Who will be the next to join the SEC?

[Gamecock303]

Originally Posted by Gamecock Rob

Actually, with 16 teams, you would play every team in the conference every 3 years. The conference would separate into 4 divisions, each team would play the other 3 teams in their division, would play their 1 permanent out of division opponent, 1 more team from the same division as the permament opponent and 2 from the remaining 2 divisions.

Example

Div 1-Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, Team 4
Div 2-Team 5, Team 6, Team 7, Team 8
Div 3-Team 9, Team 10, Team 11, Team 12
Div 4-Team 13, Team 14, Team 15, Team 16

Team 1's permanent opponent is Team 11

Team 1's year 1 opponents-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 14
Team 1's year 2 opponents-2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16
Team 1's year 3 opponents-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14

the only problem with this type of conference alignment is determining a conference champion. no longer can you have the two division winner play, they only way to determine it would be to have a 4 team playoff to determine the conference champion and I don't think the NCAA will go for that.

[gamecocknva]

VT is never coming to the SEC as much sense as it makes for one simple reason. They're pussies. They love that soft ACC schedule and don't hide it.

[Don Giovanni]

Originally Posted by Gamecock Rob

Actually, with 16 teams, you would play every team in the conference every 3 years. The conference would separate into 4 divisions, each team would play the other 3 teams in their division, would play their 1 permanent out of division opponent, 1 more team from the same division as the permament opponent and 2 from the remaining 2 divisions.

Example

Div 1-Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, Team 4
Div 2-Team 5, Team 6, Team 7, Team 8
Div 3-Team 9, Team 10, Team 11, Team 12
Div 4-Team 13, Team 14, Team 15, Team 16

Team 1's permanent opponent is Team 11

Team 1's year 1 opponents-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 14
Team 1's year 2 opponents-2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16
Team 1's year 3 opponents-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14

That's a really good break down, Rob. As b381 said, I think it's a matter of when and not if as far as a 9-game conference schedule is concerned, so your format makes the most sense. But I do echo the concern of Gamecock303 over determining a conference champion. But if that could be hashed out, how would you break up the divisions? Just for the sake of discussion, use VT and NC St. as the newest teams.

If we were to use directional divisions, I think the following lineup would be appropriate:

North: UK, UT, VU, VT
South: 'Bama, Auburn, MSU, Miss.
East: SC, UGA, UF, NC. State
West: LSU, A&M, Ark., Mizz.

As I was looking at the map trying to figure out which schools to put in which divisions, I found myself torn. It seems like several schools could fit in more than one division, so this is definitely not something I feel solid about. Another reason is that there isn't a really equitable way to split the divisions, but the power seems to ebb and flow, so maybe that wouldn't be as big of an issue.

Another positive of your system is that it allows for the matchups that most people want to protect (UGA/Auburn, UT/'Bama, UF/LSU) to remain intact while also perserving natural rivalries (MSU/Miss, 'Bama/Auburn, UGA/UF).

[HeadCockFan]

It would be cool to have mizzou in the west with a&m and have ncstate and va tech in the east. Fairly balanced move IMO.
Would add decent other sports teams in the process, not to mentionj slightly raise the overall academic standard.

[803scdantes]

Originally Posted by Don Giovanni

That's a really good break down, Rob. As b381 said, I think it's a matter of when and not if as far as a 9-game conference schedule is concerned, so your format makes the most sense. But I do echo the concern of Gamecock303 over determining a conference champion. But if that could be hashed out, how would you break up the divisions? Just for the sake of discussion, use VT and NC St. as the newest teams.

If we were to use directional divisions, I think the following lineup would be appropriate:

North: UK, UT, VU, VT
South: 'Bama, Auburn, MSU, Miss.
East: SC, UGA, UF, NC. State
West: LSU, A&M, Ark., Mizz.

As I was looking at the map trying to figure out which schools to put in which divisions, I found myself torn. It seems like several schools could fit in more than one division, so this is definitely not something I feel solid about. Another reason is that there isn't a really equitable way to split the divisions, but the power seems to ebb and flow, so maybe that wouldn't be as big of an issue.

Another positive of your system is that it allows for the matchups that most people want to protect (UGA/Auburn, UT/'Bama, UF/LSU) to remain intact while also perserving natural rivalries (MSU/Miss, 'Bama/Auburn, UGA/UF).

With a setup like that, how do you figure out who makes it to the SECCG?

[pitchcock]

VT and NC State.

UF and SC at the very least, and possibly UGA would block FSU.

Personally, I want to see FSU and Clem simmer, smolder, and marinate together in that crappy conference forever.

[Don Giovanni]

Originally Posted by 803scdantes

With a setup like that, how do you figure out who makes it to the SECCG?

LOL...I don't think you read the first part of my post. That seems to be the only real issue to be worked out, but I feel confident it could be resolved.

[USCBatgirl21]

Originally Posted by USCGAMCKS

So let's roll with this for a minute. If VT and NCSU join, then how would the two divisions be split up? Mizzu to the west is a given, but then who? Kentucky? Or do you split up the Tenn teams?

Mizzou to the SECW would give that division 8 teams. You then place NCSU and VT in the SECE for 8 teams.

Or go to the 4 division model above.

[FloydTheBarber]

Originally Posted by 803scdantes

With a setup like that, how do you figure out who makes it to the SECCG?

Easy.

You introduce SEC semi-finals.

So not only do you have an SEC Championship game in ATL that will dominate the airwaves, but you introduce 2 new games to determine who goes to ATL. These can be played in other cities, or can be played in ATL.

It will be another major boon in the media rights negotiations.

[GamecockInHell]

I say leave it like it is. And if they did add, since Miami and FSU are probably not coming there is nothing in the acc that adds to the conference.

[FloydTheBarber]

Originally Posted by GamecockInHell

I say leave it like it is. And if they did add, since Miami and FSU are probably not coming there is nothing in the acc that adds to the conference.

NCSU and VPI both add big, growing media markets.

[eggroll]

Originally Posted by FloydTheBarber

Easy.

You introduce SEC semi-finals.

So not only do you have an SEC Championship game in ATL that will dominate the airwaves, but you introduce 2 new games to determine who goes to ATL. These can be played in other cities, or can be played in ATL.

It will be another major boon in the media rights negotiations.

The only way that works is if the NCAA permits an additional semifinal like they did with the conference championship game. It's all about money so having something like this pan out is plausible.

Since money is a big factor, determine the SEC CG by record and then BCS ranking. Also state that the two participants must come from different pods. In the case where the two highest are from the same pod, the next highest BCS ranked team would be inserted into the SEC CG.

[FloydTheBarber]

Originally Posted by eggroll

The only way that works is if the NCAA permits an additional semifinal like they did with the conference championship game. It's all about money so having something like this pan out is plausible.

I don't think that would be a problem.

[lake-cityCOCK89]

its very simple. NC State and VT if the SEC decides to expand. They expand to attract tv markets (texas and missouri were the last ones).

NC State would bring Raleigh and most of NC while VT or Virginia would bring Richmond and DC markets.

FSU and Clemson will never be in the SEC for this reason. Those markets are already covered.

[Todescock]

Originally Posted by eggroll

The only way that works is if the NCAA permits an additional semifinal like they did with the conference championship game. It's all about money so having something like this pan out is plausible.

Since money is a big factor, determine the SEC CG by record and then BCS ranking. Also state that the two participants must come from different pods. In the case where the two highest are from the same pod, the next highest BCS ranked team would be inserted into the SEC CG.

What could the NCAA do if the SEC said we're doing it this way? Their is no way they kick us out of the NCAA, way too much money is involved.

[Tater Tom]

Poaching NCSU isn't as easy as you think. All 16 of the higher eduction institutions in the state of NC operate under "The University of North Carolina", and is ruled by a Board of Governors. I don't think the BOG would let them leave. See Chapter 116 of the NC General Assembly.

VT and UVA are tied at the hip in a similar fashion.

[LegalCock]

I don't think NSCU would leave even if the ACC imploded and it was no longer a BCS football conference. The tobacco road hoops rivalries are what define them. Football is an afterthought. UVA also would probably rather just stay in a lacrosse only league with Duke and Wake if it had to choose and VT might be forced to stay with them since they begged to be wedded to them a few years ago.

[Ericvol2096]

Originally Posted by Acockolypse Now

First off let me state, for the record that I am against a 16 team league. It's bad enough now, when you only see teams from the other division every four years or so. At 16, it would be like being in two separate leagues where you occasionally play someone from the other league.

I don't see where it helps you, frankly.

If, for arguments sake, the SEC HAD to take two teams, FSU and VT make the most sense.

FSU won't be asked for the same reason Clemson won't be: Florida will block them the same way we'd block Clemson.

VT won't join because UVA and the state legislature would have a fit. It would be VERY hard politically for VT to join.

That leaves NC State, I suppose, who in my opinion would give you NC, but wouldn't be a great fit culturally. The comparison to aTm is wrong. Texas A&M was a strong football school prior to joining the SEC, and their facilities, booster support, and school were all SEC-ready. NC State is not.

West Virginia? No, do not want.

Louisville? It's a weekend charter school. No.

How about this: No one.

NC St is a much better football program than South Carolina was when we added you all in 1992.

NC St is equivalent to Missouri IMO. VT is equivalent to Texas A&M.

That will be the next two teams to join the SEC and it will happen sometime in the next 5 years.

[Jwilson]

Originally Posted by pitchcock

VT and NC State.

UF and SC at the very least, and possibly UGA would block FSU.

Personally, I want to see FSU and Clem simmer, smolder, and marinate together in that crappy conference forever.

UF, USC and UGA, reportedly, are the 3 that have gentlemans agreemeents to block GAwreck, FreeShoes and Clemsux.

[Don Giovanni]

Originally Posted by eggroll

The only way that works is if the NCAA permits an additional semifinal like they did with the conference championship game. It's all about money so having something like this pan out is plausible.

Since money is a big factor, determine the SEC CG by record and then BCS ranking. Also state that the two participants must come from different pods. In the case where the two highest are from the same pod, the next highest BCS ranked team would be inserted into the SEC CG.

Can you imaigine if the 4-division layout came to be along with a 9-game regular season conference schedule AND a semifinal game? That would mean two teams would eventually play 11 SEC games. Ouch! But they would definitely have an incredible amount of credibility going into an NCAA playoff.