A few caveats: I am not disparaging either school in this discussion, both are great institutions. And this is not based on the outcome of one game. But, if Clemson's on the field product declines (though note, recent basketball tournament success could change this), I'm starting to think that the SEC could be wise to grab GT in the Clemson slot. GT even at a 25 percent market share of the state compared to Georgia would be about the same population as Clemson's half of South Carolina and they have had decent viewership recently (yes, success is a part of this). They play in a reasonably sized football stadium. They are AAU which doesn't matter a whole lot but is a feather. They are a former SEC team. And it blocks the Big 10 who might not be interested in Clemson anyway. If we are going to double down on a state besides Florida, it might as well be Georgia and not South Carolina.

GT, FSU + UNC, Duke?

That being said, as I type this I wonder if the even better move is for it to be not Clemson's spot but Duke's if possible. Yet Duke does bring the elite brand of basketball.

So maybe FSU, Clemson, UNC and GT?

(09-18-2025 10:48 PM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  A few caveats: I am not disparaging either school in this discussion, both are great institutions. And this is not based on the outcome of one game. But, if Clemson's on the field product declines (though note, recent basketball tournament success could change this), I'm starting to think that the SEC could be wise to grab GT in the Clemson slot. GT even at a 25 percent market share of the state compared to Georgia would be about the same population as Clemson's half of South Carolina and they have had decent viewership recently (yes, success is a part of this). They play in a reasonably sized football stadium. They are AAU which doesn't matter a whole lot but is a feather. They are a former SEC team. And it blocks the Big 10 who might not be interested in Clemson anyway. If we are going to double down on a state besides Florida, it might as well be Georgia and not South Carolina.

GT, FSU + UNC, Duke?

That being said, as I type this I wonder if the even better move is for it to be not Clemson's spot but Duke's if possible. Yet Duke does bring the elite brand of basketball.

So maybe FSU, Clemson, UNC and GT?

At 20 for market expansion, I think you could be looking at North Carolina, Virginia, a Florida school, and Duke or possibly Georgia Tech.

UNC and UVa deliver the potential for 21 million viewers (think 1 million less than Florida), a second Florida school locks down the state's top rates. Could be FSU, could be Miami, longshot USF. Duke would be a huge hoops addition and bring viewers in the Northeast where a lot of their students come from, and Georgia Tech would lock the Big 10 out of a large DMA.

Now things change if 24 winds up being necessary to protect the area. At 24 you add Clemson, the other of Clemson and Duke, Kansas, and anyone else you would like to have to finish out, for example the other Florida School, Colorado for a new time zone and state, or N.C. State if they are required to lock down UNC.

So your considerations are in line with what the conference officials have to have worked out by now. I'm thinking UNC and Duke are likely in the bag, possibly with Virginia and/or Clemson. But that's my hunch.

If we have a viable third conference 20 could end it. If not, we are definitely going to 24.

(09-18-2025 10:48 PM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  A few caveats: I am not disparaging either school in this discussion, both are great institutions. And this is not based on the outcome of one game. But, if Clemson's on the field product declines (though note, recent basketball tournament success could change this), I'm starting to think that the SEC could be wise to grab GT in the Clemson slot. GT even at a 25 percent market share of the state compared to Georgia would be about the same population as Clemson's half of South Carolina and they have had decent viewership recently (yes, success is a part of this). They play in a reasonably sized football stadium. They are AAU which doesn't matter a whole lot but is a feather. They are a former SEC team. And it blocks the Big 10 who might not be interested in Clemson anyway. If we are going to double down on a state besides Florida, it might as well be Georgia and not South Carolina.

GT, FSU + UNC, Duke?

That being said, as I type this I wonder if the even better move is for it to be not Clemson's spot but Duke's if possible. Yet Duke does bring the elite brand of basketball.

So maybe FSU, Clemson, UNC and GT?

The Jackets definitely chose a good moment to catch fire.

Does Virginia even know realignment is going on?

(09-18-2025 10:48 PM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  A few caveats: I am not disparaging either school in this discussion, both are great institutions. And this is not based on the outcome of one game. But, if Clemson's on the field product declines (though note, recent basketball tournament success could change this), I'm starting to think that the SEC could be wise to grab GT in the Clemson slot. GT even at a 25 percent market share of the state compared to Georgia would be about the same population as Clemson's half of South Carolina and they have had decent viewership recently (yes, success is a part of this). They play in a reasonably sized football stadium. They are AAU which doesn't matter a whole lot but is a feather. They are a former SEC team. And it blocks the Big 10 who might not be interested in Clemson anyway. If we are going to double down on a state besides Florida, it might as well be Georgia and not South Carolina.

GT, FSU + UNC, Duke?

That being said, as I type this I wonder if the even better move is for it to be not Clemson's spot but Duke's if possible. Yet Duke does bring the elite brand of basketball.

So maybe FSU, Clemson, UNC and GT?

I would rather the SEC play offense than defense in this round.

GT adds nothing, besides academics, the Georgia doesn’t cover in spades. Let Tech live on an island in the B1G.

Duke + UNC is a no brainer. Clemson is a football ratings enhancer ESPN will require. For the Fourth, add Virginia for untapped market for TV sets, athletic and student recruiting. Kansas would also be a fine option here.

I've given a fair bit of thought to Georgia Tech recently.

I want to say up front that basing these decisions on recent performance is asking for trouble. Whether a program has been recently successful or recently poor, that shouldn't mean much one way or the other. The only caveat to that is if a program has made more recent commitments to take their athletics seriously and they're putting the money up to back it up, well, I think that should count in their favor.

Either way, Georgia Tech doesn't bring a lot of viewers we don't already have, that's true. UGA brings the strong majority of the state of Georgia with them. At that, there are so many SEC alumni from other schools in the Atlanta market that we've got that DMA nailed down even if GT went elsewhere.

I think Georgia fans would hate the idea of GT coming back to the SEC although I'm not sure the UGA administration would fight it. From what I've heard, they're not passionate about it one way or the other. Of course, keep in mind, I have no inside information.

What I will say as I've said before, if we're talking about replacing G5 and FCS games with conference games then I would rather play some regional schools as I think that adds to the general appeal of what makes the SEC special. Georgia Tech is a short trip for most SEC fans...not bad to have on the schedule and certainly easier on travel.

I've more recently thought about Clemson and Georgia Tech being long time rivals. Honestly, I don't think the SEC would be taking Georgia Tech if they're not also taking Clemson. GT is also one of those schools that has worked pretty well with the old guard...UNC and company.

I think UNC, Duke, and Virginia work for a lot of reasons. Florida State, Clemson, and Georgia Tech also work. To me, we could easily fill 6 slots rather than trying to choose between 4 or 8.

(09-20-2025 09:49 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I've given a fair bit of thought to Georgia Tech recently.

I want to say up front that basing these decisions on recent performance is asking for trouble. Whether a program has been recently successful or recently poor, that shouldn't mean much one way or the other. The only caveat to that is if a program has made more recent commitments to take their athletics seriously and they're putting the money up to back it up, well, I think that should count in their favor.

Either way, Georgia Tech doesn't bring a lot of viewers we don't already have, that's true. UGA brings the strong majority of the state of Georgia with them. At that, there are so many SEC alumni from other schools in the Atlanta market that we've got that DMA nailed down even if GT went elsewhere.

I think Georgia fans would hate the idea of GT coming back to the SEC although I'm not sure the UGA administration would fight it. From what I've heard, they're not passionate about it one way or the other. Of course, keep in mind, I have no inside information.

What I will say as I've said before, if we're talking about replacing G5 and FCS games with conference games then I would rather play some regional schools as I think that adds to the general appeal of what makes the SEC special. Georgia Tech is a short trip for most SEC fans...not bad to have on the schedule and certainly easier on travel.

I've more recently thought about Clemson and Georgia Tech being long time rivals. Honestly, I don't think the SEC would be taking Georgia Tech if they're not also taking Clemson. GT is also one of those schools that has worked pretty well with the old guard...UNC and company.

I think UNC, Duke, and Virginia work for a lot of reasons. Florida State, Clemson, and Georgia Tech also work. To me, we could easily fill 6 slots rather than trying to choose between 4 or 8.

Yeah, at this point, I expect the SEC to strongly consider 22, but my gut feeling is Kansas instead of Georgia Tech. If FSU decides to pick the B1G over the SEC, then I think Virginia Tech could get in over Georgia Tech, but I think Georgia Tech definitely gets P2 consideration.

(09-21-2025 05:59 AM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  

(09-20-2025 09:49 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I've given a fair bit of thought to Georgia Tech recently.

I want to say up front that basing these decisions on recent performance is asking for trouble. Whether a program has been recently successful or recently poor, that shouldn't mean much one way or the other. The only caveat to that is if a program has made more recent commitments to take their athletics seriously and they're putting the money up to back it up, well, I think that should count in their favor.

Either way, Georgia Tech doesn't bring a lot of viewers we don't already have, that's true. UGA brings the strong majority of the state of Georgia with them. At that, there are so many SEC alumni from other schools in the Atlanta market that we've got that DMA nailed down even if GT went elsewhere.

I think Georgia fans would hate the idea of GT coming back to the SEC although I'm not sure the UGA administration would fight it. From what I've heard, they're not passionate about it one way or the other. Of course, keep in mind, I have no inside information.

What I will say as I've said before, if we're talking about replacing G5 and FCS games with conference games then I would rather play some regional schools as I think that adds to the general appeal of what makes the SEC special. Georgia Tech is a short trip for most SEC fans...not bad to have on the schedule and certainly easier on travel.

I've more recently thought about Clemson and Georgia Tech being long time rivals. Honestly, I don't think the SEC would be taking Georgia Tech if they're not also taking Clemson. GT is also one of those schools that has worked pretty well with the old guard...UNC and company.

I think UNC, Duke, and Virginia work for a lot of reasons. Florida State, Clemson, and Georgia Tech also work. To me, we could easily fill 6 slots rather than trying to choose between 4 or 8.

Yeah, at this point, I expect the SEC to strongly consider 22, but my gut feeling is Kansas instead of Georgia Tech. If FSU decides to pick the B1G over the SEC, then I think Virginia Tech could get in over Georgia Tech, but I think Georgia Tech definitely gets P2 consideration.

I could see the P2 expanding up to 24 teams if Cody’s socialistic Rudy Project passes and has the government taking over collegiate athletics. Sec presidents have already grant Sankey authority to withdrawal from the ncaa if need be. Both the B1G and SEC would grab schools for inventory and marketing reasons going forward.