SEC Mum on Expansion
While the Atlantic Coast Conference made big waves Sunday when they announced Big East anchor Syracuse and Pittsburgh would be moving to the ACC. Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State were free to try and pry their way to the Pac-12. Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference has been unmentioned since they started the conference expansion talk with their admittance of Texas A&M into the SEC, pending their release by the remaining Big 12 schools. With the expected addition of the Aggies, the SEC would be at an uneven 13 teams. The SEC Championship Game makes too much money for the conference to not have it, so they will most likely add a 14th member.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the SEC turned down West Virginia’s application to the conference. The SEC hasn’t officially confirmed or denied West Virginia’s status, leaving many to wonder who that 14th team may be. We may have found an answer and they reside in what’s left of the Big 12. According to some reports, the SEC and Missouri have agreed to make the school their 14th member, something that makes sense in expanding the SEC’s footprint and bring a good academic school with a very respectable athletic department into the fold. A majority of presidents have endorsed the informal agreement. With the admission of the Tigers and Aggies to the SEC, one SEC West school would have to move to the East to even up the divisions. And according to the agreement, that school would be Auburn University. Auburn has already agreed to move to the East Division should the conference add Missouri as expected.
Stay tuned in the never ending saga of mega-conference expansion. This one certainly isn’t over.
Known for Defense, SEC Getting Downright Offensive
The Southeastern Conference is known for it’s fast, hard hitting defenses. And while defenses are certainly doing strong at the top with Alabama, LSU, and Florida leading the way, it’s the offenses that have been making the noise. Ten of the twelve schools that make up the SEC are averaging over 30 points per game. Through three weeks, the conference as a whole is averaging 35 points per game, about three points more than they did at the same time last year when they were on a record pace. Six teams are ranked in the top 32 scoring offenses nationally.
While the competition for the league as a whole hasn’t been real competitive, nine schools have raised their scoring average from last year with the Vanderbilt Commodores leading the way, scoring 15.7 more points per game than last year. As SEC play continues to get underway, the scoring averages will most likely come down to their normal numbers, but it is worth noting the improvement in the offenses has a whole for three-quarters of the conference.
SEC teams are still getting defensive, with the two highest ranked teams, number two LSU and number three Alabama, winning with a dominant defense and an offense that manages. Florida also has improved on defense, allowing a touchdown less per game so far this season. Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Ole Miss are also allowing less points than they did last year.
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