This isn’t over by a long shot (and BTW, I’m an SEC fan, not an A&M supporter). But the mantra in college athletics is get bigger or become irrelevant. The SEC is determined to set the pace in college sports and that means an expansion to 14 or 16 teams.
Here’s how I translate today’s announcement: the SEC will be happy with the current 12 team format until they line up #13 and #14 for the conference (and maybe members 15 and 16 as well). A&M will be “in” when the invitations are extended, and probably Oklahoma as well. The sticking points are prospective members for the eastern division. Florida doesn’t want FSU in the SEC and a certain former Gator coach at South Carolina has voiced his opposition to Clemson joining the SEC.
So, I see the SEC with three options for growing the conference and generating even more TV and marketing dollars. As a 14-team league, they could add A&M in the West and Clemson, FSU or Virginia Tech in the east. Or, they could add A&M and Oklahoma in the west, and move Alabama and Auburn to the east. Or, bring in Texas A&M and OU in the West, and FSU and Clemson or VA Tech in the east.
As the SEC expands (and Texas goes PAC-10 or independent), the rest of the Big 12 will be scramblng to join the Mountain West, C-USA or the Big East.
SEC expansion isn’t a matter of if, but when. Even the Florida president will be placated (and let FSU in) if the price is right.
Texas does not need A&M and OU is not going to the SEC.
I could see Texas and OU both going to the Big 10 or PAC 12 as both OU and UT are top tier programs.
Actually, I would like to see such a move as it would mean better football and that Texas fans would not have to do road trips to backwater towns like Waco, Ames, Iowa, Manhattan, KS and College Station.
At least in Ann Arbor or Columbus you can eat at a decent restaurant and the local co-eds won’t be drooling Red Man Chew.
Texas does not need A&M and OU is not going to the SEC.
I could see Texas and OU both going to the Big 10 or PAC 12 as both OU and UT are top tier programs.
Actually, I would like to see such a move as it would mean better football and that Texas fans would not have to do road trips to backwater towns like Waco, Ames, Iowa, Manhattan, KS and College Station.
At least in Ann Arbor or Columbus you can eat at a decent restaurant and the local co-eds won’t be drooling Red Man Chew.
“a certain former Gator coach at South Carolina has voiced his opposition to Clemson joining the SEC.”
I would be perfectly happy if we could trade him and SC for A&M. No to Clemson.
They’ll leave Alabama in the west. Auburn can moved to the east.
If they want to expand the TV market, they could add Maryland along with A&M and get that huge television market in the east.
I don’t want to see OU in the SEC.