Is expansion really going to benefit UGA and other SEC members?
So, I’m back from vacation and taking note of what’s been going on over the past week while my family was celebrating a high school graduation. …
Amid a disappointing showing so far in postseason play by UGA’s spring sports teams and the apparent hiring of a new gymnastics coach, the Bulldogs football program picked up a new director of on-campus recruiting (at last), lost former Dawg Tony Gilbert from its strength and conditioning staff, and continued to struggle to unload single-game tickets for Buffalo, Florida Atlantic and Vandy while still peddling a few single season tickets as well.
Ah, but there appears to have been good news on the SEC front, with the conference signing a deal with the Big 12 for a New Year’s Day bowl that will match their champions if they’re not in a new four-team playoff and other conference representatives (most likely the next highest-rated teams) in the likely event both conference champs are in the playoff. This sounds like a win-win situation — unless you’re the ACC, which is in danger of being marginalized by a new big four of football conferences (SEC, Big 12, PAC 12 and Big 10).
Meanwhile, SportsBusiness Journal reports the SEC is finally taking a serious look at launching its own cable channel, probably in conjunction with ESPN, by the fall of 2014. Whether the conference will be an equity partner in its channel, following the Big 10 model, or simply sells the rights for an additional fee remains to be seen.
Either way, both the New Year’s Day bowl and SEC channel likely mean a bigger payout to conference teams — which is a good thing considering there are now two more teams taking slices of the pie since the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M.
Speaking of which, the same SportsBusiness Journal article noted that the SEC continues to renegotiate its main TV deal with CBS and the network is balking at paying as big an increase as the conference is seeking, arguing that Missouri and A&M don’t really add much value to the deal and the network shouldn’t pay more just because the SEC added two new schools.
Which prompts one fan who dropped me a note to ask: “So why did we add two new schools to split the pie further and completely screw up scheduling?”
Actually, I think it’s likely the talk about CBS not wanting to pay more for a 14-team SEC is wishful saber-rattling on the network’s part. Considering the deals other conferences have gotten since the CBS-SEC deal in 2008, it’s pretty obvious that even without the nine conference games it covets, CBS will have to pay up big to keep the SEC. And while Missouri and Texas A&M might not be the most glamorous of new additions to the conference, they do bring valuable television markets with them.
CBS definitely wants to keep the conference, which draws the highest TV ratings in college football, so they’re going to have to pay more, all grumbling aside.
The question is whether the increased payout to conference members will be large enough to make up for the fact that two additional schools will be taking a share.
As it stands now, the increased payment the SEC is likely to get out of CBS probably won’t be as sweet as it could be if CBS had more games involving conference members to peddle. What CBS would be willing to pay even more for is enhanced inventory, meaning it wants the SEC to go to a nine-conference-game schedule. However, from all reports that appears to be a nonstarter with conference members.
Which brings us back to the SEC-Big 12 alliance. Could we next see the conferences signing a deal for regular-season match-ups, along the lines of the recent agreement between the PAC 12 and Big 10?
Whether it involved every team in the two conferences or just a smattering of SEC-Big 12 games each year, such a deal certainly would give CBS the kind of marquee inventory it’s looking for and perhaps generate enough new revenue to make the addition of Missouri and A&M worthwhile financially to the original SEC members. (Especially if Florida State and Clemson jump to the Big 12 as rumored.)
It also would toughen up the strength-of-schedule factor for both conferences, which might end up being a factor in however the participants in the new national championship playoff are selected.
And there’s little doubt UGA fans would be quicker to snap up those home-game tickets with the addition of a Big 12 team in place of the likes of Buffalo or Florida Atlantic.
What do you think? Is the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M going to be worthwhile in the long run? And should the SEC and Big 12 take their relationship to the next level?
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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105 comments Add your comment
Richham
May 22nd, 2012
11:06 am
Your asking a question that can’t be answered at the moment. In time we will find out.
Just say no to superconferences
May 22nd, 2012
11:09 am
Can we give A&M and Mizzou back? I’d much rather just play them in annual SEC-Big 12 match-ups.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
May 22nd, 2012
11:14 am
The HISTORY of college football is really changing fast. We will look back and decide after all this crap the crowning a True National Champion was not really worth it.
icedawg
May 22nd, 2012
11:16 am
Nothing really makes much sense any more. The loss of geographic distinctions has blurred identity and will eventually take an edge off of the historic rivalries. Now that the logic of the conferences has been dismantled a true playoff system would be welcomed and makes sense. It’s a new era in CFb and I don’t know if I really like it.
raleigh
May 22nd, 2012
11:18 am
go dawgs
Bulldog Ben
May 22nd, 2012
11:20 am
Who cares about that new bowl game? Last years matchup would have been Kansas State vs. Arkansas. Boy that’s really some must see TV there.
tardawg
May 22nd, 2012
11:35 am
What SEC should’ve done was grab Wake Forest instead of Mizzo, had WF be in the east moved Vandy to west along with Texas A&M brought either AL or Auburn to East that would be a interesting conference then.
zgoldatl
May 22nd, 2012
11:38 am
FSU and Clempson aren’t going anywhere.
Spanky
May 22nd, 2012
11:48 am
It’s just a matter of time before the league of super-conferences take form…4 to be exact, like Bill said(SEC being Superman, of course)…the champ of those will be the play-off teams…that’s kinda-sorta-but not really- fair…I guess! …Maybe one more cup of coffee, LOL
Bob in Buford
May 22nd, 2012
11:52 am
I’m tired of all the complaining about our scheduling. You can’t play a top 25 team every week, you’ll never get to the national championship game that way. No less than two cupcakes a year is a must. Personally, I’d prefer series like we had with ASU and Colorado over Tech. They aren’t relevant anymore and hurt our strenght of schedule.
Sam
May 22nd, 2012
11:55 am
If the SEC starts its own network then the potential eyeballs in STL and Texas makes that a much better deal. It also makes TX an easier place to recruit–lots of talent in that state. I have had the BigTen network and while the football games are not usually appealing, it is great that “minor” sports get coverage. The SEC has very good teams outside of football (and at times, basketball) that could use the coverage. SEC baseball is probably even better/deeper than football respective to other conferences. Track and field is also very good (esp with addition of TAMU). I think that by the time the network gets launched, they will have seen how the Big10 network (highly successful), the Longhorn network and the Pac12 networks did things and learn from them.
Old Dawg
May 22nd, 2012
12:03 pm
I’m not that excited about either of the new additions to the conference, and I wasn’t that excited about Arkansas. In terms of TV markets, both Texas A&M and Missouri are better than markets than Arkansas and that’s like saying I’ve got a new car … and it’s a Ford Fiesta.
As for the new bowl format, what’s up with dat? With a 4-team play-off almost assured of having the tip teams from the SEC and Big 12, we’ll be stuck watching the next best teams … again, a Ford Fiesta.
Cunk Rogers
May 22nd, 2012
12:18 pm
I would rather see us give Mizzou back and take Clemson for the SEC East. Not happening I know but would have made much much more sense.
McDawg
May 22nd, 2012
12:20 pm
once Mizzou or A&M whip UF or UT it will then be worth expansion
Jeff
May 22nd, 2012
12:24 pm
The CBS contract is peanuts compared to the ESPN (Tier2) contract and the SEC Network that’s about to be launched.
Look for SEC schools to be pulling in $30million+ once the new deals are announced….Up from $17million pre-expansion. Yeah,lol, I’d say the additions of A&M and Missouri were worth it.
BP85
May 22nd, 2012
12:29 pm
The SEC has definitely taken it to the next level. Unfortunatly, it was one or two notches down from where we started. And the only teams in the SEC that will truly benefit from this are Missouri and A&M.
Desert Fox
May 22nd, 2012
12:51 pm
BK. Tough question. Wouldn’t want to be either of those two teams when they get into a full SEC schedule. The traveling alone will take its toll on both.
Anyone catch the ESPN CFB roundtable a week or so ago? UGA was the subject and if could they go all the way this season and win the SEC. One concensus was the dawgs need a new playbook or at least major revisions. Current one is too dated and lacks plays to keep Defenses off balance. Point many GA bloggers have been making for several years now. Hope someone was listening at GA HQ. Might make a good article, BK.
Chipper J
May 22nd, 2012
1:05 pm
FSU & CLEMSON announcing changing to BIG 12 in the next few days.
JB
May 22nd, 2012
1:06 pm
All very interesting, but will we be able to run the ball this year and will special teams finally win us a game vs costing us a game? How many OL lineman will we sign? going to be a big class. I would hope for at least 6.
GTBob
May 22nd, 2012
1:09 pm
Look for SEC schools to be pulling in $30million+ once the new deals are announced
The current estimations are that the SEC will get close to 25 million total after the new deals are announced. They won’t come anywhere close to 30 million.
JB
May 22nd, 2012
1:11 pm
Thank you Mr. Insider GTBob.
JB
May 22nd, 2012
1:14 pm
Boy, if Clemson and FSU leave the ACC, that league is way watered down. Ouch. Although it would give Tech 2 more wins when they replace them with 2nd or 3rd tier teams.
GTBob
May 22nd, 2012
1:19 pm
Thank you Mr. Insider GTBob.
Its not like I made that up out of the blue:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2012-05-20/Pacific-12-schools-will-see-big-payday-from-TV-deals/55095542/1
GTBob
May 22nd, 2012
1:21 pm
Boy, if Clemson and FSU leave the ACC, that league is way watered down. Ouch. Although it would give Tech 2 more wins when they replace them with 2nd or 3rd tier teams.
Tech has won 5 of the last 6 against Clemson and FSU. They aren’t exactly stellar programs.
JB
May 22nd, 2012
1:23 pm
Desert Fox……….Our play book. The whole world knows it’s dated and predictable. Even when Kiffen was at Tennessee, he said about Georgia ,” we know what they don’t and we will be prepared”……He handed Richt his hat. Most woman who watch UGA football can look at the field position, down and distance and call the play 80% of the time. You don’t think the DC’s of our foes can’t?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 22nd, 2012
1:30 pm
Doesnt 25 million qualify as close to 30 million? It certainly isn’t anywhere near. Also I think the SEC will be just fine with 25 million Bob.
ozzfest
May 22nd, 2012
1:36 pm
ESPN…INCLUDING DAVID POLLACK…BASICALLY CALLED BOBO AN IDIOT AND SHAMED GREG McGARRITY (KING WIMP) FOR THE HORRIBLE SCHEDULE.
…DON’T LOOK NOW…UGA JUST SENT AN EMAIL BEGGING SEASON TICKET HOLDERS TO BUY UNSOLD BUFFALO & FLORIDA ATLANTIC TICKETS.
THEY ARE YOURS TO EAT, KING WIMP!!
GTBob
May 22nd, 2012
1:40 pm
Doesnt 25 million qualify as close to 30 million? It certainly isn’t anywhere near. Also I think the SEC will be just fine with 25 million Bob.
No, 5 million per team per year is a lot of money. For a 15 year contract that is over a billion dollar difference total. Sure the SEC will be fine though. They will probably be 4th in TV money when all of this shakes out but they will be ok. They would benefit greatly if they started their own conference television network, although it probably wouldn’t have much of a national audience.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 22nd, 2012
1:42 pm
Bob,Bob,Bob the SEC will be just fine. Thank you though for your continued interest into all thing UGA and SEC.
7576DAWG
May 22nd, 2012
1:44 pm
If CBS will not pay what the market will allow then you sign a deal with another network. End of discussion.
Bring in Texas A&M and Missouri was a very smart thing. It is Pro Active and the SEC had no choice but to be in the lead of the way College football is changing. If they want to bury their heads in the sand and make like the changing dynamics of College Football, because of advancements in the media coverage and thus pay outs, is not going to happen then they will be left behind and the SEC will lose it’s relevance as the leader of college football.
GTBob
May 22nd, 2012
1:56 pm
If CBS will not pay what the market will allow then you sign a deal with another network. End of discussion.
This is a renegotiation of a contract, not a new contract. They can’t just sign with whoever they want on the open market.
Across the Wide Missouri
May 22nd, 2012
1:58 pm
Missouri 42, Georgia 13
It’s coming, you just know it is!
Gary
May 22nd, 2012
2:14 pm
Across the Wide? Do you really think you can put 43 on Georgia’s defense? I am not saying the dawgs win but that is a pretty bold number to throw out. Do you have some new huge impact players this year? I don’t remember you being the powerhouse of the big 12 last year? Do you know something the Dawgnation doesn’t? Just curious. We may not win the big games, but it is not too often teams throw 43 against the Dawgs ( though it has happened more than I wish to remember ). Good luck, the east is wide open. If you can put 43 on the Dawgs I am pretty sure you can beat SC and Florida and own the east. Not a bad start. Division champs in th year one. Who knows, with a power offense putting up 43, you may be able to dent Bama and LSU defenses. You do that and your are playing for the NC! Wow, from mid pack big 12 to playing for the NC all in one conference move. Can’t wait to see it.
