re: Dennis Dodd (CBS Sports) Tweets that final four for #14 are:

quote:

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I lived in DC for 10 yrs. VaTech sells out 80k FexEx Field while UMd can't sell out 50k Byrd Stadium. College football doesn't get much attention on the local news. UMd get more basketball attention than VaTech, but Georgetown dominates college bball coverage. SEC wants a football school. Maryland is a basketball school. Maryland also fails first question on SEC application.... "what year did your state cede from the Union?"

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Virginia Tech sticks out like a sore thumb as the obvious 14th team. They make so much sense when you look carefully at everything.

1) Strong/Solid football program with very respectable programs in the other major sports - Check

2) Strong new TV markets bordering current SEC footprint. The state of Virginia has strong Va Tech support and Va Tech is at least as popular in DC as Maryland is - Check

3) Most importantly this adds an Eastern team with a strong alumni base and very solid academics. This East addition allows the SEC to keep the exact same scheduling format it has now. The ONLY difference is that every SEC team will simply replace 1 of their non-conference cupcakes with the new team in their division. How beautiful it would be to not have to blow up the divisions?

Add A&M to the West and Va Tech to the East and BE DONE WITH EXPANSION FOR GOOD!!! 14 teams is plenty enough for a super conference without. 16 teams is too much and ruins scheduling.