SEC expansion?

[DyeCampAlum 335]

With FSU sniffing the Big XII's backside, surely the SEC can't stand pat?  I know Florida doesn't want to share the conference, but we're sitting around with a reasonable likelihood that FSU, Miami, VaTech, and Clemson might be looking to move.  Maybe UNC, too, though I doubt it.  Maybe Georgia Tech.

Surely the SEC isn't going to sit around and watch while those other talks move along?  Sentimentally, I'd love to see Tech back in the conference.  But more important, you have to take a long look at high-potential programs like FSU and VaTech.  Don't you?

[AUFanfromSnellvegas 0]

One school that isn't talked about much but would bring a different fan base and perspective to the SEC is South Florida. I think that they could bring a fresh energy the the SEC much like Mizzou is expected to do now. JMO

[fjenkins 0]

Florida State & Clemson bring nothing to the table and will not be in the SEC. We already have a solid presence in those TV markets.  As a conference, we already have enough run-ins with the NCAA though the South Florida TV market that Miami would bring is enticing.

[api1957 1,783]

The rumblings I've heard would be to grow the television market. These schools don't really do that. If and when we go to 16 teams look for NC State and Virginia. Those are markets the SEC wants to get into.

[augolf1716 22,280]

one word Lobos

[dpwspringer 0]

I think this thread would fit better under the college football section than under Auburn football.  That said it is a very interesting topic. 

I tend to take an overview first and look at the SEC second, and it looks scary.  IMO, all this conference realignment/expansion is getting out of hand and the very foundation of the FBS is in jeopardy.  The SEC is still on sound ground as well as the PAC12 and Big Ten, but I don't know how much consolation that will be if the others around us implode/explode into unstable alignments or just get too weak.  Right now the whole situation reminds me of the board game RISK and I fear that is bad for college football and the FBS.  For instance I don't want a super strong SEC if it creates a weak as crap ACC.  We need a manageable number of peer conferences that provide respectable competition in our grouping, not an unmanageable number of weakling conferences wanting 'their fair share' of what we create.

Some of the conference alignments have lost all sense of any geography identity.  I find that revolting, doomed to failure, and a blatant attempt to stake a claim for a share of what the automatic qualifying BCS conferences have basically created.  We are seeing teams without any fan base or history jumping into the FBS that don't belong in the same group with AQ conferences.  I feel they are a distraction to a viable and fair playoff, among other things.

[Plaric 4]

Generally you think that the SEC would only expand to hit new TV Markets...one thing you have to consider though....There has to be a point where the quality of the brand you are building is just as important as the quantity. FSU and Clemson would build the quality of the SEC, but wouldn't expand tv markets. I wouldn't count Clemson and FSU out as possible future SEC members because along with the above mentioned items I would also like to think that the SEC doesn't want to be surrounded by BigXII schools. FSU and CLemson to the BIGXII would be a negative impact on the SEC IMO

[fjenkins 0]

If there's one conference we don't have to worry about it's Texas and the rest.  That conference is doomed to fail, the only question is when

[AU64 10,122]

If the Lobos can't be convinced to step down to the SEC I suggest that the best plan is to stretch the conference east to pick up a school from NC and Va.  We have  a major presence in Ga, SC and Fla and no need to dilute the SEC product in those states. 

With Va Tech and NC State, the SEC would reach across the old confederacy and those schools would become the "go to" football programs in their states.  UNC is in the process of shooting itself in the other knee now with the NCAA and State is in position to take over NC.

[DyeCampAlum 335]

Generally you think that the SEC would only expand to hit new TV Markets...one thing you have to consider though....There has to be a point where the quality of the brand you are building is just as important as the quantity. FSU and Clemson would build the quality of the SEC, but wouldn't expand tv markets. I wouldn't count Clemson and FSU out as possible future SEC members because along with the above mentioned items I would also like to think that the SEC doesn't want to be surrounded by BigXII schools. FSU and CLemson to the BIGXII would be a negative impact on the SEC IMO

That's it, I think.  We don't own the Florida market like we would if we had FSU.  Part of the SEC's appeal lies in arguing that it's -- by far -- the superior brand.  We can't take that for granted if programs like FSU and VaTech start shopping around.

We get VaTech only if the ACC starts to crumble.  But if it does, we'd better be ready.

I agree that USF -- and UCF -- have big-time potential.  But think about it.  If FSU joined the SEC, that would make it very, very hard for those programs to climb up to peer status.  In fact, FSU to the SEC would seriously crimp Miami.  Miami is a TV brand, but they don't have a consistent, organic fan base.

[forcera 0]

one word Lobos

BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aubcali 538]

FSU is a national brand.  Imagine: FSU vs. Auburn, FSU vs. Alabama, FSU vs. LSU, etc...  Adding FSU would increase the value of the SEC contracts with ESPN and CBS, which is the ultimate goal of the SEC -- making money.  Sure, adding television markets help, but having a modern powerhouse team join the SEC would benefit the conference by growing the SEC brand by nationwide exposure. 

That said, I don't think the SEC is in any hurry to expand to 16 teams.  And yes, UF  doesn't want FSU in the conference so it won't happen anyway. 

[WarEagle10 77]

NO to FSU! FSU was the first school the SEC went after when we expanded in the early 90's. FSU, or more importantly Bobby Bowden, wanted to play a basketball school schedule in football instead of a real schedule. My FSU friends said it wasn't because they were scared, but instead it was all about "money". FSU is getting rid of asst. coaches in non-revenue sports for the second time in three years because of budget concerns. FSU had their chance. They wanted to lie with dogs so they have to deal with the flea's. I would much rather see South Florida and one more of the Texas schools come into the conference if we are going to expand again. Another Texas school would just help recruiting even more in that State IMO.

[DyeCampAlum 335]

I don't think it's a time to bear grudges.

[HardcoreAU79 0]

I am hard core old SEC.  I liked it how it was and

I miss Ga. Tech, Fla. & UT  !  But times change.

Big time college fb is an arms race fueled by dollars.  We needed more.

We admitted  SC and Arky to get a SECCG and it has worked out well.

Now, as to the future, it will be all about the T V   M O N E Y .

Tech, Cousin Clem and Free Shoes don't give us more sets and new markets.

I at least  hope we stay within contiguous  geographic boundaries.

Just my 2 cents.

[tsande07 271]

NO to FSU! FSU was the first school the SEC went after when we expanded in the early 90's. FSU, or more importantly Bobby Bowden, wanted to play a basketball school schedule in football instead of a real schedule. My FSU friends said it wasn't because they were scared, but instead it was all about "money". FSU is getting rid of asst. coaches in non-revenue sports for the second time in three years because of budget concerns. FSU had their chance. They wanted to lie with dogs so they have to deal with the flea's. I would much rather see South Florida and one more of the Texas schools come into the conference if we are going to expand again. Another Texas school would just help recruiting even more in that State IMO.

Dude, that was two decades ago!!!  I don't want to try and make you feel old, but to put that in perspective, many of the student athletes currently in college - not to mention basically all recruits - had yet to be born when Bowden led FSU away from the SEC.  I don't think Mike Slive or anyone else is going to make important decisions on what is essentially ancient history at this point.

[wardon1345162806 0]

One of No Car schools & a Virg would add TV market, but puts nails in coffin for AU to ever get back to SECE where the oldest rivalries are-

[AU64 10,122]

probably so but if Boise State can be in the Big East, anything is possible.  Frankly, I don't see any way that AU ever gets back to the East....which I sorely regret but politics and $$$ are against it.

[Plaric 4]

probably so but if Boise State can be in the Big East, anything is possible.   Frankly, I don't see any way that AU ever gets back to the East....which I sorely regret but politics and $$$ are against it.

To be fair we have never been in the east. When we played those games there were no division's.

[DyeCampAlum 335]

I'd much rather have Florida and Tennessee over LSU and Arkansas, but times change.  We've had something special with LSU for some time now -- really, it's a better series than Florida was.  Arkansas doesn't compare to the old UT series, but what are ya gonna do?

I simply don't buy that adding FSU wouldn't increase the markets.  It wouldn't increase what they call "penetration," true.  But that FSU fan base is formidable -- and we'd rather them watch Arkansas-Missouri than Oklahoma State-Texas Tech.  And the SEC has a much stronger argument for dominance with FSU in the SEC than in the Big XII.

Clemson would be a weaker argument, but hard to see Clemson joining the Big XII if the SEC can get FSU.  FSU is the prize there.

[AUcivE09 582]

NO to FSU! FSU was the first school the SEC went after when we expanded in the early 90's. FSU, or more importantly Bobby Bowden, wanted to play a basketball school schedule in football instead of a real schedule. My FSU friends said it wasn't because they were scared, but instead it was all about "money". FSU is getting rid of asst. coaches in non-revenue sports for the second time in three years because of budget concerns. FSU had their chance. They wanted to lie with dogs so they have to deal with the flea's. I would much rather see South Florida and one more of the Texas schools come into the conference if we are going to expand again. Another Texas school would just help recruiting even more in that State IMO.

Dude, that was two decades ago!!!  I don't want to try and make you feel old, but to put that in perspective, many of the student athletes currently in college - not to mention basically all recruits - had yet to be born when Bowden led FSU away from the SEC.  I don't think Mike Slive or anyone else is going to make important decisions on what is essentially ancient history at this point.

Bammers everywhere say hi!

[HardcoreAU79 0]

That fact is not lost on me but there is nothing we can do about it.

I'd like to lose Arky and the Misseys and get back UF and UT but yes politics and money doom that.

IMO, regardless of how it impacts AU for alignments, the SEC needs to pick up two Southeastern schools .

If so,  that marries us to  Mizzou and TAM and the  West.

[Watasha 0]

My God, I am sooooo sick of conference expansion talk.

[El Tiburon 1]

one word Lobos

This^

[NoALtiger 4,279]

My God, I am sooooo sick of conference expansion talk.

^^This^^. I mean, how much is enough? Just because other conferences expand doesn't mean the SEC has to. Heck, it's tough enough to win already. You just don't jump off a bridge because the other guy did so. Ha!