The SEC sure is being quiet on expansion
Okay, I tried to stay away. I tried to be a good boy and take time off and ignore the computer. But the expansion story is just too good. Some quick observations today. You already know most this stuff but I just want a chance to weigh in and get your thoughts.
1. The SEC is being awfully quiet in all this. Various media reports say Nebraska to the Big Ten is done and will be announced on Friday. There are also reports out there that very quietly, Mike Slive and his folks at the SEC could still invite Texas and Texas A&M if the Big 12 breaks up. Would Oklahoma and Oklahoma State come along? Yes, I know about the Pac-10 offer to the six Big 12 teams (Texas, A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Colorado). But as one official put it to me yesterday: Do you think DeLoss Dodds (the Texas athletics director) would rather send his women’s softball team to Pullman, Washington (home of Pac-10 member Washington State) or Tuscaloosa, Ala? I know all about the academic arguments in favor of the Pac-10. I’ll believe it when I see it.
People keep telling me that the SEC should do nothing. But if the Pac-10 and the Big Ten both go to 16 teams, can the SEC stay with a pat hand?
There is absolutely nothing coming out of the SEC on this. This is as locked down as I’ve ever seen them. That should make some people nervous because Slive is one of those “speak softly and carry a big stick” kind of guys.
2. Can Texas, Texas A&M save the Big 12? Various media reports have officials from the two schools meeting today. Understand that Dodds and A&M athletics director Bill Byrne have the juice to hold the league together even if Nebraska and Colorado (to the Pac-10) both leave. The Big 12 can pick up TCU, which further strengthens the Dallas market. I would also pick up SMU. Great academics and a football program on the rise with June Jones as coach. If the Big 12 doesn’t fall apart, then this process could be relatively calm. But Texas could decide that staying in the Big 12 is simply delaying the inevitable breakup.
3. But does the Big Ten stop at 12 teams? In the short term it could happen. Commissioner Jim Delany recently put it out there that expansion for his league could come in stages. Because Delany’s grand plan could put two conferences (Big East, Big 12) out of business, perhaps he decides to go on the installment plan.
4. Forget Notre Dame. With Nebraska set to accept the Big Ten’s offer on Friday, I think it closes the door on Notre Dame becoming a member of that conference. I could see Notre Dame becoming the 12th member of the Big Ten. I can’t see the Irish being the 13th or 14th or 16th member. Now all of that could change if the Big East falls apart. The Notre Dame would have to find another home for men’s basketball and its non-revenue sports.
5. The Pac-10 will expand. Even if the grand plan (inviting six teams from the Big 12) does not come to pass, that conference will still add at least two teams (Colorado and perhaps Utah). The league is getting ready to negotiate its next TV contract in football and it has to bring someting new to the market place. Here is another factor: The Pac-10’s marquee program, The University of Southern California, is about to get hammered by the NCAA. The Pac-10 has gotta do something.
Stayed tuned. The next 24 hours could be really interesting.
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748 comments Add your comment
Cap
June 10th, 2010
1:58 pm
Once again, Miami and Washington D.C. are pro sports towns. Redskins (and to a much lesser extent Dolphins) fans are not fairweather friends like Falcons fans. Washington D.C. could care less about the University of Virginia even though a lot of government workers graduated from there. Cavalier country stops where Northern Virginia begins. The first “Welcome to Virginia” visitor center is 30 miles away from the DC/Va border along I-95. Fifty miles out of DC there are Big Ten college preview magazines on the shelves not ACC ones because people in Maryland and Western VA are more interested in Penn State. There is no way Washington DC will ever become SEC country and you can pencil in Miami for that one too!
jackyldo
June 10th, 2010
1:58 pm
Ilove the comments Ga Tech locks up the Atlanta market for the SEC ?? Wha ? they can’t even sell out their football stadium which seats what 55K ?
Georgia rules the state and Atlanta and when is on TV locks up the Atlanta market…
The TV issue however is what do Fayetteville, Ark., Starkville, Ms. Oxford, Ms. Auburn, Al. lock up ?
these are miniscule tv markets and while SEC has cachet names LSU, Florida, Alabama they can only play in so many marquee match up games on National TV.
