Excited About Conference Realignment

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

I know, I know, nothing will ever equal the good old days before Mizzou and A&M joined, or even the really good, really old days before Arky and South Cackalacky joined, but those days aren’t coming back. Let’s focus on what we’re gaining from the SEC realignment.

1. We will finally feel like we’re in the same conference as the former west division schools other than Alabama. Right now, Miss State and Arkansas feel like they might as well be in the American, we play so little. It will be great to play everyone instead of just the same boring slate of UK, Mizzou, Vandy, SCe and the big three. Auburn could become a rival again. We’ll get to have regular matchups with ole Laney, with all the drama and acrimony that comes with them. Sign me up.

2. More big games. How can you look at that Oklahoma game for the SEC opener and not be excited? Up until this point, Tennessee and Alabama were the only true, historic blue-bloods in the conference (you can throw UGA in there too with their impressive all time win total and recent championships). Now we’ll have not just three but five of the top-ten all time programs. I for one am thrilled that we’ll be facing OU and UTjr regularly. I could even see the latter becoming a minor rivalry.

Anyway, I think there’s a lot to be positive about. Whatever may be detrimental about realignment, it will certainly result in more of what we all love — compelling, meaningful football games. Big matchups. Bring on the new era, I say.

What say you?

 

[BLUTickbusdriver]

I’m glad we are not the only team in the east to face Bama on a regular basis…the schedule difficulty will have more parity.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

This is a healthy and positive way to look at it, nice! I'm with you, man.

Go Vols!

 

[tennesseeduke]

Looking forward to this change as it seems to be one for the better of college football finally.

 

[BenGrimm]

In general I still don’t think those Big XII teams belong but like you said it’s done and no amount of crying from me is going to change that.

So… I’m glad we are ditching divisions and will play everyone more often again (and Mizz and SCAR less often).

 

[obxvol]

At least we didn’t add any Pac12 teams like the “Always Crummy Conference” (ACC)

 

[McDad]

On a related note, I hope the conference will consider having the SEC Championship game in different cities. Now that all the teams aren't somewhat convenient to Atlanta, I think it is time to consider New Orleans, Dallas, St Louis, Nashville, etc. Maybe even a rotating schedule where 6 or so cities are cycled through as host.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Understand this is the FB forum but just wanted to say its not just FB that will be effected by the 2 new teams, BB, softball, etc. TX-OK bring a good overall sports program to the SEC. OK softball is about as dominant a team in the sport they play as I have ever seen. Going to be interesting next season for sure.

 

[CAVPUT]

After a few years of this "new" SEC, you might find yourself longing for the good ol' days of "same boring slate of UK, Mizzou, Vandy, SCe".

 

[jeff1vol]

Sorry, but I say "Baaaah Humbug!" Let's RETRACT back to the original 10 SEC teams and split the dough with fewer programs! Ark, SC, Mizzou, A&M, Tejas and OU can go start their OWN conference as far as I'm concerned. But I'm old, so...

 

[McDad]

Sorry, but I say "Baaaah Humbug!" Let's RETRACT back to the original 10 SEC teams and split the dough with fewer programs! Ark, SC, Mizzou, A&M, Tejas and OU can go start their OWN conference as far as I'm concerned. But I'm old, so...

The ghosts of Conference past will be visiting you on SEC Championship eve, Scrooge.

 

[RockyTop140]

On a related note, I hope the conference will consider having the SEC Championship game in different cities. Now that all the teams aren't somewhat convenient to Atlanta, I think it is time to consider New Orleans, Dallas, St Louis, Nashville, etc. Maybe even a rotating schedule where 6 or so cities are cycled through as host.

That makes too much sense for he SEC to consider it

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

Sorry, but I say "Baaaah Humbug!" Let's RETRACT back to the original 10 SEC teams and split the dough with fewer programs! Ark, SC, Mizzou, A&M, Tejas and OU can go start their OWN conference as far as I'm concerned. But I'm old, so...

You wanting to add Georgia Tech and Tulane back to the SEC?

