The fact that no fewer than four teams finished the season at the top of the SEC standings with one loss apiece is an indication that the 16 teams in the conference don’t cross paths often enough.

The same goes for the Big Ten. Two teams at the top with no losses. Then again, that’s to be expected in a conference with 18 teams. More cross-pollination is needed; much more.

I don’t have the answer, but something’s got to give. I do have a suggestion for 18-team conferences, however, although by no means am I suggesting that the SEC needs two more teams.

Divide the conference into a pair of nine-team divisions. Every team plays every other team in its division, and either one or two games against teams in the other division. Then the top teams in each division play for the conference champ

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