TexasAlum00
June 10th, 2010
1:59 pm
Sorry Scott. Until you have some evidence in hand, that’s just you’re opinion. And unfortunately for you, that’s not worth much.
The Pac is not in good shape. USC is on their way to a 2-year bowl ban and ncaa penalties. Add that to the fact that nobody east of colorado cares to watch the Pac, and there are SERIOUS questions as to why Texas would join.
Texas likes to have some control in their conference. They will not have it in the PAC. Texas wants their own network. They will not have it in the PAC. They like being on prime-time games against conference rivals that people care to watch. They will not have that in the PAC.
This thing is wide open!
CRIMSON HAMMAH
June 10th, 2010
2:00 pm
Keep SEC perfect at 12 – great cross division rivalries Bama vs Tn ..Au vs Ga LSU vs Fl would not survive more expansion…
Boise Dawg
June 10th, 2010
2:00 pm
You aren’t going to break-up Texas and Texas A&M. SEC already tried that once and the Texas legislature blocked it from happening. Also, I doubt Oklahoma and Texas would go to separate conferences. Oklahoma just lost Nebraska…. they aren’t going to lose their rival in Texas. Once you have Oklahoma then you also probably have to take Oklahoma State.
Also, the SEC doesn’t have the best track record with expansion. They went after Texas and Florida State last time and ended up with Arkansas and S. Carolina. Ouch!
Kane337
June 10th, 2010
2:01 pm
“Cap
June 10th, 2010
12:25 pm
It is OK if you didn’t read my earlier post so I’ll restate it in general terms. MIAMI IS NOT JOINING THE SEC! Miami, FL is not SEC country. The University of Florida would poop twice and die before they let both Florida State and Miami join the SEC. The University of Miami is a small, expensive private school that was essentially irrelevant in football until Howard Schnellenberger convinced the school that by admitting the average high school football player from the hood in Miami they would turn into a national powerhouse. It worked. But otherwise Miami does not fit the SEC profile and it is much more advantageous to stay in the ACC. If they can’t re-tool to beat up on UVa, Duke, and UNC why would they even want to have to play Georgia, Florida, and even Tennessee every year?”
——————————————————
You are correct Miami does not fit the SEC profile as you stated. Are you suggesting they are afraid to play Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee? Florida and Miami once upon a time used to play each other every year until Florida bailed out of that. They got tired of losing to Miami. Miami is 6-1 is their last 7 meetings against Florida. In 2002-2003 Miami split a series with Tennessee. Not sure if Miami has ever played Georgia but if Georgia can’t even beat Florida what makes you think Miami would be afraid to play them?
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:01 pm
The SEC has a winning record against the Big12.
The PAC10 is no better than the SEC in academics.
Scott in TX
June 10th, 2010
2:02 pm
TexasAlum00 – my sources are not message boards or the media, but two associate ADs in the Texas administration. One is a former colleague of mine (I’m a former collegiate athletics administrator), the other is a close family friend. But if you want to believe that the SEC option is actually a legitimate option, then go ahead and cling to that belief but your time would be much better spent in other pursuits.
Paddy
June 10th, 2010
2:02 pm
iceman….it is sad to say buy geography is not the straw that stirs the drink in expansion. The fan base takes a hit. Fans just can’t travel to some of these location. Following your favorite team on the road every weekend may be a thing of the past. The new PAC 10 would have many equivilant trips that would be the same distance as a LA to Chicago car ride. Yea, that sounds appealing!
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:03 pm
UGA has played Miami and has a lopsided winning record. Granted that was before Miami came of age in the late 70s/80s
ATL Gator
June 10th, 2010
2:03 pm
If you don’t like the Va Tech scenario, then how about KU and Tx A&M? Of course that likely means Aub and Bama to the SEC East….
KU does have the large alumni base…the bball program, and the 29th largest TV market (Kansas City.)
Coastal Dog
June 10th, 2010
2:03 pm
I love this shuffling of the deck. I have a forward looking prediciton that this trend towards “super conferences” will take an about face. The SEC is already too competitive with too many very good teams. Go ahead, add more, if you want. The next thing we’ll be doing is making the SEC East and the SEC West separate conferences, each playing for its own championship and pecking order for berths in the best bowl games. Thus, continued consolidation will ultimately result in expanion of number of conferences.
keith l
June 10th, 2010
2:03 pm
Would the SEC take Baylor and Texas Tech to get Texas and Texas A&M if Texas politics enters the picture?
gtfanfrom1951
June 10th, 2010
2:06 pm
Texas has already stated that it wants no part of the SEC because low academic of the schools. Texas is headed west to PAC 10.
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:06 pm
Keith, The problem is OU and Tx A&M come with Texas and Okie St comes with OU. It is more than just Baylor.
Boise Dawg
June 10th, 2010
2:07 pm
Anyone talking about Texas A&M coming to the SEC w/o Texas is crazy.. That is even crazier than the notion of Auburn and Alabama heading to different conferences. Heck, the two schools are even meeting together to decide what to do.
glenn
June 10th, 2010
2:08 pm
We don’t need Texas . Texas A&m should be the goal . Then add one other team like a WVU or Va Tech . I would bet a ham sandwich Texas A&M would come to the SEC over the PAC 10.
buzz
June 10th, 2010
2:08 pm
Please understand UGA fans, if your school does not support GT to the SEC and votes affirmative for other ACC schools to join, the two teams will never play again in any sport.
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:09 pm
I have heard the media explain why the PAC10 is the academic fit but never anything from a Texas source saying they turned down the SEC.
Do you have a link?
Ray Ray Ray
June 10th, 2010
2:10 pm
Kid ray,va tech brings ghetto like 5yh ward in houston
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:10 pm
Buzz, Thats fine and has been discussed on some UGA blogs. UGA gains an even firmer recruiting hold on Ga.
Cap
June 10th, 2010
2:11 pm
Kane337 I never said Miami was afraid to play against Florida. The reverse is actually true. With Randy Shannon at the helm, Miami is back to basics. No more Larry Coker looking for the top prospects in Oklahoma (even though Miami historically recruits well there and in Houston). Shannon is a Miami-Dade guy and he just wants to get the guys across the street. It was during the Coker era that the Miami-Dade guys started leaving to go to other places. If Shannon can get back to monopolizing the Miami-Dade recruiting base (population 2.5 million) the U can travel any where, any place, any time. The Gators do not like their chances of their guys from Lakeland and Apopka going up against Liberty City’s finest.
fbfan
June 10th, 2010
2:12 pm
Scott in TX – Do you have a SOLID source for insisting umpteen gazillion times that Texas and the Aggies MUST go together? If not, then wake up and smell the possibility of Texas to the Pac16 and the Aggies to the SEC. As that Houston Chronicle article TexasAlum00 posted says, the most those two schools have seemed to commit to doing is continuing to play each other. Heck, man, they could continue doing that in separate conferences. That’s the SEC way:
UGa-GaTech
USC-Clemson
UFla-FSU
UK-Louisville
What’s more, it gets the Aggies out from under the heavy hand of the Horns, and each can “be all that it can be,” separately.
Boise Dawg
June 10th, 2010
2:13 pm
Agree Otto… also Texas accepted to go the SEC back in 1991. It was the Texas legislature that blocked it. Why would they have not been concerned about academics then? Also the Pac 10 has plenty of crappy academic schools… there is nothing strong academically about Oregon St. Oregon, Arizona or Arizona St. Those schools are not any better than the weaker academic schools in the SEC.
Who Cares?
June 10th, 2010
2:13 pm
The bottom line…you all can say whatever you want…but my grandmother knows as much about what is going to happen as you all do. So, for now, it is interesting, but idle talk.
Texas Fan
June 10th, 2010
2:13 pm
My god, the parade of ignorance here is astounding. For future reference to all the ignoramuses that live in SEC universe, Texas, Texas A&M and Tech are a package deal. Where Texas goes, the other two follow, this is not Oklahoma, this is Texas we are talking about.
To the idiot who said “DP agreed, Texas Tech has been a bottom feeder up until recently and was somewhat of a surprise to be in the Big12.”
Tech is the only team in the Big 12 that has never head a losing record, and always been bowl eligible, not Nebraska, Texas or OU, but Tech.