Im thinking Sewannee was a chstter member as well.

 

[McDad]

That makes too much sense for he SEC to consider it

I've got a plan to kidnap Sankey and put him in the hole in my basement until one of two things happens. He either agrees to the idea, or he drops enough weight for me to stitch together a new skin for myself made from his flesh.

 

[volfan102455]

There is absolutely no doubt it is going to be tougher for ALL the teams. No lightweight schedules anymore. But with a 12 team playoff expect the SEC to always have 2 maybe even 3 schools in the playoffs.

 

[malinoisvol]

Bring on the 9 conference game schedule.

 

[volfan102455]

Bring on the 9 conference game schedule.

This is called making the teams earn that title.

 

[BenGrimm]

On a related note, I hope the conference will consider having the SEC Championship game in different cities. Now that all the teams aren't somewhat convenient to Atlanta, I think it is time to consider New Orleans, Dallas, St Louis, Nashville, etc. Maybe even a rotating schedule where 6 or so cities are cycled through as host.

The new stadium in Nashville will be primo!

 

[Stacmot]

On a related note, I hope the conference will consider having the SEC Championship game in different cities. Now that all the teams aren't somewhat convenient to Atlanta, I think it is time to consider New Orleans, Dallas, St Louis, Nashville, etc. Maybe even a rotating schedule where 6 or so cities are cycled through as host.

Knowing Greg Sankey he would probably want it moved to Tuscaloosa

 

[TheDeeble]

In general I still don’t think those Big XII teams belong but like you said it’s done and no amount of crying from me is going to change that.

So… I’m glad we are ditching divisions and will play everyone more often again (and Mizz and SCAR less often).

SEC should have put a dealbreaker on A&M joining. Y'all can join the SEC, but only if you drop those awful yell squad guys.

 

[ButchPlz]

If they adopt the dumbass 1-7 model nobody should be happy.

 

[AllVol77]

I know, I know, nothing will ever equal the good old days before Mizzou and A&M joined, or even the really good, really old days before Arky and South Cackalacky joined, but those days aren’t coming back. Let’s focus on what we’re gaining from the SEC realignment.

1. We will finally feel like we’re in the same conference as the former west division schools other than Alabama. Right now, Miss State and Arkansas feel like they might as well be in the American, we play so little. It will be great to play everyone instead of just the same boring slate of UK, Mizzou, Vandy, SCe and the big three. Auburn could become a rival again. We’ll get to have regular matchups with ole Laney, with all the drama and acrimony that comes with them. Sign me up.

2. More big games. How can you look at that Oklahoma game for the SEC opener and not be excited? Up until this point, Tennessee and Alabama were the only true, historic blue-bloods in the conference (you can throw UGA in there too with their impressive all time win total and recent championships). Now we’ll have not just three but five of the top-ten all time programs. I for one am thrilled that we’ll be facing OU and UTjr regularly. I could even see the latter becoming a minor rivalry.

Anyway, I think there’s a lot to be positive about. Whatever may be detrimental about realignment, it will certainly result in more of what we all love — compelling, meaningful football games. Big matchups. Bring on the new era, I say.

What say you?

Any schedule where each school gets to play all the other schools every couple years and home & home every 4 is fine by me. We've had way more of Bama and Georgia than everyone not named Auburn and I'm fine to let the rest of the league join in on that more often.

 

[Swiftybaby]

On a related note, I hope the conference will consider having the SEC Championship game in different cities. Now that all the teams aren't somewhat convenient to Atlanta, I think it is time to consider New Orleans, Dallas, St Louis, Nashville, etc. Maybe even a rotating schedule where 6 or so cities are cycled through as host.

When the new Nissan stadium is built it will def come to Nashville. Prob the national championship as well.

 

[FLVOL_79]

I hate change. Get off my grass Sankey!!

 

[KKruzVFL]

This will be a brutal schedule every year. I don’t see how anybody could like it. Tennessee will struggle to get 9 wins a year. We better start recruiting like heck to get depth because there is going to be a lot of injuries.