College football realignment: Where the SEC stands on future expansion

As conference realignment takes over the college football offseason once again, an update on what the SEC plans to do next

Conference expansion and realignment once again have been a major story across college football this offseason with rumors around the Big 12 and Pac-12, a chain of action started in many ways by the SEC, which last year announced the bombshell decision to add Texas and Oklahoma starting in the 2024 football season.

That brings the SEC to 16 members in time for next fall's kickoff and, while the realignment process seems to have slowed, there are still plenty of moving parts around the country. Where does Greg Sankey see the SEC in all this? The conference commissioner addressed the topic at this year's Media Days.

"It's [expansion] not been a topic in the Southeastern Conference other than providing update, so we're very attentive to what's happening around us, whether those are from all of your fine investigative writing or maybe opinions, and then focusing on our growth to 16 because it's an enormous task," Sankey said. 

The SEC hasn't been immune from the realignment rumors this offseason, especially after it was revealed that several ACC teams were possibly looking for a way out, as insiders speculated if the SEC would pursue names like Clemson and Florida State.

"Do I think it's done? People will say I get to decide that," Sankey added. 

"Right now, it appears others are going to decide that before we have to make any decisions. My view is we know who we are. We're comfortable as a league. We're focused on our growth to 16. We've restored rivalries. We're geographically contiguous with the right kind of philosophical alignment, and we can stay at that level of super conference.

"When you go bigger, there are a whole other set of factors that have to be considered, and I'm not sure I've seen those teased out other than in my mind late at night."

That seems to close the book on where the SEC stands on possible future conference expansion, at least for the immediate future. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma is enough to occupy the league's mind in the short term, but given the current climate around realignment, everyone is keeping their options open.

College football expansion rumor mill up to now

Finebaum on Big Ten's interest in 2 schools

Big 12 updates realignment plans

Every move that happened on July 1

Update on Notre Dame's future realignment plans

Big 12 rules out 1 team for realignment

SEC would consider 2 ACC schools

Big Ten scouts up 10 teams for expansion

Big 12 teases new expansion plans

Momentum on Colorado, Big 12 reunion

Seven ACC teams looking into options

ACC responds with bold plan amid expansion rumors

Finebaum predicts major conference could collapse

---

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | All Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks