Just trying to think outside the box, and find a way to make it work for those wanting just an 8 SEC game schedule AND keep the more important rivalries, which is probably only 2. What if you stay at 8 games, with 2 cross division rotating schedule. Then let those TRUE traditional rivalries, Bama-UT and GA-Barners, continue WITHOUT having them count as an SEC game. Yes, its VERY outside the box, but is it a possible compromise?
Sure, you could do that, I think Alabama and Ole Miss had some games back in the 70s that didnt count as a conference game. But what would be the point in playing a game that doesnt count within the conference? It would actually be quite dangerous, actually. The selection committee and influential sports media would likely view as a conference game anyway - so if you won or lost it would impact you mightily with the voters. Secondly, it does nothing for you from a recruiting standpoint. Lastly, and most importantly, it would be worthless TV for CBS and ESPN - no conference implications.
How many fans within each fanbase really care about playing their traditional rival when there is nothing really riding on it? I think if you put a gun to UGA's head, I think they could live without their rivalry with GaTech. What does it do for them? They already have the Cocktail Party and Auburn rivalries that mean waaay more. Would UGA sacrifice that game if they thought 9 conference games would make them, say another $5-10M per year. I would. Same goes with USC and Clemson, but less so. To me the hardest rivalry to give up would be the FL-FSU rivalry. That is a rivalry that is always going to have some national significance.
Really, to me the SEC is taking a real gamble that their 8 game conference schedule is going to be viewed as strong or stronger than everyone else's 9 game schedule. I am not buying it - mainly because the selection committee will at best have 20% representation from the SEC region. To me if you have the upper hand, you ought to work to keep it. If you are willing to give up some leverage you risk losing all of it. Sure OM, MSU, and Vandy, and KU arent for an 9 game schedule because it likely means another loss for them. But it also means more money they can reinvest in their program and make it more competitive. The real sticking point in this whole mess is UGA, USC, and FL wanting to keep their OOC rivals. If they were willing to give those up, OM, MSU, Vandy, and KU could do nothing to stop going to a 9 game schedule.
The best course is for the SEC to adopt a 9 game conference schedule with or without permanent cross-division rivals (I could care less). Seriously, when you are beating the crap out of people do you really care who it is after a while? Its just the next name on the list... In addition to the expanded conference game schedule, the SEC should work with the teams to setup a 10th "money" game either at home or neutral site with another conference like the ACC or Big 12. Such an arrangement would add OCC strength to the schedule for playoff purposes and you could effectively market those areas without having to necessarily expand with those teams. Let the bottom feeders from both conferences do home & home games since they may not be attractive neutral site games. Put the marquee teams in neutral site matchups in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, St Louis, Kansas City, Atlanta, Charlotte, and DC over a two week period at the beginning of the season.
