Sure there is, but if the SEC has an understanding reached with one of those schools, they're keeping it very quiet.
I doubt they DO have an agreement 'with one of these schools', but I'm sure they have a list. aTm is a given. All they have to do is make their intentions known. THEY have to lead the way. The SEC can't be the initiater here. That way the SEC isn't the subject of any lawsuit from the Big 9. Same thing with whomever else wants in. That school has to make the first move, and the first move involves more than just saying they want to be a part of the SEC. The have to act first. Talk is cheap.
I can't for the life of me see why. I know others have said it but it still makes no sense. If I'm (insert name of school here) it really doesn't matter what conference I'm currently in, the road to success is easier than it will be in the SEC. I would fight like hell to stay out of that snake pit.
When the SEC is consistantly putting TWO teams in the BCS EVERY year, the pie is much bigger. They want a piece of pie. Plus, the SEC is the most talked about conference in CFB. Again, big pie. It is really pretty simple...the SEC is a cash cow.
You can bet there's an SEC Network coming, but quick. These schools know that. And all you have to do is tune into ANY CFB talk show on XM or Sirius any day of the week. The hosts might even TRY to talk about other conferences, but the main topic of conversation is ALWAYS the SEC. No matter how hard they try. The SEC is king... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
For those that want to just sit back and eat pie (not a bad gig I might add) but for teams that want to contend, eh I'm not so sure. To be the big dog you have to go and take the bone away. Who is going to come in and contend that isn't already here? Va Tech? They'd be effing nuts to leave the gravy train they have now, atm? Not a chance, sure it will all be about money in the end but name me 1 school that will have an easier road to the BCS because they moved TO the SEC?
There isn't one, and if you read back, I've already suggested that it won't be VT because of that very reason. If you read WAY back, you'll see that I think it'll be someone like NCState. Not so bad that they'll be a doormat, not so great that they'll contend, but they'll be a middle of the road SEC east team sitting back and eating pie. They're already a middle of the road ACC team, and they won't suffer from this move. They'll improve their chances in basketball, to boot. Honestly, that's about how I feel about TAMU. They'll be a middle of the road team, which is what they are where they are now. But they certainly won't be a doormat, and they will likely be a better program in the long run. The SEC has been good to both Arky and USCe, even though neither has ever won the conference. They already weren't winning the conferences they were in. Just like TAMU and NC State.
Good SI article breaking down the lasted announcement: SEC didn't pass on extending Texas A&M invitation, it's letting process play out - Andy Staples - SI.com
