Auburn to the SEC East? It’s a cushy move – for the moment
Howdy there, folks. Welcome back to the neighborhood. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Provided Kenneth Starr and Baylor don’t get litigious again, Missouri is expected to become the SEC’s 14th member at any moment. And with Missouri and Texas A&M arriving as Nos. 14 and 13, somebody from the current SEC West will have to move to the East for the sake of balance. Most folks expect the mover to be Auburn — although Alabama, being its selfish self, is making noises about preferring that its arch-enemy stay put — and how would Auburn feel about upping sticks?
Pretty darn good.
Auburn is based in the Central Time Zone by the grace of 25 miles. It’s almost as close to Atlanta’s southern suburbs as to the capital of Alabama. The Tigers’ greatest rival has always been the school in Tuscaloosa, duh, but for most of Auburn’s existence its next-biggest rivals were Georgia and Florida and Tennessee. (And don’t forget Georgia Tech, which is now out of reach in the ACC, which will require some realignment of its own. Auburn students would hold a Wreck Tech parade — I once covered it — before that annual game.)
Auburn-Georgia remains an annual fixture — it’s the Oldest Rivalry in the Deep South and, in my view, the best game of most every year — but Auburn-Tennessee and Auburn-Florida were lost to the realities of divisional scheduling. They’d return with Auburn’s move to the East, and the Tigers wouldn’t be displeased.
Back in September, both Auburn president Jay Gogue and AD Jay Jacobs said they’d have no problem with moving, and in saying “no problem” they sounded almost giddy. As Jacobs told Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News: “We have so many students come from Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, they come on campus and say, ‘Why aren’t we playing Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina?’ ”
What Gogue and Jacobs didn’t say was what seems rather blatant: As it stands, the SEC East would be easier to win than the West. (Arkansas, the third-best team in the six-team West, is ranked ninth in the BCS standings.) But here we need to say, “Whoa.”
When the SEC split into divisions, the East became Beverly Hills and remained so until Steve Spurrier left for the NFL and Tennessee began to wobble. Of the first 11 SEC championship games, the East won eight. Only after Nick Saban planted his flag at LSU did the West begin to rise, and only after Saban returned from his own NFL misfire to reconfigure Alabama did the West become the cutthroat division we see now.
Alabama and LSU are two of the three best teams in the country. Arkansas is nuzzling into the Top 10. Auburn won the 2010 BCS title. Mississippi State, which was either the fourth- or fifth-best team in the six-team division, was ranked No. 20 nationally in preseason. (That was before anybody realized the maroon Bulldogs couldn’t beat any of its Western brethren save Ole Miss.) The winner of the SEC West has won not just three of the past four SEC titles but three of the past four national championships. That said …
These things are, as things tend to be, cyclical. From 1994 through 2003, every SEC East winner — meaning Florida, Tennessee or Georgia — was ranked No. 6 or higher in the Associated Press poll entering the league championship game. Over that span, only two SEC West champs — Alabama in 1994 and LSU in 2003 — were ranked as high as No. 6.
But Florida is on its third coach since Spurrier and Tennessee on its second since Phillip Fulmer and South Carolina, which for a century stood as a case study in never-won-anything, took the SEC East last year with three conference losses. (And got beaten by 39 points by Auburn in the title game.) Georgia is scrambling to bleed out another division title to prove it’s still relevant. Add all that together, and … why wouldn’t the Tigers be thrilled at the prospects of relocation?
Just as Florida and Tennessee weren’t impervious to time and tide (pun intended), Alabama and LSU and Arkansas won’t be, either. What if Saban takes $10 million to go rescue Texas? What if Les Miles gets a similar offer from Ohio State? What if Derek Dooley loses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee looks to Bobby Petrino, ever-ready to relocate?
For all the homage we pay to college football’s traditions, the cold truth is that the sport’s greatest determinant is the head coach. Alabama won a national championship under Gene Stallings in the first season of SEC divisional play, but didn’t sniff another until Saban worked his dark magic. Florida ruled the SEC under Spurrier but became a punch line under Ron Zook; then it hired Urban Meyer, who won twice as many national titles as the Evil Genius.
So long as Saban and Miles and Petrino remain in the SEC West, any opponent would find the going softer anywhere else. But that’s the catch with coaches. Eventually they leave, and everything changes.
By Mark Bradley
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336 comments Add your comment
Clyde Bolton
October 19th, 2011
3:05 pm
I never said anything about Georgia and Tennessee playing every year, WTH?
Vol Nation had a poll this week asking if expansion was worth losing the Alabama game. 70% responded no. As MB said it is cyclical, meanwhile I have my cigar ready for 3SIO.
brick
October 19th, 2011
3:08 pm
AU is not going to be moved to the East, thats why Missouri was denied earlier because the plan was to move AU to the East. Bama and UT blocked it because that would ruin the UT/Bama game. If Missouri is accepted they are going to be in the East. Distance is actually less for most games than if they were put in West.
MikeP
October 19th, 2011
3:14 pm
SSG Desert Dawg
October 19th, 2011
10:42 am
“……Auburn is a good team most years, but they are no Alabama or LSU. They would not have even played for a NC if they were without Cam or Nick Fairley…………..”
Auburn is, indeed, no bammer. Auburn has whipped bammer 8 of the past 11 years. As for the crack about Newton and Fairley, name any national champion for the past 20 years, take away their two best players and they wouldn’t have won either. Not much of a student of the game, are you?
Kelly
October 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
Dear AU: “It’s my belief that history is a wheel. “Inconsistency is my very essence” -says the wheel- “Rise up on my spokes if you like, but don’t complain when you are cast back down into the depths. Good times pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it is also our hope. The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away.” – Boethius
Ala or Texas
October 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
Dude,If you think Alabama money can match Texas money? You are very sadly mistaken!!!
Ala or Texas
October 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
And Nick winning another NC at another School.That will just be too much for his ego to turn down.it may be a bidding war,but oil money will win ever time.
its not happening people
October 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
Mark, just another lazy column..why not do another one speculating on conference realignment next? On this subject, you have no clue.
If the SEC expands to a 14th team, that team is going in the East.Period. Even Missouri. End of problem. You dont think that the SEC will screw up SEC rotations and rivalries for Missouri’s benefit ,do you? No way. To split Ala and Auburn would open up scheduling cans of worms the SEC doesnt want to open.
If the SEC goes to 16, then Bama and Auburn may move to the East together, but not separately. If Mo doesnt like their Eastern division location, they can stay in the Big 12.
Lou Holtz AKA "The Spitting Cobra"
October 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
MikeP- to take you up on your challenge, I would say both Nebraska in 1994 and Miami in 2001 could have National Championships without their 2 best players.
Half Century Dawg
October 19th, 2011
3:29 pm
St Simons – we’re on Island time
October 19th, 2011
2:46 pm
great post, I needed that laugh.
War Eagle
October 19th, 2011
3:30 pm
55G Desertdawg, Would UGA not won the NC without Hershell, silly comment??
Jimmy Crack
October 19th, 2011
3:32 pm
At least we will respect them better than Bama. Dawgs don’t poison trees, they pee on them.
NC Dawg
October 19th, 2011
3:42 pm
Missouri to the East is as absurd as the Braves when they were in the NL West!
Really?
October 19th, 2011
3:45 pm
All the bammers will scream, but Texas is the best job in college football. If they want to spend the money Alabama can’t match it. As deep as their pockets are they aren’t nearly as deep as Texas’.
Miz
October 19th, 2011
3:50 pm
It doesn’t matter which division Mizzou is in. Very soon there will be four, four team divisions. Everything will be reorganized then.
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
October 19th, 2011
3:51 pm
How many team have won the NC from the East?
One: Florida
How many teams have won the NC from the West?
