What's new
AllBuffs | Unofficial fan site for the University of Colorado at Boulder Athletics programs

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Prime Time. Prime Time. Its a new era for Colorado football. Consider signing up for a club membership! For $20/year, you can get access to all the special features at Allbuffs, including club member only forums, dark mode, avatars and best of all no ads ! But seriously, please sign up so that we can pay the bills. No one earns money here, and we can use your $20 to keep this hellhole running. You can sign up for a club membership by navigating to your account in the upper right and clicking on "Account Upgrades". Make it happen!

Lots of Expansion Nuggets coming out.. SEC Expansion!

Darth Snow

Hawaiian Buffalo
Club Member
Junta Member
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/04/21/big.ten.expansion/index.html

Expansion Delay:
Meanwhile, Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said his conference should decide by year's end -- before it begins its next round of television negotiations -- whether it will expand. If it does, Scott said, the conference will use the "Noah's Ark philosophy, two-by-two." The plan, it seems, would be to add just two. But if the Big Ten and SEC supersize, who knows?

SEC Expansion Throwdown:
"Given the success the SEC has experienced over the past decade, we are very comfortable with the position in which we find ourselves today," Slive said after a day of BCS meetings. "Having said that, if there is going to be a significant shift in the conference paradigm, the SEC will be strategic and thoughtful to make sure that it maintains its position as one of the nation's pre-eminent conferences

Big 10 Acknowledges more than 1 possible:
Delany said little of substance, but one nugget stood out. "It's possible," Delany said, "that we may act in a way that it would be more than a single member." That's his first public acknowledgment that the league might expand beyond 12 teams.

Lots to ponder there.
 
The Big 12 will need to follow these other conferences, it sounds like the PAC 10 is dragging ass.
 
the longer this goes on it seems we are hearing less and less about cu to the pac-10/12... the least optimistic i am getting... i have a feeling we will be the one left out of the expansions... i hope im wrong tho... i really do
 
If the SEC expands, what are the odds that their first two targets are Texass and aTm??
 
If the SEC expands, what are the odds that their first two targets are Texass and aTm??

I'm not sure they'd go unless the Big 12 falls apart. Texas dominates the Big 12 - they wouldn't have the same power in the SEC.
 
If the SEC expands, what are the odds that their first two targets are Texass and aTm??

Not very likely. SEC interest would lie, in all honesty, in four out of these five or six programs. Miami, Florida State, West Virginia, Louisville, Memphis, Clemson. I'm not saying Texas or A&M wouldn't happen, but they are not high on the list of programs the SEC would look into adding. I also don't think TX would want to go to a conference where they weren't completely dominant in all aspects of running the conference, and that wouldn't happen in the SEC.
 
Not very likely. SEC interest would lie, in all honesty, in four out of these five or six programs. Miami, Florida State, West Virginia, Louisville, Memphis, Clemson. I'm not saying Texas or A&M wouldn't happen, but they are not high on the list of programs the SEC would look into adding. I also don't think TX would want to go to a conference where they weren't completely dominant in all aspects of running the conference, and that wouldn't happen in the SEC.

Well, it would help balance the SEC's eastern bias. Which would only get worse if it took any 4 of the schools you mention. So maybe it would be good for the Hogs in a way.
 
"lots of expansion nuggets coming out"

This sounds like code for pooping.
 
Well, it would help balance the SEC's eastern bias. Which would only get worse if it took any 4 of the schools you mention. So maybe it would be good for the Hogs in a way.

Actually there isn't really a bias either way. SEC league offices are in Bama, which of course is a western division team. It typically splits FL/GA v. Bama/LSU at the top, and after that comes Ark/Aub in the West with Tenn/SC in the East coming in 2nd. It would be interesting if they got those eastern schools though... somebody would shift over to the west. I would imagine it would be UT and UK coming over to the West perhaps if two of those teams were picked up in the East... if they expand by 4 however I see Memphis and Louisville being in the West and the east picking up WVU and maybe one of the other schools.
 
