I think it is just simple geographics and trying to create rivalries. The best thing for lsu would be to have au go east and to pick up mo in the west. Then bama would change their east permanent to au which is a much tougher game for them than tn. Tn would have mo as a permanent. Ga would then get tAM. I think the east is trying to block this but i think this is likely the outcome.
We already have rivalries. No need to screw stuff up by pandering to Mizzou. They can go to the East, hang out with their neighbors, Vandy and Kentucky, and kindly stfu until basketball season. :miles:
If they would kill the permanent east west opponents, this would be the best for LSU. Having fl as our permanent is even more unfair if they do not increase the number of conference games because the other west teams would almost never play fl.
You beat me to it by a couple of minutes, Sugar. 7 in each division means 6 inter-division games. If they stay at 8 conference games, that means 2 out-of-division. Keeping the permanent opponent means only one rotating opponent. One option would be to rotate it on a one-year only basis, meaning you don't get the return trip the following year. Otherwise, say we start with UGA. If we play them home and home in '12 and 13, we wouldn't play them again until 2026. Entirely too long between games for an in-conference opponent.
This is why I think any expansion beyond 12 is a mistake, but since aTm is already in, I guess I don't get a vote. Other than AMAB, all of Auburn's traditional rivals are in the East. Tenn & Florida have way mroe history with Auburn than LSU does. Before the divisions, LSU & Auburn never played each other, but the AU/TN & AU/FL games were annual events. I am intrigued by the idea of moving both and giving the West Vandy. But I don't think that will happen. GEAUX TIGERS
If Auburn goes to the SEC-E, as they should have been since the conference was divided, it will all come down to what Alabama and Tennessee want. The SEC could give a rat's ass about what the rest of the conference wants or what makes good sense. Why do you think Auburn is currently in the West? Simple Tennessee and Alabama both have two wants on their schedules, they wanted to play each other every year and they wanted to play their in-state rival every year. It will all come down to what Tennessee and more particularly Alabama want...just hide and watch.
Auburn has more tradition with Mississippi State than they have with Bammer. That's if just lining up and playing counts as tradition. If the games actually meant something then the Gumps get the edge.
I think Mizzou should be put in the eastl. I think Mizzou would be a good match up with KY and Vandy. I would expect both of these guys to vote for MO comming to the east ... that way they'd have a third team to rotate at the bottom. :wave:
