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Slightly different expansion discussion

Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:25 pm
Posted by throwingoranges
Member since Jul 2014
555 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:25 pm
Assuming the following constraints, pick your top two candidates for SEC expansion to 16 teams.

1. The ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and PAC each maintain all of their current members. I know, not likely, but it opens up a different conversation.

2. The SEC does not bring in a new member from an existing SEC state.

3. The SEC expansion only includes adjacent states.

Given these constraints, the following (FBS) schools are possibilities:

University of Cincinnati
East Carolina University
University of Tulsa
Marshall University
Old Dominion University
Notre Dame University
University of New Mexico
New Mexico State University
Appalachian State University
University of Akron
Ball State University
Bowling Green State University
Kent State University
Miami University
Northern Illinois University
Ohio University
University of Toledo

Notre Dame makes the most sense from a competitive perspective, but it's difficult to think of a less SEC school than the Fighting Irish.

My top two would be Cincinnati (Ohio is the 7th most populous state) and East Carolina (North Carolina is the 10th most populous state).

Before you Southerners get too up in arms about an Ohio school (UC), it's worth noting that ECU's closest SEC peer is over 4 hours away in Columbia, SC. The next closest is Knoxville, which is about the same distance from ECU as Philadelphia.

By comparison, UC is less than 90 minutes (83 miles) from Lexington, KY, and just over 4 hours from Nashville.
Posted by texag7
College Station
Member since Apr 2014
37569 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:26 pm to
Pass
Posted by Sancho Panza
La Habaña, Cuba
Member since Sep 2014
8161 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:27 pm to
None of the Above.
Posted by ProjectP2294
South St. Louis city
Member since May 2007
70511 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:29 pm to
People from Cincy are jersey wearing douches.

ODU and Miami OH are my choices. I know nothing of ODU, but Miami OH is an awesome party school. And then we can retro claim Roethlisberger and Szerbiak.p
Posted by cardboardboxer
Member since Apr 2012
34342 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:32 pm to
I like the twist, good thread.

The issue is that there isn't many SEC-ready programs. I agree with you Cinci is as ready for the Power 5 as any program not named BYU, so given that I agree with your choices of ECU and Cincy.

With that said, you have to think if the SEC expands for 15 and 16 without poaching from another Power 5 they are doing it to hit the number and NOT for a network (as those schools probably aren't powerful enough to get in-state rates for the SEC network). So I would say that the restriction of "none of the current states" is probably asking too much.

Take away that one rule and my pick is ECU and UCF. Central Florida is easily the school with the biggest potential of the non-Power 5s.
This post was edited on 5/18/15 at 4:33 pm
Posted by Farmer1906
The Woodlands, TX
Member since Apr 2009
50701 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:32 pm to
My picks would be

East Carolina University
University of Tulsa
Posted by Landmass
Member since Jun 2013
18184 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:35 pm to
I would take Cincinnati to get the Ohio market and BYU to get the foothold in the west. They're really the only ones left worth taking. Maybe Boise State but they are really really far away.
Posted by WildTchoupitoulas
Member since Jan 2010
44071 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:36 pm to
fricking word problems.
Posted by nebraskafaninwi
Member since Mar 2013
2655 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:39 pm to
I know these types of discussions are going to go on for a few years until some big moves start again, but to start conference teams need to play more often. None of this once or twice in over a decade BS. Once that issue is "fixed" conferences can expand and part of that expansion is all conferences play 9 or 10 conference games with one non-conference game against a P5 school.
Posted by finestfirst79
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Member since Nov 2012
11646 posts
Posted on 5/18/15 at 4:48 pm to
I respect what you're doing, but the only answer is "None of the above."
Posted by southernboisb
Member since Dec 2012
7330 posts
Posted on 5/19/15 at 11:58 pm to
quote:

throwingoranges
Notre Dame University

Notre Dame makes the most sense from a competitive perspective, but it's difficult to think of a less SEC school than the Fighting Irish.



Aren't they pretty much ACC? WHY would they join for all other sports?
Posted by Tiger Live2
Westwego, LA
Member since Mar 2012
9600 posts
Posted on 5/20/15 at 12:02 am to
I would prefer none from that last, but I would say getting into VA and NC would be the most likely. Leaving us with ECU and ODU(please dear god no).
Posted by TeLeFaWx
Dallas, TX
Member since Aug 2011
29179 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 8:48 am to
No. The ACC and Big 12 are both marginalized and really meh beyond a few teams, with a lot of clunkers thrown in the mix. I like the current conferences. The SEC will never be dethroned.
Posted by Cheese Grits
Wherever I lay my hat is my home
Member since Apr 2012
54792 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 8:54 am to
quote:

Slightly different expansion discussion



Bert is still fat?
Posted by WeeWee
Member since Aug 2012
40191 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 9:20 am to
quote:

1. The ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and PAC each maintain all of their current members. I know, not likely, but it opens up a different conversation.

2. The SEC does not bring in a new member from an existing SEC state.

3. The SEC expansion only includes adjacent states.


Option 1: Kickout Vandy and UK and go back to 12
Option 2: add Tulane and SMU. 2 easy wins and restores and in-state rival.
This post was edited on 5/21/15 at 9:21 am
Posted by wmr
North of Dickson, South of Herman's
Member since Mar 2009
32518 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 9:29 am to
There are no new angles on this topic. The only board with an active realignment discussion is ShaggyBevo.
Posted by DorchesterGamecock
Bristol, CT
Member since May 2014
793 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 1:39 pm to
None of those schools fit because the SEC tends to favor large flagship public Universities or brand name private schools (Vanderbilt)...

If Notre Dame was in the South, then maybe.. but alas, they're not.

But if I had to.. Cincinnati and ECU.
This post was edited on 5/21/15 at 1:44 pm
Posted by Dr RC
The Money Pit
Member since Aug 2011
58126 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 1:58 pm to
Notre Dame would be the #1 dream choice but I highly doubt they would ever be willing to join the SEC.

Of the schools on the list I'd say Cincy and East Carolina b/c of the populations in their states and how it would aid the SECN.

Also, I'd rather have James Madison move up than take Old Dominion if a non ACC Virginia team was in play.
Posted by Brosef Stalin17
Member since Sep 2014
1090 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 2:21 pm to
I say we go back to 12
Posted by madmaxvol
Infinity + 1 Posts
Member since Oct 2011
19194 posts
Posted on 5/21/15 at 2:46 pm to
quote:

Assuming the following constraints, pick your top two candidates for SEC expansion to 16 teams.


Good Lawd...why did we let Missouri in???
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