Then you haven't been paying attention to this thread. That was one reason why I didn't buy into the "Mizzou can't compete in the SEC" myth. I also said remaining at 8-game wouldn't hurt the SEC at all.KC-wildcat wrote:I guess I didn't realize these tradition-rich battles with your brethren LSU, Bama, Auburn, etc. would only be played about once every 6-8 years.
I like the uniqueness of the crossover rival and the long history associated with it in the longtime SEC members. It means we get others less often but when we do get them those games are EVENTS. Demand for tickets will be outrageous. Anticipation will be equally great. Those times aside we get to enjoy our rivals. The 8 versus 9 game argument put forth by some of the other conferences is bluster meant to distract from the fact that they have nothing to offer outside of another meaningless game.
Pac-12 boasts a 9 game conference schedule. They added Utah and Colorado who have combined for a .240 conference winning percentage. Big 12 likes their 9 game schedule too having added TCU and WVU, who have combined for an eye popping .333 conference winning percentage. All four of these schools have combined for 3 bowl appearances in 10 combined seasons and have no bowl wins. This is what they're selling you under the guise of 'tougher' schedules with 9 conference games.
Here's some 8 vs 9 game schedules among top teams. As a fan, which games would you tune into and which would you not?
OREGON 2014 SCHEDULE
TBA ARIZONA - yawn
TBA COLORADO - yawn
TBA STANFORD - good
TBA WASHINGTON - ok
TBA at California - yawn
TBA at Oregon State - yawn
TBA at UCLA - good
TBA at Utah - yawn
TBA at Washington State - yawn
OKLAHOMA 2014 SCHEDULE
Sep. 27 - at West Virginia - yawn
Oct. 4 - at TCU - yawn
Oct. 11 - vs. Texas @Dallas, TX - good
Oct. 18 - Kansas State - ok
Nov. 1 - at Iowa State - yawn
Nov. 8 - Baylor - ok...maybe good
Nov. 15 - at Texas Tech - yawn
Nov. 22 - Kansas - yawn
Dec. 6 - Oklahoma State - ok
AUBURN 2014 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - Arkansas - yawn
Oct. 4 - Louisiana State - good
Oct. 11 - at Mississippi State - yawn
Oct. 25 - South Carolina - good
Nov. 1 - at Ole Miss - ok
Nov. 8 - Texas A&M - good
Nov. 15 - at Georgia - good
Nov. 29 - at Alabama - good
As of now, I have no reason to believe that the SEC is a stupid conference. I mean, it's like not they went 2-3 against the Missouri Valley last year (like another local conference did). It's not like they had a losing bowl record since "upgrading" their conference (like another local conference has done). So, I'll trust the conference that has a reputation of being forward-thinking.