Texas A&M would be a Positive Addition to the SEC, but Clemson and Florida State would bring Nothing

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Jacob Bunn

The last week has been filled with speculation surrounding whether or not the SEC will expand its membership. Many are of the opinion that major college athletics is headed for a format of four conferences containing sixteen teams. To ensure that it is not retroactive in the process of expansion, it would behoove a conference to be on the leading edge of the revolution. Being the dominating league that it has been the last five years, the SEC is wasting no time in exploring its options.

The name that most of the focus has been on is Texas A&M. Indications from sources all over college football point to the Aggies being the first step in expansion for the Southeastern Conference.

The SEC presidents did meet Sunday and made a public statement that they were satisfied with the current layout of the conference and no additions would be made at this time. But, don’t think that it ends on that note. I expect negotiations to continue, and I think there is a strong possibility that Texas A&M will be a member of the SEC in 2012.

Do I think it is a good move for the SEC to add Texas A&M? Only time will tell. Certainly the television markets and new area of the country that the Aggies will bring in will prove beneficial. But, will they be able to stand toe to toe with other teams in a league where BCS championships are commonplace?

While I do not have a problem with Texas A&M being added to the conference, I think the annexation of Clemson or Florida State would be a considerable faux pas.

First, neither of those two schools seems to bring any additional television markets to the conference. One of the main objectives in this process is to expand the conference television viewing area to untapped, lucrative markets. That, after all, is what brings in new revenue. And, I really do not think the brass at Florida and South Carolina wants schools added from within the borders of their respective states.

So, Bunn, you say, since you are so critical of Clemson and Florida State being added, what exactly is your plan? I say go after the best first, and if that does not work out, transition to a plan ‘B.’

I think the first place the SEC should focus its interest is the state of Oklahoma. I do not believe Oklahoma will come to the SEC without Oklahoma State. They are a package deal from what I understand. So, I would definitely pay a visit to the Oklahoma schools first.

From there, I would look at Virginia Tech. The Hokies provide a formidable football and basketball program, and they would bring in television markets in the beltway area.

Missouri is another viable option for the SEC to explore. A good presence in the Show-Me State would be advantageous because of the Saint Louis and Kansas City television markets.

The program (or programs) the SEC adds to accompany Texas A&M needs to be a major university from a state that does not already contain an SEC school.

I think conference augmentation across the United States is inevitable. So if it is going to happen anyway, why not be on the cutting edge? I think that is exactly what the SEC under Commissioner Mike Slive is attempting to accomplish.

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Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn