College football insider reveals new potential scheduling model should SEC do away with divisions

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•05/31/22•

Jonathan Wagner

The SEC could soon be completely revamping its scheduling model. Currently, the 14 teams in the conference are split into two divisions; the SEC East and the SEC West. But the two divisions could possibly be eliminated, which would then create the need for a completely new model when it comes to scheduling.

According to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, the SEC has already discussed at least one model for scheduling should the conference do away with divisions.

“SEC has already thought through the toughest part of playing in one division — competitive balance,” Dodd tweeted. “One model would have all 16 teams playing each other twice within a 4-year period. (3 fixed opponents, six rotating).”

The SEC East is currently made up of Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida and Vanderbilt. The SEC West has Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Auburn and LSU.

There are multiple other potential scheduling models on the table if the SEC eliminates divisions, including an eight-game slate with one permanent opponent and seven rotating opponents. A nine-game schedule with three permanent and six rotating opponents has also been discussed.

The SEC could be eliminating a major rule, in addition to divisions

In addition to the possibility of going away from divisions, the SEC might also be eliminating a key rule involving the transfer portal. At the SEC coaches meetings in Destin on Tuesday, Alabama proposed to change the intraconference transfer deadline for immediate eligibility from Feb. 1 to May 1, aligning with the NCAA’s portal deadline.

“Most interesting SEC proposal on the docket at the spring meetings is to eliminate in the Feb. 1 deadline for intraconference transfers and move it to May 1 for immediately eligibility — which is the same as the rest of the NCAA,” On3’s Jesse Simonton tweeted.

The SEC coaches meetings got underway on Tuesday in Destin, and will continue into Wednesday. These potential changes could have major impacts on the current landscape of college football.