Where is the SEC (and CBS) in all of this?

[FWMustang]

Does anyone notice that it is unusually silent over there? If these Super-Conferences are the future and the SEC was the 1st to go to 12, does anyone see them just waiting until all of this settles out?

I think it makes the most sense for the SEC to pick up Texas, A&M & Oklahoma in the West, and Fla St, Miami, Clemson(?) in the East. Isn't that the play? Substitute Okla St or Texas Tech for Clemson if you like; it doesn't really matter. I don't know what direction they would go in the East or maybe they don't; they just "go West, young man!" and take Okla St, Tech & Kansas.

I know the SEC is easily the toughest conference with just 12, I just believe a move along those lines would make them the Super-Duper conference, with the Big(Six)Te(e)n & Pac-16 next, and the ACC-BigEast forming the 4th for playoff purposes. No one seems to be talking about this in terms of basketball or other sports, but marrying the best of the Big12 and SEC, seems to have the same effect in those as well.

[mrydel]

They hesitate because too much expansion could water down some rivalries, and they are all so good right now that if they bring in more big guns, they are afraid they are going to end up just beating each other up. But the main thing is the rivalry deal. If they have to start playing teams on a 3 or 4 year rotation, in some cases the worry is the fan base may not like it. At least this is the talk I hear from the local sports gurus here.

[East Coast Mustang]

The SEC certainly won't be reactionary in their movement. If they want to go to 14 or 16, they will, but they won't feel pressured to do so. Although Slive has said that the SEC will do whatever necessary to remain competitive with other conferences. I would assume Texas and A&M would be attractive to them, and potentially OU and OSU as well, in addition to some ACC schools (FSU, Clemson, Ga. Tech, VT). If the SEC does decide to expand, I think the most likely scenario would be adding Texas and A&M in the West and FSU and VT in the East. That would add a larger share of the Florida media market, as well as DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Virginia, and part of D.C.

Then they could setup either two 8-team divisions or four divisions:

North- VT, Tennessee, UK, Vandy
East- UGA, Florida, FSU, South Carolina
South- Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, MSU
West- LSU, Arkansas, Texas, A&M

[East Coast Mustang]

They hesitate because too much expansion could water down some rivalries, and they are all so good right now that if they bring in more big guns, they are afraid they are going to end up just beating each other up. But the main thing is the rivalry deal. If they have to start playing teams on a 3 or 4 year rotation, in some cases the worry is the fan base may not like it. At least this is the talk I hear from the local sports gurus here.

True, but in the end $$$ will trump rivalries and tradition. And besides, if Texas is playing LSU, are you telling me you're not tuning in?

[450fan]

Back channels from Austin to SEC HQ in Birmingham is that the horns want no part of the SEC.

Too much to lose - not enough gain.

[Dooby]

It is $$$$. The SEC has its TV deal. PAC 10 doesn't. PAC 10 adds those 6 schools, partners with NewCorp to create the PAC 10 Network and have every cable outlet in at least 7 of the top 16 markets getting on board. Every cable operator in LA, SF, DFW and Houston has to carry it.

SEC has a harder time because it can't right now create such a network until its deal with CBS is up and such a deal would only give the SEC 4 of the top 16 markets. Also keep in mind, the SEC's two biggest markets in that scenario would be the ones they just added in Texas and they may be concerned with control. Given how Texas dominates the Big XII politically for much the same reason, the SEC may not be too interested in that.

Accordingly, expanding doesn't actually gain the SEC very much. The 4 16-team super-conferences are still a few years away.

[East Coast Mustang]

Accordingly, expanding doesn't actually gain the SEC very much. The 4 16-team super-conferences are still a few years away.

Yeah, but the invitations to the ball could all be mailed very soon.

[Dooby]

Accordingly, expanding doesn't actually gain the SEC very much. The 4 16-team super-conferences are still a few years away.

Yeah, but the invitations to the ball could all be mailed very soon.

Yes, but as far as SEC is concerned, the big players know that no matter what, they have a dance card. Florida, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee

[Stallion]

UT has no interest in either Big 10 or SEC-that's why the SEC has been quiet. They have made overtures to A&M and OU -we'll see. Again, it really doesn't matter if the PAC has the 1 blackball system for Tech and OSU if Texas can threaten the PAC's survival if Texas doesn't get the teams it wants in the Eastern Division. Its Texas+their choice of rivals or nothing. The Texas teams will play 1 non-Division road game per year. They will visit places like Washington St. once every 8 years. Its not a BIG DEAL. Basically this maintains the Best of the Big 12 South and adds the Arizona schools.

