Josh Pate faults the SEC schedule makers for the discrepancy between Oklahoma and Texas.
Josh Pate, a prominent sports commentator and analyst, has made a name for himself by offering in-depth breakdowns of college football’s most pressing issues. Among these, the ongoing changes to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), particularly with the inclusion of Oklahoma and Texas in 2024, have caught the attention of many, including Pate. His concerns primarily focus on how the SEC’s schedule makers are handling the transition of these two powerhouse programs into the conference and the subsequent imbalance that might arise as a result.
Context: The SEC Welcomes Oklahoma and Texas
In 2021, it was announced that Oklahoma and Texas would be joining the SEC by 2024, creating an even more competitive landscape in college football’s toughest conference. The move shook up the balance of power in the college football world, as both schools have a history of national relevance and have dominated their respective conferences, the Big 12 in Oklahoma’s case, and the Big 12 and formerly the Southwest Conference for Texas.
The decision to add these two teams has raised several questions about fairness, competitive balance, and scheduling equity. With their entrance, the SEC will expand from 14 to 16 teams, creating new logistical and competitive challenges. The SEC, historically a league known for its tough, grind-it-out style of football, would now see two new top-tier programs vying for dominance in a conference already full of elite competition.
The Scheduling Conundrum
One of the most pressing issues Pate has raised revolves around the SEC’s handling of its scheduling for these incoming teams. As the league has operated under a traditional eight-game conference schedule, the question arises: how will the addition of two more teams affect the balance and fairness of the conference schedule?
Discrepancies in Schedule Strength
For years, the SEC has had a reputation for being the most competitive conference in college football. Its teams battle week in and week out in a grueling 12-game regular season, with an eight-game conference slate. The addition of Oklahoma and Texas would necessitate changes to this model, but how exactly the SEC schedule makers will accommodate the new arrivals is a matter of debate.
Josh Pate has suggested that the SEC’s scheduling could inadvertently favor some teams over others. With Oklahoma and Texas entering the fold, one of the main concerns has been how the division alignment and scheduling will be structured. While some SEC schools may get an easier or more manageable schedule, others could face a more challenging path to the postseason.
For instance, in a potential scenario where the SEC divides into two super divisions, certain teams might face Oklahoma or Texas more regularly, creating a more difficult road to the SEC championship. These teams could potentially be at a disadvantage if they draw either of the newcomers as a permanent opponent or face them in critical matchups, especially if the newcomers are able to adjust quickly to the SEC’s style of play.
In comparison, other schools may find themselves facing what Pate perceives as a less rigorous slate, facing lower-ranked or less competitive teams in the league. This imbalance would create uneven paths to postseason contention, potentially skewing the national championship race or SEC championship picture.
Impact of Rotating Divisions
The SEC has yet to finalize the structure of its divisions post-expansion, but one common proposal is the creation of a single, unbalanced division, where each team faces all other members within the conference over a certain span of years. If the SEC were to adopt such a structure, scheduling could become even more challenging for teams that are regularly matched up with the newcomers.
In a rotating schedule system, some schools would face Oklahoma and Texas much more frequently than others, which could be a disadvantage for those teams that are paired with the two new programs. While Pate acknowledges the historical strength of teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, he believes that throwing two more juggernauts into the mix without careful scheduling could disrupt the competitive balance of the conference.
The suggestion from Pate is that teams like Oklahoma and Texas, who are already strong programs, could potentially enter the league with a bit of a scheduling advantage if they are placed in weaker divisions or given lighter matchups compared to other established SEC teams. This is an issue of competitive integrity—ensuring that all teams have an equal chance to compete for SEC titles and national championships, regardless of how the schedule shakes out.
The Challenge of Transitioning Teams
Another concern that Josh Pate has raised is the challenge of transitioning Oklahoma and Texas into the SEC in terms of their schedule preparation and level of competition. Historically, the Big 12 has been a competitive conference, but the SEC is in a league of its own. The level of intensity, physicality, and depth of talent in the SEC is unmatched by any other conference, and it will take some time for Oklahoma and Texas to fully adjust to the demands of this new environment.
This adjustment will impact not only the newcomers but also the existing SEC teams. If the scheduling is not handled in a way that gives these teams a fair and manageable entry into the SEC, the result could be lopsided matchups in the early seasons. This, in turn, might affect the integrity of the conference race, as some teams might have easier early games while others face tougher challenges.
In Pate’s view, it’s crucial for the SEC schedule makers to create a balance where all teams have an equal opportunity to succeed, especially as Oklahoma and Texas transition into the conference. Otherwise, these discrepancies could not only affect the competitiveness of the conference but also the quality of the games fans will get to watch. College football thrives on parity and unpredictable matchups, and a skewed schedule could diminish that.
The Importance of Fairness for College Football
What Josh Pate seems to be driving at with his criticism of the SEC’s scheduling decisions is a desire for fairness in college football. College football’s postseason structure is already one of the most complex and controversial in sports, with a selection committee deciding who gets to compete for the national championship each year. If the SEC schedule becomes unbalanced, it could affect the seeding process and how teams are evaluated in the eyes of the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee.
Pate’s concerns underscore a broader issue: college football thrives on competition and the integrity of its postseason system. If teams in the SEC are given drastically different paths to the championship due to unfair scheduling, it could diminish the overall value of the league and harm the perception of college football as a whole. To that end, Pate’s critique of the SEC scheduling decisions isn’t just about the new teams joining the conference, but about preserving the competitiveness and fairness that make college football the spectacle it is today.
The Need for a Balanced Approach
As Josh Pate points out, the addition of Oklahoma and Texas into the SEC is an exciting development, but it also creates significant challenges. The SEC schedule makers will need to be meticulous in their planning to ensure that all teams, whether new or established, have a fair and equal opportunity to succeed. The key here is balance: ensuring that no team has an undue advantage or disadvantage in terms of their schedule, particularly as the two new schools transition into the most competitive conference in college football.
By taking these concerns into account, the SEC can ensure that its championship race remains one of the most thrilling and unpredictable in the nation. For Pate and many others, it’s not just about the newcomers—it’s about preserving the integrity of the sport and making sure that the path to the College Football Playoff remains fair for every team, no matter their history or pedigree.