Under the current SEC schedule format, each team has one permanent cross-division rival and one rotating cross-division game, but not everyone in the league likes it that way. LSU athletics director Joe Alleva and head coach Les Miles would prefer instead that both inter-division games rotate, according to ESPN’s Edward Aschoff. The Tigers’ permanent partner is Florida, which is usually among the league’s best teams. That’s the source of LSU’s discomfort over the current arrangement.
LSU, Florida at odds over annual series
If the Tigers had their way, they would not be locked into a game against the Gators every year.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
For more on these teams: LSU blog And The Valley Shook Florida blog Alligator Army
“I’m totally opposed to permanent opponents,” Alleva said. “It has nothing to do with Florida. I think it’s a competitive disadvantage to every team in the league to have a permanent opponent. I think they all should rotate.”
What he means of course is that he believes it’s a competitive disadvantage for LSU right now. If the Gators are going 2-10 every year, Alleva’s probably not complaining too much about the setup.
Florida feels differently about the whole thing -- the school would like to keep LSU on the schedule every year -- but it may be fighting a losing battle. It sounds as though the majority is on LSU’s side regarding the format.
Opinion of 2 SEC ADs today: Unless the 9-game schedule is implemented, permanent cross-division rivals (i.e., Ala.-UT) may be gone by 2016.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) May 30, 2013
Both ADs (no names) said the 6-0-2 scheduling model would probably win a vote if one were to be held today.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) May 30, 2013
LSU and Florida have met for more than 40-consecutive years.
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