Analyst lists simple reason why Tennessee, LSU, Auburn football would be fixed annual opponents for Alabama

The reason why the SEC proposed three difficult permanently fixed rivals for Alabama — which includes Third Saturday in October rival Tennessee, defending SEC West champion LSU, and Iron Bowl rival Auburn football — for when the SEC realigns following the additions of Oklahoma and Texas is a simple one according to the Tuscaloosa News’ Chase Goodbread:

Money.

Goodbread was candid in his explanation of why the conference would give the Crimson Tide three of the most historically dominant programs to play year in and year out:

"“It’s the dollars, coach. Always the dollars.”“It’s in the best financial interest of the TV networks and, by extension, of the SEC, that as many of the league’s best annual rivalries survive the schedule reform made necessary by the league’s addition of Texas and Oklahoma. Those rivalry games generate the best TV ratings, which in turn do the most to generate cash by the wheelbarrow for the SEC.”"

Auburn football will benefit from more SEC exposure

Ultimately, Auburn football not being confined to the six other teams (Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State) will be good for the program and good for the Plains as a whole. While keeping historical rivalry games with Alabama and Georgia are a must — particularly because of the fact that beating either is one of the most compelling case to College Football Playoff Committee voters that can be made — getting to experience more of the conference can only be considered a victory.

The West has been the better half of the SEC since the CFP’s inception, so facing programs like Missouri and Vanderbilt more often should only help ease the burden the Tigers have had to bear these past several years. Not to mention, getting more chances to go north into Tennessee or south into Florida is a net positive for the traveling fans.

When it comes down to it, the sport of college football is largely built on the massive profits the biggest programs provide. Being able to take on institutions like Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Florida more regularly will only strengthen the history of the Auburn football program as college football progresses further into the NIL era.