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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 19, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; An Arizona Wildcats helmet sits on the field before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Arizona (PAC 12)

Why SEC Expansion with Arizona Makes Sense

The SEC as it is currently constituted stretches from College Station, Texas to the Florida coast. Since it can’t go any further east, that makes the west an intriguing expansion opportunity. There isn’t a major program in the state of New Mexico, so Arizona would be next on the list.

Arizona has had a handful of top 20 finishes in football and would instantly become one of the conference’s better basketball programs. Imagine a duel of Wildcats every year as Arizona squared off with Kentucky in conference play. That alone should give Arizona serious consideration.

Likelihood of Happening

Seven percent. Is it possible for the SEC to get two big? It takes 28 hours to drive from Tucson, Arizona to Gainsville, Florida. West Virginia is a part of the Big 12 right now, so perhaps distance doesn’t matter that much. Still that’s a pretty long drive.