Power Ranking the 5 Most Appealing Teams for SEC Football

Ever since the big football conference mix up from last year, the SEC has been keeping their eye on adding some new teams too.

But for the nation's top conference, it's important for commissioner Mike Slive and company to be very picky when determining the criteria for an invitation to the SEC.

There has been an uptick in the amount of conversation around Texas A&M's possible move to the SEC after Texas all but declared itself an independent with its new Longhorn Network with ESPN.

Let's fast forward a bit and assume that A&M has joined the SEC.

Who are the other teams that could be added to ensure the league has a balanced division of seven teams each, up from the current six?

5: Missouri Tigers

Current Conference: Big 12

Proposed SEC Division: West

Adjustment for Balance: Move Auburn to the East

The Missouri Tigers would open up the SEC to the middle of the Great Plains, including large markets like Kansas City and St. Louis.

The Tigers have had a decent amount of success in recent years, and a move to the SEC would no doubt help keep their talented high school players in state.

Imagine how much stronger Missouri's case would be for wide receiver recruit Dorial Green-Beckham, the top overall player in the 2012 class according to Rivals.

4: Clemson Tigers

Current Conference: ACC Atlantic

Proposed SEC Division: East

Adjustment for Balance: None needed

Barely better than the Missouri addition is the Clemson Tigers. First, there wouldn't be any need to shift an existing SEC team to a different division.

Second, Clemson already has an excellent annual rivalry with their in-state foes the South Carolina Gamecocks.

But Clemson has little more to offer the SEC East than another strong rivalry.

The television market is already loaded with SEC games because of the Gamecocks, and Clemson isn't exactly a powerhouse that would strengthen the conference in the long-term.

3: North Carolina Tar Heels

Current Conference: ACC Coastal

Proposed SEC Division: East

Adjustment for Balance: None needed

It only takes one great game to ignite a dormant rivalry. The Tennessee Volunteers-North Carolina Tar Heels matchup in the 2010 Music City Bowl was one for the history books.

Even before the ridiculous ending (Vol fan speaking, by the way), the game was back and forth, filled with extracurricular activity in the stands. I got to see first-hand what great annual rivalry game this could be if the Tar Heels joined the SEC.

South Carolina could promote the annual Border War with their Carolina brethren.

Charlotte and Raleigh would be strong television markets to add to the SEC too. This feels like a logical addition considering the geography of the conference.

2: Virginia Tech Hokies

Current Conference: ACC Coastal

Proposed SEC Division: East

Adjustment for Balance: None needed

I asked the biggest Virginia Tech Hokies fan I know if he would be in favor of his team switching to the SEC East in the event Texas A&M joined the West.

His response was very cautious, as if he knew what peril awaited his perennial 10-win team.

While the Hokies would certainly experience more consistent competition in the SEC, the conference would benefit greatly from such an addition.

Compared to the other two East teams I proposed, Clemson and North Carolina, there is no question in hell that Virginia Tech would be the best of the trio for the SEC.

For Virginia Tech, they could sell the fact that they now play in the nation's top conference to build their recruiting base that has lagged in recent years.

While the Hokies don't offer any single large television markets, the fact that you could watch South Carolina and Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, Virginia Tech and Florida play on one day in the same division would be of national interest.

1: Oklahoma Sooners

Current Conference: Big 12

Proposed SEC Division: West

Adjustment for Balance: Move Auburn to the East

If the SEC could add the Oklahoma Sooners to their conference, I could easily make a case that the SEC will win the next 10 BCS National Championships in a row, bringing the consecutive total to 15.

Many analysts are predicting that the Sooner will meet Alabama in the title game this year, and if this move went down, they too would be division rivals!

There's not much that needs to be said about Oklahoma's great tradition and passionate fanbase. Any conference that adds a program like the Sooners' is going to benefit.

Can you even imagine an SEC West that includes Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma?