Conference Realignment: Breaking Down Top Candidates to Join Texas A&M in SEC

With Texas A&M set to officially join the SEC next season and leave the Big 12 in the dust, the SEC has to consider opening their doors to another program.

A&M leaves the SEC with 13 teams, an uneven number that would be unfavorable for the first conference that split their members into divisions and started a championship game.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive has said he is prepared to go ahead with 13 teams next season.

"When Texas A&M joins our conference, we don't have immediate plans for a 14th member,” Slive stated. “We aren't thinking in terms of numbers. We think about the strength of the SEC and the attractiveness of Texas A&M as an institution."

While that sounds nice and all, it just doesn’t make sense not to add a second program to even the numbers out.

Let’s take a look at some of the viable candidates for SEC expansion and see who is the most likely to join the conference after the season.

West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers are very interested in jumping ship from the Big East and joining the SEC, but were apparently rejected when they applied earlier this month.

The school just took a shellacking from LSU, but that still hasn’t stopped their desire to join a powerhouse conference and escape the small-time Big East.

West Virginia could be considered geographically viable for SEC play, and the team has a rabid fan base that would fit in perfectly with the nature of football in the conference.

It would make sense for this team to make the move, and the SEC should reconsider if they can’t find a better team to join them after this year.

Missouri

The Tigers are apparently trying to salvage the Big 12 after A&M shocked the conference with news that they were leaving.

I would reconsider if I were the Chancellor of Missouri, as there could be big-time money to be made by joining forces with the dominant SEC programs.

They could also further their recruiting and have a great geographical location to pull new talent into the SEC.

This team makes the most sense on paper, but signs point to the Missouri wishing to remain in the Big 12.

What a shame.

North Carolina

This would be a great program if the SEC has any interest in branching out into the state of North Carolina.

They have the resources to compete in football with the big boys in the SEC and will bring a ton of basketball credibility to the conference.

It all depends on if UNC views their football program as equal to their basketball squad. I doubt it happens, though.

Virginia Tech

This would be another way for the SEC to expand their reach into the WV/VA area.

The Hokies would be a great addition and an awesome geographical fit for the SEC. The team is perennially competitive and has a solid fan base.

The SEC needs to a foothold in Virginia, and recruiting Virginia Tech would be phenomenal. It makes sense for both parties.

I imagine that Virginia Tech would have to listen to an offer from the SEC, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that call comes sometime this year.