Comments on: You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers: From Why Your Search Is Taking So Long To SEC Expansion

By: SouthernBoiSB

SouthernBoiSB — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:43:11 +0000

http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/p/38194675/SEC-Expanding-to-16-teams-by-Jan-1-2013-a.aspx

Expansion in the within the month? & NOT UNC/Duke?

By: BamaWahoo

BamaWahoo — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:12:59 +0000

@SpencerMoore @ThernUVA is only tied to VT in the sense that neither can be left homeless. But at this point, I don’t think that’s a problem. Either UVA or VT would be left in the ACC, a better place to be than the Big East even with defections, or – more likely – in the scenario where either team left the ACC the ACC would be collapsing and the other would be the only way for a conference to get into the Commonwealth, its large markets (and the DC market), recruiting grounds, etc. If UVA left, VT would have the SEC or B12 (prob not B1G). If VT left for SEC, UVA would have B1G (or worst case B12). I greatly prefer UVA in the SEC w/ UNC. Duke to the B1G (maybe w/ GT). And the B12 picking apart the rest and forming an Eastern Division. But as of right now, there are 2 options in the Commonwealth and multiple conferences would like to be in. So I don’t think either would be held to the other.

Additionally, the current VA Governor is a UVA fan (unlike the former one). If UVA had an SEC offer and wanted to go, no amount of whining from Cousin Eddie would keep UVA in the ACC. But ultimately, the only way I see UVA in SEC is if the SEC wants a UNC/UVA pair. And I do think that a UVA/UNC pair is much better for the SEC than a VT/NCSt. pair.

By: SouthernBoiSB

SouthernBoiSB — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:03:12 +0000

@ChaseTheTrainWarren I noticed that the moment it came out. It meant 1 of 3 possibilities: A – SEC is expanding again; B – SEC is moving to 9 conf. games in 2014; or C – A&B.

The other thing I noticed was they were “supposed” to arrange it where all the cross-division rival games would be hosted by the same side each year. That didn’t happen & I found a solution that would have worked (I think it only involved flipping the home/away schools of 4 games…..which, in the end, would still leave everybody with 4H/4A conf. games).

By: Clarence

Clarence — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:25:50 +0000

@Thern Sorry, but why would Fisher leave FSU. Not trying to be critical, but just curious. Seems like they are both top jobs. Does he have some UT connection.

Fedora really impressed me last year. He shut down Sumlin and UH in the CUSA conference game. When I listened to both of them, I thought it was a toss up for who should get the A&M HC gig. You would have one tough, salt of the earth coach with Larry Fedora.

By: Clarence

Clarence — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:21:52 +0000

@AllTideUp @Thern @BamaWahoo I think Duke is a good get for the SEC, but I think the real reason they are key is that Duke and UNC wanting to leave the ACC will cause the $50M buyout to crumble. Otherwise, the ACC will just do a tit for tat replacement of anyone that leaves and say pay up the $50M.

If Duke and UNC want to leave, then ACC is toast, at least the ACC as we know it. I’m sure they will carry in some form, but without a $50M exit fee.

By: AllTideUp

AllTideUp — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:52:45 +0000

@Thern @BamaWahoo That’s been my thought as well with regard to the idea of a UNC/Duke combo bringing us to 16 and then stopping. If that were to occur then that means UVA is headed to the Big Ten(assuming that isn’t going to happen already) and VT would be headed to the Big 12. The Big 12 is likely coming after FSU and Clemson…would the SEC really cede the entire Virginia/DC market to other leagues and at that also allow the Big 12 to create a giant footprint in the East? Presumably NC State could be a target of the Big 12 as well in that scenario. Miami and Louisville might go along with them.

I already have reservations about Duke’s ability to thrive in the marketplace long term so that move doesn’t strike me as the wise route to go.

By: genericusername

genericusername — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:04:55 +0000

Just a thought from someone who’s familiar with the 900 monkey–

I suspect UNC is the tx of the ACC. Why would they leave conference that revolves around them? Sure, there’s money, but I think there’s more to it than that. Tx had the chance to go to the Pac twice. Both sides want the other, but in the end, it was tx unwillingness to give up the big boy on the block status that kept them put.

By: SpencerMoore

SpencerMoore — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 02:36:35 +0000

@Thern @BamaWahoo This notion that UNC and Duke are a package deal is pure BS, strictly from the mind of Dick Vitale and Dukie lovers. UNC is a public school and is more than just basketball. Duke is an elitist private school filled with students not from Carolina. Teams are tied due to state government interference (or in the case of UT and OU, they say so). Virginia helped get Va Tech in the ACC. Separating UNC from NC State and Virginia Tech from Virginia might be the hardest part. Perhaps the SEC should grab the easiest ( Va. Tech since they like to jump from conference to conference every dozen or so years) and then go for the Big XII kill by taking OU or even OSU out west. Again OSU is thought of as tethered to OU but you never know.

