SEC Conference Championship: What Would’ve Happened Without Divisions
The history of college football would’ve been changed in several ways if there weren’t any divisions in the SEC from the start of the 1992 season and on.
Pretty much most of the early SEC Championships would’ve been changed, and most of them would’ve been Florida vs Tennessee with Peyton Manning getting a few more shots at coming up with a win over his nemesis.
The years when the championship would’ve been different without divisions are in bold, and the ones when the matchup would’ve been what actually happened aren’t. The records are for the regular season conference season only.
2021 Alabama 41, Georgia 24
2020 Alabama 52, Florida 46
No Divisions Championship: Alabama vs Texas A&M
This would’ve been a fight. Florida was 8-2, but on winning percentage, Texas A&M was better at 8-1 with a missed game due to a COVID cancellation.
2019 LSU 37, Georgia 10
2018 Alabama 35, Georgia 28
2017 Georgia 28, Auburn 7
No Divisions Championship: Alabama vs Auburn
Auburn beat both Georgia and Alabama – the only SEC losses for both of them. Auburn’s lone SEC loss was to LSU. Alabama would’ve been ranked higher than the Dawgs – there’s no other tie-breaker here.
2016 Alabama 54, Florida 16
2015 Alabama 29, Florida 15
2014 Alabama 42, Missouri 13
2013 Auburn 59, Missouri 42
2012 Alabama 32, Georgia 28
2011 LSU 42, Georgia 10
2010 Auburn 56, South Carolina 17
No Divisions Championship: Auburn vs Arkansas
South Carolina was 5-3 in the SEC. Arkansas and LSU were 6-2, but the Hogs beat the Tigers.
2009 Alabama 32, Florida 13
2008 Florida 31, Alabama 20
2007 LSU 21, Tennessee 14
2006 Florida 38, Arkansas 28
2005 Georgia 34, LSU 14
No Divisions Championship: LSU vs Auburn
Georgia finished 6-2 in the SEC. LSU and Auburn were 7-1.
2004 Auburn 38, Tennessee 28
2003 LSU 34, Georgia 13
No Divisions Championship: LSU vs Ole Miss
Georgia was 6-2 – along with Florida and Tennessee. Both LSU and Ole Miss were 7-1.
2002 Georgia 30, Arkansas 3
No Divisions Championship: Georgia vs Florida
This would’ve been funky. Florida and Alabama were both 6-2 – Georgia was 7-1 – but Bama was ineligible due to NCAA rules. Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee were all 5-3.
2001 LSU 31, Tennessee 20
No Divisions Championship: Tennessee vs Florida
LSU wouldn’t have been able to shock Tennessee – the Tigers were 5-3. Florida was 6-2.
2000 Florida 28, Auburn 6
1999 Alabama 34, Florida 7
1998 Tennessee 24, Mississippi State 14
No Divisions Championship: Tennessee vs Florida
This would’ve been massive. The Gators were loaded, and at 7-1 they would’ve been in over 6-2 Arkansas to face he unbeaten Vols.
1997 Tennessee 30, Auburn 29
No Divisions Championship: Tennessee vs Florida
Peyton Manning would’ve had one last shot at beating Florida. The Gators, Auburn, LSU, and Georgia were all 6-2. Florida beat Auburn and LSU, but lost to Georgia. Georgia lost to Auburn.
1996 Florida 45, Alabama 30
No Divisions Championship: Florida vs Tennessee
This was supposed to be Peyton Manning’s year, but Tennessee lost to the Gators to go 7-1 in the SEC. There would’ve been a Round 2. Alabama and LSU were 6-2.
1995 Florida 34, Arkansas 3
No Divisions Championship: Florida vs. Tennessee
Florida handed Tennessee its only loss of the season. The Vols were 7-1 and Arkansas was 6-2.
1994 Florida 24, Alabama 23
1993 Florida 28, Alabama 13
No Divisions Championship: Florida vs Tennessee
This would’ve been the first in an epic run of four Gator vs Volunteer SEC Championships in five years. Auburn was unbeaten, but it was on NCAA probation and couldn’t face the Gators.
1992 Alabama 28, Florida 21
No Division Championships: What Would’ve Happened?
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