Florida vs. Auburn strengthens Dan Mullen's argument for expanding SEC scheduling

Why is Florida playing two FCS schools a year, and teams like Auburn every 12 years?

From Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to Jordan-Hare Stadium lies just 310 miles of I-75 asphalt. Ahead of Saturday’s top-ten matchup between Auburn and Florida, the Tigers will take a short plane ride to Gainesville – and by short, I mean less than two hours.  

The 310 miles that separates the University of Florida and Auburn University makes Auburn the closest SEC school to Gainesville. Despite this, Saturday will mark the first time the Gators have played the Tigers since 2011 and just the eighth meeting since the turn of the millennium. 

Florida’s Dan Mullen would love to see his team play Gus Malzahn’s Tigers, among other SEC opponents, more often. 

“Well I think it would be, I told everybody last week, I think it would be great to get to play for the players," Mullen told the media this week.. You think, right? The last time Auburn came to the Swamp was 2007. I think for the fans and for the players to have these games be played more often would be benefit for everyone. That’s why you want to come in the SEC, to play big games and to play other SEC schools. So I think it would be great for these games to be played more often.” 

Why is it that Florida has played LSU every year since 1971? Now, this is a rivalry I have come to love; but for the sake of this argument, why is this the case? LSU is nearly twice as far away as Auburn. But this isn’t about Auburn and LSU. It’s about SEC scheduling. Period. 

Now, while it can’t be forgotten that Florida is required to play the other six SEC East opponents, that accounts for just half of the regular season schedule. The SEC currently operates on an eight-game SEC schedule – that leaves SEC schools fishing for four other viable opponents. 

Of course in Florida’s case, one of those slots is occupied by Florida State. And then there were three. 

Three more spots remain on this hypothetical schedule for Florida. In 2019, these slots have been filled by Miami, UT-Martin and Towson. Not exactly a schedule that is worth writing home about. 

However, I gotta give it to the Gators. They’re doing the best with the hand they’ve been dealt. Mullen said scheduling tougher opponents is no cakewalk: “You know, people aren’t jumping up and down to play us. We’re calling Power 5 teams, trying to get more games and it’s not like everybody we call can’t wait to come play Florida. That’s not always an easy deal.” 

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin and the Gators have successfully nabbed a couple of Power 5 opponents in recent months including Texas and Utah, but those aren’t to be seen for at least a couple of years. Until then, should Greg Sankey and the rest of the SEC big-wigs entertain the idea of turning to a nine-game conference schedule like many other Power 5 conferences have?

Mullen thinks so. “In the league, I think we should mix up the league schedule more, to be perfectly honest with you. If you look over the next six years, I think we play Miami three times, Florida State six times, South Florida three times, Mississippi State once. So who’s the SEC teams? I think it’s an injustice for the kids. We should mix those games up and you should play more teams from the West and get the opportunity to play more SEC games. You come play in this league and play in those games, conference games are a lot of fun, playing other SEC teams.” 

Do you?