Five schools that the SEC should call regarding expansion

With the College Conference world in limbo, what could Greg Sankey do next?

Jeremy Robuck | Jul 28, 2023

Five schools that the SEC should call regarding expansion /

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At first, it was just a rumor. Texas and Oklahoma were the Big 12 - they would never leave. They had so much power within the conference. The money they had was good but then it happened. Two of the most historic programs in collegiate athletics suddenly went from their historic habitats in favor of the mighty SEC. Some just want to be where the best are, the coolest social group, the most prestigious law firm, the most powerful brand or company. Greg Sankey poached the best of the Big 12 in the middle of the night. Many thought loyalty would keep them, but they did what was best for them. Could it happen again?

With Colorado's departure from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 being the next domino to fall in the wave of conference realignment, who else could the SEC pursue to strengthen the conference?

Here are five schools worth thinking about.

Ohio State

Texas and Oklahoma sounded far-fetched, but now here they sit in the newly expanded SEC. Many have expected smaller additions on the level of Clemson, Virginia, and Florida State, but I bet Greg Sankey’s first phone calls aren’t so tame. When you have the best show in town, you never know who may want in and what backroom television deals might be on the table. In today's world, you have to look out for number 1. Could that eventually lead the Buckeyes to the SEC?

Michigan

Yes, you wouldn’t go for one and not the other. Like Texas and Oklahoma, these rivals each have great traditions in their own respects. Jim Harbough may have just gotten suspended for buying a kid a hamburger, but he is building a titan in Ann Arbor and they may be a power for years to come.

USC

Sure, they just went to the Big 10 but Southern California is the world’s capital of entertainment and its college crown jewel is the USC Trojans. Their brand may have slid since the Pete Carroll days of Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, but Lincoln Riley knows how to sell the bright lights and will have the Trojans back in playoff soon. USC may have recently declared a change of conference, but who’s to say they won’t look out for their best interest again if the numbers are right?

Notre Dame

One of the absolute premier brands in sports, Notre Dame is a power whose name transcends sports into folklore. Tales of Rudy are known to all, and while this program hasn’t reached its true potential in a while, they can have an invite to any conference they want. Who’s to say they don’t jump in if the water gets warm enough?

North Carolina

If Sankey were to go true brand shopping, Michael Jordan’s school may get a phone call. North Carolina would be a new tv market for the league. Along with enormous brand appeal and notoriety, they may be the premier program in college basketball. With SEC Network already based in Charlotte, don’t be surprised if they receive an invite in the next few years.

Conference realignment has been chaos, and yes much of the drive for it has been money. With NIL entering the sports world, being competitive is more expensive than ever. That being said, with these teams, never say never.