So why would Texas A&M go to the SEC? From Texas A&M's standpoint it makes sense for a variety of reasons. They would be joining the undisputed top conference in college football, the SEC has won the past six national titles. They would also be able to recruit against Texas using the SEC banner, telling recruits that they could be seen all over Texas on the Longhorn Network, or all over the nation with the SEC. It would be a step up in revenue to join the lucrative media deals of the SEC, instead of getting what scraps fall their way in the Big 12. The Aggies would be in the hunt for some great bowls and get to play LSU on a yearly basis again. It is really hard to find a reason why the Aggies wouldn't want to be in the SEC when compared to the at this point all but doomed Big 12. Do you want to play Missouri and Kansas, or Alabama and LSU?
The affection doesn't seem to be one sided either, the SEC seems very interested in Texas A&M. It would expand the SEC's media footprint into Texas, which after Alabama, may be the most football crazy place on earth. Texas A&M has everything an SEC team should have, a great loyal fan base that fills the stadium and creates a great atmosphere, some great traditions at thier school which will add to the already storied traditions of the SEC, even a built in SEC rival in LSU. LSU has been without a real rival for some time, sorry Ole Miss. The Texas A&M faithful are pushing hard as well. T-shirts sporting the SECecde logo are going fast, and plans to chant SEC SEC SEC after wins this year are in the works. The administration can say that they make decisions based on what they think is best, not what the fans say, but this kind of pressure has an impact.
I think its a given that at some point, whether its this week or next year Texas A&M is coming to the SEC. But where does that leave the SEC? The SEC won't go forward with 13 teams, they will be looking for at least a 14 to round out the conference. Who might that team be? Let's look at the likely contenders:
Oklahoma - If you asked SEC fans who they would want to join the conference Oklahoma will probably get more mentions than anyone, after Texas A&M. But there are some big problems with this choice. Oklahoma is attached to Oklahoma State by state law, they can't go anywhere without their little brother. Oklahoma might be able to get the state legislature to change that law and allow them to go, but even then there are problems. Oklahoma wants to play Oklahoma State and Texas every year, this plus an SEC schedule would be impossibly hard year in and year out. I think its safe to say that for now Oklahoma is a pipe dream.
FSU - Another favorite of the SEC fans is FSU. It would seem like a good fit and FSU would bring in another team from a lucrative Florida market. The problem here is the University of Florida. UF would lose a big recruiting advantage if FSU joined the SEC. Not being able to give recruits the choice of the SEC vs ACC would steal a lot of thunder from the Gators. Since Florida is one of the original SEC teams they are going to have a lot of sway. There are even rumors that the SEC won't move on a new school if all the original schools don't agree.
VA Tech - VA Tech is a possibility since they would bring in the D.C. media market to the SEC. But, there are problems with this choice as well. VA Tech is the only ACC team to sell out their home games, but they also have a small 55,000 seat stadium. VA Tech also may be one of the most consistently overrated teams in college football as well. Every year you hear about how they are a BCS championship contender and every year they lose to a random weak ACC team. How well would VA Tech really do in the SEC? I just don't know that the SEC is looking for a team that dropped one to James Madison last year.
Clemson - This is one of the most interesting choices to me. Clemson has a great tradition, and a strong fan base. South Carolina might not be thrilled with another SEC team in their state, but I don't think they have the swing in the SEC to stop it either. Besides, it would allow South Carolina to drop one tough out of conference game and replace it with a cream puff. Clemson has great fans and would draw a good T.V. audience, they are certainly in the hunt.
North Carolina - This team would expand the SEC into another good T.V. market. Plus, it would seriously strengthen the SEC's basketball cred. They have a strong fan base and would make an interesting rival for South Carolina and Kentucky. Will North Carolina be willing to go to a weaker basketball conference away from Duke in exchange for the big SEC dollars? If the SEC opens up basketball competition with no divisions and includes a good Texas A&M program, maybe so. Would North Carolina's recent problems with the NCAA be a mark against them?
USF - A dark horse to be sure, but USF is a growing team that has beaten some good teams like Florida State in the past few years. They are establishing a good fan base, and the Tampa Bay T.V. market would be a great win for the SEC. But is Florida going to be willing to share the state? By making USF an SEC team it would legitimize them as a power on par with Florida, Florida State, and Miami. Florida doesn't play USF now and wouldn't want to acknowledge that they are on the same level as the Gators. USF seems like a long shot.
TCU - Would TCU really be willing to jump ship from the Big East after one year? It would open up some great T.V. markets for the SEC, but will the contracts allow them to do it?
Miami - Miami can't even fill their stadium for home games. Its not 1993, and its not happening.
There are plenty of other teams out thier that could be chosen to join college footballs top conference. Let us know who you think is going to be coming on board the SEC train.
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6 comments:
Missouri:
Understand this concept - MONEY. Everything that any conference does is about money, or the potential for it. Money controls what we do. Money directs these institutions to greater heights as well.
Out of all the institutions you mentioned above, MIZZOU provides the SEC with money and no headaches. Sure MIZZOU has only recently improved in Football. However, the institution provides a State with two large populous cities; and, there are no other institutions to compete with (in the State).
I could go on and on about these items but MIZZOU is an easy transition who isn't locked up into conference contracts, state politics, or financially in the hole (Colorado). Thus, just my thoughts.
Missouri is a good call. I really want the original east and west teams to stay where they are. A&M to the west and Missouri to the east would work that way. If we picked up Oklahoma, geographically speaking, we'd end up having to move someone to the east. Possibly Alabama, and I don't like that at all.
PIG SOOIE
I always thought going to 16 would make sense. Add Louisville, (two teams in KY) add Clemson (two in SC) and Georgia Tech (two in GA) plus Texas A & M. This would give you two teams in KY, TN, AL, MS, GA and SC. Although football drives the conference, all the other sports would have closer trips and lower expenses.
I can't believe I didn't think about Mizzou. I think that all the points made are great, and they are a real contender. They have a better chance if the SEC goes 16 and brings in 2 from the east and 2 from the west though.
I can't believe you think that SEC fans want FSU - that opportunity for FSU ended in 1992, and nobody in the SEC has any interest in adding the shadow of the former (nationally competitive) FSU. I don't know of anybody in the SEC who wants OU either. Including USF and Miami in the list must have been a joke, right?
On top of listing those schools that aren't even worth mentioning, you left Mizzou, NC St, and Maryland off the list. The SEC isn't going to be looking to add another team in a state where they already have a team unless the conference just can't get a team from a state currently without an SEC team. If you are going to mention USF, why didn't you just go ahead and mention Notre Dame and Texas as possibilities? One of those two schools is just as likely to join the SEC than USF, FSU, Miami, OU, and TCU combined (i.e., pretty much zero chance).
Va Tech and NC State are the most likely schools to round out a 14-team SEC with Texas A&M.
I have heard a lot of interest from the fans in FSU and OU voiced in person, on the radio, and on twitter. But if you are in Gainsville which is the direction your comment tilts, then yeah you probably don't want a team that will beat you this year in the SEC.
FSU is a nationally relevant team, you must not have seen them the last couple years. They are practically a new program and will be a national player this year and in the future. Maryland would add another Vanderbilt to the SEC, a team who just can't compete with the other schools. VA tech would not fair much better than Maryland would. Mizzou would be a possibility, I addressed my mistake in not mentioning them.
I doubt the SEC would discount a school just because they have a school in that state already. I think that some schools might have enough sway to stop it, but only the original schools most likely.
As for getting all kinds of upset about FSU, USF, and Miami being mentioned I think your Gator Blue might be showing a bit.
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