Three: LSU, AU and Bama
Nuff said
Augusta Jacket
October 19th, 2011
3:51 pm
If Auburn move to the east, Georgia would never win the east again. Georgia only beat FL. one time out of 10 ha ha ha ha
Jimmy Crack Corn
October 19th, 2011
3:51 pm
http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=13501268
Tee Martin
October 19th, 2011
3:56 pm
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH—- Get a clue my silly friend. UT has a BCS National Championship too.
Jimmy Crack Corn
October 19th, 2011
3:57 pm
MikeP-
Are you sure you’re not Patrick? Twist the stats to make yourselves look better huh? 40-34-1 is all that matters Wittle Weagle.
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 19th, 2011
4:13 pm
I’m afraid it’s going to be West Virginia to the East, and nobody moves.
That depends on WVa upgrading facilities, other sports, etc.
Auburn, don’t fret. You still got lots of cap room money, now that Scam’s gone. And the dogtrack, and the casino. And you can always use that retainer on Cohen to sue the NCAA if they think giving a player’s parent $200K is cheatin……180 just aint gonna get it, y’know
GeoffDawg
October 19th, 2011
4:14 pm
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH, if you’re talking BCS, add UT. If you’re talking any MNC, add UT and UGA.
NC Dawg
October 19th, 2011
4:15 pm
West Va. to the East?? Ok, nevermind…bring Mizzou to the East.
REDWEST
October 19th, 2011
4:26 pm
Auburn and Alabama go to the EAST, Vandy goes to the WEST. Missouri and Texas A&M go to the WEST. That makes the most logical, geographic sense
LHarding Dawg
October 19th, 2011
4:49 pm
It really does’nt matter to Georgia if Auburn moves to the east because we already play them every year. What could happen is that Auburn and Alabama could possibly play the iron bowl and then the SEC championship back to back. That really does’nt make a lot of sense. The two schools need to stay in the same division to prevent this.
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
October 19th, 2011
4:56 pm
“UT has a BCS National Championship too.”
Not in the past 10 years, tard.
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
October 19th, 2011
4:56 pm
St Simons, it must suck to be you.
jeff
October 19th, 2011
5:39 pm
just to differ with you a bit on bama not sniffing – a 1994 a 12-1 bama team came within 1 pt of more than sniffing another BCSNC.
Yellow Fuzz
October 19th, 2011
6:06 pm
This just in……Georgia Tech, ranked no. 84, is the leading school in Georgia, ahead of Emory at 114 and the University of Georgia at 385, according to the rankings compiled by U.S. News and World Report.
Haha
October 19th, 2011
6:09 pm
Yes bring Auburn to the east. The dogs and gators need some more cats to eat.
Blackoutanyone?
October 19th, 2011
6:11 pm
Bradley ….”although Alabama, being its selfish self”
Bama is the ONLY SEC program that stands to lose anything. The barn will keep all its rivalries and move to the little sister division. If you want to talk selfish… talk about why GT, FSU and Clemson aren’t being considered. UGA, UF and USCe would have none of it. Let’s see… trade the 3rd Saturday in October Bama vs. UT for Bama vs. Mizz? Even an idiot like MikeP would realize how stupid that is.
Haha
October 19th, 2011
6:12 pm
Saban will never leave Bama on his own accord. The bama mafia would take him down and he knows it. Only way to get out of bama alive is to lose.
Just sayin' what we're ALL thinking....
October 19th, 2011
6:14 pm
Auburn – You can run, but you can not hide. Bama and LSU own you, and despite Walmart pricing, we can’t sell you to anyone.
Haha
October 19th, 2011
6:14 pm
Blackoutanyone. It’s all about the recruiting. Texas A&M and Missouri don’t pose a big threat to the existing SEC schools for in state recruits.
CHUCK UGA
October 19th, 2011
6:22 pm
Good points, Mark. What a nightmare for Georgia if Petrino did go to Knoxville. That would most certainly be Richt’s undoing (if this season doesn’t do it).
CHUCK UGA
October 19th, 2011
6:25 pm
Augusta Jacket = Uninformed village idiot. Amazing how many Tech fans are clueless of the facts. A fake football program is what they are…and irrelevant. Virginia!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Ohio State-Michigan rematch hype in 2006 taught us a long-lasting lesson – CNN | Sports
October 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Blackoutanyone?
