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Why SEC expansion makes sense for 14 teams

By Eric Quackenbush

Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; SEC logo at center court inside Bridgestone Arena prior to the championship game of the SEC Conference Tournament between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; SEC logo at center court inside Bridgestone Arena prior to the championship game of the SEC Conference Tournament between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers Skyler Howard (3) runs the ball in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes during the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers Skyler Howard (3) runs the ball in the first half against the Miami Hurricanes during the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

West Virginia
West Virginia understandably left the Big East. It was the sinking ship at the time. The Mountaineers abandoned their sinking ship for a ship that is also sinking. West Virginia makes more sense for alignment into the SEC.

West Virginia is competitive in basketball, but its football program has excelled. It’s also a southeastern school, albeit on the upper edge of “southeast.”

In the next couple of slides, this realignment into the SEC will make a little more sense. West Virginia has an innovative football program, which will benefit further from its SEC ties.

It will also allow for the rekindling of some old rivalries, which left the Big East just before the Mountaineers realigned to the Big 12.

I would give West Virginia a 30% chance of realigning to the SEC.

Apr 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Helmets on the field prior to action during the spring game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Helmets on the field prior to action during the spring game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma
After Oklahoma accepts its offer to realign to the B1G, Oklahoma State will follow. Oklahoma’s reason for realigning to the B1G, is that it can remain relevant in football, and dominate in basketball.

Aside from Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, and Michigan State, B1G basketball generally ranks among the worst. Oklahoma would add another successful program that has gotten lost in the recent mix, and might help B1G basketball regain its relevance.

The other reason Oklahoma will realign to the B1G, is to rekindle its rivalry with Nebraska, which left the conference in 2010.

Oklahoma football would also benefit from playing in the B1G, and would bring its own midwestern storied traditions to the conference.

If Oklahoma was to realign to the SEC though, I’d also give that a 7% chance of happening.

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