re: My Expansion Hope

Why the frick does the SEC HAVE to expand to 16 teams???? I`ve yet to see someone explain that. 16 teams totally destroys the SEC as we know it. I can`t believe some of the crazy divisional setups I`m hearing people suggest. Why not simply add A&M to the West and Virginia Tech to the East. That keeps EVERYTHING the same except for adding 1 conference game to everyone`s schedule while only taking away 1 non-conference game. Traditional rivalries are preserved and 2 solid programs and schools are added. Get to 14 teams and stay there. ONLY got to 16 in the unlikely event both Texas and UNC beg for an invitation. The SEC will be just as big of a championship factor with 14 teams as they would with 16 teams.

That`s not what most Tech fans are saying on their boards. They are saying that they`d have to accept if the SEC does offer. They`ve said absolutely nothing about not being ABLE to go because of UVA. Many of the Tech fans who have mixed emotions about leaving the ACC admit they`d be fools to turn down an offer from the SEC if it came. Virginia Tech gives the SEC the best combination of new markets, program quality, strong alumni base, and academics. They bring a more desirable total package then FSU does imho.

quote:

---

Why the frick does the SEC HAVE to expand to 16 teams????

---

Its all about the money. There has been a lot of talk about having four 16 team mega conferences and a playoff. If the Big12 dissolves, I think that will be the most likely scenario.

quote:

---

The SEC will be just as big of a championship factor with 14 teams as they would with 16 teams.

---

Again, this is all about money. And that money is going to come from TV contracts.

I understand that expansion is all about money. What I don`t understand is why four 16 team leagues is the end all be all only way college football can get to a playoff. A 16 team league leaves almost no room to keep traditional cross divisional rivalry games as well as the ability to play teams in the other division. I think my playoff idea works just as well with five 14 team leagues. It also saves the SEC from being turned into an unrecognizable mess.

quote:

---

A 16 team league leaves almost no room to keep traditional cross divisional rivalry games as well as the ability to play teams in the other division.

---

I think that is the biggest concern, but for the most part I think it could be manageable. I am more concerned about what would happen to big time out of conference games. Maybe, we would only see big time out of conference games at bowl time which could add meaning to the bowls no one cares about now. Also, it would increase the conference
rivalry that has really started to bud the last 5-10 years.



Well, here are my thoughts on the situation from a different thread, essentially "My Expansion Hope":

This is what I am really excited about. With these mega-conferences, it becomes less likely a team will run the table, effectively doing away with the current 1 loss and you're done BCS mentality. Moreover, these mega conferences would put even more distance between themselves and the little sisters of the poor.

I see the Big 10, Pac 10, and SEC making the move to a bigger conference, but there still needs to be an East Coast super. Maybe some combo of Big East and the ACC. Then you would have four mega-conferences. Here comes my way out there hope...

Four conference champions play in 2 BCS games with the winners playing in a Championship game. The championship game would be played at a FIFTH BCS location. I'd like to see the Cotton Bowl and Jerruh-world get added to the BCS slate. Plus, have the two conference runner-ups play two at large teams in 2 different BCS games. At large teams can be little sisters of the poor. With this setup, I think you would still be able to maintain conference bowl traditions as well which would keep the Rose Bowls and Jim Delanys of the world happy.

One concern, is whether having all the good teams from a region playing in the same conference would increase or decrease the incentive to create great out of conference matchups.




Lastly, while reading this, I just had a couple way out there ideas to solve the rivalry issues. What if:

They increase the number of conference games. Maybe even make all 12 games became conference games and add an extra buy week.

or

This seems far less likely, but maybe, they could increase the schedule to 14 games.

quote:

---

if you are referring to DC, sorry to tell you it is not the VT market. They have a large presence but not a hold on the market. DC when it comes to college sports is split up pretty good. DC is a pro sports town.

---

Yeah, I have heard the "DC" argument as well. DC is definitely a pro town. By all accounts, VA Tech is back-burner/ filler talk there. Definitely, not the main sports course at the dinner table. I'm thinking that would be the Skins.

thank you for the VT/DC comment. now if only the rantards could learn this fact.

quote:

---

And the way its been going the last 2 years, Jimbo is gonna kick UFs arse in recruiting

---

... and they're both kicking LSU's arse in recruiting.

Adding FSU wouldn't do shite to UF's schedule, we play them each year. It will however make it more difficult on the SEC as a whole. If the SEC brings on FSU, so be it.

quote:

---

Texas A & M Florida St Ga. Tech Miami or Clemson

---

Texas A&M
Oklahoma
North Carolina
Vir Tech