SEC Big 12 Challenge A Great Concept

Baylor at Alabama

Nov 29, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) celebrates the win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeated the Red Raiders 48-46. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

First, the conference commissioners would squabble over what the event would be named. Surely the SEC would insist the event be named the SEC Big 12 Challenge. Being listed first reinforces their preferred pecking order, but that’s a whole other topic.

The Match Up: In this model the Big 12 champion would take on the SEC champion, so this could be Baylor…or TCU…or Kansas State. It seems there is some debate. We will go with Baylor and Art Briles taking his high-powered offense to Tuscaloosa to face Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Alabama has had their struggles with spread, no-huddle offenses and Baylor’s might be the best in the business. But Alabama has put points on the board in 2014, especially at home. Could Baylor adjust to the inferno that is an SEC road game? The Alabama size up front would control the game and keep the Baylor scoring machine on the sidelines. Score: Alabama 30 Baylor 24

Likely or Not: Not. Crimson Tide fans would be confused by a non-SEC team without a hyphen or a direction in their name coming into Bryant Denny Stadium. Change your name to Central Texas University and there’s a chance. Baylor would have to leave Texas or Oklahoma to play someone not named Buffalo.