Get ready for a 20 team SEC

[Cat_Man_Blue]

After hearing Bret McMurphy's comments today, I am convinced that the SEC will expand to 20 teams. He stated that Oregon and the BIG are having discussions about membership. He said that the BIG will take 3 to 4 more members of the PAC 12, depending on what Notre Dame does. The SEC will have to make a move to stay with the BIG in regards to revenue. The only way the SEC can do that is through expansion. The SEC is locked in revenue wise due to the current contract, but could negotiate more revenue by adding teams. The SEC will get a revenue bump with OU and Texas, but that won't put the SEC anywhere close to the BIG.

To no surprise, he said that the SEC will look at ACC teams for expansion. McMurphy said that he is aware of ACC members that are looking into ways to get out of the grant of rights. I know that we have all heard some of this, but this is comming from someone with connections. If he is right about The BIG's plans, we don't have to worry about the BIG moving into the SEC footprint.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

FSU
Miami
North Carolina
North Carolina St

 

[Deli owl]

FSU
Clemson
UNC
Va Tech

 

[Cat_Man_Blue]

I will go with
UNC
FSU
Miami
Clemson

 

[Dddjdd]

Think UNC and either UVA or VTech are in it because it’s two new states for the conference. These two plus Clemson and either FSU or Miami. Probably FSU

 

[Cotaay]

Wake
BC
Syracuse
Pitt

 

[catben]

UNC
UVA
Clemson
Miami

 

[Glenn's take]

UNC NC State of UNC goes Big 10
UVA VA-Tech if UVA goes Big 10

Clemson because they don't bring anything TV wise that South Carolina doesn't but at least they are good now.

Longshot: Is it possible that Colorado makes it? They bring the Denver TV market (theoretically).
Longshot part B: Boston College (same reason except exchange Denver with Boston)

 

[Bluesnky]

I understand the appeal of adding west coast teams to the Big Ten, but adding Stanford and Cal seems like something they will regret. The lack of local demand for watching these teams is part of the reason the PAC-12 network failed. And those teams aren’t going to be bringing premium matchups either.

I wonder if Notre Dame is going to trade it’s ACC relationship for the Big 12 as soon as it can, with the likely Big 12 footprint being in Florida, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. All high growth areas. I could even see the Big 12 adding UNLV.

 

[gamecockcat]

UNC NC State of UNC goes Big 10
UVA VA-Tech if UVA goes Big 10

Clemson because they don't bring anything TV wise that South Carolina doesn't but at least they are good now.

Longshot: Is it possible that Colorado makes it? They bring the Denver TV market (theoretically).
Longshot part B: Boston College (same reason except exchange Denver with Boston)

Not Colorado. Picked last in the Pac12 this year and college sports are way down the totem pole from Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche and Rockies. Local radio hardly mentions any college sports unless DU is in the Frozen Four.

 

[entropy13]

This is all driven primarily by media markets, and football carries more weight in that regard. The markets are a consideration in an of themselves, though, so adding teams in states that already have an SEC presence doesn't add as much. The other major sport, basketball is mostly an afterthought...with a few exceptions for blue chip programs.

I gave my take in another thread but have adjusted it slightly. Here's who I'd go after:

1. Notre Dame: pull an upset for the biggest prize and stymie the Big10.

2. UNC: the major state school in a contiguous, southern state with big media markets.

2b. NC State: contingency if UNC goes elsewhere. Same basic reasons as for UNC, though.

3. UVA: same reasons as for UNC. Turns out they're a bit more popular statewide than VA Tech based on the latest poll I could find, though just slightly.

3b. VA Tech: blah blah blah, see above.

After these obvious options, it gets interesting. In terms of media rights attractiveness and money, not sure the SEC would offer both NC or VA schools. I suppose they could if necessary. So depending on whether we get ND, and assuming we add one each from NC and VA, we're left with needing one or two more schools.

Again, it's all about adding teams that'll enlarge the money pot so that all members rake in more filthy lucre. In that sense, would adding an Arizona school be a possibility if the Pac-12 is going tits up? Would Duke be an option, especially if we whiff on both NC schools? Terrible football, but a national power in basketball. In the same vein as Duke, what about Kansas? WVU would be easy pickings but wouldn't bring much to the media rights money pot. Would another Florida school make sense given the state's population?

Lastly, how important overall are geographical considerations for travel purposes, and is the Big10's coast-to-coast outlook viable/sensible?

 

[Bluesnky]

This is all driven primarily by media markets, and football carries more weight in that regard. The markets are a consideration in an of themselves, though, so adding teams in states that already have an SEC presence doesn't add as much. The other major sport, basketball is mostly an afterthought...with a few exceptions for blue chip programs.

