Adam Loewy is one of the top personal injury lawyers in Austin. Adam is a proud graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and started his law firm in 2005. Adam helps people who have been injured in car crashes, slip and falls, dog bites, and other assorted ways. He is actively involved in every case he handles and is always available to talk or text. If you or a loved one has been injured, call the Loewy Law Firm today at (512) 280-0800.
We know that SEC coaches and officials are eagerly anticipating Texas leaving the Big 12 and joining their conference no later than 2025.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey expressed his excitement about the addition of Texas and Oklahoma during SEC Media Days this past week. Every coach who was asked about Texas joining the conference shared positive sentiments about the new additions. Every media member I interacted with in Atlanta told me their respective fan bases are optimistic Texas will join the conference in 2024 instead of 2025.
There is no questioning the excitement surrounding Texas joining the SEC. This is unquestionably the right move for every current and future SEC program. Texas has undeniably found a great home by joining the best conference in college football.
However, there is just one small question that needs to be answered.
What will Texas’ football schedule look like once it joins the SEC?
There are currently 14 teams in the SEC. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma will expand that number to 16.
This is where the fun begins.
The SEC is currently divided into two divisions (SEC East and SEC West). However, the SEC will likely blow up those divisions and focus on a single-division model.
According to The Tennessean, “Eliminating the two-division system leaves two primary options:
“An eight-game conference schedule with each team having one permanent SEC rival and seven additional league opponents that rotate.
“A nine-game schedule with each team having three permanent rivals and six rotating opponents.”
“We had deep and productive conversations in Destin,” Sankey said this past week. “Those conversations actually began back at our meetings in August. When we concluded our discussion in Destin, we had a focus placed on a single division model, with the ability to accommodate either an eight-game or nine-game conference schedule. I'll wink and say we could even accommodate a 10-game conference schedule. I see all of you look up. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention (smiling). That's actually not our focus.
“We ended with the understanding that more questions needed to be answered including the general timeline and the issues that need to be addressed as we think forward now about the College Football Playoff. We have to dig through a tie-breaking procedure. We have over a quarter century in divisions and we understand all the nuances about how to break ties. We have to dig a bit deeper there with the single division concept in front of us. We want to understand the impact through the use of analytics on bowl eligibility for our teams who are growing their programs, and College Football Playoff access dependent on the number of teams that might be included. There are a range of possibilities being considered.
“We have time to make a decision. As you've seen before with us, particularly in the last few years, as we dealt with some difficult issues, we're going to use that time to inform our decision-making and not be subject to an arbitrary deadline.”
A nine-game schedule would be in the best interest of Texas.
That model would allow Texas to renew rivalries against Texas A&M and Arkansas, plus maintain the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma.
An eight-game model would eliminate a yearly match-up against Texas A&M or Oklahoma in the future.
“You want Texas,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “When Texas comes into the league, when that schedule comes in, definitely because of that rivalry. I think LSU is a great rivalry. But that's probably our two biggest. Then Arkansas goes into that, too. But I don't know if that was one of our three that they equated to us in what we did.
“I mean, you're going to play great teams all across the board. You have to get those rivalries. I would right now probably and Texas will be definitely for sure. I think the third time on our gamut if I am not mistaken was Mississippi State. Another West team. I believe that's the way it was. I'm trying to think off the top of my head. I think the Texas rivalry is important. I think the LSU rivalry is important.”
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is in favor of playing Texas annually, too.
“It was fun playing Texas last year,” Pittman said. “Obviously, it was one year we had a nice game against them and those things. Have a lot of respect for Coach Sark and the Longhorns. Oklahoma would be another rival that would be pretty cool, to be honest with you. If we could play Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, that would be really neat.
“I'm not the schedule maker. I'm just a football coach. But to answer your question, that would be a really cool deal, growing up in the state of Oklahoma.”
However, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte is actively involved in the discussions about the SEC’s future schedule.
“We invited both the athletic directors and presidents and chancellors into our conference call a week and a half ago, because this is a long-term issue that has impacts beyond just the here and now, so they could hear my analysis and ask any questions of us and hear questions asked by our campus leaders,” Sankey said. “When we moved into August last year, we had an athletic directors meeting that happens each August. We invited both to attend by video, so Zoom, since we're really good at Zooming now, so they could hear the introduction of how we consider information around scheduling. When we've had important updates or conversations, they've been a part of that.
“We did not invite either university to Destin this year. It becomes its own story and distraction. You may recall, we had enough storylines heading into Destin already. Provided actual updates to them throughout the week. They've been great emerging partners in this process talking about their interests and priorities, just as our other 14 do.”
