Chip postulated what would have happened in years past had
the ACC used Division Records (instead of overall conference records) to
determine the representative in the Conference Championship Game. I figured I’d
follow up with another conference…the SEC.
When I originally undertook this post, it was really just
academic. I remember Steve Spurrier and Les Miles claiming in years past that
they would have liked to see this setup. All fine and good.
But how would this
have actually played out over the past 10 years?
2006
Actual matchup:
Florida vs Arkansas
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Arkansas
|
4-1
|
7-1
|
|
Auburn
|
4-1
|
6-2
|
|
LSU
|
4-1
|
6-2
|
|
Alabama
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
|
Miss State
|
1-4
|
1-7
|
|
Ole Miss
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
5-0
|
7-1
|
|
Tennessee
|
4-1
|
5-3
|
|
Kentucky
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
South Carolina
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Georgia
|
1-4
|
4-4
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
1-4
|
1-7
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Florida, for sure.
A toss-up between
Arkansas, Auburn, and LSU for the West.
I’ll give Arkansas
the nod here, with their better Conference Record.
2007
Actual matchup: LSU
vs Tennessee
|
2007
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
LSU
|
4-1
|
6-2
|
|
Arkansas
|
3-2
|
4-4
|
|
Auburn
|
3-2
|
5-3
|
|
Miss State
|
3-2
|
4-4
|
|
Alabama
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
Ole Miss
|
0-5
|
0-8
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
4-1
|
5-3
|
|
Tennessee
|
4-1
|
6-2
|
|
Georgia
|
3-2
|
6-2
|
|
South Carolina
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Kentucky
|
1-4
|
3-5
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
Hypothetical Matchup: LSU vs Florida.
In an interesting twist, forget the “Georgia’s really better
than Tennessee” talk. The East representative would have actually been Florida!
I wonder if Tim Tebow would have beaten LSU, given a 2nd chance? If
not, would he have still won the Heisman off a 4th loss, as opposed
to a win against Florida State?
2008
Actual matchup:
Florida vs Alabama
|
2008
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Alabama
|
5-0
|
8-0
|
|
Ole Miss
|
4-1
|
5-3
|
|
Arkansas
|
2-3
|
2-6
|
|
LSU
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Auburn
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
|
Miss State
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
5-0
|
7-1
|
|
Georgia
|
4-1
|
6-2
|
|
South Carolina
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
Tennessee
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
Kentucky
|
0-5
|
2-6
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Florida vs Alabama. The Gators once
again swept their Division. Only 1 loss, to Ole Miss (prompting Tebow’s
infamous “I’ll work harder” speech).
2009
Actual matchup:
Florida vs Alabama
|
2009
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Alabama
|
5-0
|
8-0
|
|
LSU
|
3-2
|
5-3
|
|
Arkansas
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Auburn
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Ole Miss
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
Miss State
|
1-4
|
3-5
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
5-0
|
8-0
|
|
Tennessee
|
4-1
|
4-4
|
|
Georgia
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
Kentucky
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
South Carolina
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
0-5
|
0-8
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Florida vs Alabama. Both undefeated.
#1 vs #2. No changes here.
2010
Actual matchup:
Auburn vs South Carolina
|
2010
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Auburn
|
5-0
|
8-0
|
|
Alabama
|
3-2
|
5-3
|
|
Arkansas
|
3-2
|
6-2
|
|
LSU
|
3-2
|
6-2
|
|
Miss State
|
1-4
|
4-4
|
|
Ole Miss
|
0-5
|
1-7
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
South Carolina
|
4-1
|
5-3
|
|
Florida
|
4-1
|
4-4
|
|
Georgia
|
3-2
|
3-5
|
|
Kentucky
|
2-3
|
2-6
|
|
Tennessee
|
2-3
|
3-5
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
0-5
|
1-7
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Same thing. Auburn undefeated. South
Carolina goes by virtue of winning a head-to-head tiebreaker, as opposed to
winning outright.
2011
Actual matchup: LSU
vs Georgia
(no, the BCS Title Game was not the “real” SEC Championship)
|
2011
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
LSU
|
5-0
|
8-0
|
|
Alabama
|
4-1
|
7-1
|
|
Arkansas
|
3-2
|
6-2
|
|
Auburn
|
2-3
|
4-4
|
|
Miss State
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
|
Ole Miss
|
0-5
|
0-8
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
South Carolina
|
5-0
|
6-2
|
|
Georgia
|
4-1
|
7-1
|
|
Florida
|
3-2
|
3-5
|
|
Kentucky
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
|
Tennessee
|
1-4
|
1-7
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
1-4
|
2-6
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
LSU vs South Carolina. The Gamecocks
felt they were the best of the East, they just got unlucky having Top 10
Arkansas (unlike Georgia, who had a less-than-Top-10 Ole Miss) as a crossover
opponent. That being said, both did have Auburn – and UGA, not SC, won that
one.
2012
Actual matchup:
Alabama vs Georgia.
|
2012
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Alabama
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
LSU
|
5-1
|
6-2
|
|
Texas A&M
|
5-1
|
6-2
|
|
Ole Miss
|
3-3
|
3-5
|
|
Miss State
|
2-4
|
4-4
|
|
Arkansas
|
1-5
|
2-6
|
|
Auburn
|
0-6
|
0-8
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Georgia
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
Florida
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
South Carolina
|
5-1
|
6-2
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
3-3
|
5-3
|
|
Missouri
|
2-4
|
2-6
|
|
Tennessee
|
1-5
|
1-7
|
|
Kentucky
|
0-6
|
0-8
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Who knows?!? 3-way ties atop both Divisions!