[East Coast Mustang]

UT has no interest in either Big 10 or SEC-that's why the SEC has been quiet. They have made overtures to A&M and OU -we'll see. Again, it really doesn't matter if the PAC has the 1 blackball system for Tech and OSU if Texas can threaten the PAC's survival if Texas doesn't get the teams it wants in the Eastern Division. Its Texas+their choice of rivals or nothing. The Texas teams will play 1 non-Division road game per year. They will visit places like Washington St. once every 8 years. Its not a BIG DEAL. Basically this maintains the Best of the Big 12 South and adds the Arizona schools.

But what if the Pac-10 decides they don't need Texas' BS and just goes to 12 with CU and Utah? Is Texas going to stick around in a drastically weakened Big 12?

[ponydawg]

UT has no interest in either Big 10 or SEC-that's why the SEC has been quiet. They have made overtures to A&M and OU -we'll see. Again, it really doesn't matter if the PAC has the 1 blackball system for Tech and OSU if Texas can threaten the PAC's survival if Texas doesn't get the teams it wants in the Eastern Division. Its Texas+their choice of rivals or nothing. The Texas teams will play 1 non-Division road game per year. They will visit places like Washington St. once every 8 years. Its not a BIG DEAL. Basically this maintains the Best of the Big 12 South and adds the Arizona schools.

But if Nebraska goes to the big 10 on Friday and the big 10 stops and doesn't add anymore and then the pac 10 takes Colorado and Utah before offering others (putting both leagues at 12), then UT loses a lot of their bargaining power (even though every conference would like to have them). Pac10 isn't as desperate, big 10 is done expanding for a few more years and Big 12 loses Nebraska and Colorado, which is a punch to the big 12.

[Stallion]

Do you read the news or internet much. Its very clear that are pursing Option 1 from numerous reports ie the Big 12 South. This has been going on for months. The PAC knows exactly what Texas needs to make this work. Dodds and Scott are reputed to be good friends. Sit back and watch the dominos fall exactly how Texas wants them to. Power Politics

[Cardinal Puff]

I don't think the SEC has an immediate goal beyond picking up Virginia Tech and Florida State.

[max the wonder dog]

The SEC certainly won't be reactionary in their movement. If they want to go to 14 or 16, they will, but they won't feel pressured to do so. Although Slive has said that the SEC will do whatever necessary to remain competitive with other conferences. I would assume Texas and A&M would be attractive to them, and potentially OU and OSU as well, in addition to some ACC schools (FSU, Clemson, Ga. Tech, VT). If the SEC does decide to expand, I think the most likely scenario would be adding Texas and A&M in the West and FSU and VT in the East. That would add a larger share of the Florida media market, as well as DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Virginia, and part of D.C.

Then they could setup either two 8-team divisions or four divisions:

North- VT, Tennessee, UK, Vandy
East- UGA, Florida, FSU, South Carolina
South- Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, MSU
West- LSU, Arkansas, Texas, A&M

Va Tech used their political muscle in Richmond to insist that UVA get them into the ACC. UVA is the more politically powerful university-- they have law and medical schools which Tech doesn't, plus the whole Thomas Jefferson thing. No way Tech is moving to a better conference if UVA objects.

[ponydawg]

Do you read the news or internet much. Its very clear that are pursing Option 1 from numerous reports ie the Big 12 South. This has been going on for months. The PAC 12 knows exactly what Texas needs to make this work. Dodds and Scott are reputed to be good friends. Sit back and watch the dominos fall exactly how Texas wants them to. Power Politics

Yes I watch the interweb. Like today when Chip Brown said Nebraska wasn't going to get an offer, then a few hours later he said they accepted an offer. I'm surprised the horns will want to go somewhere where they have to beat both OU and USC to get to play in the National Championship Game, right now if they get by OU they are in. But I guess the money is worth it.

And I apologize, I wasn't doubting you. What was that quote about June Jones never ever coming to coach at SMU? I read that on the internet too.