We may not know what the future SEC schedule will look like but I hope Del Conte addresses the biggest scheduling challenge that is holding back his program.
The non-conference schedule.
Soapbox time.
I previously noted the last time Texas was undefeated against its three non-conference opponents was in 2012. Texas defeated Wyoming (37-17), New Mexico (45-0), and beat down Ole Miss (66-31) on the road. Mack Brown’s team eventually defeated Oregon State, 31-27, in the Alamo Bowl, and finished 9-4 that year.
However, Texas is tied for the Big 12’s worst winning percentage against non-conference opponents since 2013.
Here are the rankings:
Oklahoma 23-2 (92 percent)
Oklahoma State 23-2 (92 percent)
Texas Tech 21-4 (84 percent)
*Baylor 20-4 (83 percent)
Baylor’s non-conference game against Houston in 2020 was canceled.
TCU 20-5 (80 percent)
Kansas State 19-6 (76 percent)
West Virginia 19-6 (76 percent)
Kansas 13-12 (52 percent)
Iowa State 13-12 (52 percent)
Texas 13-12 (52 percent)
Since 2013, Texas is 2-11 against non-conference Power Five opponents (within the first three scheduled games). We can only speculate on the outcome of Texas versus LSU since that game was canceled during the 2020 season. Nevertheless, the winning percentage is not good.
2013 – L. Ole Miss (44-23)
2014 – L. BYU (41-7), L. UCLA (20-17)
2015 – L. Notre Dame (38-3), L. Cal (45-44)
2016 – W. Notre Dame (50-47), L. Cal (50-43)
2017 – L. Maryland (51-41), L. USC (27-24 2 OTs)
2018 – L. Maryland (34-29), W. USC (37-14)
2019 – L. LSU (45-38)
2020 – canceled due to covid
2021 – L. Arkansas (40-21)
Total: 2-11
Now, compare Texas to other Big 12 teams:
Oklahoma 7-1 (88 percent)
Oklahoma State 4-1 (80 percent)
TCU 5-3 (63 percent)
West Virginia 6-6 (50 percent)
Kansas 2-3 (40 percent)
Texas Tech 2-4 (33 percent)
Kansas State 1-4 (20 percent)
Texas 2-11 (15 percent)
Iowa State 1-7 (13 percent)
Baylor 0-2 (0 percent)
Here is a look at Texas’ future non-conference opponents:
2022 – Louisiana-Monroe, Alabama, UTSA
2023 – Rice, at Alabama, Wyoming
2024 – Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA
2025 – at Ohio State, San Jose State, UTEP
2026 – Texas State, Ohio State, UTSA
2027 – at Michigan, UTEP
2028 – Georgia, UTSA
2029 – at Georgia, UTEP
2030 – at Florida, UTSA
2031 – Florida, UTEP
2032 – at Arizona State
2033 – Arizona State
Georgia and Florida will become conference opponents.
However, imagine having a “tune-up” game against Michigan in 2024 or traveling to play Ohio State in 2025 before a tough SEC schedule.
Hey, Deion.
Your Jackson State players would love Austin in September.
Texas had to schedule premier programs to give fans notable home games. In addition, those non-conference games gave fans exciting road games, such as Notre Dame in 2015.
There is no need to stack the non-conference schedule anymore.
SEC games will take care of that.
If Texas scheduled home-and-home games against Tulane (New Orleans), UNLV (Las Vegas), University of South Florida (Tampa), or Hawaii, nobody associated with the Longhorn program will complain about those road trips before SEC opponents.
By the way, if you think I am exaggerating, look at the future non-conference schedule of Ole Miss:
Alabama’s non-conference schedule is more challenging. Of course, Alabama can do that because it is Alabama.
There is no questioning the excitement surrounding Texas joining the SEC.
The only unknown is the Longhorn’s schedule after leaving the Big 12.
“There are limits on the number of options available for three permanent opponents based on the number of games,” Sankey said. “Nine makes that more practical. If you remember, I had two points when we expanded that I wanted to be front and center. One is that we engage in blue sky thinking, let's look at the big picture. The second is that we rotate teams through campus as frequently as possible so we don't go 12 years between visits. Those two have guided us. That last one relates to the number of games, permanent opponents, and how many times you can move people that cleanly.
“Embedded in my remarks is we're attentive, we're engaged in conversation. The great news for the Southeastern Conference is that people call and say, hey, you're doing something really special. They kind of hint around the edges. We know who we are. We're confident in our success. We're really looking forward to the expansion and being at 16 teams. Don't feel pressured to just operate at a number. But we'll watch what happens around us and be thoughtful but be nimble.”