Actually there isn't really a bias either way. SEC league offices are in Bama, which of course is a western division team. It typically splits FL/GA v. Bama/LSU at the top, and after that comes Ark/Aub in the West with Tenn/SC in the East coming in 2nd. It would be interesting if they got those eastern schools though... somebody would shift over to the west. I would imagine it would be UT and UK coming over to the West perhaps if two of those teams were picked up in the East... if they expand by 4 however I see Memphis and Louisville being in the West and the east picking up WVU and maybe one of the other schools.

just think... jerry world SEC championship...
 
Not very likely. SEC interest would lie, in all honesty, in four out of these five or six programs. Miami, Florida State, West Virginia, Louisville, Memphis, Clemson. I'm not saying Texas or A&M wouldn't happen, but they are not high on the list of programs the SEC would look into adding. I also don't think TX would want to go to a conference where they weren't completely dominant in all aspects of running the conference, and that wouldn't happen in the SEC.

But how much more of a media market share would teams like FSU and Clemson bring to the SEC? The Gators already dominate the northern half of Florida. If you're gonna stay regional I would think that Georgia Tech would be a likely candidate due to the large metro area they're in.
 
But how much more of a media market share would teams like FSU and Clemson bring to the SEC? The Gators already dominate the northern half of Florida. If you're gonna stay regional I would think that Georgia Tech would be a likely candidate due to the large metro area they're in.

I think the SEC would only expand with national appeal programs as they already own the markets they are in. FSU certainly fits that description but Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Louisville are solid programs just not "national". Although in basketball and baseball those would be great programs to add as well.

I think the SEC still adheres to the "hate your enemy down the road" mystique and that is appealing on a national level, IMO.
 
I think the SEC would only expand with national appeal programs as they already own the markets they are in. FSU certainly fits that description but Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Louisville are solid programs just not "national". Although in basketball and baseball those would be great programs to add as well.

I think the SEC still adheres to the "hate your enemy down the road" mystique and that is appealing on a national level, IMO.

I tend to agree. One reason I could see them taking Clemson is that they've got intense rivalries with South Carolina and Georgia. If they take FSU, I think they might want to take Miami too, just to lock down Florida completely. If they take all 3 of those schools, that would pretty much put the Texas schools off the board, since I can't see the SEC expanding by more than 4, and I think UT and aTm would be a package deal. In that case they might take Ga Tech, just to finish off dismantling the ACC south of North Carolina. If not them, Louisville or West Virginia would probably be the next best bets, but Louisville doesn't feel like a natural fit culturally, and West Virginia is a bit out of the SEC's footprint geographically...
 
I think the SEC would only expand with national appeal programs as they already own the markets they are in. FSU certainly fits that description but Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Louisville are solid programs just not "national". Although in basketball and baseball those would be great programs to add as well.

I think the SEC still adheres to the "hate your enemy down the road" mystique and that is appealing on a national level, IMO.

i think the "not national" thing can be overcome. I'd argue that all the former SWC schools (including Texas) were "not national" until the Big XII. take ATM for example, one of the more interesting aspects of the first decade of the XII....was watching the rest of the nation discover what weirdos those sanctimonious nimrods are. Really, I'm serious. People simply didn't know about the Milkmen, "squeezing it", etc. Put G Tech into a bigtime conference, they win some games and bingo....they are national. Bobby Crimmins G Tech hoops teams were pretty "national" when they were winning big and contending for the big prize.

I think the whole SEC super-pride and unity stuff is totally media-driven by ESPN and the rubes down south really bought into it. No offense to anyone, my family came west through Tennessee and Mississippi before finally settling in Texas and Colorado, some onto Cali in the 1800's. We still have extended family in Tennessee. But, i'm watching Kentucky play E. Carolina in a bowl game year before last. UK wins. post-game on-field interview with UK coach and players is wrapping up and some UK player leans into the picture/mic and starts chanting "SEC, SEC, SEC" like a rabid dog. wtf is that? How is beating E. Carolina in a Weedeater type bowl a signature moment for all the SEC members schools? UK is an unlikely bowl winner you'd THINK they'd be all about UK. Instead, player x refers outside the immediate and valorous situation to conference membership (in which UK is generally a football beyotch).

It's driven by something else, over-determined. It's too automatic. Like today's political opinions that are just talking points with pre-given answers to pre-given questions in pre-given contexts. I just don't buy the SEC unity BS. There's something else there. It's the way ESPN has organized the region as a single-thinking sports consumer base. Probably some Nascar issues here, too
 
Last edited:
Mick, you are definitely on to something here. This is a larger, deeper social issue than just college sports. For years, the South has banded together in "us vs. them" roles where ever they can find them. They are very group-oriented and willing to organize. Think back to the days of the Confederacy, and the pride that some people still take in that. Fans of the SEC realize that they have a national jewel... one of the few reasons for which people look to the south with envy. As a result, they are very proud of that and will do anything to maintain that pride.

Compare this to the Big Ten or even the old Big Eight. There is no love lost between member schools because the rivalries run so deep. In fact, I would make the argument that Big Ten schools root against each other in bowl games and the Dance simply because by having a rival win, it may push them ahead of you.


i think the "not national" thing can be overcome. I'd argue that all the former SWC schools (including Texas) were "not national" until the Big XII. take ATM for example, one of the more interesting aspects of the first decade of the XII....was watching the rest of the nation discover what weirdos those sanctimonious nimrods are. Really, I'm serious. People simply didn't know about the Milkmen, "squeezing it", etc. Put G Tech into a bigtime conference, they win some games and bingo....they are national. Bobby Crimmins G Tech hoops teams were pretty "national" when they were winning big and contending for the big prize.

I think the whole SEC super-pride and unity stuff is totally media-driven by ESPN and the rubes down south really bought into it. No offense to anyone, my family came west through Tennessee and Mississippi before finally settling in Texas and Colorado, some onto Cali in the 1800's. We still have extended family in Tennessee. But, i'm watching Kentucky play E. Carolina in a bowl game year before last. UK wins. post-game on-field interview with UK coach and players is wrapping up and some UK player leans into the picture/mic and starts chanting "SEC, SEC, SEC" like a rabid dog. wtf is that? How is beating E. Carolina in a Weedeater type bowl a signature moment for all the SEC members schools? UK is an unlikely bowl winner you'd THINK they'd be all about UK. Instead, player x refers outside the immediate and valorous situation to conference membership (in which UK is generally a football beyotch).

It's driven by something else, over-determined. It's too automatic. Like today's political opinions that are just talking points with pre-given answers to pre-given questions in pre-given contexts. I just don't buy the SEC unity BS. There's something else there. It's the way ESPN has organized the region as a single-thinking sports consumer base. Probably some Nascar issues here, too
 
Compare this to the Big Ten or even the old Big Eight. There is no love lost between member schools because the rivalries run so deep. In fact, I would make the argument that Big Ten schools root against each other in bowl games and the Dance simply because by having a rival win, it may push them ahead of you.

for sure. i read and post on a board that has teams from all over: SEC, PAC, Big 10, B East, etc. and from the XII, a lot of OU, NU, UT, couple ATM, MU and KU types, ISU guy sometimes. me and another dude for CU. Auburn fans talk smack to OU or Michigan fans based on what Bama did to Texas, or UF to tOSU. what is that? by comparison, when OU or UT has been in the BCS game...those fans are still talking sh*t to each other and do not want to live with a rival NC....because as you say, recruiting and stuff is on the line and plus you want your rival to suffer 24/7. No conference love with UT and OU. Smack Flow: Auburn fan to OU fan because Bama beat Texas? by what kind of logic does that even make sense? Auburn fan to Michigan fan because Florida ran all over tOSU?

and the Big 10 guys are flame-throwing most of the time, too. I confess I don't completely understand the "cartography" of hate in the Big Ten too well. I have two Penn St. buddies but they are kind of on the outside I think. They hate Michigan, but I don't think they are real clued in on the nuances of the Little Brown Jug or Paul Bunyan's Axe etc. They talk more about hating on Nebraska (for splitting the NC in 94 or 97 whenever and good taste) and FSU and Bowden since he and JoePa were running close for total wins.....than other Big Ten teams.

I'm not anywhere near the biggest NU hater around, but heck if I ever pull for them. conference be damned. especially if it means they are going to win a championship. unless they are playing Notre Dame. then, that's the asteroid/earthquake scenario for me.
 
Last edited:
I think the "SEC, SEC" chants after bowl wins are real and legit in that they take great pride in their conference, but I also have serious doubts that SEC fans pull for other SEC teams, especially rivals, when it comes to bowl games. Remember back before the MNC game that UT merchandise was the 2nd-hottest item in the state of Alabama because of all the Auburn fans pulling against the Tide?

Back to the topic of SEC expansion and Clemson specifically, Clemson is a much better fit for the SEC since they are clearly a football-first school and basketball is just there to fill the time between the end of basketball season and spring football. Plus they already have the big SEC in-state rival and another one a couple hours to the south in UGA.
 
Sure, but that is an extreme case, with a hated in-state rival playing for the national title. I do have a few buddies from UAlabama, and they admit their SEC pride, and root for SEC teams (sans Auburn) in bowl games and in the non-conference. They love to tout that "X" number of SEC schools have recently won titles, and "X" number of SEC schools have Top 10 recruiting classes, etc.

I think the "SEC, SEC" chants after bowl wins are real and legit in that they take great pride in their conference, but I also have serious doubts that SEC fans pull for other SEC teams, especially rivals, when it comes to bowl games. Remember back before the MNC game that UT merchandise was the 2nd-hottest item in the state of Alabama because of all the Auburn fans pulling against the Tide?

Back to the topic of SEC expansion and Clemson specifically, Clemson is a much better fit for the SEC since they are clearly a football-first school and basketball is just there to fill the time between the end of basketball season and spring football. Plus they already have the big SEC in-state rival and another one a couple hours to the south in UGA.
 
I agree about Clemson, they've always seemed out of place in the traditional hoops oriented ACC.

I guess what I'm saying is that did SEC fans chant "SEC" 15 years ago like they do now? 10 years ago? I don't remember it. Something has galvanized those teams/fans/schools to where they are very self-reflexive about being SEC member schools that they are (to put it mildly) very enthusiastic about. and I think (my opinion) is that something in excess of just mere success on the football field drives it. and, in my experience, sort of blindly loyal and automatic.

One exception to a degree, I've been to two Sugar Bowls since my dad used to do some legal work for Nokia and we got some freebies and a hotel. LSU-Illinois and LSU-OU and LSU fans are from outer-space. a mirror planet where the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River delta is filled with bourbon. they didn't seem too interested in anything other than LSU. I don't remember any SEC chants there. Just LSU fans spitting on UI or OU fan. that kind of weird off-the-rails stuff. now, 2 in 10 were about the nicest, most generous people you'd ever meet. the others were medieval.
 
Last edited:
Don't overthink the SEC. The fans rally behind the conference because the conference members consistently delivers mNCs against inferior opponents.

If the Big 10 were to win 4 out of the next 5 mNC's, dominate the Heisman discussions, and throw off the highest number of NFL players, the SEC chants would shift north.
 
Mick, you are definitely on to something here. This is a larger, deeper social issue than just college sports. For years, the South has banded together in "us vs. them" roles where ever they can find them. They are very group-oriented and willing to organize. Think back to the days of the Confederacy, and the pride that some people still take in that. Fans of the SEC realize that they have a national jewel... one of the few reasons for which people look to the south with envy. As a result, they are very proud of that and will do anything to maintain that pride.

Compare this to the Big Ten or even the old Big Eight. There is no love lost between member schools because the rivalries run so deep. In fact, I would make the argument that Big Ten schools root against each other in bowl games and the Dance simply because by having a rival win, it may push them ahead of you.

This. As an Arkansas native and an Alum I can vouch for that. It goes far beyond just football and goes down to deeper seated cultural issues. Sure there are the schools that hate each other in the SEC, but the vast majority of the conference roots for the other schools in the conference as well. Fact is, in the South football is religion... it's what everybody does, it's a way of life. Out here, no offense, but its not the same at all. Just an example, the Razorback board I post on has nearly 30,000 members, and though not all are active, probably 10k plus post constantly... not bashing allbuffs because I think it is a great board, but there are less than 1600 that post here, and the vast majority of those don't even post. Look at spring game attendance, gameday atmosphere, coaches salaries, facilities... it's not even close. In addition, every time a conference foe does well, it reflects well on the conference as a whole. For instance Florida this year, don't like them, and we got screwed in our game against them, but I sure as hell rooted for them to beat Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl, because, its much better for the conference and in turn for my school.
 
Back
Top