(09-19-2016 02:13 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 11:25 AM)AubTiger16 Wrote:  

(09-19-2016 09:17 AM)oipirate Wrote:  

(09-16-2016 03:29 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-16-2016 03:16 PM)B easy Wrote:  I actually agree with a lot of what you're saying but I think that ECU has a higher ceiling than most acknowledge. Yes, we need to improve endowment, academics, & our on the field product. However, I think that the potential we provide is unique because we are a large football 1st school in a large rapidly growing area in a large rapidly growing state that is filled with basketball schools. Moreover, the state of NC is the state that the SEC wants into more than any other.

The fact that ECU has overcome so many intrinsic disadvantages to arguably be the premiere football program in the state says a lot about what we can bring to the table. The old adage, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger applies. Notwithstanding all the collusion and obstacles ECU is still trending in the right direction. Again, I agree that we still have work to do but culturally and geographically speaking ECU would fit right in and those are factors that should not be ignored.

I admire what E.C.U. has done and is becoming. I appreciate that we got Pat Dye from you guys. I do believe you could easily be the top football brand in the State of North Carolina. But you are not the state we want most to get into. That would be Virginia. With either of the top two schools in Virginia gaining a top North Carolina school becomes just that much easier. But the best get from a contiguous state would be Ohio State University. I count that as about as likely as the SEC taking E.C.U..

The best bet for E.C.U. to find a home in the SEC has always been for the Big 12 to remain and to expand. Should that happen then many conferences will have to look to the top G5 schools for market niches they would like. If that happens then E.C.U. could become a topic for serious discussion.

I don't think the Big 12 is going to expand at all. Therefore I think E.C.U. discussion is moot.

However, if the Big 12 expansion did occur then East Carolina and Cincinnati as market additions would make for intriguing discussion. Until then the SEC will look West for Oklahoma and another, or to the East for Virginia Tech and a North Carolina school. Outside of that not much moves our needle.

What most SEC fans don't realize is that just because you invite a Va Tech or NC State that doesn't mean they are coming. In fact I don't believe it is possible for the SEC to poach ANY teams from the ACC. That ship has long since sailed and that in fact is the premise of this thread. If the SEC would rather be in VA than NC perhaps they should go after Old Dominion or William and Mary.

If our only options are those then we probably won't expand east.

This

Those two don't peak our interest.

Then the SEC will likely NEVER be in VA or NC. The other thing to think about is that most of the money to be made in the future is through the playoff system. Getting a team into the playoffs is one of the most important things a conference can do from a monetary stand point. Contrary to what you might believe, I don't think the selection committee is going to choose a 2 loss SEC team over an undefeated team from any other "P5" conference (regardless of strength of schedule) as such the SEC should consider bringing in more Vanderbilt / Kentucky type schools vs Oklahoma or Texas type schools. Just saying. I remember when the SEC expanded with Missouri Texas AandM, it seemed most SEC fans didn't think they belonged from a competitive stand point (I think thats been proven wrong) but the SEC can't afford to beat each other up too much going forward if they want to ensure getting into the playoffs. Embrace the conference cupcakes!!