Texas A&M SEC Expansion: Narrowing Down the Elusive 14th School

Texas A&M is locked in and preparing to join the SEC.

Southeastern Conference officials met this week to begin making preparations for the Aggies to be the 13th member.

Conference logos are being altered, schedules are being reviewed, and PR campaigns built.

Still, the question that looms in the air is who will be the 14th member?

With a 14th team and an even number of schools, schedules would be easier to assemble and there would be more balance in the divisions.

Not to mention, another strong TV market, recruiting base, and fan base to add to the already strong SEC mix.

There are rumors flowing on the interweb about different schools that may receive an invite to the best football conference in the country. 

Click through the slide show to see the five that are most likely to be the one...

West Virginia

There have been rumors swirling around Morgantown since August that West Virginia could be the 14th member of the SEC.

While it is still possible, and thus why they are listed here, it is unlikely that will happen.

The academics aren't strong, ranked 164th in US News and World Report's annual college rankings, which would be the lowest rank of any SEC school if they joined.

The TV market is small. West Virginia has less than two million people. That would be a million less people than the smallest SEC state.

The Mountaineers have had some solid football seasons and carry a decent name in the sport. This is the only reason they were probably even in the discussion.

However, the discussion didn't last long.

Virginia Tech

Clemson and Georgia Tech may sound and feel like more obvious picks for the SEC than Virginia Tech.

However, the SEC is unlikely to expand with teams already in the region of an existing SEC member. That would rule out Georgia tech (because of Georgia) and Clemson (because of South Carolina).

Instead, the SEC could look to poach Virginia Tech and gain the D.C. and Virginia markets for T.V. and recruiting expansion.

The Hokies have a solid following and could fit in fine with the fever pitch of SEC sports.

The question is whether the SEC is interested in poaching from the ACC at all. That may cause more legal and political issues than it is worth.

Tech is the dark horse at this point, but not altogether likely.

Florida State

The addition of Florida State would override both rules we have all heard about SEC expansion.

They are in a state and region where an existing member university resides (Florida) and they are in the ACC, which the SEC may chose not to raid at all.

However, the strength of the FSU name and brand would be of interest in the SEC.

The TV ratings and strength of the conference would without a doubt be even better if the Seminoles joined the fold.

Stay tuned to FSU, they just might be the last minute surprise.

Missouri Tigers

Missouri is the odds on favorite to be the 14th member of the SEC.

It all makes sense.

They have the academics. The school is an AAU member (only two in the SEC currently) and ranked as one of the top 100 Universities in the nation by US News and World Report.

They have the TV markets. Missouri would give the SEC reach into two top 30 national markets in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Matchups with bordering Arkansas and other regional matchups like Texas A&M could create natural rivalries.

The only thing that could stop this from happening is the other entities in the Big 12. Can they talk Missouri into staying and keeping the conference together and strong?

I believe if the SEC feels like Missouri is committed to joining the Southeastern Conference and not still pining to be in the Big 10, then Missouri will accept and the conference will be a full 14 teams strong.

Staying at 13

The SEC has been clear that it is an option to stay at 13 teams and not expand this year.

The scheduling would be difficult and the divisions would be unbalanced. However, it could happen and they can make it work.

If they stay at 13, it is most likely because one or both sides, between the SEC and Missouri, decided to not move forward with an agreement.

That would open the door next year for teams like Florida State and Virginia Tech.

The New Divisions

The rumors will continue to fly around and the politics will stay a big part of conference realignment.

The SEC is in no particular rush, but will act if they feel the SEC benefits.

Much like the Texas A&M invite and acceptance, when it does happen, it will happen quickly.

If my prediction, and many others, is correct and Missouri ends up as the 14th SEC member, here is how the conferences could be aligned:

SEC East

Florida

Auburn

Georgia

Tennessee

South Carolina

Kentucky

Vanderbilt

SEC West

Alabama

LSU

Arkansas

Texas A&M

Missouri

Mississippi State

Ole Miss