Fumblin' Bumblin'
May 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
Why does everyone keep ripping on the would’ve-been match-up of Kansas State and Arkansas? Given how they played last season, and the fact that Arkansas won the Cotton Bowl by 13 points, I wouldn’t call that a bad match-up. Plenty of people though Clemson would be better than they were, but they lost their bowl by 70-33. Was that necessarily a bad match-up going in? No. Chances are slim that an SEC of Big XII champ plays in the new bowl game for a while. Doesn’t mean you have to knock the game. A second-tier SEC-BigXII game is still better than the ACC Championship Game.
DawginLex
May 22nd, 2012
2:24 pm
I will tell you what is coming MR TECH TROLL-aka Across the wide missouri
A first rate butt kicking at the hand of the Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia 56
Mizzou 17
DawginLex
May 22nd, 2012
2:26 pm
Across the wide missouri aka Tech fan
Here is reality
Georgia 56
Mizzou 17
Franklin won’t finish the game
JB
May 22nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Dawg’s D this year is why all the love from the National Press. It’s legit. We might not have given up 43 points TOTAL by the time we get to Jacksonville.
GTBob
May 22nd, 2012
2:40 pm
Why does everyone keep ripping on the would’ve-been match-up of Kansas State and Arkansas?
Because nobody cares about either one of them and Kansas St was average at best last season.
JB
May 22nd, 2012
2:40 pm
In other football news, It’s Tuesday at Tech today.
kingdaddy
May 22nd, 2012
3:08 pm
Lex
If Franklin does finish the game, it will be on his back-side or the side-line. They better have a running game to fall back on! And their All-Star Freshmen W/R ain’t never been hit, like he’s gonna get hit by the JYDs…
kingdaddy
May 22nd, 2012
3:11 pm
Bill (The Real) King
Great to have you back, please don’t ever leave again! Ever!!!
Dawg Haus
May 22nd, 2012
3:15 pm
This expansion stuff is already starting to get out of control. The SEC will be fine, but tradition is taking a serious hit across the entire college football landscape. I have no plans of ever traveling to see the Dawgs play in Missouri, but I’d make the short trip to Clemson or Tallahassee in a heartbeat.
DawginLex
May 22nd, 2012
3:27 pm
ozzfest
i watched the ESPN roundtable about Georgia
Pollack never called Bobo an idiot. He stated quite well that the offense has not changed like some other schools have done but is capable if Murray can be a leader and limit mistakes.
Big difference from what you described
Sam
May 22nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Free Shoes and The Clemp will stay in the ACC……Free Shoes cant even win the ACC and there thinking of the Big 12? The Clemp got torched to the tune of 70+ by a big east school- that set them back lightyears……
Sam
May 22nd, 2012
3:31 pm
and let’s not forget the mistake on North Ave- funny, nobody is trying to get them in their conference. Probably because all they bring is two hotdogs…two cokes….HA!
DawginLex
May 22nd, 2012
3:31 pm
ozz
So 5 years ago, when the schedule was developed for the SEC games(except switching Bama for Mizzou which the SEC office did), you think the schedule was crap back then?
Auburn was capable of winning big-2006 were a top 10 team when we beat them
Florida was in the middle of Tebow leading them to glory
UT was capable of winning the East, which they did in 2007
SC had just hired Spurrier so they were getting better
Kentucky beat LSU in 2007, they year they won the BCS
So when the schedule was made 5 years ago, wasn’t it considered tough?
Richt and McGarity can’t help that things have gone bad in Gainesville and Knoxville
GATiger
May 22nd, 2012
3:59 pm
No because Mizzou will beat Georgia!!
GATiger
May 22nd, 2012
4:00 pm
Only two teams in the SEC I like to see loose….UGA and Bama!
DawginLex
May 22nd, 2012
4:06 pm
You will get your wish
UGA will run “loose” all over Mizzou
56-17
One of the requirements of being a good TROLL is knowing how to spell………………
Sam
May 22nd, 2012
4:06 pm
Only two teams in the SEC I like to see loose
loose????? HA! easy to tell GATiger is from “Da Barn”! 5 of the last 6 and blowouts to boot except when you pay for a QB!!!! GO Dawgs!
Craig
May 22nd, 2012
4:07 pm
GaTiger….”loose” this 45-7 WOOF!
Delbert D.
