Of all of the fallout that could come with the Big Ten expanding, perhaps the most intriguing would be whether or not the SEC would be forced to make a move to counter the only conference that can compete with them financially.
Rumors have abounded that, if the Big Ten were to go to 16 teams, the SEC would follow in kind. Texas, Texas A&M, Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Clemson have all been mentioned as possibilities for an expanded SEC.
Now comes a report from a Knoxville radio station -- uh-oh, another radio report -- that the conference is being very preemptive when it comes to the expansion issue.
By way of MrSEC.com, Jimmy Hyams of WNML-AM 990 reports that, per a source close to CBS, commissioner Mike Slive has met with network officials regarding the SEC’s potential plans for expansion. Reportedly, Slive told the executives that their goal is to match the Big Ten team for team if they move to 16.
In such a case, Hyams reports, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida State and Clemson would be their targets. If the first two could not be had, the two Texas schools would be replaced by Georgia Tech and Miami.
Very predictably, the SEC has denied that such a meeting took place.
"[There] was never any meeting nor have their been any discussions between CBS and SEC Commissioner Mike Slive about expansion,” the conference stated in an email response to the radio report.
Whether or not the report is true is debatable -- very debatable given the conference’s response -- but there should be little doubt that Slive & Company are not just sitting on their hands awaiting the Big Ten’s move. You don’t get to be the preeminent football conference in the country by being caught with your pants around your ankles.