Not that you are wrong, but you are assuming we would only play 8 SEC games. Under a 14-16 team format I think it would jump to 10 conference games and only 2 OOC. Due to wanting to keep the Big Conferences competing at some level (TV monies) with each other, I think you would see these 2 OOC games become more against other BCS schools and dropping the cupcake games.
That is true for today, but 5-10 yrs down the road with conferences of the likes of USC, UT, ATM, OSU, OU, and the rest could very well not only catch but surpass the current SEC format. I think that Slive thinks about the future and not just today.
If the SEC were to expand to 14 I would like to pick up TCU in the west and GA Tech in the east. If we go 16 I would want North Carolina as the additional eastern team and Houston as the additional wesstern team. These moves would expand the geography and give us a direct presence in some major markets. In reality I don't know how we maintain conference rivaliries with a conference that is so big. East West matchups will be so infrequent that any passion will be lost.
I don't think Houston is a good option because if they become an SEC school that could seriously affect our recruiting of east Texas. If we were going to add someone that would affect our recruiting base, I'd rather it be ULL or LA Tech - at least that would bring some more money to the state and keep it out of Texas. I know that isn't realistic, though. I just don't see how adding TCU, Houston, GA Tech and North Carolina does anything but water down the football talent in the conference. NC would be a big addition for basketball and baseball, though. Then again, with the added funds those schools would receive from joining the SEC, maybe they could become more competitive year in and year out. I mean, they can't be any worse than Mississippi State.
Ruston and Lafayette are non-starters . . . small schools, small markets. LSU has never had trouble recruiting east Texas and U of Houston in the SEC won't change that dynamic much. Houston has a bigger enrollment than LSU and most SEC schools and is in the 4th largest city in the country . . . and who won't have a Pac-10 or a Big-10 team in town to compete for the fans.
of course. macko doesnt want to face the meat grinder of the sec. and we thought it was interesting now....:hihi: this. when i was visiting with an ou friend about this yesterday, he flat out said, he doesnt want to be in a superconference that just beats itself up the way the sec does now. he realizes how tough the sec is on each other, and how easy the other conferences are in comparison. (never thought i would hear him admit that!) true. as much as i despise slive, he has got to be looking out for the interests of the sec. things are gonna change whether we want them to or not. and he has to look to how it is gonna effect the sec down the road. this is one of the problems i have with super conferences. if they are essentially two conferences in one, might as well just have two conferences. like the rumors that the pac whatever will demand two bcs berths, one for each division. screw that. one conference, one berth. and super conference should be made to have a conference championship game. this just have a division champ and each get a berth is bs at best. the whole thing just kinda negates any purpose other than money. of course, $$ is what this is all about, but i just dont like the idea.
I agree with that, which is why I said it's not realistic, but MS State has about the same enrollment as ULL... As far as Houston not affecting our recruiting of east TX - you're kidding yourself. It'll take them 5-10 years, but that will absolutely, without question, eat into our recruiting efforts over there if it were to happen.
