(02-24-2013 11:55 PM)Lurker Above Wrote: (02-24-2013 11:47 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote: The SEC is probably far more interested in Va and NC, and specifically the #27 RDU television market; than to add to it's already current presence in Florida and South Carolina.
Currently, and in the foreseeable future, VT owns the Commonwealth of Virginia. UVA is now an afterthought.
Therefore, I suspect that NC State and VT would be the primary targets of SEC expansion.
Remember, Chris Fowler (FWIW) said; "The SEC did not expand in order to enhance it's football product, but to increase it's television footprint."
With college football popularity moving South, particularly out of the Northeast; the Hokies and the Wolfpack would seem to be the obvious choices for SEC expansion.
That part of a SEC expansion would include either a UNC/Duke combo or NCS is almost a given. So is VT. My post was about the other schools that should comprise a SEC 20. VT was mentioned with Clemson to highlight a second vortex of quality schools practically on top of one another.
Ok I see what you mean.
That makes sense If the SEC expands for the sake of expansion.
It's just my opinion, but I see the SEC as after media markets. The Gators already supply Florida the state, and Tallahassee (FSU) as a stand alone market is a small #105.
Clemson, on the other hand, is a little more enticing with it's #37 market.
NC St. and UNC should both be on the table. Duke is less likely as a private which will never make a substantial commitment to football.
As far as privates go, Miami may be the most attractive IF the SEC goes after another Florida school. Even though they don't even fill their stadium, the Miami market is such that there is likely more money to be made from the fan who stays home and watches on TV than if that same fan went to the game.
Assuming that the SEC is only after new media markets, the most likely candidates are NC St/UNC and VT.
I don't think the SEC will expand just for the sake of expanding. but if they do, look for Clemson and/or Miami.
FSU and Duke not so much.
The B1G has it's network -for now; but in the long term, the geography of that conference is going to be a detriment in football, as that region continues to lose recruits and fans to warmer climates.
I think that you will see FSU, Clemson, GT, UVA/VT, UNC/NC State, and Miami in the Big 12 discussions down the road, as it targets the SEC, market for market.
All of this is of course just my opinion, as I have no inside info at all.