May 22nd, 2012
4:09 pm
I expect the Big 12(10) to be more prominent on the national scene in the next 2-3 years. They are playing a round-robin conference schedule this year, so I seriously doubt if there will be 2 teams with 11 wins. There’s no conference championship game to pad the win total, either. Texas has a top tier defense, but not good and experienced QB. Eventually, they should be back to winning with all of the talent they get every year.
kydawg
May 22nd, 2012
4:16 pm
What’s up with the S & C Staff? With the exception of Joe T, there has been a complete turnover!!! And TG going to Auburn? Seriously???
Old Coach
May 22nd, 2012
4:33 pm
@ Bill
This is probably all Mike Bobo’s fault!
Gary
May 22nd, 2012
4:45 pm
I agree with those that say college football is becoming murky with all of the team moves, obscuring any regional interest of the fans. I long for the good ol days when you knew what teams were in what conference and everybody got a chance to play everybody else in the league. Despite all the tv exposure, I am no more likely to see the Dawgs play on TV than I was twenty years ago. And the loss of traditional rivalries like Georgia-Auburn or Tennessee-Alabama is a real shame. All for a system that still does not create a reliable, consensus national champion. What a tragedy for true college football fans!
indianman
May 22nd, 2012
4:49 pm
georgia bulldogs 12 and 0 and play ing for the sec title
What will happen in 2013 when......
May 22nd, 2012
4:54 pm
indianman wake up doofus, UGA will lose to Missou, Vandy, SC, Fl, Aub and a stunner at Ky. The only bad news when this happens for the rest of the SEC is that Richt will be finally fired. 3 million for the most expensive preacher in the US.
Mobile Dawg
May 22nd, 2012
5:19 pm
Multiple states have two schools in the SEC, would have been much more interesting to expand with Clemson and FSU.
LogicalUS
May 22nd, 2012
6:29 pm
“We might not have given up 43 points TOTAL by the time we get to Jacksonville.”
Bhahahaha…the greatest defense in football history gave up 77 in its last 8 quarters.
For UGA fans that is 38.5 pts a game, and now everybody is supposed to be afraid of this bunch????
Not happening unless somebody went out and found a whole bunch of replacements.
LogicalUS
May 22nd, 2012
6:33 pm
“…..exception of Joe T, there has been a complete turnover!!! And TG going to Auburn?”
Did you see the 2nd half of nearly every football game last fall? Not to worry though the beaner crowd has forecasted that the suspensions won’t matter, conditioning won’t matter, nor will undisciplined play matter, the greatest defense in history is only going to give up 44 pts for the entire season.
Beast from the East
May 22nd, 2012
7:10 pm
Gary,
Since when did you see every team in the SEC play every other team each year? I’m 45 years old and I can’t recall it in my lifetime. Also, your statement about not being able to see UGA play every week is absurd. I live in Atlanta and have for the past 10 years. I haven’t missed watching a single Gator game the entire time. Heck, I can watch 99% of the Gator basketball games and about 75% of the baseball games if I take the time to find them. There are more channels than just ABC, NBC and CBS. Get rid of the rabbit ears and call DirectTV…LOL!
Beast from the East
May 22nd, 2012
7:17 pm
I think the addition of A&M and Mizzou was an outstanding move. It will help increase the revenue which will help all of the SEC schools continue to be competitive in college athletics. With Title IX, we need the additional revenue to contunue funding the “non-reveune” sports. Does anyone really question how much the addition of Arky and SC has helped our conference? Look at the revenue increase since 1990. Not to mention, both A&M and Mizzou are members of the AAU, so that just doubled the SEC’s total (UF and Vandy). I suspect UGA will be a member of the AAU within the next 5 years, as well.
Red Stick
May 22nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Orangebloods.com is reporting that FSU, Clemson, Miami and Va Tech have had informal discussions with the Big 12.
I’m glad that A&M and Missouri are in the SEC and I think admitting them was the right thing to do.
What I do think may come back to bite the SEC is the SECCG. Let’s say you have one team that is ranked #3 and 11-1. That team is upset in the title game to a division winner that is 9-3 who is ranked 15th. The 9-3 team likely will not jump in the top 4 to make the new 4 team playoff. The 9-3 team goes to the new SEC-Big 12 New Year’s Day bowl game. The previously ranked #3 team drops in the polls and doesn’t make the playoffs. Just a thought as this could happen to not only the SEC but the Pac 12 and Big 1G who also have title games with likely highly ranked teams involved.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Cdpridg
May 22nd, 2012
7:29 pm
SEC is always out front….leading….setting the standard….the greatest conference in history!
dienlafin
May 22nd, 2012
7:36 pm
70-33. Clemson is not a college football team, they are a college football embarresment. That’s why Georgia put them on next years soft schedule, to replace Buffalo.
