re: NYT: If Texas A&M Is the SEC’s 13th Team, Who’s No. 14?

South Florida adds nothing in terms of new markets, athletic strength, or academics (if the SEC is interested in that at all).

Georgia Tech adds no new markets, but is a decent athletic program, and if the SEC wants to enhance its academic image, few schools anywhere match Tech in that regard. It's a personal favorite of mine but if the SEC wants to grow there are better options, and most likely Georgia will block it from entering.

My personal favorite would be Virginia Tech (new markets, above-average football, and a perfect fit for A&M as a rival school). NC State would be my second choice (new markets, decent football in a state where it isn't that popular -- won't threaten any of the SEC East teams for supremacy). UNC and Duke would help basketball but they're joined at the hip and have no interest in leaving the ACC. After that, I can't see anyone else who would help.

PS--I don't like Mizzou since they want B1G membership; if they came to the SEC they would add instability to a conference where stability is a prized asset.

OU or VT would be my favs.

I see people posting that OU won't go anywhere without OSU. Is there a documented reason for this or just speculation. I think OSU would make a good 15th team (because I would prefer to get a 14th team from the east first to keep balance)if they would leave OU behind.

Something about schools with good football programs in the shadow of another institution and topnotch facilities seems to me like east prey for expansion.

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I think OSU would make a good 15th team (because I would prefer to get a 14th team from the east first to keep balance)if they would leave OU behind

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I posted on this sometime back and completely agree with you.

OK State is in the same boat as A&M -- the perception of being the second-best program in a state where the top program is a national power. With them it's worse since Oklahoma (the state) has far less top-level recruits than Texas while Oklahoma (the university) is more of a national powerhouse than Texas.

OK State would be best served to consider taking the same route as A&M -- make the move to get out from under big brother's shadow.

My dream scenario for a 16-team SEC (should that be the end result) would be to add A&M as #13, VT as #14, then NC State and OK State as #15 and #16. This expands the SEC footprint into four new states and adds three major TV markets (DFW, DC, Houston) which most likely will result into a renegotiated HUGE NEW TV contract.

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then NC State and OK State as #15 and #16.

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give me A&M, FSU, Clemson, and West Virginia or give me no one

The more I think about 13 for a year the more it makes sense. It proves we're not trying to destroy conferences (no lawsuits), it gives time for us to weigh options.

And I think you get a scenario where a lot of schools have to seriously consider applying for fear of another school jumping at the opportunity.

That would create buzz in schools/AD's. Everyone would be talking about who 14 is gonna be for a year. Not bad publicity.

The school that eventually pulls the trigger would have their honeymoon period just like A&M is having now.