If the SEC gives up on the NCAA’s ability to enforce a national standard of rules with the expected death of the score act, I can see the sec breakaway kicking off at the Destin meetings.

Now, if the SEC goes its own way, they’ll need political cover. Adding FSU and Clemson can cover those state politics. Maybe GT will apply some pressure, but supposedly the Big Ten thinks highly of them.

Now the SEC would want to expand into new state with wealthy students to draw from. New states snd territories that will provide more senators and representatives to protect the SeC’s decision.

ESPn, who not only will have to pay for these additions, will also want their investments and markets protected. I’m thinking brands and advertising rates in key states.

This will be an interesting summer if the breskaway(s) happen.

(04-18-2026 01:21 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  If the SEC gives up on the NCAA’s ability to enforce a national standard of rules with the expected death of the score act, I can see the sec breakaway kicking off at the Destin meetings.

Now, if the SEC goes its own way, they’ll need political cover. Adding FSU and Clemson can cover those state politics. Maybe GT will apply some pressure, but supposedly the Big Ten thinks highly of them.

Now the SEC would want to expand into new state with wealthy students to draw from. New states snd territories that will provide more senators and representatives to protect the SeC’s decision.

ESPn, who not only will have to pay for these additions, will also want their investments and markets protected. I’m thinking brands and advertising rates in key states.

This will be an interesting summer if the breskaway(s) happen.

The most powerful move that ESPN could make would be to consolidate Southern branding within the SEC. North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are the essentials.

The Virginia pair is the only way to control that state of 9 million, and the North Carolina pair solidly delivers their state of 11 million. Clemson and Florida State delivers the other part of South Carolina and Florida respectively that just one of those state's schools cannot. Georgia carries their state by themselves. I'd personally have no objection to adding Georgia Tech and it would ensure that outside of small privates the Big Ten had no entry into the SEC's home region. Then Kansas would set the new Northwestern Corner to the SEC.

That 24 is brand consolidation personified.

That move leaves the Big Ten two options in the Southeast: Duke & Miami. Neither of those has a strong Southern culture and frankly I'm not sure the Big Ten would want them.

They'll make a play for Stanford and Notre Dame, look to the Arizona schools and perhaps Colorado and Utah. The question in my mind is whether the SEC would show any interest in Texas Tech or whether Texas and Texas A&M would even want them included. I think that would be a decision predicated upon approval from UT & A&M.

IMO those additions would solidify the greater SE and SW and would be damned hard for the Big Ten to try to match in terms of viewership, which the current SEC dominates, in terms of cultural cohesion, and in terms of regional interest.

And for the record I agree that if we can't get the rules in place to standardize how NIL is to be utilized, that a breakaway is likely.

Now, if ESPN wants a second conference with a national reach, they can keep what is left of the ACC and do something like this with it:

Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, California, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah

They could split the overhead for rights with FOX, or not. Notre Dame would schedule between the SEC and this conference.

(04-18-2026 10:17 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 01:21 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  If the SEC gives up on the NCAA’s ability to enforce a national standard of rules with the expected death of the score act, I can see the sec breakaway kicking off at the Destin meetings.

Now, if the SEC goes its own way, they’ll need political cover. Adding FSU and Clemson can cover those state politics. Maybe GT will apply some pressure, but supposedly the Big Ten thinks highly of them.

Now the SEC would want to expand into new state with wealthy students to draw from. New states snd territories that will provide more senators and representatives to protect the SeC’s decision.

ESPn, who not only will have to pay for these additions, will also want their investments and markets protected. I’m thinking brands and advertising rates in key states.

This will be an interesting summer if the breskaway(s) happen.

The most powerful move that ESPN could make would be to consolidate Southern branding within the SEC. North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are the essentials.

The Virginia pair is the only way to control that state of 9 million, and the North Carolina pair solidly delivers their state of 11 million. Clemson and Florida State delivers the other part of South Carolina and Florida respectively that just one of those state's schools cannot. Georgia carries their state by themselves. I'd personally have no objection to adding Georgia Tech and it would ensure that outside of small privates the Big Ten had no entry into the SEC's home region. Then Kansas would set the new Northwestern Corner to the SEC.

That 24 is brand consolidation personified.

That move leaves the Big Ten two options in the Southeast: Duke & Miami. Neither of those has a strong Southern culture and frankly I'm not sure the Big Ten would want them.

They'll make a play for Stanford and Notre Dame, look to the Arizona schools and perhaps Colorado and Utah. The question in my mind is whether the SEC would show any interest in Texas Tech or whether Texas and Texas A&M would even want them included. I think that would be a decision predicated upon approval from UT & A&M.

IMO those additions would solidify the greater SE and SW and would be damned hard for the Big Ten to try to match in terms of viewership, which the current SEC dominates, in terms of cultural cohesion, and in terms of regional interest.

And for the record I agree that if we can't get the rules in place to standardize how NIL is to be utilized, that a breakaway is likely.

Now, if ESPN wants a second conference with a national reach, they can keep what is left of the ACC and do something like this with it:

Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, California, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah

They could split the overhead for rights with FOX, or not. Notre Dame would schedule between the SEC and this conference.

The proxy war behind Fox vs ESPN and their investments is going to shape the realignment field. Playing domino theory, The first step will be the SEC breakaway. UNC and uVA might be Birmingham’s top targets, but neither one has their ducks in a row to move. Currently FSU, Clemson, Miami, Duke and a Notre Dame (disgruntled over ACC pushing Miami over them) are presumed ready to receive and move on a P2 invitation.

Miami is considered a strong candidate for the Big Ten. If they can’t be paired with Notre Dame, then bringing in a natural rivalry with FSU could be disastrous for the sec. Imagine the big ten gaining the number 2 and 3 brands in the state of Florida. There is also a very strong possibility of the gator-Seminole rivalry coming to an end as the big ten usually does not have or encourage out of conference foes for rivalry weekend. The second domino to fall should be protecting the current SEC turf by adding FSU and Clemson.

If the ACc loses Clemson and FSu, that conference loses significant value. Notre Dame won’t go all in to save this group. I see the Big Ten adding Miami and Notre Dame or just Miami and waiting for another valuable piece to wiggle free.


If Big Ten addition(s) are domino 3, then the next one will be determined by politics at the state levels. There are two options for the ACC: 1. Refill or stabilize the teaming schools or use that option in the GOR settlement that allows for 8+ schools to leave the conference in one sport and form their own conference while still being allowed to keep all other sports in the ACC. Of course, at this stage, the Big 22 could very easily pick off an under appreciated piece or two like Louisville.

The SEC and B1G have been game planning this out for years. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

(04-19-2026 04:18 PM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 10:17 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 01:21 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  If the SEC gives up on the NCAA’s ability to enforce a national standard of rules with the expected death of the score act, I can see the sec breakaway kicking off at the Destin meetings.

Now, if the SEC goes its own way, they’ll need political cover. Adding FSU and Clemson can cover those state politics. Maybe GT will apply some pressure, but supposedly the Big Ten thinks highly of them.

Now the SEC would want to expand into new state with wealthy students to draw from. New states snd territories that will provide more senators and representatives to protect the SeC’s decision.

ESPn, who not only will have to pay for these additions, will also want their investments and markets protected. I’m thinking brands and advertising rates in key states.

This will be an interesting summer if the breskaway(s) happen.

The most powerful move that ESPN could make would be to consolidate Southern branding within the SEC. North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are the essentials.

The Virginia pair is the only way to control that state of 9 million, and the North Carolina pair solidly delivers their state of 11 million. Clemson and Florida State delivers the other part of South Carolina and Florida respectively that just one of those state's schools cannot. Georgia carries their state by themselves. I'd personally have no objection to adding Georgia Tech and it would ensure that outside of small privates the Big Ten had no entry into the SEC's home region. Then Kansas would set the new Northwestern Corner to the SEC.

That 24 is brand consolidation personified.

That move leaves the Big Ten two options in the Southeast: Duke & Miami. Neither of those has a strong Southern culture and frankly I'm not sure the Big Ten would want them.

They'll make a play for Stanford and Notre Dame, look to the Arizona schools and perhaps Colorado and Utah. The question in my mind is whether the SEC would show any interest in Texas Tech or whether Texas and Texas A&M would even want them included. I think that would be a decision predicated upon approval from UT & A&M.

IMO those additions would solidify the greater SE and SW and would be damned hard for the Big Ten to try to match in terms of viewership, which the current SEC dominates, in terms of cultural cohesion, and in terms of regional interest.

And for the record I agree that if we can't get the rules in place to standardize how NIL is to be utilized, that a breakaway is likely.

Now, if ESPN wants a second conference with a national reach, they can keep what is left of the ACC and do something like this with it:

Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, California, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah

They could split the overhead for rights with FOX, or not. Notre Dame would schedule between the SEC and this conference.

The proxy war behind Fox vs ESPN and their investments is going to shape the realignment field. Playing domino theory, The first step will be the SEC breakaway. UNC and uVA might be Birmingham’s top targets, but neither one has their ducks in a row to move. Currently FSU, Clemson, Miami, Duke and a Notre Dame (disgruntled over ACC pushing Miami over them) are presumed ready to receive and move on a P2 invitation.

Miami is considered a strong candidate for the Big Ten. If they can’t be paired with Notre Dame, then bringing in a natural rivalry with FSU could be disastrous for the sec. Imagine the big ten gaining the number 2 and 3 brands in the state of Florida. There is also a very strong possibility of the gator-Seminole rivalry coming to an end as the big ten usually does not have or encourage out of conference foes for rivalry weekend. The second domino to fall should be protecting the current SEC turf by adding FSU and Clemson.

If the ACc loses Clemson and FSu, that conference loses significant value. Notre Dame won’t go all in to save this group. I see the Big Ten adding Miami and Notre Dame or just Miami and waiting for another valuable piece to wiggle free.


If Big Ten addition(s) are domino 3, then the next one will be determined by politics at the state levels. There are two options for the ACC: 1. Refill or stabilize the teaming schools or use that option in the GOR settlement that allows for 8+ schools to leave the conference in one sport and form their own conference while still being allowed to keep all other sports in the ACC. Of course, at this stage, the Big 22 could very easily pick off an under appreciated piece or two like Louisville.

The SEC and B1G have been game planning this out for years. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Neither conference's presidents are changing their preferences. What is best for the SEC is conveniently good for the SEC. Their game will be for 6 schools with a 7th possible. They'll protect 20 million in Virginia and North Carolina by taking both state schools and paying pro rata to the SEC for Va Tech and N.C. State. Clemson and FSU will be the football brand additions, and neither are really viable for the Big Ten, both love their baseball and want to stay where baseball is strong and where their fans can travel easily. Since the SEC has had a plan for defense of the region since this crap began in 1990 they'll stick to what butters their bread, regionality.

Miami would very likely desire the SEC over the Big Ten due to baseball and minor sports and easier travel, though they fly everywhere California, Oregon, Washington and the Great Lakes states are much longer flights.

The issue for the Canes is if the SEC has UF and FSU they have 77% of the Florida college sports market. A new market add to the West would add more whether that was Kansas, Colorado, or Texas Tech.

The question mark is does Georgia Tech deliver enough or does the SEC just want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta. Taking Tech makes Miami somewhat less likely for the Big Ten.

The only ones pushing the Big Ten for Miami are a bunch of jerk bloggers who don't know a damn thing and never have.

ESPN isn't giving up control of Florida's markets, and they helped FSU get a buyout schedule to try to keep them in the family by moving them to the SEC.

Agree that Tobacco Road doesn't know what the hell they want to do. They lean toward keeping the ACC together, would prefer the SEC over the Big Ten and haven't really prepared for anything trying to stall the inevitable.

ESPN can control or maintain control over everything in the SEC and ACC of major value by adding Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The question is do they want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta? It's quite likely. If so add Georgia Tech to make it 7. Then the question becomes which is more valuable to ESPN, Kansas and its blueblood hoops status and an athletic department making 240 million last year, Miami giving them total control in Florida if USF heads as backfill to the ACC, or do the pick up the third Texas school by nabbing Texas Tech. There's 32 million in audience in Texas and triple dipping it weekly will be a temptation.

(04-19-2026 05:17 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-19-2026 04:18 PM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 10:17 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 01:21 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  If the SEC gives up on the NCAA’s ability to enforce a national standard of rules with the expected death of the score act, I can see the sec breakaway kicking off at the Destin meetings.

Now, if the SEC goes its own way, they’ll need political cover. Adding FSU and Clemson can cover those state politics. Maybe GT will apply some pressure, but supposedly the Big Ten thinks highly of them.

Now the SEC would want to expand into new state with wealthy students to draw from. New states snd territories that will provide more senators and representatives to protect the SeC’s decision.

ESPn, who not only will have to pay for these additions, will also want their investments and markets protected. I’m thinking brands and advertising rates in key states.

This will be an interesting summer if the breskaway(s) happen.

The most powerful move that ESPN could make would be to consolidate Southern branding within the SEC. North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are the essentials.

The Virginia pair is the only way to control that state of 9 million, and the North Carolina pair solidly delivers their state of 11 million. Clemson and Florida State delivers the other part of South Carolina and Florida respectively that just one of those state's schools cannot. Georgia carries their state by themselves. I'd personally have no objection to adding Georgia Tech and it would ensure that outside of small privates the Big Ten had no entry into the SEC's home region. Then Kansas would set the new Northwestern Corner to the SEC.

That 24 is brand consolidation personified.

That move leaves the Big Ten two options in the Southeast: Duke & Miami. Neither of those has a strong Southern culture and frankly I'm not sure the Big Ten would want them.

They'll make a play for Stanford and Notre Dame, look to the Arizona schools and perhaps Colorado and Utah. The question in my mind is whether the SEC would show any interest in Texas Tech or whether Texas and Texas A&M would even want them included. I think that would be a decision predicated upon approval from UT & A&M.

IMO those additions would solidify the greater SE and SW and would be damned hard for the Big Ten to try to match in terms of viewership, which the current SEC dominates, in terms of cultural cohesion, and in terms of regional interest.

And for the record I agree that if we can't get the rules in place to standardize how NIL is to be utilized, that a breakaway is likely.

Now, if ESPN wants a second conference with a national reach, they can keep what is left of the ACC and do something like this with it:

Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, California, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah

They could split the overhead for rights with FOX, or not. Notre Dame would schedule between the SEC and this conference.

The proxy war behind Fox vs ESPN and their investments is going to shape the realignment field. Playing domino theory, The first step will be the SEC breakaway. UNC and uVA might be Birmingham’s top targets, but neither one has their ducks in a row to move. Currently FSU, Clemson, Miami, Duke and a Notre Dame (disgruntled over ACC pushing Miami over them) are presumed ready to receive and move on a P2 invitation.

Miami is considered a strong candidate for the Big Ten. If they can’t be paired with Notre Dame, then bringing in a natural rivalry with FSU could be disastrous for the sec. Imagine the big ten gaining the number 2 and 3 brands in the state of Florida. There is also a very strong possibility of the gator-Seminole rivalry coming to an end as the big ten usually does not have or encourage out of conference foes for rivalry weekend. The second domino to fall should be protecting the current SEC turf by adding FSU and Clemson.

If the ACc loses Clemson and FSu, that conference loses significant value. Notre Dame won’t go all in to save this group. I see the Big Ten adding Miami and Notre Dame or just Miami and waiting for another valuable piece to wiggle free.


If Big Ten addition(s) are domino 3, then the next one will be determined by politics at the state levels. There are two options for the ACC: 1. Refill or stabilize the teaming schools or use that option in the GOR settlement that allows for 8+ schools to leave the conference in one sport and form their own conference while still being allowed to keep all other sports in the ACC. Of course, at this stage, the Big 22 could very easily pick off an under appreciated piece or two like Louisville.

The SEC and B1G have been game planning this out for years. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Neither conference's presidents are changing their preferences. What is best for the SEC is conveniently good for the SEC. Their game will be for 6 schools with a 7th possible. They'll protect 20 million in Virginia and North Carolina by taking both state schools and paying pro rata to the SEC for Va Tech and N.C. State. Clemson and FSU will be the football brand additions, and neither are really viable for the Big Ten, both love their baseball and want to stay where baseball is strong and where their fans can travel easily. Since the SEC has had a plan for defense of the region since this crap began in 1990 they'll stick to what butters their bread, regionality.

Miami would very likely desire the SEC over the Big Ten due to baseball and minor sports and easier travel, though they fly everywhere California, Oregon, Washington and the Great Lakes states are much longer flights.

The issue for the Canes is if the SEC has UF and FSU they have 77% of the Florida college sports market. A new market add to the West would add more whether that was Kansas, Colorado, or Texas Tech.