I gave my take in another thread but have adjusted it slightly. Here's who I'd go after:

1. Notre Dame: pull an upset for the biggest prize and stymie the Big10.

2. UNC: the major state school in a contiguous, southern state with big media markets.

2b. NC State: contingency if UNC goes elsewhere. Same basic reasons as for UNC, though.

3. UVA: same reasons as for UNC. Turns out they're a bit more popular statewide than VA Tech based on the latest poll I could find, though just slightly.

3b. VA Tech: blah blah blah, see above.

After these obvious options, it gets interesting. In terms of media rights attractiveness and money, not sure the SEC would offer both NC or VA schools. I suppose they could if necessary. So depending on whether we get ND, and assuming we add one each from NC and VA, we're left with needing one or two more schools.

Again, it's all about adding teams that'll enlarge the money pot so that all members rake in more filthy lucre. In that sense, would adding an Arizona school be a possibility if the Pac-12 is going tits up? Would Duke be an option, especially if we whiff on both NC schools? Terrible football, but a national power in basketball. In the same vein as Duke, what about Kansas? WVU would be easy pickings but wouldn't bring much to the media rights money pot. Would another Florida school make sense given the state's population?

Lastly, how important overall are geographical considerations for travel purposes, and is the Big10's coast-to-coast outlook viable/sensible?

The regional tv market does not mean as much in a world where the top game each week is equal in value to all the other conference games combined. That’s the SEC deal as of next year. When they do the next deal you can expect them to sell three tiers like the Big Ten, and then the regional tv market will matter even less.

 

[Big Cat fan]

SEC should get OK State. They really should. After that get Miami, Arizona and Arizona state. Those 4.

 

[FIVECAT]

The four that would push into new media markets would be UNC, Virginia, Colorado and Arizona. It’ll probably be FSU, Clemson, UNC and Virginia or Virginia Tech that actually get the invites. Eventually both conferences will stretch out to 28 teams. That’ll pretty much encompass all of the true Power 5 schools.

 

[Cat_Man_Blue]

This is all driven primarily by media markets, and football carries more weight in that regard. The markets are a consideration in an of themselves, though, so adding teams in states that already have an SEC presence doesn't add as much. The other major sport, basketball is mostly an afterthought...with a few exceptions for blue chip programs.

I gave my take in another thread but have adjusted it slightly. Here's who I'd go after:

1. Notre Dame: pull an upset for the biggest prize and stymie the Big10.

2. UNC: the major state school in a contiguous, southern state with big media markets.

2b. NC State: contingency if UNC goes elsewhere. Same basic reasons as for UNC, though.

3. UVA: same reasons as for UNC. Turns out they're a bit more popular statewide than VA Tech based on the latest poll I could find, though just slightly.

3b. VA Tech: blah blah blah, see above.

After these obvious options, it gets interesting. In terms of media rights attractiveness and money, not sure the SEC would offer both NC or VA schools. I suppose they could if necessary. So depending on whether we get ND, and assuming we add one each from NC and VA, we're left with needing one or two more schools.

Again, it's all about adding teams that'll enlarge the money pot so that all members rake in more filthy lucre. In that sense, would adding an Arizona school be a possibility if the Pac-12 is going tits up? Would Duke be an option, especially if we whiff on both NC schools? Terrible football, but a national power in basketball. In the same vein as Duke, what about Kansas? WVU would be easy pickings but wouldn't bring much to the media rights money pot. Would another Florida school make sense given the state's population?

Lastly, how important overall are geographical considerations for travel purposes, and is the Big10's coast-to-coast outlook viable/sensible?

McMurphy mentioned that the BIG bringing in 4 additional PAC 12 teams helps USC and UCLA out. By doing this they get a minimum of 5 games on the west coast plus any home games with current BIG teams.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

UNC
UVA
Clemson
Miami

I think this is how I would go as well. Miami adds an untapped portion of Florida that FSU does not. That said, I expect FSU to be invited. Perhaps both will and Clemson and then unc would be my other choice in that scenario. I'd prefer to tap into virgina though with tech or uva.

 

[Kats meow]

I think this is how I would go as well. Miami adds an untapped portion of Florida that FSU does not.

The drunk chick market?

 

[m080470]

Does Miami really offer anything to a mega-conference? They haven't been a football power in 20 years, they are private, the enrollment is 19,000, and they have haven't had the ability to sellout home games in years. I think you add FSU but Miami you keep on the sidelines. It's a name but they have nowhere near the number of fans or alumni that Florida and FSU do.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

I will go with
UNC
FSU
Miami
Clemson

I will second this.

