber to those of Florida, and would simplify Florida’s football scheduling.
While adding FSU would not expand the SEC’s media footprint, it would add a major football program and a large national fanbase. It would also enhance the conference’s television revenue because it would another four or five national televised football games to the SEC’s line-up every fall.
Clemson, frankly, would add very little except the restoration of the 1980s rivalry with UGA.
Gordon
September 27th, 2011
11:33 am
@PigIron,
I think it would be the Alabama/Tennessee rivalry that would be in danger. I think a more likely scenario if Missouri were added would be that each team would have 2 permanent opponents in the other division. It wasn’t that long ago that UGA had both Auburn and Mississippi.
GeoffDawg
September 27th, 2011
11:34 am
Mizzou is the probably leading contender. Their board of curators is holding off approving this Big 12 tv rights scheme to handcuff the remaining members. I think we might hear something sooner than Slive’s indicated.
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
11:35 am
“Why should the ACC limit themselves to PSU and ND?
“They should just purchase the Falcons. Then maybe they could actually compete in football.”
That’s funny enough that it’s worth repeating.
How about.
September 27th, 2011
11:36 am
USF? A good team on the rise. Expand the league even further into FL. Everyone would enjoy going to Tampa for a road game too. (Not in MIZZU)
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
11:36 am
@Gordon
Auburn also had both Georgia and Florida. The 1 cross-division limit reflects a recent rule change.
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
11:37 am
Atlanta Gator,
I used to disagree about FSU, but I have come around to see it just as you posted above. It really would be in UF’s favor, since we already have to play them every year.
Maintaining tradition in SEC/college football?
September 27th, 2011
11:37 am
Are you kidding me??? Tradition is gone and everyone might as well embrace the new world of college football, driven by greed and TV (ESPN/FOX). TV will now dictate what teams play and at what time….
Dallas Dawg
September 27th, 2011
11:38 am
A $20 mil buy out is nothing if a new deal is negotiated with the addition of new television markets. The SEC was already big in the Texas market and TAMU didn’t bring much more than what the SEC already had. Based on numbers I have seen, I believe North Carolina is a bigger market than Kansas City, MO. Forget Missouri, and get a NC school. I do not believe UNC would move because of basketball and “academics”, but maybe NC State. I think NC State would jump at the chance to join the SEC. If not, then a VT or Miami (VT doesn’t bring the DC TV market, but it would be great to see if they can complete in the SEC). GT will never be invited, they had their chance.
SSIgator
September 27th, 2011
11:39 am
“Revised 13-team SEC schedule shouldn’t endanger Georgia-Auburn rivalry”
No it shouldn’t. The only endangerment to that series is the Comedy Club that is currently the coaching staff at UGA. But then again, everyone needs a little comic relief from time to time.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
September 27th, 2011
11:42 am
The headline reads “13th Team will not endanger rivalries”….
…Hell, the current Dawgs won’t endanger any rivalries either…the only teams we’ve beat have been a middle school team from SC and a Division I Team that was manhandled by Vandy.
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 27th, 2011
11:44 am
Did I get banned?!?
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
11:45 am
FSU missed their chance in 1991. I wouldn’t want either FSU or Miami in the SEC today. Neither had any previous football history and both have gone downhill since joining the ACC. Maybe Va Tech or Clemson.
My $.02
September 27th, 2011
11:45 am
So in the wishful thinking catagory, MAYBE A&M IS JOINING THE CONFERENCE TO TAKE AUBURN’S PLACE WHEN THEY GET THE DEATH PENALTY??? Then it could stay an even 12 and all the problems are over.
Enjoy the FCS Auburn, or whever you end up!
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
11:47 am
“Did I get banned?!?”
We can only hope!
JDawg1785
September 27th, 2011
11:48 am
This expansion stuff is getting a little goofy. Since the league has to add someone now anyway, it should be a logical addition like FSU or Clemson. Huge “no” to Missouri and West Virginia.
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
11:48 am
“I used to disagree about FSU, but I have come around to see it just as you posted above. It really would be in UF’s favor, since we already have to play them every year.”
Smart Beast.
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
11:50 am
RAMBLE ON: “Did I get banned?!?”
A: Not yet. But there’s still time.
65dawg
September 27th, 2011
11:52 am
Hey Moron Dawg Fan, when you say ” A person has a degree from UGA” it should be followed by “it really says something about HIMSELF (singular, not plural)! So much for your “internationally recognized” degree!
TallyDawg
September 27th, 2011
11:53 am
In some of these scenarios of Alabama and Auburn moving to the East…Florida, Bama, Auburn, Georgia, and Tennessee..The East would be the Who’s Who of the SEC. Would be very unbalanced (team strength wise).
dawg rule
September 27th, 2011
11:55 am
hopefully, with the expansion, Ga can get an easier SEC schedule than they have now until they get good again. Playing auburn, florida and USC is too much.
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
11:56 am
“Huge “no” to Missouri and West Virginia.”
JDawg1785,
I agree on the couch burners, but why not Missouri? They have a pretty strong athletic department, add new TV markets and are a member of the AAU (which would be the 4th with Vandy, UF and now Texas A&M). What’s not to like?
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
11:57 am
@TallyDawg
Division of the traditional powers was certainly one of the criteria in determining the divisions back in 1991. I’m not sure that either A&M or Mizzou would be an adequate replacement for Auburn regarding team strength. It would be much simpler to add another school in the East.
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
11:58 am
dawg rule,
How’d you like to be UF and your permanent West opponent is LSU? Or UT who has to play Bama every year on top of UF, USC and UGA?
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
11:59 am
@Beast from the East
“What’s not to like?”
The football program and the fan-base (or lack thereof).
SSIgator
September 27th, 2011
11:59 am
TallyDawg -
“In some of these scenarios of Alabama and Auburn moving to the East…Florida, Bama, Auburn, Georgia, and Tennessee..The East would be the Who’s Who of the SEC. Would be very unbalanced (team strength wise).”
Agreed. There would go any chance of UGA ever winning the SEC East title. Unless, of course, they actually hired a real coaching staff for football.
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
11:59 am
Well, actually, 65dawg, the larger error with Moron Dawg Fan’s statement is the illogical assertion that having a degree says something about himself/herself/theirself. Apart from Moron Dawg Fan’s tortured grammar and syntax, how can the act of having a degree speak for the person?
I wouldn’t sweat it too hard, though, big dog. I believe it was intended as a parody.
Prognosticator
September 27th, 2011
12:02 pm
Now that the Big 12 has stablized and the members have assigned their 2nd and 3rd Tier media rights to the conference, none of their current members will be going anywhere. The Big East as a football conference will dissolve, once UConn and Rugters move to the ACC. Notre Dame will remain independent in football and still play hoops in the Big East.
All that having been said, West Virginia will be the SEC’s 14th member.
JDawg1785
September 27th, 2011
12:02 pm
Beast, I guess I just don’t like the distance involved in a trip from a place like Gainesville or Athens to Columbia, MO. But, then again, I was opposed to Arky for the same reason back in the early 90s and that worked out OK.
SSIgator
September 27th, 2011
12:05 pm
Atlanta Gator -
“how can the act of having a degree speak for the person”
At UGA, getting a degree means a trip to Walgreen’s and shopping for deodorant.
harold
September 27th, 2011
12:06 pm
AUBURN HAS A CHAMPIONSHIP COACH AND A CHAMPIONSHIP COACHING STAFF. UGA HAS NEITHER! BUT UGA CAN STILL “DREAM!”
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
12:07 pm
PigIron,
Fanbase? They have a 71,000 seat stadium which is larger than 4 current members (Ole Miss, MSU, Vandy and UK) and only 1,000 seat shy of Arky. Their football program is on par with half of the current SEC members.
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
12:07 pm
Deodorant is futile in the Swamp — but at least it doesn’t smell like corndogs.
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
12:10 pm
Easy, SSI. Don’t get me involved in your shooting match our Dawg friends. I have to live with these Dawg folks as my friends, neighbors and clients. And you should show some respect, too; after all, UGA is the third-ranked institution academically in the SEC.
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
12:10 pm
@Beast from the East
Sure. They’re on par with the bottom half… Maybe. What good is an “expanded television footprint” in a state in which the majority of the citizens aren’t even aware that they have a college football team?
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
12:11 pm
“Corndogs?”
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
JDawg1785,
I see your point, but it’s only about a 2-2 1/2 hour plane ride. Besides, only about 7,000 fans of their opposing teams would be able to get tickets. I think they would be a great fit. It would also be the start of a new rivalry for Arkansas. Currently, I feel like LSU is their only “rivalry” game.
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
Never been to an LSU game?
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
12:15 pm
PigIron,
That would change quickly with Bama, LSU, UT, UGA, UF, Arkansas, etc coming to town. You don’t think that would generate some excitement?
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
PigIron,
I’ve been to Baton Rouge several times. What’s your point?
LawDawg
September 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
SSiGaytor,
getting a degree from Flori-duh means wearing jorts with a blue and orange tank top while sporting the newest mullet hair-do.
BTW, deodorant is needed BADLY in Gainesville to rid the cheesy stench that is Flori-Duh!
TallyDawg
September 27th, 2011
12:17 pm
We are so stuck on this East-West thing. They can do some other sort of division. North-South, traditional-new, etc…Like PigIron said, I’m sure they will divide the divisions up evenly as possible with the traditional power teams while keeping rivlaries in tact.
reebok
September 27th, 2011
12:17 pm
Guys, I’m pretty sure now that the Big 12 (which has 9 members, but whatever) has rejiggered the way they distribute the TV $$, no one else will leave soon…if Texas and Oklahoma are staying, they will certainly be able to hold on to Missouri. In fact, the Big 12 has to decide who to lure in to get back to 10 members…I think they have to give back some of the TV $$ if they don’t. Nobody in the ACC is going to jump to the SEC at this point. So if the SEC wants to get to 12 teams, they may want to reconsider West Virginia.
reebok
September 27th, 2011
12:17 pm
Sorry…I am a moron…if the SEC wants to get to 14 teams, not 12.
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
12:17 pm
I’ve spent a lot of time in Missouri. The people are great, but they don’t know or care anything about college football. They belong in the Big 12 — holding down the mediocre center of that conference.
SSIgator
September 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
LawDawg -
As I told you before, on your next trip to Gainesville, stay out of the landfill. Or are you just homesick?
Atlanta Gator
September 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
Ah, I get it. I have been to an LSU home game, but by kickoff my sense of smell was pretty well overwhelmed by a raft of other smells and sensations . . . including fear for my physical safety.
onedawg
September 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
Auburn would not be moved over to the East. It’s my understanding there’s a “state stipulation” requiring that they remain in the same division as Alabama, fwiw.
PigIron
September 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
PigIron,
I’ve been to Baton Rouge several times. What’s your point?
It’s a joke man! Please don’t take everything that I say on a football blog seriously.
Beast from the East
September 27th, 2011
12:20 pm
PigIron,
I’ll take you word for it, since I’ve never had the need to visit Missouri. Who would you suggest as a 14th member?