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Message
The "Gentlemen's Agreement", who's in it, is it real?
Posted on 8/18/11 at 6:39 am
Posted on 8/18/11 at 6:39 am
If you've been following expansion talk, you've heard this term. The "Gentlemen's Agreement" is supposedly formed of a number of SEC schools, most if not all in the SEC east, who have banded together in order to block the addition of another school from within an existing SEC state.
The schools most commonly held to be members of the "Gentlemen's Agreement"...assuming it actually exists...are Florida and South Carolina.
Georgia is often mentioned as well, even though few people realistically mention Georgia Tech as a possible addition to the SEC. I could see UGA being a part of the agreement not so much to block Ga. Tech, but to block schools that recruit the same area as UGA.
Kentucky has been mentioned as a possible member of the agreement as well, in order to block Louisville's invitation. I'm not sure I buy this, because I can't imagine Louisville being high on the SEC's list of potential additions. But perhaps UK is playing it safe, just in case.
Other schools sometimes mentioned include Alabama, Auburn, and LSU. Why these three SEC west schools? All three heavily recruit the state of Florida, and in the case of the first two, Georgia as well.
My take is that there is indeed some kind of handshake deal between at least a few of the schools mentioned. I'd say Florida and South Carolina at a minimum are in cahoots to block both Florida State and Clemson. Beyond that anyone's guess could be right.
Your thoughts?
The schools most commonly held to be members of the "Gentlemen's Agreement"...assuming it actually exists...are Florida and South Carolina.
Georgia is often mentioned as well, even though few people realistically mention Georgia Tech as a possible addition to the SEC. I could see UGA being a part of the agreement not so much to block Ga. Tech, but to block schools that recruit the same area as UGA.
Kentucky has been mentioned as a possible member of the agreement as well, in order to block Louisville's invitation. I'm not sure I buy this, because I can't imagine Louisville being high on the SEC's list of potential additions. But perhaps UK is playing it safe, just in case.
Other schools sometimes mentioned include Alabama, Auburn, and LSU. Why these three SEC west schools? All three heavily recruit the state of Florida, and in the case of the first two, Georgia as well.
My take is that there is indeed some kind of handshake deal between at least a few of the schools mentioned. I'd say Florida and South Carolina at a minimum are in cahoots to block both Florida State and Clemson. Beyond that anyone's guess could be right.
Your thoughts?
5
Posted on 8/18/11 at 7:41 am to TigersOfGeauxld
Georgia doesn't want Clemson anymore than USCe does. Clemson is only 75 miles from Athens.
Of course, I don't really understand their objection. You only THINK Clemson under-preforms now. Just wait until they play an SEC schedule.
Of course, I don't really understand their objection. You only THINK Clemson under-preforms now. Just wait until they play an SEC schedule.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 7:43 am to TigersOfGeauxld
Add A&M and then we get a vote on the 14th team too. We'll vote for whomever the SEC West teams want 
This post was edited on 8/18/11 at 7:44 am
Posted on 8/18/11 at 7:45 am to Big Kat
You have to actually be in the SEC before you get a vote in it. Way to put the cart before the horse.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 7:47 am to Big Kat
quote:
Add A&M and then we get a vote on the 14th team too. We'll vote for whomever the SEC West teams want
Interesting take, but I'm pretty sure that the existing conference members will decide on the 14th...and who knows if it's limited to just 14...before TAMU officially joins.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 8:02 am to TigersOfGeauxld
The story from the Ag side is we will be the lone team added for the 2012 season and we will have a vote for the 14th team added to start in 2013.
Now if Sept 1 comes and goes and we are still in the Big XII just throw that out the window
Now if Sept 1 comes and goes and we are still in the Big XII just throw that out the window
Posted on 8/18/11 at 8:04 am to Big Kat
quote:
The story from the Ag side is we will be the lone team added for the 2012 season and we will have a vote for the 14th team added to start in 2013.
I could see that, especially if there is a lack of consensus about who would come in with the Aggies.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 8:06 am to Big Kat
quote:
Add A&M and then we get a vote on the 14th team too. We'll vote for whomever the SEC West teams want
I like this guy!
Posted on 8/18/11 at 8:22 am to TigersOfGeauxld
It's been discussed a lot and it's hard to rehash. IMO, it's about business. Does the team bring enough monies and intangibles to justify the payout that they would get. IMO, only FSU does. I just can't imagine a Clemson, GaTech, or Louisville making money for their partners. The risk with them is that you might take one if you can't get one of your targets to jump on board in order to balance the conference.
The case against FSU is based on a combination of fear and hate. No one will acknowledge the former, but when you talk about things like recruiting (which is nonsense considering who they are and where they are located as they will do what they do whether in or out of the SEC) you are signaling fear. Yes they will make the SEC harder to win and that will put people's jobs in jeopardy, but those people are being paid very big bucks to face that competition and that competition is good for business.
But if FSU doesn't join, that doesn't mean they were blocked. They are as arrogant as any other team, and I'm sure that they think they are on the verge of another great run. That run will be a whole lot easier to realize in the ACC than the SEC and the monies really won't be that much different. The Miami fiasco also makes FSU that much more valuable to the ACC which will give them more clout. So they may decide to stay put, which is a shame since Bowden built that program on the philosophy of anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The case against FSU is based on a combination of fear and hate. No one will acknowledge the former, but when you talk about things like recruiting (which is nonsense considering who they are and where they are located as they will do what they do whether in or out of the SEC) you are signaling fear. Yes they will make the SEC harder to win and that will put people's jobs in jeopardy, but those people are being paid very big bucks to face that competition and that competition is good for business.
But if FSU doesn't join, that doesn't mean they were blocked. They are as arrogant as any other team, and I'm sure that they think they are on the verge of another great run. That run will be a whole lot easier to realize in the ACC than the SEC and the monies really won't be that much different. The Miami fiasco also makes FSU that much more valuable to the ACC which will give them more clout. So they may decide to stay put, which is a shame since Bowden built that program on the philosophy of anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 8:26 am to Big Kat
quote:
The story from the Ag side is we will be the lone team added for the 2012 season and we will have a vote for the 14th team added to start in 2013.
At this late date, I think if you join this is the way it will be. I know FSU is contractually committed to ACC thru 2012 now and that is probably true for the rest of the ACC. Probably only another Big 12 member could be added for 2012 now.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 8:58 am to Indiana Tiger
quote:
Yes they will make the SEC harder to win and that will put people's jobs in jeopardy, but those people are being paid very big bucks to face that competition and that competition is good for business.
another problem with making the sec harder is you don't want 2-3 loss sec champions every year. From an outsider's point of view, they'll say the conference had a down year and put in the 0-1 loss pac and big 12 champs.
and no titles means no dominance.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 9:13 am to Indiana Tiger
quote:
So they may decide to stay put, which is a shame since Bowden built that program on the philosophy of anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The same Bowden who was quoted as saying FSU went ACC over SEC 20 years ago because it was a much easier league.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 9:17 am to Jumbeauxlaya
quote:
another problem with making the sec harder is you don't want 2-3 loss sec champions every year. From an outsider's point of view, they'll say the conference had a down year and put in the 0-1 loss pac and big 12 champs.
and no titles means no dominance.
This view is a little short-sighted; it's not taking into account where this is ultimately heading. Is your scenario possible? Yes. Is it permanent? No. We are heading to a fundamental realignment in college football (and playoffs are extremely likely) and now is the time to cherry pick the top teams.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 9:18 am to Jwho77
Yep, the same Bowden that also said that he didn't want the SEC if he had to play Bama and Auburn yearly.
FSU doesn't want any part of the SEC IMO anyway. They want to waltz to a BCS game stepping over the all of the dead bodies in the ACC along the way.
Indiana Tiger continues to say it's fear that keeps UF from wanting FSU in the SEC despite every single gator here saying otherwise. There's nothing to fear other than additional competition in winning the SEC. However, everyone would have the same fear if not more since we already play them.
I appreciate your opinion but it's just not accurate for most of us here in FL. One more time: we just don't want them to reap the benefits of being in the SEC out of pure unabashed spite. It really is that simple. Keep up the fear speeches though. Obama would be proud that you are sticking to your platform.
FSU doesn't want any part of the SEC IMO anyway. They want to waltz to a BCS game stepping over the all of the dead bodies in the ACC along the way.
Indiana Tiger continues to say it's fear that keeps UF from wanting FSU in the SEC despite every single gator here saying otherwise. There's nothing to fear other than additional competition in winning the SEC. However, everyone would have the same fear if not more since we already play them.
I appreciate your opinion but it's just not accurate for most of us here in FL. One more time: we just don't want them to reap the benefits of being in the SEC out of pure unabashed spite. It really is that simple. Keep up the fear speeches though. Obama would be proud that you are sticking to your platform.
