Odds revealed for the most likely teams to join the SEC next

College Football is currently undergoing some dramatic changes.  The NCAA transfer portal combined with NIL deals and conference realignment makes this an extremely pivotal time for the sport.  We've already seen some drastic changes when it comes to conference realignment (such as Oklahoma/Texas heading to the SEC and USC/UCLA heading to the Big 10). And […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
vols

College Football is currently undergoing some dramatic changes. 

The NCAA transfer portal combined with NIL deals and conference realignment makes this an extremely pivotal time for the sport. 

We've already seen some drastic changes when it comes to conference realignment (such as Oklahoma/Texas heading to the SEC and USC/UCLA heading to the Big 10). And we will likely see even more changes in the coming years. 

When Oklahoma and Texas officially join the conference in 2024, the SEC will have 16 teams. 

Earlier this month, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was asked about further conference expansion. 

Sankey suggested that his focus is only on the SEC's current 16 teams (as of 2024).

“Our focus is on the 16,” said Sankey at the SEC spring meetings. “Others have taken approaches behind microphones to say, ‘We’re pursuing members. We’re pursuing members in this region.’ I’ve not done that. I think I have a responsibility to actually not do that…Go back to those who have spoken and the tumult that causes.”

Sankey may be publicly saying he's not pursuing additional programs that could strengthen the SEC, but I think most fans/analysts feel like further conference expansion, at some point, is inevitable. 

And with that in mind, Bookies.com recently revealed their odds for the most likely team(s) to next join the SEC. 

They have Florida State at +125 as the most likely team to next join the SEC, followed by Clemson at +200 and North Carolina at +450. 

Here's the full list of odds:

Florida State +125 (44.4%)

Clemson +200 (33.3%)

North Carolina +450 (18.2%)

Virginia Tech +500 (16.7%)

Virginia +750 (11.8%)

Miami +800 (11.1%)

Oklahoma State +850 (10.5%)

TCU +2000 (4.8%)

The Field +1000 (9.1%)

Clemson and North Carolina make the most sense from a geographical and cultural standpoint. Clemson football games have an SEC-like environment that would make the Tigers a perfect fit in college football's best conference. And North Carolina would give the SEC a footprint in the Tar Heel state (and it would bring a historic basketball program to the SEC). 

Virginia Tech and/or Virginia also make sense (especially Virginia Tech, which also has a great atmosphere and the Hokies are only a few hours away from Knoxville). 

It doesn't appear that further SEC expansion is imminent, but I would expect the conference to move to 18 teams at some point in the not-so-distant future. And the teams listed above will certainly be attractive options for the SEC. 

Featured image via Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Related Articles