SEC Expansion: Who Will Be the Next Team to Follow Texas A&M to the SEC?

It finally seems that the Texas A&M to the SEC saga is finally coming to a close, unless Baylor really does follow through with legal action against the Aggies.

The SEC has unanimously decided to accept Texas A&M into the conference, likely adding them to the West division.  I can't see them adding one team to the West, but adding nobody to the East.  It would make little sense for the SEC to add a team to one division and not balance the other, so I don't believe that expansion is finished just yet.

So who are the potential suitors for the SEC East division?

Florida State

The Seminoles had already been brought up when the first false report of Texas A&M moving was released.  The President of the school said that they had not discussed anything about moving from the ACC and were happy in the conference. 

Florida State would make sense geographically for the SEC, but may not find the value in moving to a tougher conference. 

The Seminoles don't have much of a problem recruiting in the ACC, and face a much easier conference schedule than they would if they were to accept an invitation to the SEC.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech, much like Florida State, would be a big splash for the SEC to land in their conference.  But also like Florida State, the Hokies don't stand to gain a whole lot by moving to the SEC. 

I'm not saying the ACC is a powderpuff conference, but it does not have the consistency from top to bottom that a conference like the SEC has. 

Virginia Tech will have a much better chance at a BCS title game if they aren't travelling to SEC stadiums on a weekly basis.

South Florida

South Florida is an interesting option, considering that they are a team that appears to be on the cusp of the national scene.  If they want to take the next step in the development of their program, an invitation to the SEC could be what springboards them to being a powerhouse. 

The recruiting would definitely get a boost, and Florida is a state that is full of talented prospects.  The SEC wouldn't necessarily gain a lot, but could find a potential gem in a South Florida team that looks to have a strong future.

North Carolina

The SEC might want to stay away from this team considering all of the public scrutiny they've suffered because of academic scandals and improper benefits. 

The Tar Heels are loaded with talent this year, and despite losing their head coach should be a very competitive team in the ACC. 

If North Carolina can rebound from all the allegations and get themselves heading in the right direction, they could be a very viable option to move into the SEC East.

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a little bit more of an unlikely option, but shouldn't be totally ruled out. 

They make sense geographically, and hold an in-state rivalry with Georgia.  Georgia Tech has had a lot of success in the past, but have struggled a little bit as of late. 

The SEC may consider them to move into the conference, but will tread lightly with the Yellow Jackets.

Clemson

Clemson was another team that had been mentioned with Florida State during the first round of reports.  Clemson needs to show that they can play to the potential that lines their roster.  The Tigers always seem to recruit well, but underachieve on a yearly basis. 

Clemson is a rocking place to play a football game, but there may only be room for one "Death Valley" in the SEC, and I think that nod goes to the LSU Tigers.

Check out Erik Underwood's college football blog Saturdays in the Fall.  Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/ErikUnderwood