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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
Dec 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats flags are flown after a Wildcats touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Kansas State (Big 12)

Why SEC Expansion with Kansas State Makes Sense

Hear me out. The Wildcats don’t quite scream “SEC”, but they do have one major thing going for them: they’re in the Big 12. The Pac-12 and the ACC are both relatively stable at the moment, but the Big 12 was forced to bring in West Virginia and TCU after four teams bolted for other conferences in the span of just a few years. While Kansas State might not be the most attractive girl at the dance, she is available.

Adding Kansas State would bring the SEC further into the Midwest. It’s not a huge tv market, but it is a big portion of the country. As far as culture goes, there’s something about the grittiness of Bill Snyder that seems desirable. Like how the Aggies had played second fiddle in Texas, the Wildcats have been number two in Kansas for a while. A move to the SEC might just flip that script upside down.

Likelihood of Happening

20 percent. Again it’s all about availability. The SEC offices in Birmingham aren’t chomping at the bit to bring the Wildcats into the fold, but they could certainly do a lot worse. Remember the Big 12 was considering the University of Houston and Memphis.