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formality now that they will be in the SEC

http://tamu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1256243

I would assume that this officially starts the ball rolling for expansion!

Didn't the conference very recently say "NO!" to expansion?  I want them to join the conference, but when someone refused my entry I'd think twice before asking again to be admitted.  Not sure what to think about this.  :confused: :crazy:

EDIT:   After searching around I found this link:   http://nyti.ms/qP2qpW (http://nyti.ms/qP2qpW)

The SEC was doing nothing but following the pattern in that aTm had to tell the Big 12 they were officially withdrawing from the conference.  That is why the SEC said "not at this moment" at the time.  The SEC really wants aTm but wanted it done "by the book"

They didn't say no, they are waiting on aTm to officially leave the Big 12

They actually didn't notify them that they are leaving for sure, just that they are "exploring options".  It's definitely not official yet. 

I think it is more or less a form letter they sent.  Given all the news with aTm and the SEC, I think this was an official letter they had to take to do it by the book.  At this point, I would be surprised if aTm was not in the SEC next year.

So, that leaves the question of who will be team #14? The best one I have seen as an option would be Virginia Tech. Good football program, an decent basketball program, and a good TV market. And if they go to the SEC-E, and aTm goes to the SEC-W, no realignments are needed.

It is about as official as it gets from actually doing it.  They are following the way Nebraska did it so they can't be sued by the Big 12 or forced to pay a huge amount of money to leave.  The way they were going about it weeks ago would have made for tons of lawsuits.  

I don't know that Va Tech gives the SEC the added exposure it is looking for.  People say it brings you the DC market but does it really?  DC is still a ways from Blacksburg.  I just don't see that many people in DC as being Va Tech fans...maybe I am wrong.  I would think they follow Maryland and Virginia more.

On the contrary.  There are a ton of VPI grads working in the DC-Northern VA/Baltimore/Tidewater areas.  Those are the 9th, 26th, and 43rd TV markets in the country.  Throw in #57 Richmond and you have brought in a sizable potential TV audience just by adding VPI.    

And an edit:  By adding aTm and the 5th largest market in Dallas and the 10th largest in Houston, and adding VPI and the Virginia markets, the SEC would be doing about the best it could do with expansion. 

I'd love to see Oklahoma come in to the SEC from a competitive standpoint, but aTm and VPI are more important from a financial standpoint.  Oklahoma would defnitely be either my 15th or 16th team, however.   

I would like to see VPI, but someone earlier suggested they are fat, dumb and happy in the SEC and may not wish to leave.  They have recently had almost a bye into the championship game and they get plenty of bball revenue as well.I am not sure they want to come into the SEC and get beat up, but I would welcome them if they do.

As someone who spent the first 25 years of life growing up inside the beltway (and who is not THAT old), my experience is that VPI wasn't much of a player in the DC/Baltimore sports world.  In fact, the coverage of VPI is MUCH stronger here in east TN than in that part of the world.  For those who follow college sports in DC/MD/NOVA, it is UMD and UVA who get the coverage - oh,  an occasionally my SU Seagulls during LAX or Women's Field Hockey seasons. ;)