(My guess: Alabama vs Georgia)
I would guess Alabama from the West, with their superior conference record.
For the East, I would first remove South Carolina for having the inferior conference record. Then, I would give UGA the nod due to the head-to-head over Florida.
I would guess Alabama from the West, with their superior conference record.
For the East, I would first remove South Carolina for having the inferior conference record. Then, I would give UGA the nod due to the head-to-head over Florida.
Note: This was the first year of Texas A&M and Missouri.
2013
Actual Matchup:
Auburn vs Missouri
|
2013
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Auburn
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
Alabama
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
LSU
|
4-2
|
5-3
|
|
Texas A&M
|
3-3
|
4-4
|
|
Miss State
|
2-4
|
3-5
|
|
Ole Miss
|
2-4
|
3-5
|
|
Arkansas
|
0-6
|
0-8
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Missouri
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
Georgia
|
4-2
|
5-3
|
|
South Carolina
|
4-2
|
6-2
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
4-2
|
4-4
|
|
Florida
|
2-4
|
3-5
|
|
Tennessee
|
2-4
|
2-6
|
|
Kentucky
|
0-6
|
0-8
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Same thing.
With all the drama of the “Kick Six”, I think many forget Alabama was still SEC West co-champs. The hollowest of championships for Alabama, sure, but it goes without saying.
Also, Missouri’s last TWO games that year were against West foes – meaning the Tigers would have clinched the East on November 9, instead of having to win till the end.
With all the drama of the “Kick Six”, I think many forget Alabama was still SEC West co-champs. The hollowest of championships for Alabama, sure, but it goes without saying.
Also, Missouri’s last TWO games that year were against West foes – meaning the Tigers would have clinched the East on November 9, instead of having to win till the end.
2014
Actual matchup:
Alabama vs Missouri
|
2014
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Alabama
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
Miss State
|
4-2
|
6-2
|
|
Auburn
|
3-3
|
4-4
|
|
Ole Miss
|
3-3
|
5-3
|
|
Arkansas
|
2-4
|
2-6
|
|
LSU
|
2-4
|
4-4
|
|
Texas A&M
|
2-4
|
3-5
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Missouri
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
Florida
|
4-2
|
4-4
|
|
Georgia
|
4-2
|
6-2
|
|
South Carolina
|
3-3
|
3-5
|
|
Tennessee
|
3-3
|
3-5
|
|
Kentucky
|
2-4
|
2-6
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
0-6
|
0-8
|
Hypothetical Matchup:
Same thing. Missouri would have clinched second-to-last weekend this time.
2015
Actual matchup:
Alabama vs Florida
|
2015
|
Divisional
|
Conference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
Ole Miss
|
5-1
|
6-2
|
|
Alabama
|
5-1
|
7-1
|
|
Arkansas
|
3-3
|
5-3
|
|
LSU
|
3-3
|
5-3
|
|
Miss State
|
2-4
|
4-4
|
|
Texas A&M
|
2-4
|
4-4
|
|
Auburn
|
1-5
|
2-6
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
6-0
|
7-1
|
|
Tennessee
|
5-1
|
5-3
|
|
Georgia
|
4-2
|
5-3
|
|
Kentucky
|
2-4
|
2-6
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
2-4
|
2-6
|
|
Missouri
|
1-5
|
1-7
|
|
South Carolina
|
1-5
|
1-7
|
Hypothetical matchup:
Ole Miss vs Florida. Only this time, the QB who delivered Ole Miss its
first loss would not have been taking snaps for the Gators. Also, the Arkansas
4th-and-25 – wild as it was – would NOT have derailed Ole Miss’s SEC
West hopes.
In the East, this really gives a great image of Tennessee’s “almost…if only” mantra.
In the East, this really gives a great image of Tennessee’s “almost…if only” mantra.
So, who were the big winners/losers from this arrangement?
|
2006-15
|
Actual
Appearances
|
Hypothetical
Appearances
|
Difference
|
|
WEST
|
|
|
|
|
Ole Miss
|
0
|
1
|
+1
|
|
Alabama
|
5
|
4
|
-1
|
|
Arkansas
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
|
LSU
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
|
Auburn
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
|
EAST
|
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
4
|
5
|
+1
|
|
Tennessee
|
1
|
0
|
-1
|
|
Georgia
|
2
|
1
|
-1
|
|
Missouri
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
|
South Carolina
|
1
|
2
|
+1
|
Some takeaways:
- Tennessee (2007), Georgia (2011) and Alabama (2015) each got into a game it wouldn’t have otherwise.
- South Carolina missed out on a trip it would have otherwise went to, perhaps with a better team than the one who DID go to Atlanta.
- Florida, for all of its trips to the Georgia Dome, would have made one MORE trip. If Georgia was mad at Tennessee, just imagine their rage had THAT happened in 2007!
- Ole Miss’s big ding is that they’ve never been to the SEC Championship Game. Under a “best Division record” setup, they’d be the reigning SEC West Champs (and possibly SEC, given Florida’s slide late last year)!
- I wonder how last year’s CFP would have been? Would an 11-1 non-champ Alabama have been in? And if so, then where? Would the Alabama-Clemson showdown have been a Semifinal instead of a Final?
- I can see where Spurrier's comments might have been a little self-serving, given the 2011 outcome. But you could argue Les Miles was more genuine in his comments, since LSU wouldn't have been impacted one way or the other during his tenure.
- Depending on how the 2016 LSU-Florida rescheduling effort goes, I may follow this up with a Part 2 that goes back to the beginning of the SEC Championship Game. This effort could lead to some heated fanbases across the conference!
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