What follows will be a few random and perhaps controversial or crazy thoughts on the looming expansion of the Southeastern Conference.
[1] I think Jerry Jones is very much involved in this whole process, on the down low. And I suspect he knows that with the entry of A&M, the SEC is very likely -- VERY LIKELY -- to award Dallas an occasional SEC football championship game. That would be quite an event, ladies and gentlemen.
[2] I'm very comfortable with VaTech or N.C. State as possibilities in the east and would not have an issue with West Virginia.
[3] In the West, I'm cool with Missouri -- to me, they're a good fit -- although I know they're probably still hoping for the Big Ten.
[4] Although it is virtually inconceivable, I would like for the SEC to add either FIU down in Miami or FAU in Palm Beach County as the 14th member. Adding FIU would absolutely decapitate the Canes, truly freak out the Noles, strategically harm and destabilize the ACC, increase the SEC's reach into Latin America and the northeast, and it would give all Gators a conference little brother down in the most populous corner of the state and allow our huge alumni base down there to interact with their alma mater regularly. Adding FAU wouldn't quite reach that level but it would come close enough.
[5] With the conference now sitting at 14 members, we could then stand pat and see how the expansion cookie crumbles and cherry pick the remaining two members from the best available universities.
[6] I see UF and A&M partnering on more than a few research initiatives. I know UF has an International Center in China that we're either going to share with another SEC school (or more). Perhaps that Center and others like it will be shared with the whole conference. Academically, UF and A&M can lead the SEC research pack and, simultaneously, pack one hell of a powerful political punch.
It's an exciting but unsettling time in college athletics; tremendous changes are on the horizon and I'm ready to see just what's going to be the end result.
Gig 'em, Gator Nation.
Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie | August 31, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Welcome to the family, my man, welcome to the family. I'm gonna have to figure out a way to properly celebrate this historic moment.
Posted by: RattlerGator | August 31, 2011 at 02:00 PM
With what's been going on with Alabama this season it's brought up the argument that the SEC is the "toughest" conference, etc.
I was wondering how things would settle out with all of the conference jumping earlier in the season.
I've gotten some Belk Bowl tickets from http://amazonticketsonline.com/Belk-Bowl for this year. It'll be interesting to see the Cardinals and Virginia duke it out.
Posted by: Robert Muller | November 22, 2011 at 11:40 AM