re: Opinion wanted on expansion

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Is the pact between schools(UF, USCe, uk etc.) to not allow other schools from that state in the SEC, is that real?

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In a word, yes. Just ask Mike Slive. His first choice for the second school in the last expansion was not Mizzou. It was Florida State.

Except the rotating chairman at that time of the SEC's Board of Presidents...the guys who really run the SEC...was UF's president Bernie Machen.

Looking back, it's amazing now to see just how much anti-Seminole sentiment there was. UF had no problem getting UGA, USCe, and UK to adopt the "no second team in an existing SEC state" stance. Each school wanted to keep an in-state rival out of the conference.

The surprise was that both Auburn and Alabama were keen to keep FSU out as well. Both recruit Florida heavily, and wanted no additional problems from the Seminoles that being in the SEC would present.

So yes Virginia, there is both a Santa Claus and a Gentlemen's Agreement.