‘Should the SEC have a mini play-off?’
First of all, this idea does not come from my own brain, it comes from a question to the hosts Andy Staples’ podcast.
The jist of it is: “Why not have the Top 4 in the Big Ten play each other to get a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game on the final-week-before-the-B1G-Championship-Game’ of the season, with other match-ups to decide bowl eligibility or simply local rivalry games?’
This occurred to me as absolute genius.
Of course, Greg Sankey had already thought of the SEC having its own play-off, because he’s pissed at the fact that only four teams can go in the College Football Play-Off each year, and an 8 team play-off could see as many as four more SEC teams in that (last year it would have been just two, because Alabama and Georgia were so far above everyone else, but the year before it would have been three, with Alabama, Texas A&M and Georgia all making ‘The Show’).
Then it got me thinking: Why shouldn’t the SEC have its own play-off.
- It would just mean more great match-ups
Can you imagine if Georgia didn’t have its usual momentous year, and suddenly played Alabama in the semi? Or Texas A&M would rematch with Texas? The mind blows after the expansion into 14 when Oklahoma comes to town.
2. It would just mean more recruits
The chance to do this would basically sow up recruiting even more than its already sewn up. The chance to get more exposure would be brilliant for SEC schools….even the lower ones like Missouri and Vanderbilt, who get very little national coverage.
3. It would mean more money
We would keep the rivalry games like Florida vs Florida State, South Carolina vs Clemson, and, er, Georgia vs Georgia Tech, but then have another SEC game for all teams, which would be great! Oh, and ESPN would adore it because it would pit the best against the best, allowing the SEC to basically rip up its contract and ask for more money.
….And most of all, it would push college football into changing.
We have got to the point that we’re bored of the 4-team play-off. It’s the same old, same old generally every year. The mainstay is Alabama, a. If you think about it in general terms, that’s what happens. Last year was refreshing because of Michigan and Cincinnati’s arrival, but the four favourites this year will be amongst Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson, as well as one of Oklahoma and Oregon. Maybe Texas or Texas A&M will sneak in this year, although A&M needs a competent QB and Texas needs some good line play. The 4-team player. The bottom line is this: College Football needs more eyes on the TV, and not just teams from the Southland or The Big Cheese from the Middle of the Country.
So with that in mind, our semis would have been last season:
- Georgia vs 4. Kentucky
- Alabama v 3. Ole Mis
And yes, we know that the 2021 semi-final would have still have meant a Alabama v Georgia SEC Championship Game, with both sides reaping destruction on their opponents.
- Alabama v 4. Georgia
- Texas A&M v 4. Florida
A 2020 semi would have all been mouth-watering. Alabama would probably have beaten Georgia pretty comfortably, but the match-up between Texas A&M and Florida – a rematch of an incredible game where Dan Mullen bitterly complained about the stadium being too full – would have been awesome. Particularly with the amount of talent Florida still had on the field, throwing shoes aside.
Anyway, it’s a novel idea, and one we love to think about it.
By the way, we think that a 2022 version would be:
1. Alabama v 4. Georgia
2. Texas A&M v 3. LSU.
Drool.