Word is from my sources (so far they have been very accurate with coaching changes and Big 10 news and etc) that the SEC will issue a study to see the viability of going to 14 or 16 teams with emphasis on such schools as Georgia Tech, Clemson, East Carolina, and West Virginia. This is ONLY a study from what I have been informed. Please do not shoot the messenger.

This has been talked about before, and it will more than likely not happen, but again if other conferences end up expanding they ( SEC ) will not want to be left behind what so ever for they are the one who originally started this circus mess in the first place. Georgia Tech was a charter member of the SEC and left back in the mid 60's and I don't think they will be coming back any time soon for they have settled in nicely in the ACC all these years. Also I don't see Clemson leaving the ACC either for they would only be at best a mid level school in all sports, but they do have a SEC appeal to them. East Carolina could be a choice ONLY due to the fact they would bring the North Carolina market to the SEC, but really I don't think ECU has a shot in hell of getting an invite just due to the good ole boy philosophy of the SEC.

Again I think Louisville would be a perfect fit for the SEC not to mention the Big Ten, and if the Big Twelve if they wanted to expand east of the Mississippi then I guess that would be okl. Louisville will have a newly expanded football stadium this year that will be at 56K capacity with the possibility of expanding to up to 80K if needed. I would not be surprised to see standing room only crowds of nearly 60K for the big games. Also Louisville will be moving into a brand new down town arena with a 22K plus capacity coming next season. There are not to many teams of Louisville stature who have better facilities that are currently NOT members of the so called good ole boy conferences. I have to believe that Louisville is doing this for reason of better positioning their selves when expansion comes about for I think this will help them more than say a team already established like Georgia Tech, Clemson and so on

Oh West Virginia could be a target for they were looked at before if I am not mistaking. They bring a state school present, and a market that the SEC would be in favor of. They have excellent tradition, and nice facilities to boot, but again would the good ole boy philosophy stand in the way of an Invite?

I want WVU and Louisville.
Yes...I know that will probably never happen.

(01-30-2010 11:45 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  East Carolina could be a choice ONLY due to the fact they would bring the North Carolina market to the SEC, but really I don't think ECU has a shot in hell of getting an invite just due to the good ole boy philosophy of the SEC.

Don't sleep on ECU as a possible, however unlikely, canidate should the SEC expand. Alot of the SEC games that are nationally televised hit major markets all around the US that are filled with ECU alum. Speaking more regionally, ECU would help the SEC in NC (most SEC games are televised here already), VA, DC, and even into NJ where a large portion of ECU's out of state students come from. While only bringing a mild boost to the NC market, the northward expansion into the mid-atlantic states would include a bunch of households, especially if a SEC network were involved. (Why on earth the Big10 network is included in my basic sports tier for Direct TV in NC is beyond me, but following suit a SEC network should reach just as many markets with a similar deal.)
From an athletics standpoint, ECU is in the process of upgrading not only football but all other sports facilities as well. On the football field ECU should simply have to continue what it's doing to be considered a ligitimate choice (though near the bottom of the list) potential schools for an expanded SEC. With the relatively meager resources ECU currently has they have already proven they can compete against ACC, BE, and SEC schools. The past two Liberty Bowls have been one score games against middle of the pack SEC teams (both of which ECU lead late), and there is an upcoming series with South Carolina. A few more Liberty Bowl appearances, and yes some wins, along with a good series (three games I think) with South Carolina should keep ECU in the discussion if only as a fringe choice for SEC expansion.
As an ECU fan and alum, of course I'm biased, but so is every other poster when it comes to their schools. In my opinion, if ECU is going to get into the BCS, as a fan I should only want them in the best confrence.

Memphis fans actually think they have a chance of getting into the SEC if it expands. Think it could ever happen or is it just wishful thinking on their part?

(04-26-2010 01:26 AM)Homewood_Blazer Wrote:  Memphis fans actually think they have a chance of getting into the SEC if it expands. Think it could ever happen or is it just wishful thinking on their part?

It's wishful thinking on everyone's part. The SEC can pick and choose from just about everybody in college football except Texas. Why would they choose to take on a 'project school' that will need several years to become consistently competitive? IMO, something pretty spectacular has to happen for the SEC to grab a non-aq school in any possible expansion.

(04-26-2010 01:26 AM)Homewood_Blazer Wrote:  Memphis fans actually think they have a chance of getting into the SEC if it expands. Think it could ever happen or is it just wishful thinking on their part?

No Memphis fan thinks there's a realistic shot at SEC membership because the league already has the majority of the fan base.Tennessee,Alabama,Arkansas,Ole Miss,Mississippi State & Florida have large followings there & the others schools also have area fans.The Big East is the only target Tigers fans are shooting at.

(04-26-2010 06:46 AM)200yrs2late Wrote:  

(04-26-2010 01:26 AM)Homewood_Blazer Wrote:  Memphis fans actually think they have a chance of getting into the SEC if it expands. Think it could ever happen or is it just wishful thinking on their part?

It's wishful thinking on everyone's part. The SEC can pick and choose from just about everybody in college football except Texas. Why would they choose to take on a 'project school' that will need several years to become consistently competitive? IMO, something pretty spectacular has to happen for the SEC to grab a non-aq school in any possible expansion.

I don't know that it is such a long shot for ECU. There are probably a lot of SEC fans and alums that would gladly make ECU the 14th or 16th team just to stick it to North Carolina-Chapel Hill. They probably think of them the same way that many of us do. ABC (Anyone But Carolina)