(07-31-2020 11:24 AM)YNot Wrote:  

(07-31-2020 10:32 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  I think it’s a low class move by the SEC to not play the ACC instate rivalry games. If this was the year that the SEC was hosting 3 of the 4 (rather that 1 of the 4) these games would still be on the schedule.

My theory is that South Carolina was the only one that wanted the rivalry game because:

1) They don't think they'll be in contention for the SEC East title, so worries about how this game could impact their SEC season are minimal.

2) It's Clemson, definitely one of the best teams and biggest games for South Carolina.

Meanwhile, Florida and Georgia are more worried about winning the SEC East. A rivalry game before the CCG could cause complications. Also, I think this shows that Kentucky doesn't value their rivalry game with Louisville as much as many of their SEC games.

One workable concept would have been to play the 4 rivalry games (and other OOC games) on September 5 or September 12 so you have at least 2 weeks before the SEC conference season begins on September 26. You more likely avoid significant Covid quarantine issues, at least those stemming from the OOC games.

I think you're correct. UF and UGA still have each other. And UGA has Auburn. For them, the GT game might be number 3 on their priority list.

UK/Louisville is fairly new and has only been on Thanksgiving weekend for 6 or 7 years, so there is not a ton of tradition there.