Dan Mullen suggests SEC should make change to conference scheduling
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida’s next SEC game will be against Auburn on Oct. 5. Thanks to the SEC’s scheduling model of six division opponents, one permanent cross-division rival and one rotational cross-division opponent, it will be the first time the Gators and Tigers have faced off since 2011 (and first meeting in Gainesville since 2007). If it were up to UF coach Dan Mullen, SEC teams wouldn’t have such long breaks between playing teams from the other division.
“In the league, I think we should mix up the league schedule more, to be perfectly honest with you,” Mullen said during his Monday press conference. “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’re 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. I think moving forward scheduling-wise, obviously conference, we don’t control that, but I think that’d be a heck of a deal and I know we’re working to play more Power 5 teams.”
This might be one of the few times that rival fans find themselves agreeing with Mullen (but don’t hold your breath). Changing the scheduling format is fun for fans and players alike to think about. Under the current system, many players play 3-4 years and leave school without having faced all the other teams in the SEC. Adding more cross-division games would mix things up a bit.
Mullen’s comments came on the same day that Florida announced a home-and-home with Utah for 2022 and 2023.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
