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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 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils players take the field against the Utah Utes before the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Arizona State (PAC 12)

Why SEC Expansion with Aizona State Makes Sense

The Sun Devils check the football box and the geography box. Phoenix is one of the nation’s 12th biggest television markets. If the SEC wants to expand its footprint it’s going to have to go north or west. If you’re Arizona State, what’s more appealing? Pac-12 “After Dark” or SEC Saturday afternoon games?

In addition to the tv appeal, the SEC’s territory would span all the way from the west coast to the east coast. Saturday down south would literally span the entire southern half of the country.

Likelihood of Happening

Ten percent. The Sun Devils aren’t even the marquee program in their own state. For that reason they would probably be part of a package deal with Arizona. That would put the SEC at the 16 team threshold. Letting in the two Arizona  schools would keep out any more attractive programs. No offense to ASU, but there are bigger fish in the sea.