SEC commissioner gives update on conference realignment with Oklahoma, Texas additions looming

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey floated the idea of scrapping divisions altogether when Oklahoma and Texas join the conference.

An idea was broached previously that suggested the SEC would move to four-team "pods" with three constant conference opponents and a rotating schedule for other conference games.

Dismantling the eastern and western divisions would align the SEC with other Power Five conferences in Pac-12 and Big 12. In both conferences, they pick the top two teams in conference standings to play in the championship game. 

If that alignment was in place this season in the SEC, it would mean Georgia (10-0, 7-0 in SEC) and Tennessee (9-1, 5-1 in SEC) would meet in a rematch of their Nov. 5 game in the SEC Championship. Instead, LSU (8-2, 5-2 in SEC) gets to challenge the Bulldogs in an opportunity to solidify its playoff resume.

The conference went west in its last two expansions. The conference added Texas A&M and Missouri in 2012. The SEC, without consultation from a map, placed Missouri in the East division. Splitting Oklahoma and Texas doesn't seem to be on the table nor would be moving any of the current SEC West teams to the east. A conference with no borders might make the most sense.

The impending expanded 12-team College Football Playoff means the possibility of two top teams -- such as Georgia and Tennessee -- playing twice and eliminating one from contention is less likely than the current format where only four teams qualify for the playoff.