Beast from the East
May 22nd, 2012
7:46 pm
Red Stick,
That’s been a risk since they created the SECCG. So far, it has only helped by having another win over a ranked opponent. UF in 2006 and 2008. Your Tigers in 2007. I’m sure one day it will eventually unfold as you stated and cost someone a shot, but I’m still a firm believer that you should have to win your conference to be crowned the National Champs.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
May 22nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Well eventually the new teams will catch up to the mid-tier teams, such as UGA. This will make the middle of the pack more competitive, but shouldn’t really affect your programs that win championships.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
May 22nd, 2012
7:57 pm
@ Logical US:
Climpson gave up that many points in ONE GAME and they were a top 10 ranked team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is your point????
Wilson Pickett
May 22nd, 2012
8:41 pm
Way 2 early to panic.Slive playing chess with the obnoxious and overbearing yankee from the big 10.
WestOfAthens
May 22nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Very worthwhile deal, Bill. You did an exceptional job of “dumbing it down” for the few inept “fans” who follow these Bulldogs.
I enjoy your followings, keep it up.
HBTD
Red Stick
May 22nd, 2012
9:02 pm
Beast, the problem I have is that the Big 12 winner likely will have a spot in the top 4 while other leagues that have a championship games are at a disadvantage. It is what it is and the SECCG is not going away with the money it brings in.
Nevertheless no post-season formula is perfect but I am glad we are moving on to an actual playoff instead of the BCS.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
it's better in Metter
May 22nd, 2012
9:03 pm
With 12 teams in the SEC, Georgia is solidly a 2nd or 3rd rate team. Adding two good teams to the SEC drops Georgia to 3rd or 4th rate.
That’s the l-e-g-h-u-m-p-e-r-s reality, and all the Kool-Aid in the world won’t change that.
FLA DAWG
May 22nd, 2012
10:01 pm
Funny Bill,
You speak of the failures of UGA and then recognize the Atlanta Conference Game as something positive for UGA!?
Sport, ya gotta be init to playit, getiti?
Woefully, my Dawgs will not win The SEC AGAIN this season and will not again do so until Richt and Bobo are gone in my opinion.
But hey, you got space to fill with that keyboard – right?
Think the inability to sell UGA home tickets is bad now?
Wait until you see the No Shows at most of those games.
It will remind us of GT stadium on almost any gameday.
Sickening in my opinion.
GO DAWGS & go away Richt and Bobo
Ron Roberts
May 22nd, 2012
11:09 pm
While I’d like to see some geographic sense in any expansion discussion, for the SEC it’s about bringing in larger TV markets that aren’t already in the fold. Think: Virginia Tech or UVA; think NC State; think Miami before you think Florida State, and forget Clemson because Clemson brings no TV market to the collection worth having that isn’t already IN the SEC.
Personally, I’d LOVE to toss TA&M and Missouri back to the Big 12 if they’d give us West Virginia just because it makes no geographic sense for WVU to be in the same conference with schools in Texas and Oklahoma.
sports
May 23rd, 2012
12:15 am
The SEC is going to be just fine. Now the BIg 12 will be benefit with the addition of FSU and Clemson, not to say what it wil do for those two programs. The ACC needs to wallow with itself, because the big dogs of basketball control that conference. Division II would suit the ACC very well.
ramblingbuzz
May 23rd, 2012
8:00 am
SEC needs a new logo. The current one looks a holdover from the 1940s.
Joey
May 23rd, 2012
8:36 am
“One concensus was the dawgs need a new playbook or at least major revisions. Current one is too dated and lacks plays to keep Defenses off balance.”
********************************************************
How dare they speak ill of Richt’s playbook – don’t they know Richt added some cutting edge football to the playbook last season?! It was in there – we just didn’t get to see it!
The playbook is what it is – Richt’s ego ain’t gonna let him change it. Besides it works fairly well as long as we aren’t playing a great D – ask SC and Auburn. Our problems on offense have more to do with the failure to make in-game adjustments when the good DCs begin stopping us – those 3-and-outs kill our D, as do our QB’s turnovers.