By: SevierVol

SevierVol — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:50:18 +0000

I just don’t see Chavis being named as HC at UT at this point in time for a couple of reasons. First. if the hire fails to pan out, Hart, who is already unpopular with a lot of fans, would likely never recover. So, I think Hart will go with a proven commodity instead of a DC with no HC experience. Secondly, Chavis would not be a popular choice with a majority of UT fans. After the last two coaching debacles, UT fans also want a big name coach with a proven record. However, because he is a UT grad and an ex-assistant, I think Chief would be the only person with no head coaching experience that Hart could hire and avoid being tarred and feathered and ran out of Knoxville on a rail. I would love to see Chief get a chance at being a HC if that is what he wants, but I just don’t think now is the time at UT.

By: ChaseTheTrainWarren

ChaseTheTrainWarren — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:05:58 +0000

@John at MrSEC @BamaWahoo imagine a thanksgiving game with the Aggies and VT! TV gold!

By: John at MrSEC

John at MrSEC — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:45:46 +0000

@BamaWahoo

Lotta ifs in all that, but I see your logic and wouldn’t debate it.

And you’re correct that Virginia Tech and Texas A&M are similar in a lot of ways. Aside from A&M being an AAU institution, they’re basically identical. (That’s meant in a positive way, for any Aggie or Hokie fan whose looking for a reason to be offended by something.)

Thanks for reading the site,
John

By: mitchs3

mitchs3 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:39:20 +0000

@AGator
I don’t think the B1G would want to add Missouri – they had their chance and chose not to, choosing Nebraska instead. Nebraska (as well as Maryland and Rutgers) received ‘junior’ memberships in the B1G, meaning it will be quite a few years before they get either (a) a full share of B1G Network $ or (b) CIC research $. Different rumors have indicated that Mizzou was offered the same deal as Nebraska and said only if they were full members on Day 1, but of course that could be just over-proud bluster; who knows. In any event, I think it is clear that the B1G is focused Eastward at this point. StL and KC are good TV markets, but they’re not east coast markets and besides – BTN is already on my cable here in StL – the B1G doesn’t need Mizzou to get on StL cable.

I also don’t think Mizzou would go if offered. The money is about the same, and the CIC money would be a benefit, but Mizzou and its fans have fully embraced the SEC move and love where they are now. MU loves that they were a full partner on Day 1, and have been treated fairly. While some SEC members may have more pull than others, there is no longer a Texas-esque 900 lb. gorilla controlling most decisions. The competition may take some time, but the commitment is there. And its a lot warmer on the Gulf Coast in November than it is on the Great Lakes. MU is SEC now, and has burned the ships – no looking back, and no desire to.

By: BamaWahoo

BamaWahoo — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:38:31 +0000

Here’s a question for John – an alternative sports history question that might shed some light on the future. In 2003, the ACC was expanding. The NC schools wanted Syracuse. UVA was pressured by VA politicians to twist the rest of the conference’s arm and bring in VT so they wouldn’t be left behind in the diminishing Big East.

If UVA had not done that and if VT had remained in the Big East – with a relatively small exit fee and without the SEC/ACC friendliness – would VT be in the SEC right now? I think so. I think if UVA hadn’t saved VT and gotten it into the ACC that last year the SEC would have taken Texas A&M and its mirror image (cadet/aggie land grant school) VT. Mizzou would have been out and VT and TAMU would be crossover rivals w/ TAMU in the SEC East. Thoughts?

By: ChaseTheTrainWarren

ChaseTheTrainWarren — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:35:19 +0000

there is a large canary in the coal mine with the SEC adding teams that no one has talked about.
SEC has always released the 2013 schedule and they commented that it was a temporary one.
last year they did the same thing with the excuse that they were just throwing one out at the time because they were trying to find out how the new schools were going to work out.
this year? same laps of a solid schedule but with no new teams to “figure out” …..yet.

dose in no way mean that the SEC are adding teams but it is a small tell tell sign.