Plus They own A&M in Football, they are a bigger University than Ok St, and have a much better standing academically. They have been 2nd and 3rd either behind Texas or OU since anyone can remember (that excludes the idiots, that is all the SEC fans or associates, idiot is kind of redundant SEC is enough as it is). Ok state had their best group of guys last year and were able to finish 2nd in the south, Tech in 08 split the South Title with Texas and OU, so they are close to Texas and OU, not there quite yet, they haven’t been able to beat both teams in the same season, but they are much better than Ok state.
Stop throwing wishful thinking around, it doesn’t matter what you guys feel should happen, the serious reports are that Nebraska is going to announce Friday its move to the Big 10, and then Tech, A&M, Texas, OU, Ok st and CU are going to go to the Pac – 10.
Tony Barnhart
June 10th, 2010
2:14 pm
Tony is a boob. Notre Dame is going to the Big Ten. I hate the SEC and most of their fans. Most overrated CONF ever.
Cap
June 10th, 2010
2:14 pm
Maryland, UVa, UNC, and Duke will always be in the same conference together. They epitomize the ACC. They are lacrosse and soccer playing southern liberal institutions forever chasing football prominence who are far more serious about academics than the SEC ever could or will be. Georgia Tech casts their lot with these schools so that the very name of its institution wont be looked upon as an oxymoron.
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:15 pm
If a Texas school does break with the SWC ties it would be Tx A&M. Also if a school has influence to get Texas to change directions it would Tx A&M throwing political weight around and creating alliances with the other SWC schools.
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:17 pm
What did Tx tech do before Lech? Sure they’ve been good in the Big XII but what about in the SWC?
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:17 pm
Typo *Leach
TexasAlum00
June 10th, 2010
2:19 pm
Yes, I’ve seen you make that claim before. Until you can back that claim up with proof however, there is no difference between you and the guy sitting in his basement making up garbage.
That’s the great thing about the net Scott! Anyone can claim to be anything. I could make the claim that I’m 7 feet tall or a chinese jet pilot. Provide some proof (other than stating you used to be an
athletic director) and you might be believeable. Until then, you’re just another faceless voice in the fog.
glenn
June 10th, 2010
2:19 pm
Why is SI saying Texas A&m could wind up in the SEC instead of the PAC 10 if Texas & Texas A&m are a package deal . I guess Sports Illustrated the just a bunch of ignorant SEC lovers : )
cgatlanta
June 10th, 2010
2:19 pm
Any chance UGA moves to the ACC? No Florida to get in the way every year.
GeezusDawg
June 10th, 2010
2:20 pm
Rather do nothing than add mediocre teams from sub-par conferences (e.g. Kansas, Texas Tech, Louisville, Missouri, etc)
Texas Fan
June 10th, 2010
2:21 pm
Otto you were the idiot who said ““DP agreed, Texas Tech has been a bottom feeder up until recently and was somewhat of a surprise to be in the Big12.”
Tech has a historical rivalry with the wildcats, so them moving to the Pac -10 would make perfect sense:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/wildaboutazcats/2010/06/10/pac-10-expansion-into-texas-could-rekindle-old-rivalry/
SECFANinMS
June 10th, 2010
2:23 pm
The silence of the SEC might also mean Slive already has a deal in place. Like I said earlier I like adding the two Virginia schools & GT and Clemson. Atlanta is locked down as a TV market with GT and Virgina and VT lock down DC and Hampton Roads (alot of TV sets). These rivalries fit. Another scenerio would be to add FSU & Miami instead of the VA schools.
The Fla schools will probably join before VA & VT so you are looking at three Fla schools in the SEC. Each SEC school would play seven division games and three non-division conference games each year. Ten games would be tought but most if not all would be on TV. The SEC now forms its own network like the Big 10 and makes a ton of cash. With four schools from the east dividing the divisions will be interesting. If it is the Fla schools here is what I think:
SEC East: Miami, Fla, FSU, KY, SC, Clemson, Vandy, & UT
West: GA, GA Tech, Ole Miss, MSU, Bama, Auburn, LSU, ARK
Another interesting note, what if the SEC looked west and scooped up Kansas & K-State?
Kane337
June 10th, 2010
2:23 pm
Per Mark Schlabach ESPN….
“Will the ACC and SEC react to Big Ten and/or Pac-10 expansion?
