Five years from now, it is discovered by Game Theory specialists that the optimum size for conferences is 14. The SEC therefore decides to act upon this conclusion.

Tenessee, Alabama, and Mississippi already have two schools each, and no one already in a BCS confernce wants to join. therefore, which two schools would the SEC most likely invite in?

OK, benbreeck, this one is better. I assume "raiding" other bcs conferences are in play. Here are my two:

Texas A&M and West Virginia

(they came close to getting T A&M before and the B12 could be vulnerable)

Of course they would try others first, such as Notre Dame and maybe Georgia Tech and Florida State.

I specifically said "raiding" was out.

Please stick to non-BCS teams already in the footprint (outside of Tennesee, Alabama, and Mississippi.)

Generally, I haven't touched threads like this. Once in a while, I can't help myself. Here I am. I apologize in advance to the faint of heart.

Game Theory specialists had better work in concert with TV networks. I don't buy that a lick.

Raiding will not be off-limits. The SEC will laugh at that list.

Thank you for playing.

That list is funny. Tulane was once in the SEC at least.

Not a single one of those teams will ever be in the SEC.

I'll throw out a more likely hypothetical. Slightly more likely, anyway.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee leave the SEC in an attempt to "undilute" TV revenue.

Can they get both Texas and Texas A&M? Or will Texas budge?

What happens to Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt?

NOTE: I gave some thought to the new conference keeping Auburn. Them leaving Auburn behind is probably less likely than keeping them. However, it makes this a little spicier. Also, given the reputation of these schools, it may be less than wise to exclude Vanderbilt... but I see the Commodores being choked off by the current President's seizure of the Athletic Department as an issue.

I know it's "out" of the footprint, but I'd take Houston simply for its market, and East Carolina for the 14th team.

It would be unprofitable for the SEC to expand unless they could bring in a huge market like TX. Therefore, the two teams would have to include TX. Tx A&M and TxTU would vie for the other spot.

The SEC might add a team to replace a loss. Vandy is the most likely to leave, so Memphis would be ahead of So. MS. If Ol' Miss or MS ST left, then So. MS would be first IMHO. If all three left, The SEC would probably stay at 9 with a round-robin FB and double r/r for BB.

FBfan

P. S. Please see my post dated today on the Southern Ivy thread.

Is it just me, or does it seem a tiny bit laughable that non-fb schools, most too small (mostly privates) to ever consider football, would even be included on the list in a conference where football is king?