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Ranking the 14 Most Likely SEC Expansion Candidates

By Matthew Bartlett

Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The SEC logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The SEC logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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SEC Expansion
Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles Chief Osceola holds his spear above his head before the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Conference expansion, specifically SEC expansion, seems all but inevitable at this point. If the SEC does expand these 14 teams would be the best fits.

SEC expansion most recently occurred In 2011. That was the year that conference poached Missouri and Texas A&M from the Big 12, increasing to 14 schools from 12. If the future does indeed hold four 16-team super conferences, that would leave two more spots for expansion.

Which teams make the most sense? In honor of the SEC’s current 14 schools we take a look at the next 14 schools that could be the best fits for the conference. It would be great to get Michigan and Ohio State, but that’s just not going to happen. To that effect our list takes into account each school’s prestige as well as the viability of them joining the SEC.

14. Florida State (ACC)

Why SEC Expansion with Florida State Makes Sense

The SEC is all about big names and legacy football. Florida State has both. The Seminoles haven’t had a losing record since 1976. The highlight of the opening weekend of the 2017 season will certainly be Florida State versus Alabama. Can you imagine Jimbo Fisher versus Nick Saban every year in the SEC West? That’s a win for the conference and a win for college football.

After Saban, the SEC has a serious coaching deficiency. Bringing Fisher into the SEC would make recruiting all that more interesting and elevate the coaching profile of the league instantaneously. Equally important, it might offer someone that’s able to go toe-to-toe with Saban and prevent him from steamrolling through conference play year after year.

Likelihood of Happening

A fraction above zero percent. Sorry for getting your hopes up, but the Florida Gators certainly wouldn’t sit idly by and watch their in-state rival waltz into the conference. Although it makes sense regionally, the ‘Noles wouldn’t offer much of a new television market either.