Why would the Florida President say this?

Florida's president, Bernie Machen, told CBSSports.com the league will eschew the 16-team superconference model unless "some ace jewel called us and said, 'Can you help us?'"

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...-to-expand

How about the simpler answer: no one is available to give us more money for our league, unless a school like Texas wants to join.

(03-22-2013 07:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  How about the simpler answer: no one is available to give us more money for our league, unless a school like Texas wants to join.

"Sorry FSU".

(03-22-2013 07:35 PM)Lurker Above Wrote:  Why would the Florida President say this?

Florida's president, Bernie Machen, told CBSSports.com the league will eschew the 16-team superconference model unless "some ace jewel called us and said, 'Can you help us?'"

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...-to-expand

You mean like...UNC? Highly doubt UNC would ever approach anyone with their hands held out asking for help.

NC State and Virginia Tech on the other hand......

It is interesting to see SEC big wigs getting involved in the top end realignment banter. It all serves a purpose, right JRSec?

(03-22-2013 07:39 PM)miko33 Wrote:  How about the simpler answer: no one is available to give us more money for our league, unless a school like Texas wants to join.

And OU to get to 16. Thats a scary conference.

You guys aren't really taking his words That seriously, are you? That the SEC wouldn't expand without the likes of Texas and Oklahoma?

Texas will never be in the SEC.

Neither will OU.

I think the point is, he is just saying what we already know about the SEC.

They do not go out and actively recruit schools for their conference.

They truly do wait for the calls to come in, that is why the northerners are in the lead on this. The SEC is just waiting for the fruit to fall from the tree that the northerners are shaking.

That is when the phone calls will come in. A great point in the article is when it comes up to explain what a "jewel" would be. Texas A&M was brought up I think but was Missouri? Hmmm...buyers remorse? Is Missouri talking to someone?

Does Virginia Tech equal Jewel or does only Virginia in that state achieve that status to the Florida President...keep in mind Florida's AAU status. He likely will have some differing opinion than some of his "contemporaries" in the SEC.

(03-22-2013 09:09 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  Texas will never be in the SEC.

Neither will OU.

Well 10th, you never say never especially if the money is right. To quote the meeting of the 5 families from the Godfather, "After all we are not socialists!" I don't think they would want to be a part of us, but Orangebloods about a month ago had some disgruntled Horns who were saying that an 18 team SEC with North Carolina, Duke, Texas, and Oklahoma would make a pile of money.

I don't count that for much, but you never know. Especially now that they are eyeballing the advantages that the Aggies are earning in the SEC.

Still I think our desires are for the two obvious states of Virginia and North Carolina and if we have additions, which I'm not sure we will, it will be two schools from those states.

Now if Machen is calling Florida State an ace jewel then that's another matter. After all the Seminoles have recently said, "Pretty Please!" But, the only way I see F.S.U. getting an invitation would be as a fourth to go with Virginia Tech if the SEC first took Duke and U.N.C.

But this stuff, while having a lot of chatter among AD's and coaches, hasn't shown any signs of being legitimate. And unless we are moving to 3 twenty team conferences, I don't think it has a chance of becoming reality.

I see status quo until Texas knows what it wants to do permanently, one way or the other. Then we will have 4 conferences of between 14 - 18 schools each.

If however the Maryland case allows the Jackets to take a Big 10 invite to help them with their cash flow problem then things might break loose. Especially if UVa goes with them.

I also don't buy Texas & Oklahoma to the SEC because if just those two came Oklahoma State and Texas Tech might not do it on their own for the PAC. Those state legislatures aren't going to let that happen.

But I tell you what I could buy. Let's say Georgia Tech and Virginia do leave for the Big 10 and Duke and North Carolina want to stick it out. Virginia Tech might well use the Cavaliers exit as an opportunity to accept an SEC invitation. With no other ACC schools wanting to leave, other than F.S.U., I could see the SEC moving to 16 with F.S.U. and Virginia Tech. Then I think we wait to see if and when North Carolina and/or Duke might like to move. I also wouldn't rule out Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh should U.Va and Ga Tech leave.

That is actually a situation where I could see FSU end up in the SEC and I dont usually put any value to any theory that lands FSU in the SEC.

Probably means someone has already reached out to the SEC. But who?

(03-22-2013 10:39 PM)cleburneslim Wrote:  Probably means someone has already reached out to the SEC. But who?

Every school not in a major conference

But do the BIG and the SEC really want to duke it out in the same state. If the BIG takes UV first, do they want VT unless they know that the fans will follow. Then why would the BIG take them?

(03-22-2013 10:39 PM)cleburneslim Wrote:  Probably means someone has already reached out to the SEC. But who?

F.S.U. has done so publicly. But, my money would be on Virginia Tech provided their state legislature has been apprised of any plans that Virginia may have. Under those circumstances I can see Virginia Tech being given the green light to fish for dollars.

Quote:Northwestern's president, Morton Schapiro, has a unique perspective as a leader of a private school of more than 8,000 students and a top-25 academic juggernaut.

Schapiro admits he doesn't lead such Big Ten presidential discussions, but he believes the Association of American Universities -- an "association of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada" -- is a crucial criterion. Thirteen AAUs are in the Big Ten (Nebraska is the only non-AAU Big Ten team), while Virginia, Georgia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt rep the ACC (Maryland excluded).

This gets Schapiro thinking: If the Big Ten added again, would he have a direct counterpart?

"Is there a private AAU we can add?" Schapiro asked. "I'd guess Vanderbilt is very happy in the SEC."

There's an argument the Commodores would have a better shot at a conference title in the Big Ten than the SEC, but by all accounts Vandy appears happy with its league affiliation.

This article wasn't just about the Florida President.

The above is from the Northwestern President. Hmmm, I wonder whom he is really thinking about with the emboldened quote of his? It is pretty obvious and the fact that he wont say the name has meaning too.

I know I have been pretty big on their potential for landing in the Big Ten and here is a Big Ten President lending weight to that idea.

(03-22-2013 10:46 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

Quote:Northwestern's president, Morton Schapiro, has a unique perspective as a leader of a private school of more than 8,000 students and a top-25 academic juggernaut.

Schapiro admits he doesn't lead such Big Ten presidential discussions, but he believes the Association of American Universities -- an "association of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada" -- is a crucial criterion. Thirteen AAUs are in the Big Ten (Nebraska is the only non-AAU Big Ten team), while Virginia, Georgia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt rep the ACC (Maryland excluded).

This gets Schapiro thinking: If the Big Ten added again, would he have a direct counterpart?

"Is there a private AAU we can add?" Schapiro asked. "I'd guess Vanderbilt is very happy in the SEC."

There's an argument the Commodores would have a better shot at a conference title in the Big Ten than the SEC, but by all accounts Vandy appears happy with its league affiliation.

This article wasn't just about the Florida President.

The above is from the Northwestern President. Hmmm, I wonder whom he is really thinking about with the emboldened quote of his? It is pretty obvious and the fact that he wont say the name has meaning too.

I know I have been pretty big on their potential for landing in the Big Ten and here is a Big Ten President lending weight to that idea.

If you are speaking of Duke in many ways the fit might be better than with the SEC. But I don't see U.N.C. and Duke getting split apart, and I don't see Delany taking two from the same state.

(03-22-2013 10:52 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 10:46 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

Quote:Northwestern's president, Morton Schapiro, has a unique perspective as a leader of a private school of more than 8,000 students and a top-25 academic juggernaut.

Schapiro admits he doesn't lead such Big Ten presidential discussions, but he believes the Association of American Universities -- an "association of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada" -- is a crucial criterion. Thirteen AAUs are in the Big Ten (Nebraska is the only non-AAU Big Ten team), while Virginia, Georgia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt rep the ACC (Maryland excluded).

This gets Schapiro thinking: If the Big Ten added again, would he have a direct counterpart?

"Is there a private AAU we can add?" Schapiro asked. "I'd guess Vanderbilt is very happy in the SEC."

There's an argument the Commodores would have a better shot at a conference title in the Big Ten than the SEC, but by all accounts Vandy appears happy with its league affiliation.

This article wasn't just about the Florida President.

The above is from the Northwestern President. Hmmm, I wonder whom he is really thinking about with the emboldened quote of his? It is pretty obvious and the fact that he wont say the name has meaning too.

I know I have been pretty big on their potential for landing in the Big Ten and here is a Big Ten President lending weight to that idea.

If you are speaking of Duke in many ways the fit might be better than with the SEC. But I don't see U.N.C. and Duke getting split apart, and I don't see Delany taking two from the same state.

That's fine but you aren't Delany. I am not Delany either but I could see him doing it. That doesn't make either of us right until something actually happens. We have a Big Ten President showing obvious favortism to having Duke in the Big Ten. Delany is commissioner of the Big Ten not President of the Big Ten. He does have to listen to the Presidents on their wishes. Now if the Northwestern President is the only one showing strong favor then yeah, Delany can smile and pat him on his head.

only a couple of 'ace jewels' out there by sec standards.
Pretty obvious what he's saying.

No hint. He's stating it would have to be a program that by its inclusion brings far more money to the conference. That excludes Florida State and Clemson (SEC is already in those states and wouldnt sweeten the tv pot that much). It means, by my estimation, the clear market leader or leaders in their respective states (1 or 2). The SEC isnt interested in programs which aren't top notch across the board.

The list of potential candidates for the SEC is quite small: North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Virginia, NC State, Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame (as a regular member with no special deal or excluded sports). West Virginia is only an option with a blockbuster like Texas, Oklahoma or ND. That's it IMO.

As far as candidates who might one day realistically join the SEC: North Carolina or NC State, Virginia Tech or Virginia. Oklahoma could join after the B12 Grant of Rights expires.

The following arent candidates for the SEC ever: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Florida, Louisville, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Kansas, Duke, TCU, Oklahoma State, Wake Forest, Miami, Central Florida, Tulane, Memphis, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Boston College, Baylor, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, SMU, Houston, any school that doesnt play football, etc.

The SEC would expand with UVa and UNC but not much else.

Vanderbilt isnt leaving the SEC.

(03-22-2013 10:55 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 10:52 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 10:46 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

Quote:Northwestern's president, Morton Schapiro, has a unique perspective as a leader of a private school of more than 8,000 students and a top-25 academic juggernaut.

Schapiro admits he doesn't lead such Big Ten presidential discussions, but he believes the Association of American Universities -- an "association of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada" -- is a crucial criterion. Thirteen AAUs are in the Big Ten (Nebraska is the only non-AAU Big Ten team), while Virginia, Georgia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt rep the ACC (Maryland excluded).

This gets Schapiro thinking: If the Big Ten added again, would he have a direct counterpart?

"Is there a private AAU we can add?" Schapiro asked. "I'd guess Vanderbilt is very happy in the SEC."

There's an argument the Commodores would have a better shot at a conference title in the Big Ten than the SEC, but by all accounts Vandy appears happy with its league affiliation.

This article wasn't just about the Florida President.

The above is from the Northwestern President. Hmmm, I wonder whom he is really thinking about with the emboldened quote of his? It is pretty obvious and the fact that he wont say the name has meaning too.

I know I have been pretty big on their potential for landing in the Big Ten and here is a Big Ten President lending weight to that idea.

If you are speaking of Duke in many ways the fit might be better than with the SEC. But I don't see U.N.C. and Duke getting split apart, and I don't see Delany taking two from the same state.

That's fine but you aren't Delany. I am not Delany either but I could see him doing it. That doesn't make either of us right until something actually happens. We have a Big Ten President showing obvious favortism to having Duke in the Big Ten. Delany is commissioner of the Big Ten not President of the Big Ten. He does have to listen to the Presidents on their wishes. Now if the Northwestern President is the only one showing strong favor then yeah, Delany can smile and pat him on his head.

Well, to be direct, if the Big 10 is only going to expand with AAU schools they will eventually have to take private schools who are AAU. From the ACC the options are Virginia, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and Duke. If they go after the Big 12 their targets are Kansas, Texas, and Iowa State. Now if you knock Pittsburgh and Iowa State out because the Big 10 already has carriage in those states the exercise becomes academic. Delany ideally wants North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Kansas and Notre Dame to get to 20. They are all AAU (except N.D.) and they would all be contiguous.

The only problem is that Slive would have interestin 3 of those. Therefore the since the two best financed conferences want them deals will have to be cut because the leverage will be with Chapel Hill. That's why it's tough to figure out who winds up where.