Chip Brown report: Texas A&M to the SEC

#126
#126
Preternatural huh? Never thought to use that word here. TAMU has some ties with Arkansas, LA, and AL (Bear Bryant). It's all about the additonal exposure to media markets, money, and recruiting inroads. If the other conferences expand and the SEC does not, then the SEC will lose an edge in competition [money] for stadium upgrades, etc that currently give it an edge. Opening up TX recruiting is good for the SEC. For the media markets, if the others expand and the SEC doesn't then SEC teams may get outvoted for the BCS NC like happened with Auburn in 2004. The current perception is that the SEC is the strongest conference which is backed up on the field. If the new Pac-10 has much more media market exposure and access then they can change that perception. If SEC revenue sharing is outpaced by other conferences, they can outspend us. We currently have tremendous facilities in the SEC compared to other conferences. That could change with reallignment.

If the other conferences expand it forces the SEC to open new markets to counteract the influence of a superconference as noted above.

If the Pac-10 has its way on expansion to 16 teams, expect more regional recruiting. Teams with lots of instate talent [FL, etc] will be OK. Teams with less instate talent will be hurt.

Having said that, I like the conference as it is. If it's going to change, I hope Slive is up to the task.

jmo
 
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#127
#127
Give 'em Six said:
Preternatural huh? Never thought ot use that word here. TAMU has some ties with AK, LA, and AL (Bear Bryant). It's all about the additonal exposure to media markets, money, and recruiting inroads. If the other conferences expand and the SEC does not, then the SEC will lose an edge in competition [money] for stadium upgrades, etc that currently give it an edge. Opening up TX recruiting is good for the SEC. For the media markets, if the others expand and the SEC doesn't then SEC teams may get outvoted for the BCS NC like happened with Auburn in 2004. The current perception is that the SEC is the strongest conference which is backed up on the field.

If the other conferences expand it forces the SEC to open new markets to counteract the influence of a superconference as noted above.

If the Pac-10 has its way on expansion, expect more regional recruiting. Teams with lots of instate talent [FL, etc] will be OK. Teams with less instate talent will be hurt.

Having said that, I like the conference as it is. If it's going to change, I hope Slive is up to the task.
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I am just saying if I were channel surfing and came across an A & M v. Miss St. Game I would take a seat and have a view for awhile. Not sure I can say the same for a Ok. St. v. Stanford game or even Oklahoma v. Ariz. State. The poetry is just not there.
 
#129
#129
I still don't think the SEC is gonna take A&M without OU, they're waiting to see if OU and A&M can convince Texas.
 
#131
#131
GreyWolf1129 said:
Understood. My point was, that for the SEC to remain the "Southeastern Conference" (in more than just a name), it made sense to target teams that were actually in the southeastern states. If the SEC expands into Texas...or Oklahoma...or Missouri...or Arizona...how do we remain the "SEC"?

Bringing Arkansas in was a stretch. Anything west of that, or southwest of that, is more than a stretch. It's tossing aside the geography, history, and tradition of the SEC. I have no problem with expansion...but at what cost? Do we sell out our history for the millions that being a super-conference would bring in? Is nothing sacred anymore?

If we go further west, and it appears that we will at least make the offer, time and history will prove that abandoning our roots in favor of the bottom line will bite you (us, the SEC) in the ass. Every time.

If we're going to jump on the expansion bandwagon...and there's literally no reason to...the SEC owns the BCS National Championship game...let's keep it in the Southeast. Or risk finding ourselves as the next Big 12 when something better comes along for our new members.

JMO.

Go Vols.
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I agree with that assessment. I keep hearing people say texas, A&M, OU, etc are regional and cultural fits. I disagree. They may be "southern" or "country" or whatever label you want to apply...but its in a slightly different way...they are southwestern...and there is a difference. Do those team "fit" better in the SEC than the culture of the PAC 10 - sure...but it wont be a homogeneous mix in the SEC either.

Having schools from the southeastern states makes better sense. The problem is I don't see anyone from the region willing to make that jump, and unfortunately few southern universities "bring much to the pot" like Slive is looking for. I don't think the SEC can stand pat and not expand. I think adding 2 teams is a minimum.