October 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
Haha… you are 100% correct. That doesn’t make it any less “selfish” than Alabama looking to protect it’s rivalry with UT. I’m actually surprised UT hasn’t made more noise about this. If I take off the Crimson sunglasses I still can’t name 3 SEC rivalries that are better than UT vs. Bama?
Iron Bowl
UGA vs. barn
UGA vs. UF (Maybe)
Knowall Moreno
October 19th, 2011
6:45 pm
Mizzou & A&M need to be in the West, sure move Auburn to the East to balance power out, those War Eagles are good people beleive it or not!
Blackoutanyone?
October 19th, 2011
6:47 pm
01Hawk curb stomping JB all day long. LOL JB getting his info from coachhotseat.com Bwaa haaa haa ahaaa too funny.
96dawgs
October 19th, 2011
6:53 pm
THIS HELPS UGA! WE HAVE TO PLAY THEM EVERY YEAR ANYWAY, THEY WOULD HELP US BEAT UP ON THE OTHER THREE!!!!!! SIGN ME UP
ldawg121
October 19th, 2011
6:53 pm
Alabama and Auburn to the East ? So basically you’d have whoever survived the carnage in the East versus LSU just about every year in the SECCG. I know things run in cycles,but to have 3 teams that have won National Championships recently along with traditionally powerful UGA ( I know,not the last couple of years,but who really believes thats going to last ) and up and coming SC along with another traditionally powerful Tennessee,in one division,while LSU is left to navigate Mizzou,A&M,Ole Miss,Miss St, Arkansas, and Vandy. Doesn’t seem too balanced does it ?
Yo
October 19th, 2011
7:06 pm
Keep in mind AU is 1 of 5 recently against UGA
Mike G
October 19th, 2011
7:10 pm
Easy solution: 1. Take Missouri into the West, 2. Move Alabama and Auburn to the East, 3. Move Vanderbilt to the West.
MikeP
October 19th, 2011
8:12 pm
Bammer wants to whine about losing their game with UT. Let ‘em schedule it as an out of conference game. That’s what Auburn was told about losing the AU/UF game back whenever.
MikeP
October 19th, 2011
8:19 pm
I see Blackout is back. Didn’t think he’d have the guts to show up. Blackout’s last three big predictions:
1)Mississippi State would beat Auburn by two TD’s. LOL
2)Auburn would finish the year 4-8. LMAO.
3)Auburn would have to give the National Championship trophy back. LMFAO!
Dude ain’t exactly Nostradamus, is he? Hey Blackout, predict something else. Like most members of the Updyke nation you’re a hoot.
MikeP
October 19th, 2011
8:29 pm
Just sayin’ what we’re ALL thinking….
October 19th, 2011
6:14 pm
“Auburn – You can run, but you can not hide. Bama and LSU own you, and despite Walmart pricing, we can’t sell you to anyone.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What gives you those weird ideas? Auburn has beaten Alabama 8 of the last 11 and AU/LSU have split the last 12 games 6-6. Do you know how silly you look when you post stuff that facts prove is false?
kybodawg
October 19th, 2011
8:50 pm
vanderbilts moving to the acc so they can be champs for 10 yrs like fla.. st. did, until the rest catch up to them
Blackoutanyone?
October 19th, 2011
9:44 pm
MikeP….I didn’t take into consideration UTAH STATE couldn’t cover an on side kick, usc qb would play so bad he would get kicked off the team and UF would have to play with their 3rd string QB. Speaking of predictions… how’s that 10 win season you promised working out? What are u guys a 21 point under dog this weekend? Lol
H-Town Dawg
October 20th, 2011
1:20 am
Auburn would be better off staying in the West and hoping that Saban and Miles just go away sooner rather than later.
bakerman
October 20th, 2011
8:15 am
The simple solution is add 2 more teams from the west and move both Auburn and Alabama to the east. Of course, the puppies would cry.