The question mark is does Georgia Tech deliver enough or does the SEC just want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta. Taking Tech makes Miami somewhat less likely for the Big Ten.

The only ones pushing the Big Ten for Miami are a bunch of jerk bloggers who don't know a damn thing and never have.

ESPN isn't giving up control of Florida's markets, and they helped FSU get a buyout schedule to try to keep them in the family by moving them to the SEC.

Agree that Tobacco Road doesn't know what the hell they want to do. They lean toward keeping the ACC together, would prefer the SEC over the Big Ten and haven't really prepared for anything trying to stall the inevitable.

ESPN can control or maintain control over everything in the SEC and ACC of major value by adding Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The question is do they want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta? It's quite likely. If so add Georgia Tech to make it 7. Then the question becomes which is more valuable to ESPN, Kansas and its blueblood hoops status and an athletic department making 240 million last year, Miami giving them total control in Florida if USF heads as backfill to the ACC, or do the pick up the third Texas school by nabbing Texas Tech. There's 32 million in audience in Texas and triple dipping it weekly will be a temptation.

I don’t think GT delivers enough of the Atlanta market to pose an actual threat to the SEC. Same with Miami in the state of Florida. Texas Tech feels like the new Oklahoma State, once the big booster stops funding, that program will fade back down.

The six additions you listed only yielded only two new states/territories. That’s why I think both the SEC and B1G will wait until the big targets separate themselves from their in state rivals. The SEC could have added Oklahoma and OSU, but passed. Eventually that turned into Oklahoma and Texas. I can see any politically tied schools staying in ACC until they find a way to segregate.

(04-20-2026 01:22 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(04-19-2026 05:17 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-19-2026 04:18 PM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 10:17 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 01:21 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  If the SEC gives up on the NCAA’s ability to enforce a national standard of rules with the expected death of the score act, I can see the sec breakaway kicking off at the Destin meetings.

Now, if the SEC goes its own way, they’ll need political cover. Adding FSU and Clemson can cover those state politics. Maybe GT will apply some pressure, but supposedly the Big Ten thinks highly of them.

Now the SEC would want to expand into new state with wealthy students to draw from. New states snd territories that will provide more senators and representatives to protect the SeC’s decision.

ESPn, who not only will have to pay for these additions, will also want their investments and markets protected. I’m thinking brands and advertising rates in key states.

This will be an interesting summer if the breskaway(s) happen.

The most powerful move that ESPN could make would be to consolidate Southern branding within the SEC. North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are the essentials.

The Virginia pair is the only way to control that state of 9 million, and the North Carolina pair solidly delivers their state of 11 million. Clemson and Florida State delivers the other part of South Carolina and Florida respectively that just one of those state's schools cannot. Georgia carries their state by themselves. I'd personally have no objection to adding Georgia Tech and it would ensure that outside of small privates the Big Ten had no entry into the SEC's home region. Then Kansas would set the new Northwestern Corner to the SEC.

That 24 is brand consolidation personified.

That move leaves the Big Ten two options in the Southeast: Duke & Miami. Neither of those has a strong Southern culture and frankly I'm not sure the Big Ten would want them.

They'll make a play for Stanford and Notre Dame, look to the Arizona schools and perhaps Colorado and Utah. The question in my mind is whether the SEC would show any interest in Texas Tech or whether Texas and Texas A&M would even want them included. I think that would be a decision predicated upon approval from UT & A&M.

IMO those additions would solidify the greater SE and SW and would be damned hard for the Big Ten to try to match in terms of viewership, which the current SEC dominates, in terms of cultural cohesion, and in terms of regional interest.

And for the record I agree that if we can't get the rules in place to standardize how NIL is to be utilized, that a breakaway is likely.

Now, if ESPN wants a second conference with a national reach, they can keep what is left of the ACC and do something like this with it:

Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, California, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah

They could split the overhead for rights with FOX, or not. Notre Dame would schedule between the SEC and this conference.

The proxy war behind Fox vs ESPN and their investments is going to shape the realignment field. Playing domino theory, The first step will be the SEC breakaway. UNC and uVA might be Birmingham’s top targets, but neither one has their ducks in a row to move. Currently FSU, Clemson, Miami, Duke and a Notre Dame (disgruntled over ACC pushing Miami over them) are presumed ready to receive and move on a P2 invitation.

Miami is considered a strong candidate for the Big Ten. If they can’t be paired with Notre Dame, then bringing in a natural rivalry with FSU could be disastrous for the sec. Imagine the big ten gaining the number 2 and 3 brands in the state of Florida. There is also a very strong possibility of the gator-Seminole rivalry coming to an end as the big ten usually does not have or encourage out of conference foes for rivalry weekend. The second domino to fall should be protecting the current SEC turf by adding FSU and Clemson.

If the ACc loses Clemson and FSu, that conference loses significant value. Notre Dame won’t go all in to save this group. I see the Big Ten adding Miami and Notre Dame or just Miami and waiting for another valuable piece to wiggle free.


If Big Ten addition(s) are domino 3, then the next one will be determined by politics at the state levels. There are two options for the ACC: 1. Refill or stabilize the teaming schools or use that option in the GOR settlement that allows for 8+ schools to leave the conference in one sport and form their own conference while still being allowed to keep all other sports in the ACC. Of course, at this stage, the Big 22 could very easily pick off an under appreciated piece or two like Louisville.

The SEC and B1G have been game planning this out for years. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Neither conference's presidents are changing their preferences. What is best for the SEC is conveniently good for the SEC. Their game will be for 6 schools with a 7th possible. They'll protect 20 million in Virginia and North Carolina by taking both state schools and paying pro rata to the SEC for Va Tech and N.C. State. Clemson and FSU will be the football brand additions, and neither are really viable for the Big Ten, both love their baseball and want to stay where baseball is strong and where their fans can travel easily. Since the SEC has had a plan for defense of the region since this crap began in 1990 they'll stick to what butters their bread, regionality.

Miami would very likely desire the SEC over the Big Ten due to baseball and minor sports and easier travel, though they fly everywhere California, Oregon, Washington and the Great Lakes states are much longer flights.

The issue for the Canes is if the SEC has UF and FSU they have 77% of the Florida college sports market. A new market add to the West would add more whether that was Kansas, Colorado, or Texas Tech.

The question mark is does Georgia Tech deliver enough or does the SEC just want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta. Taking Tech makes Miami somewhat less likely for the Big Ten.

The only ones pushing the Big Ten for Miami are a bunch of jerk bloggers who don't know a damn thing and never have.

ESPN isn't giving up control of Florida's markets, and they helped FSU get a buyout schedule to try to keep them in the family by moving them to the SEC.

Agree that Tobacco Road doesn't know what the hell they want to do. They lean toward keeping the ACC together, would prefer the SEC over the Big Ten and haven't really prepared for anything trying to stall the inevitable.

ESPN can control or maintain control over everything in the SEC and ACC of major value by adding Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The question is do they want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta? It's quite likely. If so add Georgia Tech to make it 7. Then the question becomes which is more valuable to ESPN, Kansas and its blueblood hoops status and an athletic department making 240 million last year, Miami giving them total control in Florida if USF heads as backfill to the ACC, or do the pick up the third Texas school by nabbing Texas Tech. There's 32 million in audience in Texas and triple dipping it weekly will be a temptation.

I don’t think GT delivers enough of the Atlanta market to pose an actual threat to the SEC. Same with Miami in the state of Florida. Texas Tech feels like the new Oklahoma State, once the big booster stops funding, that program will fade back down.

The six additions you listed only yielded only two new states/territories. That’s why I think both the SEC and B1G will wait until the big targets separate themselves from their in state rivals. The SEC could have added Oklahoma and OSU, but passed. Eventually that turned into Oklahoma and Texas. I can see any politically tied schools staying in ACC until they find a way to segregate.

The rule of thumb on additions has been 1 school per 5 million population. North Carolina covers both and Virginia is a million shy.

ESPN will look at it as the markets they need to keep in order to satisfy the maintenance of their revenue model. It takes 2 to deliver either state.

Texas carries 32 million in market potential. Tech has money outside of the one guy. OSU had T. Boone Pickens. If Tech gets PUF money from the Oil Fund they might get a more serious look. Agree that Miami doesn't deliver much. And as I've said many times UGA carries 53% of Atlanta. But Atlanta is a large DMA. The call on Ga. Tech will be ESPN's to make. I still like Kansas.

