SEC’s non-conference “cupcake weekend” to end

[WillisWG]

The SEC’s non-conference “cupcake weekend” in late November is no more. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced the conference’s athletic directors formally voted to schedule all league games during the second-to-last weekend of the regular season beginning in 2027.

“Our ADs voted that our schools will play a conference game in that next-to-last weekend (of the regular season) beginning in 2027,” Sankey told reporters Tuesday night at SEC Spring Meetings in the Sandestin Hilton in Miramar Beach, Fla. “That’s the end of cupcake weekend in late November. We never got that one sponsored.”

Greg Sankey: SEC ADs vote to end 'cupcake weekend,' play league games in late November

Greg Sankey announced SEC ADs voted to schedule conference games during the second-to-last weekend of November beginning in 2027.

www.on3.com

 

[hUTch2002]

The SEC’s non-conference “cupcake weekend” in late November is no more. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced the conference’s athletic directors formally voted to schedule all league games during the second-to-last weekend of the regular season beginning in 2027.

“Our ADs voted that our schools will play a conference game in that next-to-last weekend (of the regular season) beginning in 2027,” Sankey told reporters Tuesday night at SEC Spring Meetings in the Sandestin Hilton in Miramar Beach, Fla. “That’s the end of cupcake weekend in late November. We never got that one sponsored.”

Greg Sankey: SEC ADs vote to end 'cupcake weekend,' play league games in late November

Greg Sankey announced SEC ADs voted to schedule conference games during the second-to-last weekend of November beginning in 2027.

www.on3.com

Alabama can’t be happy.

 

[WillisWG]

Alabama can’t be happy.

 

[WillisWG]

Do away with ALL the games.

 

[ArmchairQB]

Basketball plays October exhibition games that don’t count, against teams that won’t win. Why not do the same in football in August? Leave the season for actual competition.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Basketball plays October exhibition games that don’t count, against teams that won’t win. Why not do the same in football in August? Leave the season for actual competition.

Meh, the NFL does pre season games but rarely does the 1st team spend much time on the field. I think a lot of the exhibition games, like the Orange and White game, give walk ons and down the depth chart guys a chance to play in Neyland or Thompson-Boling.

There's not a lot of upside really to exhibition games is there?

 

[BruisedOrange]

A better way for the SEC to regain its premier conference status would be to become the conference that takes better care of its players. That could easily become the tie breaker when an SEC team is going head-to-head with a Big10 team for a special player (...you know, hypothetically).

Given the injury rates of football, the quality of in-conference SEC competition, and the expanded playoff field, I'd prefer all SEC teams get two byes, or at least drop the conference championship game.

Instead, let the SEC champion be determined by a complicated, scoring-weighted tie-break system that increases the likelihood that the performance of non-contenders in the final week of the season still has a bearing on who actually wins the conference.

Make rivalry week even more consequential, and give fans of the top teams with identical records motivation to watch and cheer for other conference games. MEBIA! Make the Egg Bowl Important Again.

 

[ArmchairQB]

Meh, the NFL does pre season games but rarely does the 1st team spend much time on the field. I think a lot of the exhibition games, like the Orange and White game, give walk ons and down the depth chart guys a chance to play in Neyland or Thompson-Boling.

There's not a lot of upside really to exhibition games is there?

Yeah I agree, that’s kinda why I’d just as soon see it evolve. I don’t care to ever see a “buy game” against an Akron or the like and we pretend it counts for something other than inflating the win column. But if we gave a portion of the gate to Martin or Chattanooga or something every August and kicked the tires on the depth chart to answer some lingering questions before we start the conference slate, I think there’d be at least something redeeming about it.

 

[#1fulmerite]

We already have two traditional cupcakes at the end of the season (Vandy,Ky) so I’m glad to see this.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Yeah I agree, that’s kinda why I’d just as soon see it evolve. I don’t care to ever see a “buy game” against an Akron or the like and we pretend it counts for something other than inflating the win column. But if we gave a portion of the gate to Martin or Chattanooga or something every August and kicked the tires on the depth chart to answer some lingering questions before we start the conference slate, I think there’d be at least something redeeming about it.

I could get behind playing in state "little bros" whether the game is particularly useful or not to answer roster questions. I think having regional football fans into Neyland for a game is a good business move for creating potential Vols fans.

 

[WillisWG]

Basketball plays October exhibition games that don’t count, against teams that won’t win. Why not do the same in football in August? Leave the season for actual competition.

For the last 2 years Colorado and Syracuse have petitioned the NCAA to hold combined practices with scrimmages but have that has been disapproved

 

[headhunter15]

The SEC’s non-conference “cupcake weekend” in late November is no more. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced the conference’s athletic directors formally voted to schedule all league games during the second-to-last weekend of the regular season beginning in 2027.

“Our ADs voted that our schools will play a conference game in that next-to-last weekend (of the regular season) beginning in 2027,” Sankey told reporters Tuesday night at SEC Spring Meetings in the Sandestin Hilton in Miramar Beach, Fla. “That’s the end of cupcake weekend in late November. We never got that one sponsored.”

Greg Sankey: SEC ADs vote to end 'cupcake weekend,' play league games in late November

Greg Sankey announced SEC ADs voted to schedule conference games during the second-to-last weekend of November beginning in 2027.

www.on3.com

Would much rather see Tennessee play/scrimmage a cupcake team for spring. Spring games are dying out and this would be a way to get them back and for small schools to make money.

 

[stolitonic]

I could get behind playing in state "little bros" whether the game is particularly useful or not to answer roster questions. I think having regional football fans into Neyland for a game is a good business move for creating potential Vols fans.

I mean "most" in state smaller school fans are kind of UT fans by default as the only school within spitting distance that actually stands a chance of winning big

Kind of kills two birds with one stone actually. Lets them see their team play while still enjoying the Hallowed halls of Neyland

I don't really care about the Akrons and Toledos of the world, but I do enjoy our annual ETSU/TTU/etc game. State pride and all that....

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I mean "most" in state smaller school fans are kind of UT fans by default as the only school within spitting distance that actually stands a chance of winning big

Kind of kills two birds with one stone actually. Lets them see their team play while still enjoying the Hallowed halls of Neyland

I don't really care about the Akrons and Toledos of the world, but I do enjoy our annual ETSU/TTU/etc game. State pride and all that....

Now that you mention it, it might let some of us develop a relationship with other teams in TN that are less "big business" and more old school grit. I can't see a downside.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Meh, the NFL does pre season games but rarely does the 1st team spend much time on the field. I think a lot of the exhibition games, like the Orange and White game, give walk ons and down the depth chart guys a chance to play in Neyland or Thompson-Boling.

There's not a lot of upside really to exhibition games is there?

I can’t think of another sport that doesn’t play an exhibition game in the preseason .College Basketball teams are doing this all the time now vs big time opponents . We hosted Duke in TBA last season. It was a sellout. Not suggesting we play a preseason game against a comparable opponent in football, but playing a low level team where you can get reps for guys who you will need would be a good thing IMO.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

The SEC’s non-conference “cupcake weekend” in late November is no more. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced the conference’s athletic directors formally voted to schedule all league games during the second-to-last weekend of the regular season beginning in 2027.

“Our ADs voted that our schools will play a conference game in that next-to-last weekend (of the regular season) beginning in 2027,” Sankey told reporters Tuesday night at SEC Spring Meetings in the Sandestin Hilton in Miramar Beach, Fla. “That’s the end of cupcake weekend in late November. We never got that one sponsored.”

Greg Sankey: SEC ADs vote to end 'cupcake weekend,' play league games in late November

Greg Sankey announced SEC ADs voted to schedule conference games during the second-to-last weekend of November beginning in 2027.

www.on3.com

Except for whoever plays Arkansas and South Carolina.

 

[stolitonic]

Now that you mention it, it might let some of us develop a relationship with other teams in TN that are less "big business" and more old school grit. I can't see a downside.

I don't see any harm in UT fans rooting for ETSU/TTU/etc with the exception of the one day every 2-3 years when we play each other lol.

I know many of us with UT degrees took classes at some of the "smaller" schools when we were in high school. I know I certainly took some classes at ETSU back in the day. Maybe 1 or 2 at an annex location also now that I think about it

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I don't see any harm in UT fans rooting for ETSU/TTU/etc with the exception of the one day every 2-3 years when we play each other lol.

I know many of us with UT degrees took classes at some of the "smaller" schools when we were in high school. I know I certainly took some classes at ETSU back in the day. Maybe 1 or 2 at an annex location also now that I think about it

I like the idea a lot because keeping the Neyland away team money in state appeals, getting a smaller in state school some exposure appeals, and as you mention lots of UT grads have ties to in state schools.

It's not like we're often competing for the same athletes or eyeballs for our games. It's a win for everyone IMO.

 

[VolCalls]

Basketball plays October exhibition games that don’t count, against teams that won’t win. Why not do the same in football in August? Leave the season for actual competition.

Like our exhibition vs Duke last year?

 

[dduncan4163]

A better way for the SEC to regain its premier conference status would be to become the conference that takes better care of its players. That could easily become the tie breaker when an SEC team is going head-to-head with a Big10 team for a special player (...you know, hypothetically).

Given the injury rates of football, the quality of in-conference SEC competition, and the expanded playoff field, I'd prefer all SEC teams get two byes, or at least drop the conference championship game.

Instead, let the SEC champion be determined by a complicated, scoring-weighted tie-break system that increases the likelihood that the performance of non-contenders in the final week of the season still has a bearing on who actually wins the conference.

Make rivalry week even more consequential, and give fans of the top teams with identical records motivation to watch and cheer for other conference games. MEBIA! Make the Egg Bowl Important Again.

I love the two byes but I don't want to lose the SEC Championship game. I wish we still had divisions.