Those missing OOC games are going to cause a lot of heartburn.
Most teams schedule 3-4 OOC wins a year. That takes a 5-3 conference record to 9-3, then a bowl win gives a 10 win season. Fans feel pretty good. But in 10 game SEC schedule that's likely a 6-4 record. Fans aren't going to like being a 6 win team. Most of the smaller bowls will likely be cancelled, so those teams will finish 6-4.
Look at Kentucky. 3-5 in the SEC last year. But they won 4 OOC games and their bowl, so they finished 8-5 and feel pretty good about themselves. This year that same season is likely 4-6. They will like that a lot less.
Then there is us. 7-3 or even 6-4 is a very real possibility if we pick up Bama and @TAMU. How many here are going to grumble if we go 6-4? I know I will.
Heck, Bama is going to have a hell schedule. Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, TAMU. That ain't easy, I don't care who you are.
All I'm saying is, buckle up.
Most teams schedule 3-4 OOC wins a year. That takes a 5-3 conference record to 9-3, then a bowl win gives a 10 win season. Fans feel pretty good. But in 10 game SEC schedule that's likely a 6-4 record. Fans aren't going to like being a 6 win team. Most of the smaller bowls will likely be cancelled, so those teams will finish 6-4.
Look at Kentucky. 3-5 in the SEC last year. But they won 4 OOC games and their bowl, so they finished 8-5 and feel pretty good about themselves. This year that same season is likely 4-6. They will like that a lot less.
Then there is us. 7-3 or even 6-4 is a very real possibility if we pick up Bama and @TAMU. How many here are going to grumble if we go 6-4? I know I will.
Heck, Bama is going to have a hell schedule. Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, TAMU. That ain't easy, I don't care who you are.
All I'm saying is, buckle up.