By: historyphdguy

historyphdguy — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:14:27 +0000

I am holding my breath waiting to see who Hart announces as the next coach of my beloved Vols. In our modern social media age the rumors fly at the speed of light but it is hard to place any creedence in any of them. So many coaches, agents and schools use the social media to leverage themselves or their programs using other schools. Les Miles was able to use the offer (real or imagined) from Arky to force LSU to sign him to a long-term deal at a higher level of pay. I am not sure why he is promoting the Chief as a great choice for Tennessee. Is he truly championing a great coach in Chavis or is there some internal discord and he wants Chavis to leave. Such a soap opera with these coahing issues. I offer up prayers to the great god of football, Mo, to bless Tennessee with the right coach for our program. We need some stability along with success up on Rocky Top. Until Hart makes the announcement I will ignore the rumor mill. As far as SEC expansion is concerned again we have an Internet full of wild rumors. The SEC is so strong I figure they can afford to be picky and wait and see how this flurry of realignment sorts itself out. I thought that FSU & Va Tech would be the logical additions to the SEC but when you look at expanding to add new media markets and to add highly ranked academic institutions I can see how UNC & Duke make sense. UVa would also be a good addition under that metric. I would hope they would be added to the SEC East so my Vols would have a better chance of winning… maybe. I doubt the SEC will add teams this year unless there are circumstances currently not known by the public. Deadspin had an amazing article on the whole brouhaha that led to Southern Miss’ coach being fired and selling their homegame with Nebraska to get the $$$ to pay off the contract. What an insane time in college football.

By: Nashvegas007

Nashvegas007 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:08:00 +0000

PS – I would attribute Malzhan’s success in 2009 to it being a “new” offense to the SEC and it took folks a while to catch up with him. In 2010 he got lucky with Cam, and then reality set in 2011. I would like to hear some explain their thoughts on the Pro side for Malzahn.

By: Nashvegas007

Nashvegas007 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:58:53 +0000

@jrs5227 Big 10 money and SEC money are suprisingly about the same. They bounce every year between #1 and #2. That being said I don’t think Missouri would leave that quickly I think it would make them look like they were leaving with their tale between their legs after the year they had.

By: Nashvegas007

Nashvegas007 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:57:21 +0000

Two Questions for everyone. 1. Can any Malzahn supporer for Auburn help rationalize his terrible year in 2011 (#105 in Total offense or something). 2010 the nod goes to Cam. 2009 AU offense was Top 15, but I am not sure #105 and #15 average out to what AU nation would want. Thoughts? 2. Why is Butch Davis not getting any attention? He was not even around Miami when all of the wrong doing was happening, and he was absolved of any wrong doing at UNC. I think we would be a great hire for any of the big 3 SEC schools.

By: Thern

Thern — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:42:41 +0000

@BamaWahoo
I think in the Matt Hayes article, the feeling is that UNC and Duke will be a package deal. One won’t make the move without the other. I don’t think either adds much with regard to football, but they are both big properties for college b’ball and are obviously premier academic institutions. The DC issue is definitely relevant, which is why I don’t think that 16 is some magic number.

By: jrs5227

jrs5227 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:20:34 +0000

Why would Missouri even consider giving up SEC money?

By: AGator

AGator — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:10:07 +0000

Do you think the Big 10 would want to add Missouri and would Missouri accept if the Big 10 invited them?

By: BamaWahoo

BamaWahoo — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:04:32 +0000

The one thing I don’t get in this is IF the SEC would stop at 16 and IF it would have to take UNC/Duke as a combo, it seems likely to me that it would have known that when Mizzou was added. And I think that if the SEC had the decision it would prefer to be in VA (either UVA or VT) w/ the DC market than in Missouri. So why take Mizzou if that will limit you getting into VA? At the end of the day though, maybe the SEC just knows it won’t be bullied and in the worst case scenario it can take NC St. So it can always announce 16 is its limit, it is taking VT and the first NC school to apply gets in.

By: jrs5227

jrs5227 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:05:26 +0000

Well, if we added teams from North Carolina and Virginia we would have Civil war states locked up.

By: Thern

Thern — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:00:37 +0000

I was pro-Gruden at first, but the more time that passes, it feels that UT is being leveraged. If not, and there is genuine interest, I am trying to imagine every December wondering if the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, NY Jets, etc will come calling. If UT could get him, how are they going to keep him?

I really like the prospects of Fisher or Fedora over some of the other names that have been mentioned.

As far as conference expansion is concerned, I keep hearing 16 team super conferences. I am not opposed to 16 if we could maintain some traditional rivalries, although I realize that is probably unlikely. I don’t know why 16 teams is thrown out as being the limit. I wouldn’t be surprised to 20 to 24 team conferences, which I guess almost happened with CUSA and the Mountain West. If it’s gonna happen soon for the SEC, count me in favor of the north carolina schools, especially UNC and Duke if for nothing else, basketball.

By: jrs5227

jrs5227 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:59:45 +0000

Auburn – Petrino
Arkansas – Tubberville
UT – Chavis.

By: I4Bama

I4Bama — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:50:11 +0000

Tuberville will not coach at Tech next year. Petrino will run a Sherman over his own momma to get to the Plains. He may well be their only choice.

By: jrs5227

jrs5227 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:47:01 +0000

Interesting comments coming from Les recommending Chavis for the UT job. I wonder why there has not been more discussion about the Chief, and is that possibly a sign in and of itself?