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
He is not handling the news well
Well, it is hot …
Every dog is not built the same
This is funny in any language
Not funny but guaranteed to make you smile (Mr. Neon Green, she did not travel)
Sports On A Dime
1. When I covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jon Gruden said something before an NFL draft that has always stayed with me. Gruden said there are not a lot of athletic 300-pound men walking on the earth. Whenever there is an athletic big man playing football, you have to draft him. Kyle Flood is stockpiling big/athletic offensive linemen. The acquisition of Payton Kirkland is important in terms of adding linemen who can compete in the SEC.
2. ICYMI
3. Here is an interview with Texas running back Jonathon Brooks for those who are interested
4. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer on the addition of Texas opening up this state in recruiting: “Absolutely, spent three years at Oklahoma. Know the talent out there, as well. Understand the dynamics of those programs. The world is a lot smaller nowadays because of social media. We've got some coaches on our staff, besides me, that have ties out there. Our offensive coordinator spent time at Baylor with Matt Rhule. Justin Stepp, who was our wide receivers coach, coached at Arkansas, SMU. I think his wife is a Texas grad if I'm not mistaken. We have a lot of people with ties out there.
“We actually signed two players from the state of Texas in this year's recruiting class, Peyton Williams and Landon Samson, from Southlake Carroll. That will continue to be an area we can open up because of those schools being in the SEC.
“There's a direct flight from class into Columbia, South Carolina, that recruits can certainly get on. We'll go with their players. We'll always start in South Carolina, but because of some of the things that we're doing on social media and here at our program, there's a lot of buzz and excitement about South Carolina football.
“I mean, I can't tell you how many text messages I have on my phone right now about that video this morning, whether it be former players bike Stephon Gilmore, or recruits in the 2023 and 2024 class that are commenting on it.
“There's a lot of great things going on at Carolina. There's a lot of people that want to be a part of that.”
5. Auburn coach Bryan Harsin on adding Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC: “That's one thing. I follow Texas. Just having a chance to coach there, I've always followed that program. I've always appreciated people that were a part of that program, and my time with Mack, being in Austin. I know some of the staff there as well, both staffs, really. That opportunity, when that comes, they're building their teams. They're figuring out in their own conference right now. They got to win now. That's really what the focus is, I would imagine, for those teams.
“When it comes time when they enter the league, who knows by then, there could be a few more changes at that point. We don't know that. This thing has changed significantly in a short amount of time.
“Both those programs are powerful programs. They got a lot of support. Playing in that league, both of those teams, that Red River rivalry, that's a big game. So you understand the passion that each fan base has. We're bringing two really good programs into this conference to be a part of what we're doing here.”
6. Mississippi State coach Mike Leach on why he doesn’t give opening statements at press conferences: “Opening statements? Well, I hate opening statements. I really don't see the point of it. So as opposed to me sitting there and thinking of some flowery opening statement, which I've done before, and then at the end of the opening statement, a number of people ask questions that have already been addressed in my opening statement, I decided we'd just sort of cut out the middleman. You go ahead and ask the questions, and I'll go ahead and answer 'em.”
7. Question for the coffee drinkers – Is Kentucky quarterback Will Levis out of his mind?
8. Here is the list of Alabama players named to the preseason All-SEC Team - and a gentle reminder of the task ahead. It is probably easier to list the Alabama players who did not make the list.
First Team Offense
QB – Bryce Young, Alabama
RB – Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
WR - Jermaine Burton, Alabama
OL - Emil Ekiyor Jr., Alabama
Second Team Offense
TE - Cameron Latu, Alabama
OL - Javion Cohen, Alabama
Third Team Offense
OL - Tyler Steen, Alabama
OL – Kendall Randolph, Alabama
First Team Defense
LB - Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
LB - Henry To'oTo'o, Alabama
DB - Jordan Battle, Alabama
DB - Eli Ricks, Alabama
Second Team Defense
DL - D.J. Dale, Alabama
LB - Dallas Turner, Alabama
Third Team Defense
DL - Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
DB - Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
DB - Malachi Moore, Alabama
First Team Specialists
PK - Will Reichard, Alabama
AP - Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Third Team Specialists
RS - JoJo Earle, Alabama
9. Even the Minister of Culture is an F1 fan
10. Ryan Garcia delivered one of the quickest left hooks you will ever see during his dismantling of Javier Fortuna. Garcia called out Gervonta Davis after the win. That fight needs to happen.
Last edited:
