Unconquered

I understand realignment is about increasing viewership. I never thought FSU would be SEC's 13th or 14th team because, in that phase of expansion, SEC was looking to enter new television markets -- and it had viable, college football markets to enter. Obviously the state of Texas is nuts about football. Missouri was more of a stretch.

It has long been my opinion, in order for FSU to get into the SEC, SEC would have to go to 16 because, at that point, there would not be a more valuable program or market available, save for Notre Dame.

It's pretty baffling how everyone -- including FSU fans -- dismiss FSU as SEC's 15 or 16 when there are no better options.

Everyone talks about NC State and VaTech. Those are new markets, but people in Raleigh and DC do not care about college football.

UF obviously puts SEC in FSU's local market, but as the Wall Street Journal has said, FSU is a *national* draw.

Which would you say college football fans would rather see:

A) NC State versus Alabama/Auburn/LSU/Georgia or FSU

or

B) FSU versus Alabama/Auburn/LSU/Georgia

You can buy unsubstantiated talk about SEC not wanting FSU. But I don't buy it.

SEC wants money. And FSU brings more value and viewers than NC State.

I can't even understand how that is disputable.

Viewers drive money, not markets. If the Houston market was so important why not bring in Rice? There is less competition to a title run by the traditional SEC powers by doing so. I'll tell you why, TAMU has a large following and high tv ratings, just like FSU.

Commercials are what produces revenue for networks. If people aren't watching, networks won't make money. A lot of people watch FSU. Maybe someone could provide our relative TV ratings/viewership for you.

The SEC tisn't making money because of gainesville, columbia, athens, auburn, tuscaloosa etc. They are making the money because people want to see those teams play.

Point proven, thank you. By the way, looking at last years ratings versus current contracts isn't an accurate way to assess things. You need to look at ratings at the time the contract was written.

To add, FSU has the 2nd highest bowl rating of all-time (only behind USC).

Are you aware of how the conference owned networks get their revenue? They charge cable companies which charge all cable subscribers in a state. The SEC would ALREADY get Florida by virtue of having UF. It would not however get Virginia or North Carolina. If it were to add big schools in those states, it would get them too. Combined, they have a population the same size as that of Florida. They also produce a good amount of talent. Money and recruits is something the SEC would find very valuable. They are already getting that from Florida.

Again FSU is a brand that brings nothing else to the SEC that Slive doesn't already have.

Then lets get that Big XII money and keep our winning streak against the Gators alive.