I think it's clear that the New SEC will start with 2 8 team divisions trading out Mizzou for Bama and Auburn. There are 4 perceived power teams in the west and 4 in the East. The pods could be used for scheduling with 2 power teams in each pod. For the first 4 years, the pods would play their 3 pod teams plus 1 big 1 small from each of the other pods..
So tu plays ou every year plus A&M, Bama and Florida in years 1 and 3 and LSU, Auburn and Georgia in years 2 and 4. Ou plays these combos in opposite years.
So every year the 4 west power teams play either Bama and Georgia or Auburn and Florida. The other teams would alternate in a similar fashion.
TAMU would be
Yr 1 LSU, Miss, Miss St, tu, Ark, Bama, Vandy, Florida, SC
Yr 2 LSU, Miss, Miss St, ou, Mizzu, Auburn, Tenn, Ga, Kentucky.
Yr 3 same as 1 in opposite locations
Yr 4 same as 2 in opposite locations
This would balance out the schedules but coul result in some ties if ou and A&M both went 8-0 in a year they didn't play. It could be adjusted each 4 years for teams getting significantly better or worse. If the sips fall off and MSU gets really good they could trade pods.
It's a 9 game schedule which could go up 10 or even 12 if the expansion isn't over.
So tu plays ou every year plus A&M, Bama and Florida in years 1 and 3 and LSU, Auburn and Georgia in years 2 and 4. Ou plays these combos in opposite years.
So every year the 4 west power teams play either Bama and Georgia or Auburn and Florida. The other teams would alternate in a similar fashion.
TAMU would be
Yr 1 LSU, Miss, Miss St, tu, Ark, Bama, Vandy, Florida, SC
Yr 2 LSU, Miss, Miss St, ou, Mizzu, Auburn, Tenn, Ga, Kentucky.
Yr 3 same as 1 in opposite locations
Yr 4 same as 2 in opposite locations
This would balance out the schedules but coul result in some ties if ou and A&M both went 8-0 in a year they didn't play. It could be adjusted each 4 years for teams getting significantly better or worse. If the sips fall off and MSU gets really good they could trade pods.
It's a 9 game schedule which could go up 10 or even 12 if the expansion isn't over.