When they do occur, I do think OU will join us with either OSU (if they are a package deal) or Texas if they give up their private TV network and agree to be less self-important (unlikely). It is possible we grab OU and a school in the east - maybe in North Carolina or Virginny, but it's hard to see the Virginny schools splitting up. For some reason, NC State seems like it might the most viable. Wake and Duke are non-starters and I just don't see the Heels leaving the ACC.
Eventually I think we are going to see maybe 4 mega-conferences that possibly break away from the NCAA.
Why would the SEC want OU? Of the candidates mentions so far I see it as:
1. UTx, everyone but aTm wants them for sure and I don't know how aTm feels. BTW, I think the SEC can make programs so rather than aTm or begging UTx, I was for inviting Houston before aTm came. If you make a program they will be really loyal.
2. UNC, I have read they are tied at the hip with Duke. I can not see the SEC taking both, but maybe Duke gets you good northeastern exposure.
3. UVa, I believe the Va legislature tied them by law to VPIS and I can not see the SEC taking both. On the SEC makes programs front, if George Mason had football they would be a prospect to get the SEC into the DC market.
4. NCSU, they might be the best prospect in NC if UNC has in fact tied itself to Duke. Also they might be very interested in coming if they see the aTm experience as a positive example and they think they might be able to get out from under the shadow of UNC and Duke.
5. OU, I guess if the SEC is expanding for the sake of expanding they might take a school from another small state.
6. OSU, I am not sure why the SEC would take the second school in a small state. it would be like taking Clemson or Louisville. There is no up side.
As for breaking away from the NCAA, now that schools are confusing athletic conferences with academic ranking, I doubt the power schools want to leave an organization that includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton etc. to be in an organization that includes Mississippi State, Clemson, UWVa, Washington State, Nebraska but no Harvard, Yale, Princeton etc.