Richt’s new-found love of sitting on small leads and hoping our D will save us also hands momentum to our opponents.
UGA Insider
May 23rd, 2012
9:27 am
When every-one’s taxes go up on Jan 1 we will be in another great depression so football won’t matter much at all.
ASP
May 23rd, 2012
9:28 am
Though neither are exactly tier-one academic institutions, the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri does raise the overall academic profile of the SEC; that’s something at least.
Smartso
May 23rd, 2012
11:08 am
All of this means nothing if FSu, Miami, Unc and Uva get stronger. Their early recruiting foretells better teams in next several hrs. Presume same for NCSU, Vatech, Clemson and GaTech. Looks like a formidable conference to me. Pitt can also make an impact. And if ND joins – look out.
Dostoyevskiy
May 23rd, 2012
11:10 am
Smartso, I agree w/you. I believe the ACC will wind up as possibly the strongest conference.
Ravon
May 23rd, 2012
11:14 am
SEC between rock and hard place w/Clemson and FSU. They would both be attractive to conference. However, talent pool would weaken as recruits are spread out. This would really hurt UGa, SCAR, and Tn.
Aaron Murray
May 23rd, 2012
12:13 pm
The offense will be fine if I could just get some heels.
SouthCarolinaFan
May 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
NC State and Va Tech would be awesome adds for the SEC. They have the new markets for the upcoming SEC Network and value football the way we do.
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
12:54 pm
Dawg Haus
May 22nd, 2012
3:15 pm
This expansion stuff is already starting to get out of control. The SEC will be fine, but tradition is taking a serious hit across the entire college football landscape. I have no plans of ever traveling to see the Dawgs play in Misouri, but I’d make the short trip to Clemson or Tallahassee in a heartbeat.
______________________
It’s a shame that as Dawg fans we seldom get the opportunity to make that short trip to Clemson any more–and never to Tallahassee. Instead, we get Buffalo, Fla Atlantic, Idaho St, New Mexico St, Coastal Carolina, Louisiana Lafayette, Tennessee Tech, Central Michigan, etc., etc., etc. And that’s just the past 4 years. Disgusting.
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
1:02 pm
Bob in Buford
May 22nd, 2012
11:52 am
I’m tired of all the complaining about our scheduling. You can’t play a top 25 team every week, you’ll never get to the national championship game that way. No less than two cupcakes a year is a must.
______________________
Coward.
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
1:14 pm
DawginLex
May 22nd, 2012
3:31 pm
So when the schedule was made 5 years ago, wasn’t it considered tough?
Richt and McGarity can’t help that things have gone bad in Gainesville and Knoxville
__________________________
Perhaps you could explain exactly what this has to do with UGA playing Buffalo, Fla Atlantic, Idaho St, New Mexico St, Coastal Carolina, Louisiana Lafayette, Tennessee Tech, Central Michigan, Western Carolina, and Troy during these past 5 years?
Do these high-powered opponents by any stretch of the imagination represent “tough” scheduling?
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
1:17 pm
SouthCarolinaFan
May 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
NC State and Va Tech would be awesome adds for the SEC. They have the new markets for the upcoming SEC Network and value football the way we do.
__________________________
Agree w/you on Va Tech, but NC State? When has their record shown that they value football like the SEC powers?
Tuck Fech
May 23rd, 2012
3:56 pm
FIRST on page two!
or maybe three.
Pitbull
May 23rd, 2012
4:18 pm
FSU and Clemson to the Big 12would be HUGE.
Change the Peach Bowl to an SEC – Big 12 matchup in addition to the Sugar Bowl.
Yes the ACC is becoming marginal and I see Miami jumping back to the Big East and Pittsburgh and Syracuse backing out of the ACC changeover to make for a still powerful (compared to the ACC) conference too.
If that happens Boston College and Virginia Tech could also bolt backfor the Big East again and Maryland could follow.
The ACC will once again be a tobacco road basketball conference.
The Old Dawg
May 23rd, 2012
4:29 pm
Would like to see the SEC set a schedule as follows:
6 games against the same division teams
1 game against the traditional other division rival
3 games against half the remaining teams from the other division
Swap the 3 games against the remaining teams of the other division to the other teams from that division every 2 years.
Thus each SAEC team plays 10 SEC teams every year. CBS ought to eat that up with a spoon.
Of course SC will have to drop Clemson, UF will have to drop FSU and Georgia will have to drop Tech due to the more difficult schedules, but it would be more than worth it. Those games are more about hate than football anyway so they really arn’t good for any of the schools involved.
Tech could even start a new rivalry that they actually could win with Georgia Tech. Don’t sell Georgia State short. They could build a winning program if they got rid of Bill Curry.
The Old Dawg
May 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Whoops Tech could start a new rivalry with Georgia STATE, which might dwarf Tech in a few years.
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
4:55 pm
The Old Dawg
May 23rd, 2012
4:29 pm
Would like to see the SEC set a schedule as follows:
6 games against the same division teams
1 game against the traditional other division rival
3 games against half the remaining teams from the other division
Swap the 3 games against the remaining teams of the other division to the other teams from that division every 2 years.
Thus each SAEC team plays 10 SEC teams every year. CBS ought to eat that up with a spoon.
Of course SC will have to drop Clemson, UF will have to drop FSU and Georgia will have to drop Tech due to the more difficult schedules, but it would be more than worth it. Those games are more about hate than football anyway so they really arn’t good for any of the schools involved.
______________________
Why would they have to drop those rival games? So they can schedule cupcakes? That’s what’s wrong with college football today. D-1 teams are allowed to buy wins by paying marshmallows to come to their stadiums and bend over. In many cases, the rival games are the only decent OOC games the D-1 teams play.
intheknow
May 23rd, 2012
5:36 pm
tide is rolling is hung like a field mouse….what a pompous idiot he is…can’t wait for the tide to lose two-three games this year….they lost way too many starters on defense to go undefeated…..watch all the excuses come pouring out of the bama fans when LSU kicks thier azz.
LakeDawg
May 23rd, 2012
7:18 pm
No it isn’t worth it. In fact, this whole trend of chasing the dollar in college football is going to kill what is special about the game: tradition, rivalries, regionalism, the college SPIRIT,ect. Teams are already taking on a pro persona, see Alabama. Its sucking the life out of what is unique about college football and making it a minor league for the NFL. When that happens there is no reason to watch college football. How many keep up with the Gwinnett Braves?
LakeDawg
May 23rd, 2012
7:22 pm
DawgNole
This just in: Teams have ALWAYS scheduled cupcakes.
The Old Dawg
May 23rd, 2012
8:41 pm
Cupcakes don’t have to be cupcakes. Just ask Michigan about Appalachian State.
GT Boob
May 23rd, 2012
8:43 pm
Maybe Tech will become Georgia State’s cupcake in a few years.
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
9:56 pm
LakeDawg
May 23rd, 2012
7:22 pm
DawgNole
This just in: Teams have ALWAYS scheduled cupcakes.
_______________________
That’s like saying “But we’ve always done it that way.” Doesn’t make it right.
As I posted earlier, that D-1 teams are allowed to buy wins is one of the most disturbing aspects of college football.
DawgNole
May 23rd, 2012
10:02 pm
The Old Dawg
May 23rd, 2012
8:41 pm
Cupcakes don’t have to be cupcakes. Just ask Michigan about Appalachian State.
____________________
Serves Mich right–and represents yet another reason not to schedule marshmallows–along with empty seats, zero interest, no TV, ridicule if you lose (see Mich), ho-hum if you win, etc.
CitizenK9
May 24th, 2012
12:00 am
A huge mistake. Nothing good for UGA . Harder to get to title game, Novelty of these teams we share no tradition with will wear off fast and we’ll play real historic matchups like Bama and LSU mutch less often which will diminish those games. Or cost us AU as annual game or end UGA in Jax. Hard destinations for UGA fans to get to. The SEC sold its soul and as usual was happy to bury the Dawgs doing it.
MattinAtl
May 24th, 2012
5:44 am
Like the match-ups idea. Hope the ACC stabilizes. Reallyhave seen you develop into a pretty serious journalist.
Across the wide Missouri
May 24th, 2012
9:21 am
Missouri 42, Georgia 13
Make your reservations now, it’s going to be a really great game!
Muttser
May 24th, 2012
9:25 am
Hope you all saw the baseball game last night, where Auburn put the dawggies in their place.
Buh bye, UGA, just another season filled with disappointment and heartbreak. So very very sad.
Pitbull
May 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
So glad I didn’t go to school at the Barn.
If Florida has the Swamp then why not call Jordan Hare the Barnyard?