Last August (2013), I wrote a piece on how the SEC can learn from NFL Scheduling. In essence, I argued that the NFL maximizes parity by having division winners from a given year play each other the following year.
Using this model, due to the fact that some of the cross-divisional locks seem imbalanced (LSU has to play Florida every year, Auburn has to play Georgia, etc), I presented the idea that the SEC should make the teams that appeared in the SEC Championship the previous year play each other the following year. In case you didn't know, the SEC teams operate on a 6-1-1 format. The teams play the 6 teams in their division, 1 cross-divisional lock, and 1 cross-divisional team that rotates. I argued that for teams in the SEC Championship, have their rotated game the following year be against the team they played in the SEC Championship.
While I think this model is a start, there is possibly an even bigger issue. While I do think Georgia and South Carolina are good teams, there is no doubt the SEC West is significantly better than the SEC East in 2014 (and for several years now). Of course, over time, this trend ebbs and flows, but having Missouri in the SEC East doesn't really make sense either.
Thus, I propose another idea for the SEC to consider...
Maintaining a rivalry likely represented the main reason the SEC chose to put Missouri in the SEC East. Which rivalry? The Alabama-Tennessee Rivalry. For balance and geographical purposes, it would have made significantly more sense to move Auburn over to the East and bring Missouri into the West. However, that would mean Alabama's lock would be with Auburn instead of its traditional cross-divisional lock with Tennessee, ending a long-time rivalry. Thus, we are left with Missouri, nearly in the Midwest, playing in the SEC East and with less parity. Sure, Missouri was good last year, but Auburn being in the SEC East would undoubtedly create more balance over time.
Thus, I think the SEC should disband the idea of divisions. Here's where it gets interesting...In order to maintain some of the most important rivalries, move to a 6-2 format (keeping an 8 game conference schedule) but have 2 of the games be rivalry locks and the other 6 games rotate among teams. Based on the most important rivalries and traditional strength of teams, here are the locks I suggest:
Alabama --> Auburn, Tennessee
Arkansas --> LSU, South Carolina
Auburn --> Alabama, Georgia
Florida --> Georgia, LSU
Georgia --> Florida, Auburn
Kentucky --> Missouri, Mississippi State
LSU --> Arkansas, Florida
Mississippi State --> Ole Miss, Kentucky
Missouri --> Texas A&M, Kentucky
Ole Miss --> Mississippi State, Vanderbilt
South Carolina --> Arkansas, Texas A&M
Tennessee --> Alabama, Vanderbilt
Texas A&M --> Missouri, South Carolina
Vanderbilt --> Tennessee, Ole Miss
This format would surely appease those who feel the SEC West teams have a much harder road to Atlanta, while keeping some of the most notable rivalries in tact. As for the SEC Championship, have the Top 2 teams at the end of the year play in Atlanta. If there is a tie at the #2 and #3 spots, then use other measures (Coaches Poll, AP Poll, etc) to determine the tie-break.
And, my initial idea about teams in the conference championship the previous year playing each other the following year could still stand. For example, suppose under the no division system, Alabama finished a season as the #1 seed and Georgia finished as the #2, pitting them against each other in the SEC Championship in 2015. For 2016, Alabama's locks would remain with Auburn and Tennessee, but they would also play Georgia.
I am sure there are many flaws with my model, but it is an interesting idea to consider...
SEC Standings After Week 4
Florida State came through with a big win in OT against Clemson (without Winston). Here was my poll at the end of Week 2. I was out of town for Week 3, so, here is my update at the end of Week 4.
Week 4 Top 10
1. Florida State
2. Oklahoma
3. Auburn
4. Texas A&M
5. Alabama
6. Oregon
7. Baylor
8. Notre Dame
9. Michigan State
10. Georgia
Week 4 SEC Standings
1. Auburn
2. Texas A&M
3. Alabama
4. Georgia
5. South Carolina
6. Mississippi State
7. LSU
8. Ole Miss
9. Arkansas
10. Missouri
11. Florida
12. Tennessee
13. Kentucky
14. Anchor Down.
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