SEC commissioner shoots down talk of division realignment

Talk of Auburn moving to the SEC East has been a popular rumor during the college football offseason, but it appears that's as far as the topic will go.

Speaking at the conference's annual media days on Monday, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey reiterated that realignment isn't an idea currently being discussed.

The rumor of Auburn moving divisions has gained traction in recent months, with Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn throwing his support behind it from a geographical sense.

"If you look at the way the map is set up, it’s kind of like common sense," Malzahn said. "But there’s a lot more to it than that. There’s a lot of rivalries, a lot of moving parts. You know, that’s probably far away if that ever happens."

Alabama's dominance since Nick Saban took over as head coach in 2007 has shifted the balance of power to the West, with the last eight champions coming from that side of the conference. That fueled talk of a potential move, but the prospect of losing the annual Iron Bowl didn't sit well with Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs.