You can't lock up markets by taking FSU... Miami is still there and to a much lesser extent USF just got AAU membership and is building a Stadium on campus.
Souf Cakalaky, is it even worth trying to lock down? I mean SEC already has a presence.
Populations:
9
North Carolina
37000
10,698,973
10
Michigan
26000
10,034,113
11
New Jersey
34000
9,261,699
12
Virginia
51000
8,683,619
13
Washington
53000
7,785,786
14
Arizona
04000
7,359,197
15
Tennessee
47000
7,051,339
16
Massachusetts
25000
6,981,974
17
Indiana
18000
6,833,037
18
Missouri
29000
6,177,957
19
Maryland
24000
6,164,660
20
Wisconsin
55000
5,892,539
21
Colorado
08000
5,839,926
22
Minnesota
27000
5,717,184
23
South Carolina
45000
5,282,634
On the other hand expanding SEC footprint to North Carolina and Virginia has a better chance of adding value to existing members.
My preference is for the SEC to stand pat...
Also watching f$u rolling around on the floor pitching a fit is so entertaining. (especially since in the 90's the Gata got them an invite to the SEC and they turned it down)