Poll: Should SEC downsize?

Poll: Should SEC downsize?

  • Total voters
    354
#1
M

madbamahater

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#1
Ever expanding conferences do ultimately consolidate fanbases, but I'm not so sure just expanding and expanding is the answer to long term growth. Football fans (consumers) tune in to games, or not, based on whether or not the product is worth watching. Just because Washington will travel to play Wisconsin or vice versa in an in-conference match-up, doesn't have anything do to with the quality of game it will be for the consumer. I get this scenario now has two regions tuning in for one game, so the audience may naturally be greater in numbers. But, if both teams suck or are average and two SEC teams are squaring off, guess what game MOST of the country will tune in to watch. Why? The overall product is better.

Should the SEC take a look at trimming some fat? Is this the real time to actually move some dead weight and leeches out of the conference that do not produce? I just don't want to see the SEC continue to keep expanding. I just don't think it's necessary to get too far out of the region and just don't see the long-term benefit in a positive way. If the SEC scales it back by a couple of teams or four then it could give some room to add a couple of other regional powerhouses in the future.

I don't think anybody needs to be worried about all the realignment going on right now because in a few years some of these teams will have buyer's remorse and be looking to go somewhere else again.
 
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#5
#5
As long as we are Selective about who we bring into the conference, no.
The speculation is two super conferences in the future and what a mess that would be if College Football went into that direction. A NFL farm model? I want college football to be college football and the NFL to be the NFL both are unique in their own ways.
 
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#6
#6
Sudden Impact said:
As long as we are Selective about who we bring into the conference, no.
The speculation is two super conferences in the future and what a mess that would be if College Football went into that direction. A NFL farm model? I want college football to be college football and the NFL to be the NFL both are unique in their own ways.
Click to expand...

Although the NFL has 2 conferences, there are many divisions and mainly based on regions, with the exception of a few teams. So, if the NFL can still see the benefit of keeping things regional and they are the marketing kings of the world, then college football should as well......
 
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#7
#7
madbamahater said:
Although the NFL has 2 conferences, there are many divisions and mainly based on regions, with the exception of a few teams. So, if the NFL can still see the benefit of keeping things regional and they are the marketing kings of the world, then college football should as well......
Click to expand...
They will figure it out I am sure, but the real restructuring will have to be with the NCAA governing this organization. Right now that will be a huge task because what we have at the NCAA is total incompetence. Then somebody is going to pull out some Title IX explanation. As far as the Non Conferenced schools it becomes a mess.

The NFL has years of experience in dealing with young adult men, the NCAA has it hands full dealing with HS kids. NLF player's union, employees, a Governing Body that says what goes and what doesn't and gives no leadway to the the Organization. Just the Simple things the NCAA or Conferences or Colleges are prepared to do in support of a College type league.
 
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#10
#10
The Big10 seems to just be grabbing teams to try to out do the SEC, who didn't want any of those teams. Adding all these west coast teams will not improve their league, only increase travel cost for all their teams. The more teams you add the more the $ have to split and each team gets less.

Sanky is smart enough to know that and the numbers show that the $ TX-OK bring in will off-set the additional teams split and will increase the $ to each team
 
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#14
#14
Texas has been a poison pill in every conference they've been in. That zebra's stripes won't change. Okie is only coming because of texas. I don't want either.

Mizzou has always been a bad fit, just culturally midwest.

Chasing "markets" was always a dumb corporate idea. That's what has tanked the ACC. People want to watch good games between teams that have real fanbases, and actual rivalries.

I'd never get rid of candy tho, founding member and all whatnot.
 
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#15
#15
KriegerVOL said:
Texas has been a poison pill in every conference they've been in. That zebra's stripes won't change. Okie is only coming because of texas. I don't want either.

Mizzou has always been a bad fit, just culturally midwest.

Chasing "markets" was always a dumb corporate idea. That's what has tanked the ACC. People want to watch good games between teams that have real fanbases, and actual rivalries.

I'd never get rid of candy tho, founding member and all whatnot.
Click to expand...

Have 2 friends, Mzou grads and big fans, were also saying that about TX, that they will come in thinking they are the most elite program. They will get a rude awakening.

Their refusal to drop their Longhorn NW for the Big12 NW was a big reason for A&M-Zou leaving. Have not heard what Sanky has done to mitigate that in the SEC. Cannot imagine he lets them keep it over SECNW.
 
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#16
#16
With expansion bringing massive contracts to the B1G and SEC while conferences that are not expanding like the PAC are withering away or becoming increasingly irrelevant like the B12, it's just not reality to insist downsizing or remaining static is good.

I'm not saying I like it but I am saying take a look at what's happening to those conferences that aren't expanding their markets. It's not going well for them.

I can dislike what's happening but I definitely don't want the SEC to sit on its hands like the PAC which used to be a top tier conference that just sat there while other conferences expanded to new TV markets and embraced changes.

It's right in front of us. Let's learn from the mistakes others have made.
 
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#17
#17
WillisWG said:
Go back to 10 teams, play 9 conference games and stop destroying traditional rival games.
Click to expand...

Right! I think we will find that the old rivalry games are the ones that put the passion into college football. There was never a better football conference than the old SEC. The old conference had Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, and LSU. Think of all the championships won by these teams in a 10 team conference. Nobody is close.
 
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#18
#18
Can someone please explain to me the reasoning for bringing Texas in to the SEC. If it is all about media coverage a state, we already had aTm. Was it done purely to get the Oklahoma T.V. market?

If that’s not the case, why not bring Miami or FSU (baring the FSU/ACC 120 million contract)?
 
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#19
#19
I wish it would. But it won't. Like it or not, the SEC would be weakening it's own position by doing that. It has Poached the 3 biggest teams in the Big 12. The conference would be crazy to give them back. They'll probably try ro raid the ACC next.
 
#20
#20
#1fulmerite said:
Can someone please explain to me the reasoning for bringing Texas in to the SEC. If it is all about media coverage a state, we already had aTm. Was it done purely to get the Oklahoma T.V. market?

If that’s not the case, why not bring Miami or FSU (baring the FSU/ACC 120 million contract)?
Click to expand...
Much of college footballs recent realignment can be explained by this article and the eyeballs and ad revenue associated with these fanbases. It's not rocket science, TX brings lots of eyeballs (read: ad $$$..... read bigger TV money) to the SEC.

https://www.si.com/fannation/colleg...s-ohio-state-texas-alabama-georgia-notre-dame
 
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#21
#21
Screw it all.

Make a 20 team SEC. Put all the pre-1992 members in one division, and all the worthless post-1992 additions in another division. Round robin within your division, two top teams from each division play for the "SEC Championship".
 
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#22
#22
OrangeBeachVol said:
The Big10 seems to just be grabbing teams to try to out do the SEC, who didn't want any of those teams. Adding all these west coast teams will not improve their league, only increase travel cost for all their teams. The more teams you add the more the $ have to split and each team gets less.

Sanky is smart enough to know that and the numbers show that the $ TX-OK bring in will off-set the additional teams split and will increase the $ to each team
Click to expand...
You're right about the travel costs and decreasing revenue share but I disagree adding USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington definitely improves the Big 10. Who likes seeing Ohio State play 1 hard game a year?
 
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#23
#23
I'm in the very small minority but I'm for expansion. It's going to happen, and the SEC can either join in or get left behind as other conferences grow. The SEC needs to be selective and add the best of the best. I like the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. The 2 teams I want right now are Clemson and FSU. After that, maybe as other conferences break down, UNC and Virginia Tech. Super conferences are happening, can't avoid it. I know it hurts recruiting with more teams being able to pitch playing in the SEC and makes the schedule tougher but after a few years the Texas's, Clemson's, and FSU's will get a dose of reality playing SEC schedules and will get knocked down a peg. I dont see any school besides maybe Oklahoma being a power in the SEC. Most will be like Texas A&M and have maybe 1 or 2 great years then be average for 4 or 5. Once again, I'm in the minority, but it's almost unavoidable. Would love to be able to stomp Clemson and Texas on a regular basis as well.
 
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#24
#24
I think after TX and OU come in the SEC should (and will be) very selective if it expands more. Any team that comes in after TX/OU will have to bring in a winning football/mens basketball and some more viewership for TV. That is going to be very few teams. FSU? probably not, we already have FL. Clemson?, probably not we already have USCjr. Virginia Tech?, maybe. My point is there will be very few teams that can make "the cut" and bring in cache and viewers.
 
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#25
#25
Jpcisco said:
I'm in the very small minority but I'm for expansion. It's going to happen, and the SEC can either join in or get left behind as other conferences grow. The SEC needs to be selective and add the best of the best. I like the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. The 2 teams I want right now are Clemson and FSU. After that, maybe as other conferences break down, UNC and Virginia Tech. Super conferences are happening, can't avoid it. I know it hurts recruiting with more teams being able to pitch playing in the SEC and makes the schedule tougher but after a few years the Texas's, Clemson's, and FSU's will get a dose of reality playing SEC schedules and will get knocked down a peg. I dont see any school besides maybe Oklahoma being a power in the SEC. Most will be like Texas A&M and have maybe 1 or 2 great years then be average for 4 or 5. Once again, I'm in the minority, but it's almost unavoidable. Would love to be able to stomp Clemson and Texas on a regular basis as well.
Click to expand...
I don't want to add any teams we are in constant recruiting battles with unless they are more middle of the road. Takes away a selling point for us. I'd be cool with adding someone like WVU and OK State or GT/VT

This is assuming rumors of Vandy/Mizzou leaving are true. I want to stay at 16.
 
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