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IF the SEC was to expand, who makes the most sense to target for expansion and why?

Posted on 2/1/26 at 10:46 am
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1735 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 10:46 am
I do think eventually the SEC will expand. May not be in the next 12 months but I guarantee when the ACC implodes in 2036, the SEC will poach at least a few schools from there. If so, which ones?

I feel like the SEC will place a huge value on tv market/viewership and as such, these four would make the most sense-

Miami-scoff all you want but Miami pulls in about a little more than 3 million viewers per Saturday. This is more than Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Missouri. Miami is the 12th most watched team in the country.

Florida State-The Seminoles pull in about 2.37 million viewers per week. FSU is the #16 most watched team.

Georgia Tech-I know some old timers may say "Hell no" but I've always felt they belong back in the SEC. Believe it or not, GT is the #19 most watched team with just over 2 million viewers each week.

Clemson-they pull in just under 2 million viewers per week and are the #21 most watched team.

I may be wrong but the powers that be in the SEC seem to put a gigantic premium on the numbers of viewers that watch as a part of their criteria for expansion.

Posted by Chris ALL Capps
Member since Jan 2024
688 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 12:18 pm to
North Carolina & NC State, then possibly Virginia & Virginia Tech. Need to follow the Big's example and bring punching bags on board who'll never realistically threaten for a football title. Nice upgrade basketball wise too.
Posted by Woody4daTide9
Member since Sep 2022
1355 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 1:04 pm to
Ohio State and notre dame
Posted by bamabonners
Alabama
Member since Nov 2015
5121 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 1:26 pm to
It needs to shrink.
Posted by TomRollTideRitter
Member since Aug 2016
13222 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 1:34 pm to
quote:

Miami-scoff all you want but Miami pulls in about a little more than 3 million viewers per Saturday. This is more than Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Missouri. Miami is the 12th most watched team in the country.


Over 3M is correct, but they finished 19th in the country behind all 4 of the teams you listed. That was also in a season they made it to the national title.

LINK
Posted by PuertoRicanBlaze
Book Board Admin
Member since Apr 2024
7255 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 1:43 pm to
It'll end up being Clemson and Miami while the Big-10 counters by adding the powerhouse combo of Syracuse and Boston College.
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1735 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 2:52 pm to
Virginia would never in a million years join the SEC. I used to work there many years ago. It makes Berkeley, CA look conservative compared to Charlottesville/UVA. Most college campuses are pretty liberal but I was astonished by the hundreds of alums wandering around who look like Willie Nelson and still think it’s 1968.

To say UVA would be a terrible fit in the SEC would be an understatement.
Posted by Carlton
Forced LANKing made the GOAT Retire
Member since Feb 2016
14754 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 3:44 pm to
Not my impression of Charlottesville/UVA lol. And we are well past cultural fit arguments (I don't think they were ever great to begin with, cultural difference big and small is in part what makes sports fun), it is about money, money, money.
Posted by scottydoesntknow
Member since Nov 2023
10714 posts
Posted on 2/1/26 at 3:54 pm to
I thought we already jumped the shark with 16. I just dont see any benefit to anyone but TV people with further expansion. I think we need conference contraction
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