If the SEC can’t get those two states, where would they go to find somebody else?

ClemPson, FSU, and Ga. Tech would all love to join the SEC, but the SEC doesn’t want them. They add no new media markets of any significant size, as they already own Atlanta, South Carolina, and the state of Florida. Plus UF, UGa, and USC don’t want them in because they have the recruiting trump card over those schools now, which is, “Do you want to play in the SEC or the ACC?”

The SEC will expand into new markets. I predict NC St. and Virginia Tech will end up in the SEC when all this shakes out.

ClemPson, the Criminoles, and the Ramblin’ Wreck will probably end up in the Big 12. Ga Tech has an outside shot at the B1G, as an AAU member.

Finally add to it that a lot of football talent in MD goes to PSU and the B1G already, well if a handful of recruits now stay home UMD could compete at the B1G level.

No garuntees from me, just this could be a very good move on a number of levels for UMD.

You might be correct, but I’ve heard that Clemson, Georgia Tech and Florida State are seriously looking to join the SEC. With Maryland leaving, and Florida State also voting against the $50 million exit fee, FSU might have the inside track.

Puts them at 17 if they all apply to the SEC, so would the SEC stop there, or go to some higher number?

It wouldn’t be the first time a conference functioned with an odd number of teams – the ACC did it with seven for a while; the Big Ten did it with 11 for a couple of decades.

Then why do MIT, CalTech, the Ivy League schools, and multiple other colleges and universities have more applicants that slots available?

Maybe because some, or even most, people view life as more than just football? Even if it is no longer “rah, rah, rah, 42 scadoo”.

Yes, many of us take some interest in college football and/or basketball and/or soccer, etc., but it is not our life and death if the team wins or loses. We might be down a bit for a day or two when our team loses, but it is not to the point of committing suicide.

Texas is the spoiled kid that wants to tell everyone else what to do with their toys.

The B1G is about mutual respect amongst all colleagues. Maryland and Rutgers come on as partners. Not junior partners. True partners. It’s been a huge part of the conference’s success and stability.

-QG

Interesting story. I have no doubt that Texas thinks of itself in those terms just like UNC, Ohio State, and Alabama all do.

I strongly suspect that the BIG12 is waiting for the right moment, and when that moment comes they will expand faster than any other conference has up to this point.

They have 6 spots open, and it just so happens that after SEC and B1G get to 16 each there will be 4 or 5 quality ACC schools looking for a new conference home. I think the BIG12 might have a shot at landing FSU, GT, Clemson, and Miami. And if the SEC lucks out with UNC, NCST would also be a nice addition for the BIG12. Finish it off with Louisville and call it a day.

Here is the money point. He could not figure out why the B1G wanted Maryland and Rutgers instead of Texas. His quote exactly ” Don’t they realize what Texas brings to the table? Our pedigree, Our facilities, our entire athletic program? Don’t they realize we would be the flagship for the B1G?”

I sat in silence and asked “Could it be that the B1G isn’t looking for a flagship school?” He never answered.

You don’t want Texas any where near your conference

May I remind you that if IU depended totally on football for financing it’s athletic program like many other schools do, it almost certainly wouldn’t have an athletic program.

IU, though, (and just like UM, OSU, MSU, Wisconsin, etc.) relies on other sports to also make a profit (in the above five cases, basketball). Maybe it is football only for the SEC schools, or the Big 12, but that is NOT the case for the teams in the Big Ten.

Also remember, most people don’t look to football as the ONLY reason to support an institution of higher learning. In fact, some don’t care about any of the sports at an institution of higher learning, but to the education, How else to explaind MIT or CalTech? They are not very good in sports – ANY sport, but have many more potential students applying to go to them than slots available. The Ivy League? When was the last time any Ivy League team was dominant in football (or even basketball)? And yet they also have more applicants than slots available.

If football was the ONLY criteria, there would be no applicants at MIT, CalTech, the Ivy League, and many other schools.

Meantime, the #1 rated basketball program in both the AP and Coaches polls is Indiana University.

Granted, OSU and Michigan are also ranked in the Top Five, but MSU, Wisconsin and Minnesota are also receiving votes. Did you overlook Indiana and Minnesota in your list ‘of six or seven’?

Some people, and some conferences, pay attention to more than one sport.

For all the same reasons Maryland was good in regards to the DC market, Boston College is good in regards to the Boston market. Subscribers, subscribers, subscribers…

Both campuses are within 3 hours. I’ve driven those roads many times. Minor detail.

manchestermiracle-

Don’t go around with your nose in the air. At least direct your faux rage equally. Neither the Big 12 or Pac 10 sport the same number of universities as what is in their conference name.