Kirby Smart Shares Thoughts on Impending Schedule Change in the SEC
SEC Head coaches spoke this week at the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida. One of the many hot topics of debate was the impending schedule changes coming for the SEC by way of Oklahoma and Texas joining the conference. Georgia Football head coach Kirby Smart, however, didn’t seem to have to much of a care for the topic, saying "it's the most overrated conversation in years."
Kirby Smart's primary concerns have little to do with the number of games played, or the opponents faced, he cares about an entirely different concern. When asked about his thoughts on the topic, Smart responded by saying, “A better topic for me, is somebody going to get an advantage by not going to the SEC Championship Game but making the expanded playoff? That’s a lot better topic to me than eight or nine games.”
Smart’s comments highlight an important aspect of the debate surrounding the extended playoffs. The potential impact on teams’ schedules and the potential for some teams to gain an advantage over others. Under the current system, the top four teams in the College Football Playoff rankings are selected to compete in the playoffs, which consist of two semifinal games and a national championship game. One of the concerns with an expanded playoff format is the impact it would have on teams’ schedules.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart on the field during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
There is reasonable concern that teams that compete in conference championship games may be at a disadvantage compared to teams that do not. If a team wins its conference championship game but then loses in the first round of an extended playoff, it may have played an extra game without any real benefit. On the other hand, a team that did not play in a conference championship game may have had an extra week to rest and prepare for the playoffs, potentially giving them an advantage.
Smart’s comments highlight this concern, as he suggests that a team may be able to gain an advantage by not playing in the SEC Championship Game but still making the playoffs. This could be a particularly relevant issue in the SEC, which is widely regarded as one of the toughest conferences in college football. If the conference championship game is particularly grueling, teams that compete in it may be at a disadvantage in the playoffs, especially if they have to play a tough opponent in the first round.
Of course, there are many other factors to consider when it comes to the extended playoffs. However, Smart’s comments highlight an important aspect of the debate that should not be overlooked. It will be important to consider how different formats could impact teams’ schedules and whether some teams could gain an unfair advantage.
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