The SEC could go to 16 just about as easily as 14, even with the cross division rival. SEC teams currently go to six of the teams in the opposite divisions home fields every 12 years. 16 teams going to a 9 game SEC schedule would make things not much worse than that.

18 teams with two divisions and a eight game SEC schedule would eliminate a cross division game unless a team didn't play all teams in their own division. Even with a nine game schedule. The problems with just two divisions would be much worse than now. Going to 3 divisions with a 9 game conference schedule and no cross division rival would create a much better scheduling environment but also an atmosphere of potential problems picking the two teams for the Conference Championship Game.

I think the SEC will go to 16, the adds would probably be Oklahoma & Florida State. It could be Oklahoma and Okie Lite if it comes down to desperation however I think the SEC would just stay at 14 in that case. However these expansions are all about money, not convenience. I could see 18 with Oklahoma, Florida State with the other two coming from North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia or VT. I think the B1G would be looking at one of the Virginia schools and Kansas. They will stay at 16 unless they take a couple of northeast teams to make 18. I personally would not like to see the SEC go beyond 16. Although I have heard 20 mentioned as an eventual possibility with 4 pods as they refer to it. I think a sprawled out 18 team or 20 team conference could eventually cause stability problems you suggest. Rarely playing other's conference teams will never create rivalries and the bonding that entails. That could easily lead to future disgruntled members and those members breaking off to form another configuration of a conference with just the right TV deal over just several decades.

I don't see the SEC taking Texas teams. The Longhorns are attached to the LHN untill 2031. The SEC will not tolerate that any better than the Pac 12 did. The SEC would never take a Texas church school. I know you people are far removed from this area of the country but that is funny. I have heard North Carolina fans talk on boards, they would disown the school if it went to the B1G. Virginia or VT or the two you mentioned could be B1G possibilities along with Kansas.




[Post edited by WarHog38 at 06/08/2016 8:45PM]