Florida Fans and LSU fans unite...

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To whom it may concern:


Although I love the rivalry that has grown between LSU and Florida this decade as both schools have dominated this conference over the course of the decade and the game itself has at times “propelled” both schools to national title appearances, the time has come for change to the SEC's philosophy and policy on permanent cross-division opponents. With the emergence of Ole Miss and Alabama from the doormat of the conference, the current method of scheduling is no longer feasible and is simply put, unfair.

Unfortunately, the other 10 schools are completely content with the SEC's system, and I can see why. For Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Auburn, it is a matter of preserving tradition, which I respect. As for the other six schools opposed to change, it’s simply a matter of them being the beneficiaries of a softer conference schedule. Take one gander at Alabama and Ole Miss' 2009 SEC schedules and it's easy to see that not getting to the SECCG would be inexcusable for both schools (unfortunately, one or both will not make it). (See Alabama 2009 Schedule and Ole Miss 2009 Schedule)

As an LSU fan, I love playing Florida every year and it has certainly become one of the Top3 "marquee" games in college football each year and the game is certainly great for the SEC as it has a huge national appeal, but it is unfortunate that Florida and LSU are the two schools that get the raw end of the deal relative to the conference's scheduling across divisions.

Let me offer two solutions that I’m sure you guys have discussed, but have yet to implement due to resistance from the member institutions. The time has come for change, and while we as fans are willing to compromise a little in the interest of preserving tradition, nonetheless change must be implemented very soon or the competitive balance and fairness of the league will eventually suffer.

Solution #1
There should be no cross-division permanent opponent, simple as that. You should play three teams from the other division one year, and the remaining three teams from the other division the following year. Then, you do it all over again with the venue changed home/away. Every team gets a chance to play every other team in the other division every other year. No team ever goes over two years without playing each and every SEC team. No SEC player ever plays four years at a school and does not make a trip to Death Valley or Bryant Denny or The Swamp or Between the Hedges. Every team plays every other SEC team every other year.

For example, if LSU plays Florida at home this year, Georgia on the road this year, and Vanderbilt at home this year, then NEXT YEAR LSU will play South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The FOLLOWING YEAR LSU will play at Florida, home against Georgia, and at Vanderbilt. The LAST SEASON of the rotation, LSU plays USC, Tenn, and Kentucky again with the venue flipped.


Solution #2

If Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Auburn really want to keep those games locked to preserve tradition, then keep those two games locked, but let the rest of the SEC rotate. Give those four schools the option to "opt out" if that game being played every year as opposed to the game being played every other year is so important to those schools. If those two particular games are the big holdupt to change, then we as fans will compromise and concede, allowing them to keep those games and let the rest of us play on a level playing field and with more equitable scheduling practices.


I know this topic comes up annually at the SEC meetings, but the time has come to implement change. Most schools have no problem with it, but I felt an email was necessary from me, an LSU fan, to let my displeasure in the current system known. I know that I am not alone in my beliefs on this topic.


Thanks for your time in considering this topic, and also thank you for all you do for the conference!

Geaux Tigers!

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LINKSTILL GOING AT IT

The six permanent cross-divisional matchups in SEC football:

Alabama vs. Tennessee

The Crimson Tide lead the series 46-38-7, having won the past two games by a combined 70-26. The Volunteers were dominant from 1995 to ’2004, losing once in 10 meetings.

Arkansas vs. South Carolina

The SEC’s newest teams had never met before joining the league in 1992. In the 17 meetings since, the Razorbacks hold a 10-7 advantage.

Auburn vs. Georgia

Auburn’s Tigers lead the Deep South’s oldest rivalry 53-51-8, but the Bulldogs are riding their first three-game series win streak since Herschel Walker was tailback.

LSU vs. Florida

Florida holds a 29-23-3 series lead and won every meeting but one from 1988 to 2001. The teams have combined to win the past three BCS national titles.

Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt

Ole Miss leads the series 46-35-2, but the Commodores have won three of the last four meetings. They first played in 1894 and have met annually since 1970.

Mississippi State vs. Kentucky

Kentucky leads the series 21-15, with the teams splitting the past 10 matchups. These two programs were not annual foes until 1990.

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