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Hereās how the league should address the permanent rivalries.
Alabama
Three opponents: Auburn, LSU, Tennessee Alabama already plays all three rivals every year under the eight-game model, so not much would change for the Crimson Tide. Theyāve gone 24-6 in these games since 2013 but lost to LSU and the Volunteers this past season.
Arkansas
Three opponents: Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M This would rekindle the former Southwest Conference rivalry against Texas, known best for memorable matchups in 1964 and 1969 that decided national championships. The Razorbacks and A&M have met every year since 2009, predating the Aggiesā move to the SEC, while Missouri has won seven of nine since becoming Arkansasā annual crossover opponent in 2014.
Auburn
Three opponents: Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt Auburn canāt avoid Alabama and Georgia as annual rivals. Rounding things out with the Commodores would be the only fair thing to do.
Florida
Three opponents: Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee The Gatorsā dance card has to include historic rivals Georgia and Tennessee. While LSU would be a more fitting permanent rival than Kentucky, facing the Bulldogs, Volunteers and Tigers every season would be an unfair burden.
Georgia
Three opponents: Auburn, Florida, Mississippi As much as everyone would like to see Alabama and Georgia meet every year during the regular season, thatās a matchup better left for the SEC championship game or playoff.
Kentucky
Three opponents: Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee Kentucky has to play Tennessee, the Wildcatsā biggest SEC rival and fiercest annual rival altogether this side of Louisville. UK has also taken two in a row from Florida and two of three in Gainesville.
LSU
Three opponents: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas A&M The matchup with Alabama would remain one of marquee games of the regular season across the broader Bowl Subdivision. The Rebels and Aggies would allow the Tigers to plant their recruiting flag in two talent-rich neighboring states.
Mississippi
Three opponents: Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State The Rebels wouldnāt have it easy. In addition to the Egg Bowl on rivalry weekend, thereād be annual dates with LSU and the back-to-back defending national champs. These rivals would present an opportunity ā getting the Bulldogs and Tigers every year gives the Rebels the chance to earn a win that would resonate with the playoff committee.
Mississippi State
Three opponents: Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina Mississippi State is one SEC program that would benefit from the elimination of divisions and a more varied conference schedule. Since 2013, the Bulldogs are 24-34 against the SEC West but 12-10 against the SEC East.
Missouri
Three opponents: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt Missouri topped Oklahoma just twice from 1984 through 2011, the Tigersā last season in the Big 12. Would things change in this new conference? Arkansas and Missouri have attempted to kickstart a rivalry this past decade, with the Tigers winning seven of nine since joining the SEC.
Oklahoma
Three opponents: Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas Mississippi State is one of six Power Five schools the Sooners have never played, along with Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Purdue, Rutgers and South Carolina. OU and Texas will continue to play the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl through at least 2025.
South Carolina
Three opponents: Kentucky, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt Clemson is the rival to end all rivals for South Carolina, which has struggled to find a similar foil in the SEC. The Gamecocks have done well against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, taking 14 in a row from the Commodores and seven of eight against the Bulldogs. But Kentucky has grabbed control of the series by winning seven of the past nine against USC.
Tennessee
Three opponents: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky Alabama and Florida would be locked in for Tennessee, but there might be a temptation to sub out Kentucky for Vanderbilt, for example, to give the Volunteers more of a breather.
Texas
Three opponents: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M Oklahoma, of course. As mentioned, Arkansas is an old-school rival. And then thereās Texas A&M and the chance to bring back one of the great rivalries in college sports. If not great for the bottom line of wins, losses and national championships, these permanent games would make a good chunk of the Longhornsā SEC schedule appointment viewing.
Texas A&M
Three opponents: Arkansas, LSU, Texas The Razorbacks and Tigers have become the Aggiesā top SEC rivals, so it would make sense to maintain these matchups while adding in Texas as potentially the regular-season finale during rivalry weekend. (Thatās assuming the Red River Rivalry is still played on the second Saturday of October.)
Vanderbilt
Three opponents: Auburn, Missouri, South Carolina The Commodores have three wins against Missouri since the Tigers joined the SEC and took two in a row against Auburn in 2008 and 2012, snapping a decades-long losing streak. The Commodores havenāt topped South Carolina since 2008, though four of those losses have come by a single possession.
Paul MyerbergUSA TODAY After years of pushback, the SEC is poised to e
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