The SEC will reconfigure its alignment after Oklahoma and Texas join, and divisions likely will be dissolved in favor of an undivided, 16-team conference. Some rivalry games that are played annually now will shift to a once-every-two-years format after expansion.

But certain rivalry games are so important that they need to be played every year.

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams suggest 10 rivalry games that the SEC should protect as annual games even after expansion takes its effect on scheduling.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Place your bets, place your bets.

We're less than three months away from the college football season kicking off, and gambling lines are set for some early-season games.

Craving some advice?

Fine, we'll help, although don't blame us if it backfires. It's your money, after all.

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams make their picks against the spread for eight games involving SEC teams in Week 0 or Week 1.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

The SEC appears to be trending toward the idea of dumping its division format after Oklahoma and Texas join the conference, but we're not ready to give up on divisions just yet.

On this edition, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams each attempt to draft the strongest eight-team division. Adams pulls a surprise with his No. 1 overall pick but insists he's building for the future.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

 The SEC has never lacked for colorful personalities among its football coaches, but some of the conference's top characters are no longer coaching.

Who do we miss the most?

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams offer their list of coaches they wish were still on an SEC sideline.

The late Bear Bryant and quipster Steve Spurrier top their picks, but some other selections may surprise you -- such as Bill Curry, the former Kentucky and Alabama coach.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

The NCAA released its much-awaited NIL guidance to try to stem pay-for-play recruiting inducements funneled by boosters and collectives.

NCAA enforcement is more toothless than ever, and deals have been made under their nose for months without interference. Are we supposed to believe that a reminder of the rules will put this train in reverse?

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams argue that the NCAA's reupped guidance amounts to little more than saber-rattling.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Fifteen transfers have poured into USC. That includes the offseason's top prize, quarterback Caleb Williams, who followed Riley from Oklahoma to Hollywood.

How about a marquee wide receiver to complement Williams?

Pittsburgh's All-America wide receiver Jordan Addison is considering a transfer that could take him to USC, ESPN reported last week.

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams examine the Trojans' candidacy to be the top threat to SEC for college football supremacy.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Depending on your sportsbook of choice, the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2022 is one of two quarterbacks – Alabama's Bryce Young or Ohio State's C.J. Stroud.

Young is the reigning Heisman winner, running away with the voting last year, while Stroud finished fourth. Alabama is expected to be the preseason No. 1, and although playing on the nation's best team isn't a prerequisite to winning the Heisman, it doesn't hurt, either.

So, Young is the logical favorite, right?

Hang on just a second.

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams make the case that Stroud should be considered the frontrunner for the award.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

College football coaches across the nation are grumbling about the direction of the sport. 

But why should coaches get to enjoy the corner on complaints? Let's join the gaggle of grumblers.

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams offer a collection of college football grievances. 

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Spring games once served a purpose as coaches evaluated their roster for the upcoming season, but the exhibitions are now an antiquated concept of limited value, given the expanded practice, training and conditioning calendar that marks today's college football.

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams argue for the elimination of spring games. And they caution against drawing any significant depth-chart conclusions off a two-hour scrimmage.

To wit: Transfer QB Robby Ashford dazzled in Auburn's spring game, but that doesn't make him the frontrunner to be the starter.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Spring football means it's rankings season, and we're getting in on the action.

Alabama will open the season as the favorite to win the national championship, and you'll hear no argument here. And while Georgia will be hard-pressed to match its 2021 star power, the Bulldogs are here to stay as a competing force in the SEC East.

After that, things get interesting. Parity will be a relevant buzzword throughout much of the SEC in 2022.

On the edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams offer their spring power rankings for the conference.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.