 

[Bullpencat]

My preference to make 20 would be:
OK State
Baylor
UNC
UVa

 

[vhcat70]

SEC should get OK State. They really should. After that get Miami, Arizona and Arizona state. Those 4.

OKSt does not offer many added TV eyes over OK alone & thus few added dollars. $$$ is what it's all about. OK population is less than KY. I like their program though.

 

[Gromcat]

FSU
Clemson
UNC
Va Tech

This should be the most. Tear UNC from Duke and watch Duke die a slow death.

 

[entropy13]

The regional tv market does not mean as much in a world where the top game each week is equal in value to all the other conference games combined. That’s the SEC deal as of next year. When they do the next deal you can expect them to sell three tiers like the Big Ten, and then the regional tv market will matter even less.

Good point. I'd guess, though, that the larger your media footprint, the more attractive each of your three tiers would be, yeah?

 

[FtWorthCat]

I would add: Miami, Clemson, UNC and UVA. I think UNC and UVA may be better suited to the B1G, so if they go there, I would take NC State and Virginia Tech.

 

[Finna_Go_HAM]

It's interesting that the while there are some teams in the ACC that might be gettable by either the B1G or the SEC, we've not heard one peep that the ACC is looking to expand... They have 15 teams and it appears they're willing to stand pat.

 

[Cotaay]

Read somewhere that if the ACC tried to expand it could give the teams that want to jump to the SEC or Big 10 a way to get out of the Grant of Rights deal.

 

[lazydave841]

It's all about money and what the networks are willing to pay and for who.

 

[Bleedin Blue in Ohio]

I see North Carolina, Virginia, Clemson, and Florida State as the 4.

 

[UK_ Alum_02]

Love all the speculation, but the best part is Louisville isn’t anywhere. Where can they land in a big 2, big 3 or big 4?

 

[*CatinIL*]

This should be the most. Tear UNC from Duke and watch Duke die a slow death.

I would prefer a fast death for Duke and be done with that school forever but I understand what you're saying...

 

[hmt5000]

Nc St, Va Tech, FSU and clemson.... If clem doesn't come then go WV or maybe Baylor or Tex Tech.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

I know it's not what matters as much but I'm glad the sec has still been able to stay geographically together and pretty much culturally.

I would want FSU over Miami. The panhandle over NYC of the south.

UNC, UVA, NC state, or VA tech

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

Wake
BC
Syracuse
Pitt

Actually, Pitt wouldn't be a terrible choice. Large metro area right in the heart of BIG country. Much better football program than UVA, that some are suggesting.

 

[seccats04]

It begins with UNC. Decent football and an added bonus of being the second best basketball program. Plus, the state of NC is like the 9th most populated so you add a lot of eyeballs. Plus, selfishly, I would love to play them every year in basketball.

I think you add powerhouse Clemson after that and FSU, to lock down the state of Florida and keep the B10 out. Nobody cares about Miami, not even their fans, which are very few. They don't fit in culturally with the SEC. Neither does UVa. It's a snob school that belongs in the Ivy League and do not care about football. After that, I think we add Va Tech as they bring good football (though not currently) and decent basketball and their culture would fit well in the SEC. Rabid football fanbase.

 

[clevenger32]

I don’t see North Carolina @ Chapel Hill and Virginia going to anywhere other than the B1G. I could see NC State and VPI coming to SEC.

 

[southindycat]

Vanderbilt, Duke, Wake Forest, UVA Northwestern, Boston College, Syracuse, Baylor, BYU, Stanford, Cal, Army, Air Force, Navy, Georgia Tech, Rice... this would be an interesting new conference after this all shakes out. Could they make it?

"Jumbo Ivy League"

 

[Cat_Man_Blue]

Keep in mind that the BIG will not be going after ACC teams, unless the BIG expands beyond 20 teams. Acording to McMurphy the BIG is going to take 6 PAC 12 teams to get to 20 teams. So that leaves ACC teams available to the SEC.

 

[bluecoon1]

Of all the teams mentioned, I just don’t see UVA as a good fit in the SEC. Outside of Charlottesville and a small portion of NOVA they really have no following or history whatsoever and to them it would be like the lords mingling with the serfs.

 

[Soupbean]

If its just 4 FSU, UNC, NC STATE, CLEMSON. UVA, VA TECH and MIAMI later. The first 4 fit the culture of the SEC better.

 

[Bluesnky]

The more I think about it, the more I think the biggest clue as to which conference is “winning” realignment is the fact that Texas- coveted by both the Big Ten and SEC- chose the SEC. And that’s with some serious countervailing forces (A&M, school politics) that would weigh against them wanting the SEC.