Unless Texas is on the market, it seems unlikely the SEC will react. Adding the Longhorns and other Big 12 schools would expand the SEC’s footprint west, but the Longhorns don’t seem interested in joining the SEC at this point. It is believed that SEC commissioner Michael Slive’s top targets for potential expansion would be Texas and possibly Virginia Tech. Adding schools such as Clemson, Florida State and Miami would improve the SEC’s on-field product in football, but it would do little to strengthen its brand name in outside markets. One SEC official told ESPN.com this week that adding teams like the Seminoles and Hurricanes would only be adding schools “that would divide the pie even more.” Also, Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley might be reluctant to add FSU and Miami because the Gators have tried to use their SEC membership as a recruiting advantage in their home state. Unless the Big East dissolves, it seems unlikely the ACC would do much in reaction, either.”
#1 BAMA FAN
June 10th, 2010
2:24 pm
SEC….plays the hand it has and raises two dollars. I am ready for some SEC Football and whatever happens with the other conferences will be of little interest. RTR
Pitt Blather — The Rantings Continue Permalink » This Will Be a Journey
June 10th, 2010
2:24 pm
[...] SEC has been very quiet. They may be rumored to be active, but nothing is out there with any certainty. There is still the [...]
So tired of hearing it
June 10th, 2010
2:25 pm
The Big 10/Pac 10 academic claims are bogus. Thanks for trying though! But don’t worry, I’m sure your athletics will pick up sooner or later.
joe
June 10th, 2010
2:26 pm
Has anyone noticed that most of the comments being made are talking about who would be good additions to name your conference here…except comments posted by UG and G-Tech fans who argue over who holds who’s jock strap or runs this state. I’d say kick UG out of the SEC only due to their ignorant fan base, but then I’d really hate missing reading their comments Sunday mornings after losing.
RDR
June 10th, 2010
2:29 pm
Assuming FSU and Clemson join the SEC (East) and Texas and Oklahoma end up in the SEC (West), where do teams like GIT, VT and Miami end up??
The Bandit
June 10th, 2010
2:29 pm
If I was the Big 10, I’d add 4 more teams and change my name to the “BIG 10-4″.
Otto
June 10th, 2010
2:29 pm
Texas Fan, My point was that Texas, Tx A&M, OU, Ok St. could moved to the SEC without Tx Tech and could have done without Tx Tech in the Big XII. TCU could have been in especially if they were playing like they are now. Tx Tech is a perfect fit with the Arizona schools. It wouldn’t surprise me if it is easier to get to a game in Arizona than say current BigXII south member OK. State up in Stoolwater as my OU friends call it.
Scott in TX
June 10th, 2010
2:31 pm
TexasAlum00 – Yeah, have fun in your make belief world in which Texas is in the SEC and let me know how that turns out for you. Oh, wait I already know from your posts – disconnected from reality.
And as far as implying that I’m making things up just because I’m using the internet goes, well let’s just put it this way. Their senior Assoc. AD’s brother is a former colleague of my wife’s from the US Attorney’s office in Fort Worth for many years and we have known their entire family for more than twenty years. The other assoc. AD I’m referring to is a former colleague of mine from the NCAA national office.
Abiaka
June 10th, 2010
2:33 pm
Jason: Southern Cal is also a ‘directional school’ in the BCS.
RedGA Dawg
June 10th, 2010
2:35 pm
Seems to me the NCAA should mandate 10 conferences of 12 teams each for football, all have to have conference campionships in football. There are 120 BCS teams and then conference champions would be seeded in top bowls. Keep BCS championship as is would be ok. I question why the top SEC teams would want to have TEXAS, A&M, Clemson or FSU to have to compete against every year. FSU and Clemson do not bring any more money or prestige. Texas can deliver TV in a new area, not sure of other schools in Big 12, lots of overlap and not many TV’s in many parts of conference. Big 12 can still be potent force by adding TCU and SMU.
Robert Cowles
June 10th, 2010
2:36 pm
Enter your comments here
GatorGuy
June 10th, 2010
2:37 pm
For you guys who want Miami to join the SEC, be careful of what you ask for. They will only bring a few hundred fans to your campus but you will wish they had not come. Just ask UVA, UNC and other ACC schools about the Miami “fans”.