The Three Permanent Conference Games

[Wireless1]

If every school submitted who their #1 rival was, what would that look like?
Bama-Auburn
Ark-Texas
Auburn-Bama
Florida-Georgia
Georgia-Florida
Kentucky-Tennessee
LSU-Fla
Ole Miss - LSU
Miss State- Ole Miss
Mizzou-??
Oklahoma-Texas
South Carolina-Georgia
Tennessee-Bama
Texas-Oklahoma
Texas A&M-Texas
Vandy-Tennessee

Where am I wrong?

 

[NighthawkVol]

If every school submitted who their #1 rival was, what would that look like?
Bama-Auburn
Ark-Texas
Auburn-Bama
Florida-Georgia
Georgia-Florida
Kentucky-Tennessee
LSU-Fla
Ole Miss - LSU
Miss State- Ole Miss
Mizzou-??
Oklahoma-Texas
South Carolina-Georgia
Tennessee-Bama
Texas-Oklahoma
Texas A&M-Texas
Vandy-Tennessee

Where am I wrong?

Exactly.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

I’m pretty sure we aren’t getting Kentucky. It doesn’t work if other things are to be protected -
It’s old row and new row and eyeballs- and to most people going back thirty five years UT/UF is a major big time big deal hate fest.

Bama/LSU
Ole Miss/LSU
Florida/LSU

Georgia/Florida
Tennessee/Florida
LSU/Florida

Bama/Auburn
Georgia/Auburn
Ole Miss/Auburn

Florida/Georgia
Auburn/Georgia
South Carolina/Georgia

Tennessee/Bama
Auburn/Bama
LSU/Bama

Miss State/Ole Miss
Auburn/Ole Miss
LSU/Ole Miss

Bama/Tennessee
Vandy/Tennessee
Florida/Tennessee


And the fill in with the usual Texas /OU/ATM round robin and plug the lowers in from there.



And I’m VERY glad of it. Tennessee Florida is a much better nasty rivalry -yes it’s new BUT:

Kentucky ain’t worth the whisky.

The question would be WHO does KY rank as their MOST desired team. If us it creates a logic problem. Same for Vandy. We would be 2nd for Bama I WOULD THINK. Gonna be tough to get it done. Granted us ending up with both seems unrealistic. Shared my three tier and national ranking brilliance earlier. It is those revered 2nd favorites that will cause trouble. UT BAMA. GA AU. who does Texas make 1? TAM or OKLA? Heads gonna hurt!!! Have to prioritize some balance of strength somehow.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Have to prioritize some balance of strength somehow.

Under recognized concept.

 

[LWSVOL]

I think it will be Bama, Vandy and Florida

 

[Wireless1]

The question would be WHO does KY rank as their MOST desired team. If us it creates a logic problem. Same for Vandy. We would be 2nd for Bama I WOULD THINK. Gonna be tough to get it done. Granted us ending up with both seems unrealistic. Shared my three tier and national ranking brilliance earlier. It is those revered 2nd favorites that will cause trouble. UT BAMA. GA AU. who does Texas make 1? TAM or OKLA? Heads gonna hurt!!! Have to prioritize some balance of strength somehow.

Why does there have to be balance? Vandy’s administration puts zero positive effort into support the athletic program. Why should they be given a break. Unlike professional programs, every SEC school receives an equal share of the league pot. Just vevause Donde is smart enough to hire Danny White while Vandy decides to pocket the SEC money while making everything intramural doesn’t mean we need to level the playing field. Equal share is enough.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Why does there have to be balance? Vandy’s administration puts zero positive effort into support the athletic program. Why should they be given a break. Unlike professional programs, every SEC school receives an equal share of the league pot. Just vevause Donde is smart enough to hire Danny White while Vandy decides to pocket the SEC money while making everything intramural doesn’t mean we need to level the playing field. Equal share is enough.

SOS and economics for EVERY school has to be CONSIDERED. The rotate threw ALL the other 12 takes back room deals off the table SOMEWHAT, so the record and revenue impacts of the 3 is multiplied. Imbalances are every year.

Giving deference based on success would not be welcome here if the BAMA and GA get more consideration than us.

Whether ANY school should be a member is another discussion, but while they are they have to get equal consideration.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that our natural hated (ask George Cafego) rival is not a power like AL AU. and GA FL, but it is what it is.

If we are Vandy’s big game there you have it. They are not our top, but then we are not the top for Bama or FL, still high on the list BUT.,,,,

 

[NighthawkVol]

Under recognized concept.

If the 3rd is Kentucky, let's look at a hypothetical 4-year schedule cycle:

2026: Alabama, at Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, Auburn, at Ole Miss, at South Carolina, at Arkansas
2027: at Alabama, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky, at Florida, Georgia, at Mississippi State, Oklahoma, at LSU, Texas A&M
2028: Alabama, at Vanderbilt, Kentucky, at Texas, at Missouri, at Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Arkansas
2029: at Alabama, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky, Florida, at Georgia, Mississippi State, at Oklahoma, LSU, at Texas A&M

I'm sure this isn't perfect, but it's an idea of what it might look like. We alternate 5 home SEC games one year with 4 the next.

This also shows that no matter who the 3rd permanent opponent is, the schedule will be tough. Add in the fact that we have Georgia Tech away and home in 2026/2027, West Virginia in Charlotte in 2028, and Washington home and away in 2029/2030, and these schedules will be plenty difficult.

 

[Go47]

I think it will be Bama, Vandy and Florida

Agree.

 

[Wireless1]

If the 3rd is Kentucky, let's look at a hypothetical 4-year schedule cycle:

2026: Alabama, at Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, Auburn, at Ole Miss, at South Carolina, at Arkansas
2027: at Alabama, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky, at Florida, Georgia, at Mississippi State, Oklahoma, at LSU, Texas A&M
2028: Alabama, at Vanderbilt, Kentucky, at Texas, at Missouri, at Auburn, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Arkansas
2029: at Alabama, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky, Florida, at Georgia, Mississippi State, at Oklahoma, LSU, at Texas A&M

I'm sure this isn't perfect, but it's an idea of what it might look like. We alternate 5 home SEC games one year with 4 the next.

This also shows that no matter who the 3rd permanent opponent is, the schedule will be tough. Add in the fact that we have Georgia Tech away and home in 2026/2027, West Virginia in Charlotte in 2028, and Washington home and away in 2029/2030, and these schedules will be plenty difficult.

Difficult and also there’ll probably never be an 8 game home schedule ever again, and chances of only 6 is pretty high. Sell that to your fans and booster, as well as your local tourism team

 

[Power_Sweep_Vol]

Why does there have to be balance? Vandy’s administration puts zero positive effort into support the athletic program. Why should they be given a break. Unlike professional programs, every SEC school receives an equal share of the league pot. Just vevause Donde is smart enough to hire Danny White while Vandy decides to pocket the SEC money while making everything intramural doesn’t mean we need to level the playing field. Equal share is enough.

If you really believe that you should watch the NETFLIX series Any Given Saturday and you will be quickly disabused of that notion.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Bama, Vandy and Ky would be my preferred. But I wouldn't be against swapping out Ky for uscjr. That has actually developed into a competitive rivalry the last 10-15 years.

Plus I'm biased as I live an hour north of Columbia and deal with their delusional fans on the regular. Theyre more annoying than Clemson fans, despite never having any success.

I would not care if we never play USCjr again.

 

[zjcvols]

I think it will be Bama, Vandy and Florida

Which is fine. After Bama and Vandy, I'm good with whatever the third is.

 

[DuckinVol]

South Carolina.

Also did Diego Pavia declare Vandy its own state now? Because that seems like something he'd do.

Included Vandy as not a border state because they aren’t.

 

[sami]

Why would anyone want a permanent opponent like Vandy? It's like fighting a girl. Very beta.

As much as it might shock you, the world (or in this case, the SEC) doesn't revolve around UT. Vandy is in the league, and has only one real rival - us. I would guess that every school's one primary rival will be included in their three permanents, and for Vandy and UK, that rival is UT. Again, it isn't rocket science.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Difficult and also there’ll probably never be an 8 game home schedule ever again, and chances of only 6 is pretty high. Sell that to your fans and booster, as well as your local tourism team

When was the last time we had an 8-game home schedule?

If we get 5 home SEC games and 4 road SEC games in 2026, then it flips every year as I have in my projection, we would have 7 home games every year for the next 4 years, with a neutral site game tacked on in 2028.

 

[Wireless1]

When was the last time we had an 8-game home schedule?

If we get 5 home SEC games and 4 road SEC games in 2026, then it flips every year as I have in my projection, we would have 7 home games every year for the next 4 years, with a neutral site game tacked on in 2028.

You assume in year 1 we get the extra home game, I OTOH think the SEC is always out to get us and assume we go on the road for 5 the first year.

 

[NighthawkVol]

You assume in year 1 we get the extra home game, I OTOH think the SEC is always out to get us and assume we go on the road for 5 the first year.

I don't assume that. I started the sentence with "if."

If we go on the road for 5 SEC games in 2026, then we would only get 6 home games in 2026 and 2026, but 8 home games in 2027 and 2029.

 

[Wireless1]

I don't assume that. I started the sentence with "if."

If we go on the road for 5 SEC games in 2026, then we would only get 6 home games in 2026 and 2026, but 8 home games in 2027 and 2029.

I'm also assuming that the "quality" opponent clause will get us. Tennessee travels well and we'll be a target for neutral site venues so, I think the home and home series will probably wane. Hopefully all the existing ones stay on the books.

 

[Vfl2407]

If every school submitted who their #1 rival was, what would that look like?
Bama-Auburn
Ark-Texas
Auburn-Bama
Florida-Georgia
Georgia-Florida
Kentucky-Tennessee
LSU-Fla
Ole Miss - LSU
Miss State- Ole Miss
Mizzou-??
Oklahoma-Texas
South Carolina-Georgia
Tennessee-Bama
Texas-Oklahoma
Texas A&M-Texas
Vandy-Tennessee

Where am I wrong?

Mizzou people that I know say they still don’t really have any SEC rivals (Kansas and KState are still who they consider rivals).
But if you have to pick some, they would go with old southwest foes OU, Tex, Ark. The two cities of Columbia, SC and Columbia, MO have tried to manufacture a rivalry calling it the “Battle of the Colas”. But I don’t see Coca-Cola or Pepsi clamoring for a sponsorship of that game.
Some LSU people would probably pick one of these over Fla just because of proximity: Bama, Ole Miss, TAMU, or Ark.
Otherwise, your list is spot on. Nice job.

 

[Wireless1]

Mizzou people that I know say they still don’t really have any SEC rivals (Kansas and KState are still who they consider rivals).
But if you have to pick some, they would go with old southwest foes OU, Tex, Ark. The two cities of Columbia, SC and Columbia, MO have tried to manufacture a rivalry calling it the “Battle of the Colas”. But I don’t see Coca-Cola or Pepsi clamoring for a sponsorship of that game.
Some LSU people would probably pick one of these over Fla just because of proximity: Bama, Ole Miss, TAMU, or Ark.
Otherwise, your list is spot on. Nice job.

Yea, LSU was a tough one, they seem to hate everyone, but also invite everyone to their tailgates.

 

[Vfl2407]

Yea, LSU was a tough one, they seem to hate everyone, but also invite everyone to their tailgates.

They are indeed both the best and worst fans to tailgate with.
Before the game,yes …very hospitable. But after a night game when they’re all totally lubricated all day and uninhibited- oh hell no.

 

[Power_Sweep_Vol]

As much as it might shock you, the world (or in this case, the SEC) doesn't revolve around UT. Vandy is in the league, and has only one real rival - us. I would guess that every school's one primary rival will be included in their three permanents, and for Vandy and UK, that rival is UT. Again, it isn't rocket science.

100%

 

[TNnative]

Would not hurt my feelings at all if Vandy moved to Birmingham, and Auburn moved into Nashville.

 

[zjcvols]

You assume in year 1 we get the extra home game, I OTOH think the SEC is always out to get us and assume we go on the road for 5 the first year.

We got Arkansas and Mississippi State in 24/25 with the 8-game schedule, that is definitely not out to get us.