Jimbo Fisher opens up about rare Georgia game, possible changes to SEC schedule rotation
One of the quirks in the SEC schedule was exposed this year as Texas A&M travels to Georgia this week in a rare meeting between the programs.
Since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012, the teams haven’t met, and they won’t again until 2024. It’s something that has come up in conference meetings and offseason discussions. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher was asked about it at his regular press conference on Monday.
“It’s just the way the SEC schedule is, I know they’re looking at some formats going forward,” he said. “Keep the 3 main and rotate 5 and all those things. I think it is good for your players eventually to be able to play everybody in a conference. I really do believe that. I think that’s good. To have that you’ve played that team or been in that stadium and those things. When you have conferences as big as you have now, that’s kind of the way it goes.”
Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked about the scheduling format as well.
“That’s kind of wild to think about,” Smart said. “But I mean I know their fanbase is passionate. I mean from when we played there at Alabama, they bring — you will see their fanbase in Athens, because they all want to make this trip, just like it’ll be reciprocated when we go there whenever that is. So very passionate fan bases. It’s sad that doesn’t happen often enough, but our conference is big and we got a lot of good football teams, so it takes time to circle it and go all the way around it.”
The programs have only met five times, and not since a bowl game in 2009.
It’s getting talked up by a lot of Aggies. It’s a big deal to get an opportunity to play between the hedges. I pray for a good clean game with no injuries.
All UGA fans should try to find a way to make the trip in 2024. Kyle Field is an awesome place. I got to watch a few games there back in 2010, including Tannehill’s first start.
I don’t have my calendar yet for 2024 but will certainly try to be there.
It may be another rainy day Saturday but I will be there regardless. I want to experience playing the Aggies, seeing your cadet uniforms, traveling pep band, etc. I am really happy about this game.
Seems like make 9 games required in conference.
Division 6:
Non-Division Rivalry:1
Non Division Rotate (every year): 2
In 3 years your team plays seven teams every year (like now) and the remaining 6 at least once (assuming you do not face them again in the SEC-CG.)
How? Get rid of that cupcake game they all carry against an FCS school.
9 conference games and 3 non-conference games. At least two other conferences already play a 9×3 split.
This game terrifies me
I’m kinda with gman up at the top. I hope it’s a well fought game with no injuries. If I had to choose only one win between UGA and LSU, I’d rather play spoiler at Baton Rouge, but I’ll gladly take a win in Athens (I’m still a bit miffed about how y’all lost the bowl game to that school in Austin).
I’m still trying to figure out ho we lost to USCjr. The Texas thing I could kind of see coming. It was a letdown game and we had some kids that sat out to go into the draft. No excuses we still should have been able to win.
The Aggies have come a long way this year as the young guys are getting better and Fisher’s figuring out how to play to their strengths. We’ve played some top notch teams already this year, but still haven’t managed to win one of those games. I’m hoping one thing our guys have learned is the danger of the “rat poison” that got them a bit overhyped for the Clemson game.
The Aggies will have been in the conference 12 years before UGA goes to College Station the first time. Amazing.
Aggies are a good team and Jimbo has them playing well. This will be a very tough game.
The SEC should do away with permanent cross division games.
Uhhh…. no. UGA/Awwburn is the oldest rivalry in the conference not to mention Bama/Tenn and Uf/LSU. Stop trying to change everything.
A better solution would be to go to 9 conference games.
I’m all for 9 conference games. I could live without playing Georgia Southern or Jacksonville state. I hate those games but I understand why football needs them.
It’s all about the money. Nine conference games means seven more losses in the conference and these 6-6 bowl teams become 5-7 stay at home teams.