I'd love to take some from the ACC, but Slive has eliminated 4 schools, of which I'd gladly add Miami and Clemson. I don't think you want to upset the balance of power in the conference...take 1 power school 1-3 mid-pack types, ie, A&M. Miami would bring all of south florida...not sure why Slive is discounting them. I have no interest in GA Tech and, again, I'd do miami over FSU 10 times out of 10.

Eliminating the above 4 schools I frankly would rather see like a unc, duke, maryland and A&M to the west (since that seems like a done deal)...you get basically most of the NC markets, washington dc market, and houston market....that would be a good footprint for the SEC and capture 3 major markets

Just a thought
 
#132
#132
Panthro said:
I wonder if they'll shoot for 14 or 16. I've seen that the Pac-10 has already slated Utah to take TAMU's spot, so they're still looking at 16.
I just don't want to add teams just to add teams.
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honestly - if we even do anything - i think he looks to even whatever the big 10 ends up at
 
#133
#133
TrueOrange said:
Well right, my point was that neither of those two rivalries would die like he seemed to be implying
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Yes, either UT/Bama or UGA/AU would die under that scenario. If only one of Bama/Auburn moves East, then the Iron Bowl becomes the permanent non-division opponent for those teams. If, say, Auburn moves East, then they play UGA inside the division and have Bama as their permanent West opponent. How is Bama going to play Tennessee every year under that scenario?
 
#134
#134
VolsSportsFan said:
This.

We can spout media markets all we want, but if A&M is the only one we get then it's a pretty small splash.
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A&M only partially offsets TX dominance of the southwestern media markets. OK is the key. Slive has to counter in some way to prevent the Pac-16, or whatever you want to call it from coming into existence. Also, it may help to keep the former Big-12 in place if TX is worried about OK defection and stop this nonsense.

If the Pac-10 is allowed to add the six Big-12 teams, they will have access [control] of significantly greater media markets [look at the numbers] that will be talking about that conference and its teams and they will generate constant buzz that will drown out the SEC - although never completely.

If allowed to happen, this will have serious effects on the SEC. Hopefully, Slive can stop this craziness. I like the culture and traditions of the SEC as it is.
 
#135
#135
VolAlumNGatrland said:
I agree with that assessment. I keep hearing people say texas, A&M, OU, etc are regional and cultural fits. I disagree. They may be "southern" or "country" or whatever label you want to apply...but its in a slightly different way...they are southwestern...and there is a difference. Do those team "fit" better in the SEC than the culture of the PAC 10 - sure...but it wont be a homogeneous mix in the SEC either.

Having schools from the southeastern states makes better sense. The problem is I don't see anyone from the region willing to make that jump, and unfortunately few southern universities "bring much to the pot" like Slive is looking for. I don't think the SEC can stand pat and not expand. I think adding 2 teams is a minimum.

I'd love to take some from the ACC, but Slive has eliminated 4 schools, of which I'd gladly add Miami and Clemson. I don't think you want to upset the balance of power in the conference...take 1 power school 1-3 mid-pack types, ie, A&M. Miami would bring all of south florida...not sure why Slive is discounting them. I have no interest in GA Tech and, again, I'd do miami over FSU 10 times out of 10.

Eliminating the above 4 schools I frankly would rather see like a unc, duke, maryland and A&M to the west (since that seems like a done deal)...you get basically most of the NC markets, washington dc market, and houston market....that would be a good footprint for the SEC and capture 3 major markets

Just a thought
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I lived in Texas for 10 years. There is very little difference in the culture.
 
#136
#136
Conference titles do not necessarily truly reflect the larger cultural demarcation. If this were the case New Mexico and Arizona would have been in the SWC.
 
#142
#142
I went over to the texas & am web site its dead no excitement what so ever .They dont have the passion for the sec.they will not fit in with us .
 
#144
#144
This is starting to get scary, but what would the SEC change its name to if it does expand westward? Is the BIG SOUTH taken yet?
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#145
#145
robvols said:
This is starting to get scary, but what would the SEC change its name to if it does expand westward? Is the BIG SOUTH taken yet?
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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29pri88.gif
 
#148
#148
Crew said:
Guess one of them will have to have an alternate black jersey. :)


Just think about the scene at the first Nebraska v. Wisconsin game.

:birgits_giggle:
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Miss. St. already has a black jersey, they wore it last season against Alabama.
 
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