sense for the SEC to add 2 "West" schools? I say that because the only cross-division rivalries that truly matter in the SEC (at least perceptually speaking) are Alabama-Tennessee and Auburn-Georgia. At least it is my understand that was the reason for establishing the protected cross-division games when the conference expanded to 12 members.

By adding the 2 newest members to the West Division and moving Missouri to the West, then it allows the SEC to move both Alabama schools to the East and eliminate the need for a protected cross-division game.