The real difference between Texas Tech and Oklahoma State is that OSU was second fiddle in a state of only 4 million. Alabama and South Carolina have over 5 million each. Texas Tech could get some interest because they are the third state school in a state of 32 million, and a state if triple dipped on a Saturday would deliver 3 strong ratings and that's when they aren't playing one another.

If the SEC picked up just the six aforementioned ACC schools and ESPN passed on promoting Ga. Tech what would be the better snag to the West to pair with Kansas? Colorado, one of the Arizona schools, or a play for Nebraska?

(04-20-2026 02:18 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-20-2026 01:22 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(04-19-2026 05:17 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-19-2026 04:18 PM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(04-18-2026 10:17 AM)JRsec Wrote:  The most powerful move that ESPN could make would be to consolidate Southern branding within the SEC. North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are the essentials.

The Virginia pair is the only way to control that state of 9 million, and the North Carolina pair solidly delivers their state of 11 million. Clemson and Florida State delivers the other part of South Carolina and Florida respectively that just one of those state's schools cannot. Georgia carries their state by themselves. I'd personally have no objection to adding Georgia Tech and it would ensure that outside of small privates the Big Ten had no entry into the SEC's home region. Then Kansas would set the new Northwestern Corner to the SEC.

That 24 is brand consolidation personified.

That move leaves the Big Ten two options in the Southeast: Duke & Miami. Neither of those has a strong Southern culture and frankly I'm not sure the Big Ten would want them.

They'll make a play for Stanford and Notre Dame, look to the Arizona schools and perhaps Colorado and Utah. The question in my mind is whether the SEC would show any interest in Texas Tech or whether Texas and Texas A&M would even want them included. I think that would be a decision predicated upon approval from UT & A&M.

IMO those additions would solidify the greater SE and SW and would be damned hard for the Big Ten to try to match in terms of viewership, which the current SEC dominates, in terms of cultural cohesion, and in terms of regional interest.

And for the record I agree that if we can't get the rules in place to standardize how NIL is to be utilized, that a breakaway is likely.

Now, if ESPN wants a second conference with a national reach, they can keep what is left of the ACC and do something like this with it:

Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Miami, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, West Virginia

Baylor, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian

Arizona, Arizona State, Brigham Young, California, Colorado, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah

They could split the overhead for rights with FOX, or not. Notre Dame would schedule between the SEC and this conference.

The proxy war behind Fox vs ESPN and their investments is going to shape the realignment field. Playing domino theory, The first step will be the SEC breakaway. UNC and uVA might be Birmingham’s top targets, but neither one has their ducks in a row to move. Currently FSU, Clemson, Miami, Duke and a Notre Dame (disgruntled over ACC pushing Miami over them) are presumed ready to receive and move on a P2 invitation.

Miami is considered a strong candidate for the Big Ten. If they can’t be paired with Notre Dame, then bringing in a natural rivalry with FSU could be disastrous for the sec. Imagine the big ten gaining the number 2 and 3 brands in the state of Florida. There is also a very strong possibility of the gator-Seminole rivalry coming to an end as the big ten usually does not have or encourage out of conference foes for rivalry weekend. The second domino to fall should be protecting the current SEC turf by adding FSU and Clemson.

If the ACc loses Clemson and FSu, that conference loses significant value. Notre Dame won’t go all in to save this group. I see the Big Ten adding Miami and Notre Dame or just Miami and waiting for another valuable piece to wiggle free.


If Big Ten addition(s) are domino 3, then the next one will be determined by politics at the state levels. There are two options for the ACC: 1. Refill or stabilize the teaming schools or use that option in the GOR settlement that allows for 8+ schools to leave the conference in one sport and form their own conference while still being allowed to keep all other sports in the ACC. Of course, at this stage, the Big 22 could very easily pick off an under appreciated piece or two like Louisville.

The SEC and B1G have been game planning this out for years. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Neither conference's presidents are changing their preferences. What is best for the SEC is conveniently good for the SEC. Their game will be for 6 schools with a 7th possible. They'll protect 20 million in Virginia and North Carolina by taking both state schools and paying pro rata to the SEC for Va Tech and N.C. State. Clemson and FSU will be the football brand additions, and neither are really viable for the Big Ten, both love their baseball and want to stay where baseball is strong and where their fans can travel easily. Since the SEC has had a plan for defense of the region since this crap began in 1990 they'll stick to what butters their bread, regionality.

