As postedby the SEC Nework, it appears the "pods" are defacto "divisions" as they are not being paired into larger, 8-team divisions. I agree with others that 2 divisions are better than 4... maybe even better than 1 (assuming that becomes an option). There is a small chance that the SEC is looking to hold 2 CCGs with both likely to gain NY6 access.

With 2 divisions you can still create pods (mini-divisions that change every year or so). Every year you play 3 teams in your pod, 4 teams from your paired pod, and 1 extra-pod rival; you host every team at least every 6 years. The 1 annual rival outside your pod allows the ability to keep all major rivalries intact. And, the SEC doesn't even need to go to 9 games to do it.