The SEC is not looking to expand further, according to Georgia president Jere Morehead. In an interview with The Athletic, Morehead expressed his opinion that 16 teams is a good number for the conference and voiced concerns about conferences becoming too large geographically. This statement comes just before the deadline for Florida State, or any ACC school, to provide notification of their departure from the conference. While it is unlikely that Florida State or any other school will leave the ACC, the SEC would be a potential landing spot for the Seminoles due to geographical proximity.
Morehead’s thoughts hold weight not only because his school is the two-time defending national champions in football, but also because he recently served as president of the SEC and is heavily involved in NCAA committees. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey had previously downplayed the possibility of pursuing more schools, but Morehead’s comments provide a more concrete stance on wanting to maintain a 16-team conference once Oklahoma and Texas join next year.
Morehead did not directly address Florida State or any other school in his interview. However, his openness about preferring the SEC not add any more teams suggests that if any changes were imminent, he would likely keep his comments guarded. He emphasized that 16 teams are ideal for scheduling purposes and determining true championships. While he acknowledged that scenarios with 18 or 20 teams could work with careful consideration, he trusts the SEC commissioner to make the right decisions and has not indicated any desire to expand beyond 16 teams.
Geographical concerns were also highlighted by Morehead. The Big Ten now stretches from the East to the West Coast, and the Big 12 will span from West Virginia to Arizona. The ACC was in talks with Cal and Stanford, but objections from ACC presidents halted those discussions. In contrast, the SEC remains located in two time zones and consists of contiguous states. Morehead emphasized that the conference’s name, Southeastern Conference, reflects its geographical focus.
Morehead expressed his concern for student-athletes and their travel schedules. He emphasized the importance of putting student-athletes first and ensuring they have enough time for classes and graduation. He cited the Pac-12 as an example of a conference that was put together in a geographical time zone that made sense, expressing regret over its current jeopardy due to realignment.
Morehead’s comments carry significance because they align with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey’s previous statements about the conference’s contentment with 16 teams. This powerful voice within college sports suggests that realignment may be put on hold after the remaining Pac-12 schools find new homes. This breather would benefit all parties involved, especially those needing to figure out how to make larger conferences work.
These comments also come just before the deadline for ACC schools to give notice of their departure for the 2024 season. While Florida State has expressed interest in leaving the ACC, it is unlikely that they will meet this year’s deadline due to various factors such as exit fees and legal battles over grant of rights. Additionally, an invitation from either the Big Ten or SEC would be necessary for Florida State to make the jump, and one of those conferences has publicly stated their intention to remain as is.
In conclusion, Georgia president Jere Morehead’s opinion that 16 teams is ideal for the SEC and his concerns about geographical expansion provide insight into the conference’s stance on further realignment. These comments align with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey’s previous statements and suggest a pause in realignment after the Pac-12 schools find new homes. Morehead’s comments also shed light on the unlikely departure of Florida State from the ACC by this year’s deadline and the challenges they would face in making such a move.