Miami would very likely desire the SEC over the Big Ten due to baseball and minor sports and easier travel, though they fly everywhere California, Oregon, Washington and the Great Lakes states are much longer flights.

The issue for the Canes is if the SEC has UF and FSU they have 77% of the Florida college sports market. A new market add to the West would add more whether that was Kansas, Colorado, or Texas Tech.

The question mark is does Georgia Tech deliver enough or does the SEC just want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta. Taking Tech makes Miami somewhat less likely for the Big Ten.

The only ones pushing the Big Ten for Miami are a bunch of jerk bloggers who don't know a damn thing and never have.

ESPN isn't giving up control of Florida's markets, and they helped FSU get a buyout schedule to try to keep them in the family by moving them to the SEC.

Agree that Tobacco Road doesn't know what the hell they want to do. They lean toward keeping the ACC together, would prefer the SEC over the Big Ten and haven't really prepared for anything trying to stall the inevitable.

ESPN can control or maintain control over everything in the SEC and ACC of major value by adding Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The question is do they want to keep the Big Ten out of Atlanta? It's quite likely. If so add Georgia Tech to make it 7. Then the question becomes which is more valuable to ESPN, Kansas and its blueblood hoops status and an athletic department making 240 million last year, Miami giving them total control in Florida if USF heads as backfill to the ACC, or do the pick up the third Texas school by nabbing Texas Tech. There's 32 million in audience in Texas and triple dipping it weekly will be a temptation.

I don’t think GT delivers enough of the Atlanta market to pose an actual threat to the SEC. Same with Miami in the state of Florida. Texas Tech feels like the new Oklahoma State, once the big booster stops funding, that program will fade back down.

The six additions you listed only yielded only two new states/territories. That’s why I think both the SEC and B1G will wait until the big targets separate themselves from their in state rivals. The SEC could have added Oklahoma and OSU, but passed. Eventually that turned into Oklahoma and Texas. I can see any politically tied schools staying in ACC until they find a way to segregate.

The rule of thumb on additions has been 1 school per 5 million population. North Carolina covers both and Virginia is a million shy.

ESPN will look at it as the markets they need to keep in order to satisfy the maintenance of their revenue model. It takes 2 to deliver either state.

Texas carries 32 million in market potential. Tech has money outside of the one guy. OSU had T. Boone Pickens. If Tech gets PUF money from the Oil Fund they might get a more serious look. Agree that Miami doesn't deliver much. And as I've said many times UGA carries 53% of Atlanta. But Atlanta is a large DMA. The call on Ga. Tech will be ESPN's to make. I still like Kansas.

The real difference between Texas Tech and Oklahoma State is that OSU was second fiddle in a state of only 4 million. Alabama and South Carolina have over 5 million each. Texas Tech could get some interest because they are the third state school in a state of 32 million, and a state if triple dipped on a Saturday would deliver 3 strong ratings and that's when they aren't playing one another.

If the SEC picked up just the six aforementioned ACC schools and ESPN passed on promoting Ga. Tech what would be the better snag to the West to pair with Kansas? Colorado, one of the Arizona schools, or a play for Nebraska?

I always thought Nebraska was a big enough brand to get an invite whenever they asked. If they did leave the big 10, why would they go back to the B12 when they could easily :rock:slide into the SECand bring along a Kansas.

If SEC went with 6 additions , excluding GT,….. my guess would be FSU, Clemson, UNC, Duke, VT, WVU or Kansas. I think UNC needs to bring along one of their peers in UVA, NC State or Duke to settle down internal politics.
State politicans will look out for both UVA and VT. Since UVA is assumed to be looking at the B1G only now. If the sec wants that market, grab VT and pair them with local rival and new state WVU. OU also a great option too.

Surprised I didn’t see this on the main board:

https://x.com/brett_mcmurphy/status/2046...kuex7-QU7A

@Brett_McMurphy
FSU AD Michael Alford: “The next 24 months are very important because we think there could be potentially more movement w/in the industry. So we need to make sure daily that we’re preparing ourselves for that.”