Not happy with a four-team Playoff?

More football is good, so we’ve decided to expand the season by several weeks with the introduction of the SDS 64, a ‘Winter Madness’ style tournament with an emphasis on conference championships, strength of schedule and any factors we see fit. Each region has its own theme, dominant teams and laughable neutral site hosts.

Just putting this out there: 12 SEC teams made the field.

THE SDS 64 SCHEDULE

  • MONDAY: Phyllis Region
  • TODAY: Family Time Region
  • WEDNESDAY: Chrome Dome Region
  • THURSDAY: Crab Legs Region
  • Dec. 15: Round of 64 results
  • Dec. 16: Round of 32 results
  • Dec. 17: Round of 16 results
  • Dec. 18: Round of 8 results
  • Dec. 19: Final Four, Champion

Nicknamed the Family Time Region after Urban Meyer’s infamous excuse for his reasoning behind his resignation at Florida, this one’s loaded with quality teams, arguably the toughest sector of the tournament. All games will be played at The Horseshoe in a temperature and element-controlled environment (to benefit SEC teams). Think ‘Hunger Games’ without the killing and Mike Slive as the head gamesmaker.
familytimeregion

BREAKING DOWN THE FAMILY TIME REGION

SEC teams: No. 2 Mississippi St.; No. 8 Texas A&M; No. 10 Florida. Darkhorses: No. 5 Clemson; No. 6 Oklahoma; No. 7 Utah. Betting favorites: No. 2 Mississippi St.

Intriguing matchups: A potential second-round matchup pitting second-seeded Mississippi State and Florida wouldn’t be well-received as far as attendance goes in Big Ten country, but is great television. It creates an exciting rivalry pitting Dan Mullen against his former employer. With Urban Meyer and top-seeded Ohio State at the top of the bracket, a head-to-head showdown in the Elite 8 would be even sweeter.

Texas A&M vs. East Carolina features two Air Raid offenses in a game that could last five hours. Defense is optional, just the way Kevin Sumlin likes it. (Testing the Pirates’ secondary against the Hail Mary is a good idea for coordinator Jake Spavital. Let’s hope he watched the UCF tape)