Why not scrap divisions ala basketball? Go back to schedules closer to when we had 10 teams. If the NCAA would just allow the top 2 conference records play in the conference championship, it could be done. You could assign 4 permanent rivals to each school, then you play half of the other 8 teams for 2 years, then you swtich over to the other half for 2 years. We keep 8 conference games to allow some home cupcake games. Simple. That way you play every team in the SEC at least twice every 4 years, which is more frequently than now.

Sample permanent rivals:
Alabama: Auburn MSU Tennessee LSU
Auburn: Alabama Georgia Florida USC (Auburn wants to be an East team)
Arkansas: LSU TexasA&M USC Vandy
Florida: Georgia Auburn USC TexasA&M
Georgia: Auburn Florida USC Tennessee
Kentucky: Tennessee Vandy MSU Mississippi
LSU: TexasA&M Arkansas Mississippi Alabama (we lose Auburn annually which is the way it was before divisions, we rarely played them)
Mississippi: MSU LSU Vandy Kentucky
MSU: Mississippi Alabama Kentucky TexasA&M
Tennessee: Alabama Kentucky Vandy Georgia
TexasA&M: LSU Arkansas MSU Florida
USC: Georgia Florida Arkansas Auburn
Vandy: Tennessee Kentucky Mississippi Arkansas

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Posted by Indiana Tiger

Member since Feb 2005

4079 posts

Posted on 10/3/11 at 4:11 pm to will0637

I don't like the single division because luck of the schedule becomes a greater factor in who finishes in the top 2. Divisions minimize the problem by forcing you to play the winner of winner of the other division after you won your own div.

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Posted by will0637

Austin, TX

Member since Dec 2006

419 posts

Posted on 10/3/11 at 4:17 pm to Indiana Tiger

Some truth to that. But divisions also end up with mismatched title games like last year #19 USC-#1 Auburn. USC didnt really deserve to have a chance at an SEC title. There were 5 SEC teams ranked ahead of them and USC was tied for the 4th best conference record with Alabama (ranked 10th). Other years, include 2001 #21 LSU-#2Tennessee.

This post was edited on 10/3/11 at 4:18 pm

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Posted by Indiana Tiger

Member since Feb 2005

4079 posts

Posted on 10/3/11 at 4:27 pm to will0637

quote:
USC didnt really deserve to have a chance at an SEC title. There were 5 SEC teams ranked ahead of them and USC was tied for the 4th best conference record with Alabama (ranked 10th). Other years, include 2001 #21 LSU-#2Tennessee.

You mean like LSU in 2001? Of course they deserved a shot just like a team who avoided playing some good teams would deserve a shot in your scenario.

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