SEC News: Expanding The College Football Playoff I suspect that the SEC will crown their own championship. BIG 10 and PAC refusing to approve of an expanded playoff.
(cross posted in B1G and PAC thread) IMHO, 3 schools are key as to whether the SEC eats the whole pie: 1. USC 2. Ohio State 3. Michigan If USC bolts, goodbye Pac-12 as a major player. If Ohio State and Michigan bolt, goodbye B1G as a major player. If those 3 bolt to the SEC, the SEC = the Major Leagues, everything else = the Minors. If those 3 stay, the B1G and the PAC can survive as big time players getting big time recruits and big time tv $$$$ contracts; combined on a roughly equal basis as the SEC. The population and tv markets support that. Of course, it would also help if Notre Dame joined the B1G. I think this holds, even if Clemson and FSU join the SEC. Oh, USC is reportedly unsatisfied and could be longing for something bigger ...
I think there's five players you need to replace the NCAA with the SEC. The three you say above but also Clemson and FSU. ND would be on the list if they were in the ACC, but as an independent, they'll fall into place if the SEC starts getting those schools.
Good points. I think if UM, aOSU, and USC all bolt for the SEC, it’s all but a foregone conclusion that Clemson and FSU will be there within a week.
I think it'd be fun if the SEC absorbed the ACC and the B1G absorbed the Pac and what's left of the Big XII-4. And then a handful of lurkers like ND, UCF, etc. get brought in to make them even. Call them conferences and whatever you want, but it's kind of like a doubly-expanded NFL.
I wonder why Tulane (1966) and GT (1964) left? Both Louisiana and Georgia could support (recruiting wise) two high-level major programs.
Not sure the order matters. If Clemson and FSU go first, UM, tOSU, and USC will end up SEC within a few years. Tulane: de-emphasize athletics and GT: mad at SEC on number of scholarships Looking back at Tech, Tulane’s decision to leave SEC
I realize Kentucky has basketball. But they and Vanderbilt is getting such a free ride. Obviously SEC needs Vandy academics. Everyone talking about these huge football programs and Vanderbilt and Kentucky are quietly sit in the corner hoping nobody notices that "one of these things is not like the others"