This post was edited on 8/18/11 at 9:22 am
Posted on 8/18/11 at 9:40 am to roadGator
quote:
Indiana Tiger continues to say it's fear that keeps UF from wanting FSU in the SEC despite every single gator here saying otherwise. There's nothing to fear other than additional competition in winning the SEC. However, everyone would have the same fear if not more since we already play them.
FWIW, I made no mention of FL and fear. As an acknowledgment of you position, I said the resistance is due to a combination of fear and hate because there isn't a rational reason to reject them only an emotional one. This thread is about alliiances and FL is not the only player.
If your reason is hate, so be it, but you were the one who picked up on fear and FL here. That is you picking out the book "Being a Dummy for Dummies." It is not me calling you a dummy.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 9:46 am to Indiana Tiger
Kentucky's involvement is strictly at the behest of Florida...or so I've heard. I don't think they care about Louisville.
Kentucky is just UF's little bitch.
Plus, adding Kentucky gives those schools enough votes to filibuster any team's admission to the SEC...because I think 9 out of 12 members have to approve.
Kentucky is just UF's little bitch.
Plus, adding Kentucky gives those schools enough votes to filibuster any team's admission to the SEC...because I think 9 out of 12 members have to approve.
This post was edited on 8/18/11 at 9:48 am
Posted on 8/18/11 at 10:17 am to Indiana Tiger
You said that it was a combination of fear and hate this time. In other posts in other threads you've claimed fear of what FSU will do with the money to improve is what causes UF fans' desire to block FSU.
I saw that you now added hate to the equation. At least you are a bit flexible in your opinions.
Spite and general dislike rules the day for me.
I have admitted that if FSU could bring enough extra money I would lean toward letting them in. It would have to be a lot though.
I saw that you now added hate to the equation. At least you are a bit flexible in your opinions.
Spite and general dislike rules the day for me.
I have admitted that if FSU could bring enough extra money I would lean toward letting them in. It would have to be a lot though.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 10:33 am to roadGator
quote:
I have admitted that if FSU could bring enough extra money I would lean toward letting them in. It would have to be a lot though.
roadGator--In light of the serious problems that Miami is facing, would the possibility of a virtual monopoly on TV viewership in Florida (similar to what the PAC-12 tried to do last year by getting both Texas and A&M) be enough to convince you that maybe FSU should be let in?
Posted on 8/18/11 at 10:44 am to Quidam65
I guess I see the situation differently. Instead of just assuming FSU makes the SEC better somehow, I want to know exactly how for obvious reasons.
UF will mean more to the South FL market than FSU will. There are way more UF fans down there. A hypothetical Miami death doesn't really change things.
FSU will pick up the FL panhandle but is that enough to warrant taking them. No.
That leaves us with National TV money. This is where I willing to accept the possibility of having FSU join us. However, I would want to know how it helps and how much it helps. The how is easier obviously. The how much is hard for me to wrap my arms around.
How many National SEC games can be televised on one Saturday? How much more is FSU worth to ESPN and thus the SEC? I don't know these answers.
IMO FSU has more to gain financially from joining than we have to gain from letting them in. I have a problem with that.
FWIW, I'm against expansion all together. The rotation is already once every four years. Adding 14 will increase that to 6 years and adding 16 is just ridiculous regarding the rotation. You won't see schools for like 7 or 8 years.
UF will mean more to the South FL market than FSU will. There are way more UF fans down there. A hypothetical Miami death doesn't really change things.
FSU will pick up the FL panhandle but is that enough to warrant taking them. No.
That leaves us with National TV money. This is where I willing to accept the possibility of having FSU join us. However, I would want to know how it helps and how much it helps. The how is easier obviously. The how much is hard for me to wrap my arms around.
How many National SEC games can be televised on one Saturday? How much more is FSU worth to ESPN and thus the SEC? I don't know these answers.
IMO FSU has more to gain financially from joining than we have to gain from letting them in. I have a problem with that.
FWIW, I'm against expansion all together. The rotation is already once every four years. Adding 14 will increase that to 6 years and adding 16 is just ridiculous regarding the rotation. You won't see schools for like 7 or 8 years.
Posted on 8/18/11 at 10:48 am to TigersOfGeauxld
If it truly goes to 16 team conferences you better get the best teams you can get and for travel purpose state geography should not play a part.
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