Texas A&M is all but ready for the greener pastures of the SEC.
The impending move of Texas A&M to the SEC ushers the captivating conference expansion saga into its second year. With the Pac 10 now the Pac 12, the Big 10 now a 12-team league and the Big 12 now a ten-team (soon to be nine-team) league, it’s blatantly obvious that further movement will eventually occur. Speculation about possible 14-or 16-team “super-conferences” has college football fans hoping their programs will benefit from the massive changes and not be left out in the cold (non-BCS purgatory). The following institutions have, at some point in the last couple of years, been rumored to be considered for absorption by major conferences — and each move listed below would undoubtedly help their football programs, the moneymakers.
When it comes to TV money, there isn’t much of a financial incentive for the Aggies to move to the SEC, at least in the beginning. But it’s still a smart decision, as the Big 12 seems destined for failure, and living in the Longhorns’ shadow hasn’t exactly worked out for them. Separating from their so-called “big brother” would enable them to establish themselves in a far more exciting conference — being Texas’ lone representative in the SEC should bring some in-state recruiting advantages. Perhaps most importantly, news of the possible move has reenergized the fanbase, sparking unprecedented demand for season tickets.
A natural fit in the SEC given its location and fervor for football, the Hokies would make the perfect eastern-based companion for the Aggies. Since joining the ACC, they’ve won four conference titles, boasting a 46-10 conference record during that span. Although FSU has improved dramatically under the guidance of Jimbo Fisher, the possible NCAA trouble for North Carolina and Miami will only weaken the conference. As with the Aggies, the Hokies’ national profile would be enhanced by their inclusion in the best conference in the land.
If 16 is the goal for the SEC, then the Sooners would be an obvious choice. According to College Football Data Warehouse, only three teams in all of college football match them historically, and one of those teams resides in the SEC — Alabama. Oklahoma’s passion for the Sooners resembles any Southern state’s passion for its team(s), so they wouldn’t have trouble fitting in with their new conference mates. Home games versus Alabama, LSU or Florida would surely make up for the loss of home games versus Nebraska, and would beat the heck out of home games versus the Big 12’s replacement for the Aggies.
4. Missouri to Big 10
Last year’s Big 10 expansion rumors enveloped the Tigers, who fit in geographically and academically with the Midwestern-based conference. Ultimately, the Big 10 selected Nebraska, but if the conference were to add two or four more members, the Tigers would be among the first to be considered. In recent years, Gary Pinkel has tapped into the football program’s potential, demonstrating that it can handle difficult competition. Facility upgrades have only strengthened recruiting, an essential requirement for a competitive member of the Big 10. It certainly would be advantageous for the conference to pounce on a program on the upswing.
Penn State enjoys its status as the only representative of the Big 10 in Pennsylvania, but welcoming back its old rival would add excitement to its yearly schedule. As it stands now, the two schools are set to meet for a home-and-home series in 2016 and 2017, which, at that point, may be conference games. The Panthers, of course, would be added for more than just their association with the Nittany Lions — they boast a rich history, with a national championship and Heisman winner in the last 35 years.
The Jayhawks have proven they can achieve in football, winning the Orange Bowl in 2007 under former coach Mark Mangino. With the right leadership, and the absence of Nebraska, Texas or Oklahoma, there’s no reason they couldn’t do it on a more consistent basis. In the Big East, a natural fit when it comes to basketball, they would compete with comparable programs as a member of a western division, which, for starters, could include TCU, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Baylor and Houston.
Like their cross-state rivals, the Wildcats are far from a traditional power in football, but they’ve proven they can compete. Bill Snyder built the program from scratch, achieving five top-10 finishes from 1997 to 2002. Since 2003, however, they’ve been mired in mediocrity, living in the shadows of Texas and Oklahoma. If time is on his side, Snyder would have a less difficult time rebuilding in the Big East.
It’s true that Baylor stands to lose the most from the possible dissolution of the Big 12. But, if it were to land on its feet in the Big East, it would likely benefit from equal revenue sharing. Currently, the Big East is seeking a new lucrative TV deal, and expansion is viewed as a necessary component of achieving that end. Of course, adding Baylor is something that would happen down the road, possibly when the Big East is attempting to keep up with the Joneses in mega expansion. Right now, Baylor — along with Kansas and Kansas State — is one of the lower-revenue members of the Big 12 due to its underwhelming football presence. But it does add a lot in the other sports, and could become a strong Texas-based football program in a conference that needs a boost.
In the midst of raising funds for a new football stadium, the Cougars are making a major push to join a BCS conference. Initially spurned by the Big 12 after the dissolution of the Southwest Conference in the mid-’90s, they’re hoping the progress they’ve made in recent years will result in the invitation they’ve always coveted. Their best bet, however, may be to join the Big East, which could use a natural rival to accompany newly acquired TCU. Houston has experienced football success before, boasting a Heisman winner, and resides in one of the most fertile recruiting areas in the country. Calling the Cougars a “sleeping giant” may be a bit much, but they have potential.
10. Central Florida to Big East
One of the largest schools in the country nestled in the middle of talent-rich Florida, UCF has also been labeled a “sleeping giant.” The rapid ascension of South Florida in the Big East — the Bulls were ranked as high as No. 2 during the 2007 season, just their third year in the conference — is proof that such a school can experience immediate success in a BCS conference. With the possible decline of Miami — the original Florida program that emerged from obscurity — amid its troubles with the NCAA, the Knights could snag recruits that previously would’ve headed for Coral Gables. Florida can support four or even five BCS programs, and the Big East, in need of new life, could benefit from what the state has to offer.
Sponsored by: http://www.zencollegelife.com/
