Proposal For New SEC Divisions

[Tux]

Proposed New SEC Divisions

ALPHA DIVISION: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M

OMEGA DIVISION: Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt

My only concern is that we would lose a recruiting edge in playing in the states of Georgia and Florida every other year. Outside of that, we would pick up and edge of playing in Texas every other year.

Key rivalries would be preserved.

 

[TrueOrange]

Here's my proposal:

A)

East/Division 1: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Ole Miss

West/Division 2: Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi State, LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M, Alabama



OR


B)

East/Division 1: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Miss St


West/Division 2: Missouri, Arkansas, Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M, Alabama




Just feels like the least damage travel wise, least collateral damage (rivalry wise....Ole Miss & Miss St would be cross divisional rivals, freeing up Vandy and UK for the new teams...unless they wish to reorganize some other ones) & version A allows renewal of an old rivalry (I've been told Ole Miss was a UT rival prior to the expansion to 12 teams) (version A also allows Vandy and Ole Miss to keep playing yearly)

 

[MSCE09]

Putting Missouri in the existing Eastern Division has the least affect on all existing rivalries. Rename the division if you want. Northeast and Southwest or A and B or whatever.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Putting Missouri in the existing Eastern Division has the least affect on all existing rivalries. Rename the division if you want. Northeast and Southwest or A and B or whatever.

This and just leave it as East and West who cares?

 

[sammyjoey]

Agree with mchandl7 and ericvol - put missouri in the east. If we eventually add two teams from the geographic east (wvu? nc state? va tech?) to get to 16, then Missouri can move over to the west. but for now, better to temporarily mess up geography for one newcomer than to mess up major rivalries for a couple of founding members.

 

[MSCE09]

Atlanta Braves 1991, 1992 & 1993 NL WEST champs.

 

[Ericvol2096]

This until we add 2 more to the east. Then shift Missouri to the west. You don't mess with any rivalries and don't go crazy moving teams all over.

 

[TrueOrange]

I'd be fine with the Mizzou East proposal. Only wonder how willing UF will be with it (& USCe possibly)

 

[Ericvol2096]

I'd be fine with the Mizzou East proposal. Only wonder how willing UF will be with it (& USCe possibly)

They would only have to make the trip once every two years...and this would likely just be a 2 or 3 year deal in the first place.

It is a lot better than screwing up a bunch of great rivalries by moving Auburn East.

You lose, TN-Bama, and Aub-LSU

 

[TrueOrange]

They would only have to make the trip once every two years...and this would likely just be a 2 or 3 year deal in the first place.

It is a lot better than screwing up a bunch of great rivalries by moving Auburn East.

You lose, TN-Bama, and Aub-LSU

yeah not for the auburn move either (i've been for pushing a Miss school, but the Mizzou east seems like it could work if UF and USCe could get over the travel issues)

 

[MSCE09]

Columbia Mo to:

Fayetteville 312 mi
Nashville 431
Lexington 457
Oxford 477
Starkville 575
Knoxville 609
Tuscaloosa 618
Athens 736
Auburn 737
Baton Rouge 772
College Station 779
Columbia SC 870
Gainesville 1008

Average Distance to 7 western teams 610
Average Distance to 6 eastern teams 685

East isn't that much worse and it keeps all existing rivalries intact.

 

[TrueOrange]

nm.

 

[MSCE09]

If they do put Missouri in the east I want the UF-MU game to be late November. Lets see Florida play a game in cold weather.

 

[VOLnMiami]

If they do put Missouri in the east I want the UF-MU game to be late November. Lets see Florida play a game in cold weather.

If by chance we go to 16 teams and add WVU I hope UF has to play both of them in Nov Freeze that chompin a$$ off

 

[Shaun1985]

I like it. Wouldn't have a problem at all leaving Mizzou in the East / North until we get a couple more east teams in a few years.

 

[MSCE09]

If people get hung up on the east/west division names rename them Neyland and Bryant

 

[Ericvol2096]

Columbia Mo to:

Fayetteville 312 mi
Nashville 431
Lexington 457
Oxford 477
Starkville 575
Knoxville 609
Tuscaloosa 618
Athens 736
Auburn 737
Baton Rouge 772
College Station 779
Columbia SC 870
Gainesville 1008

Average Distance to 7 western teams 610
Average Distance to 6 eastern teams 685

East isn't that much worse and it keeps all existing rivalries intact.

Compare those from the distances they were traveling in the old big 12. Colorado, Lubbock, were a looong way away too so they are used to it.

 

[MSCE09]

Compare those from the distances they were traveling in the old big 12. Colorado, Lubbock, were a looong way away too so they are used to it.

Yeah, I don't think Missouri would care. USC and UF will be the ones upset. But neither one of them seem to ever leave their states anyway, so a little travel will be good for them.

 

[TrueOrange]

their games may possibly rotate between early and late on each year's schedules depending on who's the home team

(think Clay Travis might have mentioned that...dont remember where I read it at the moment)

 

[Velo Vol]

Columbia Mo to:

Fayetteville 312 mi

There's only one school closer than 400 miles away?

That sucks for them.

 

[MSCE09]

There's only one school closer than 400 miles away?

That sucks for them.

Once you cross the Mississippi River distance between cities on average increases dramatically. They are used to it.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Once you cross the Mississippi River distance between cities on average increases dramatically. They are used to it.

This...and compare it with cities in the Northeast and it is even crazier!

 

[MSCE09]

Seems like there are four options.

Missouri added to east.
Cons: Missouri is 3rd most western team/long distance to Florida/USC.
Pros: All rivalries Historic and post expansion remain intact.

Auburn to the East.
Cons; lose either Iron Bowl/3SiO.
Pros: Most geographical sense.

Entire state of Alabama east - Vandy West :
Cons: the two teams that have combined for 58% of Western division titles are moved to the East-divisions unbalanced competetively.
Pros: Keep traditional rivalries.

North/South:
Cons: North teams separated from Texas/Florida recruiting market (See BigXII North), travel distances are much higher for eastern/western most teams.
Pros: ?

Missouri to the east makes the most sense I think if UF and USC can be placated.

 

[volinbham]

North - Missou, Vandy, UT, Arky, Ole Miss, USCe, UK
South - MSU, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, UGA, TAMU, LSU

 

[Orange Blazer]

View attachment 41287

This until we add 2 more to the east. Then shift Missouri to the west. You don't mess with any rivalries and don't go crazy moving teams all over.

Looks good to me.