As expansion talk grows nationally, the SEC finds itself in an interesting position. Regardless of what happens, the SEC will continue to stand on solid ground thanks to its combined $3 billion in TV assets from CBS and ESPN over 15 years. That’s not going anywhere. The league is winning football championships at an alarming rate.
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Does the SEC need to spread its wingspan and invite more teams into the conference?
But if — or perhaps when — the Big Ten makes its move to 14 or 16 teams, can the SEC stomach a potential upstaging? The SEC’s decision on expansion could come down to ego. The expansion winner could make people at least reassess which conference might be the top dog in a couple of years, which is speculation the SEC doesn’t want.
Colleagues Andrea Adelson and Andrew Carter debated this very point today – If Big Ten expands, should SEC expand, too?
Adelson says “Go Large,” playing the Texas angle. Lure Texas into a package deal with Texas A&M and then the league will assure its dominance for years to come.
Carter says “Don’t do it, SEC. You don’t need to.” He cites all the reasons why the SEC is already on top, so why change a good thing?
My take: If Texas and A&M are willing to move into the SEC, you can’t pass on those two schools. Simply too attractive. Otherwise, don’t make the move. It’s the Lornhorns or nothing at all.
