Alabama Football: Look at future SEC with 24 teams

Some explanation is necessary for why the 24 teams were chosen in this example. Other teams could have been included instead. Baylor, West Virginia and Louisville would certainly be options. Even though it is unlikely, the Houston market would be attractive if the Cougars would be so bold as to flip on the Big 12 and head to the SEC.

To gain the Houston market, Rice could also be an option. Vanderbilt would probably push for Rice, as it would for Duke. For the same big media market reason, TCU would be an option. Duke was chosen in this 24-team projection because North Carolina will probably never split with the Blue Devils due to basketball.

A side effect of such SEC (and Big Ten) expansion is recruiting. Coaches not in the Big Two will be at a disadvantage in recruiting. Diminished levels of talent in the ‘other’ Power Fives would spiral down to reduced competitiveness and further erode ‘value’ in media deals.

Whatever transpires over the next few years, the transitions will not be smooth. Many fans will not favor the realignments. Will the game of college football suffer? Answers will vary, but the one offered here is college football will thrive, with team, conference and national passions intact.

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