Many were unsettled last year when Alabama got an all-SEC rematch against LSU. Just imagine the uproar if it happens again.
All it might take is wins by USC (over Notre Dame) and Florida (over Florida State). Alabama versus Florida would be one thing, but Vesuvius might blow its top if it's Georgia versus Florida.
This is where the SEC's alleged schedule tampering comes into play. The 14-team league gets a kick-start by playing an eight-game schedule, whereas, for example, the 12-team Pac-12 plays nine.
The SEC then pads its win total by loading up on patsies in nonconference — the league played seven I-AA opponents last weekend.
When all was played and done, Georgia was No. 3 in the polls as a lot of people asked: How? The Bulldogs got blown out at South Carolina, 35-7, and their best win was an ugly 17-9 over Florida in which the schools combined for nine turnovers.
Georgia missed Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M on this year's SEC schedule and played Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech in nonconference.
SEC folks would argue the schedule is what the schedule is.
To be fair, how could anyone predict that Auburn, which won the BCS title only two years ago, would be so woefully bad this year? Or, that newcomer Texas A&M would be so good?
Florida maneuvered into title position with a series of uninspired offensive efforts. The Gators, at home, struggled to defeat Bowling Green, Missouri and Louisiana Lafayette.
It can be argued the SEC is a two-caste system. Cecil Hurt, writing for Rolltide.com, called it the "Gang of Six" versus "The Knitting Circle of Eight."
Headed into this weekend, the solid SEC six — Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina — was 27-0 against the knitters.
The power of the six, though, keeps the SEC high in the polls and BCS computers. Florida State, a team many picked to win this year's BCS title, was effectively eliminated by a one-point loss at North Carolina State. That falls under the theory that only SEC teams get second chances.
Florida State has been damaged by playing in the weaker Atlantic Coast Conference and taking on two I-AA opponents, one the result of West Virginia backing out of a scheduled game.
Florida State's best hope of affecting the title race now is to knock Florida out Saturday.
Those who can't stomach the thought of another all-SEC title game are suddenly huge Florida State fans.
They are sometimes referred to as "The Gang of Everyone Else."
