New SEC football scheduling format

Notice how I use the word "at" a lot. And they would be even bigger road underdogs if played in cold weather. All of the listed teams have a chance to be strong at any point in the future.

at Ohio State
at Michigan
at Oklahoma
at Oklahoma State
at Michigan State (in November)
at Oregon
at USC
at UCLA
at Clemson
at Virginia Tech
at Stanford
at Baylor
at Washington
at Wisconsin
at Arizona
at Arizona State
at Cal
at West Virginia

Truth is, we never really know how the SEC would do on the road against top programs because there is such a small sample size.

 

I have no problem with this. I wonder if they'll rotate opponents from the other Division, or stick with predetermined "rivalries"

 

One permanent rival (thus Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Auburn are protected) and the other one rotates, just like now.

 

Florida's is LSU right?

 

Yes. Ole Miss-Vandy; Miss State-Kentucky; Texas A&M-Mizzou & Arkansas-South Carolina are the others.

 

Not exactly. Arkansas is now paired with Mizzou and A&M gets South Carolina.

But lets give everyone in the SEC cookie because once every five years Alabama plays Penn State or something.

The problem isn't one highlight non-conference game but the regular appearance of schools like Wofford, Samford, etc.

Eliminate or strictly limit the number of I-AA games. It is those cupcakes that make the conference look bad.

 

Or something, all right. :


Bama's top OOC opponents the past few years:

2014: West Virginia
2013: Virginia Tech
2012: Michigan
2011: Penn State
2010: Penn State
2009: Virginia Tech
2008: Clemson

And just for shits and giggles, LSU:

2014: Wisconsin
2013: TCU
2012: Washington
2011: Oregon
2010: West Virginia
2009: Washington

 

The Big Ten schedules for shit too. Last year Ohio State played Buffalo, San Diego State, Cal and Florida A&M. Cal was supposed to be the marquee attraction but finished 1-11. And if you want to give them credit because of what Cal was when that game was put on the board, that's fine, but then allow it for the SEC schools too.

 

But they didn't play them on the road (in November!) so it doesn't count in the land of the SEC Haterade-drinkers.

Sure, a Big Ten or Big 12 team is probably more than willing to give up a November bye week to play a game they might lose by 3 touchdowns. It's all because the SEC is ducking them. [/double eyeroll]

 

Yes, the bone-chilling 37-degree temperature for last year's Michigan-Ohio State game would have rendered Alabama impotent. And with the exception of noted end-of-season intersectional rivalries (USC-Notre Dame, FSU-Florida, etc.), most November OOC games are much earlier in the month. When the weather is just fine for football just about everywhere.

 

And FWIW, Ole Miss did have a home-and-home scheduled with Clemson for 2015-16 until it was canceled ... by Clemson:

http://www.fbschedules.com/2012/07/clemson-cancels-future-football-games-oklahoma-state-ole-miss/

 

Florida hasn't played a non-conference road game outside of the state of Florida since 1991. I'm not sure if that includes neutral sites, but I think it does...

That's not to say they play an easy schedule, especially since they play Florida State every year and Florida State and Miami in some... It is amazing though...

I wish they did something like they did with hoops where one week every team in the Pac-12 would play the top 12 teams in the SEC based on how they finished the previous season. I'm sure the ADs would be against it though...