Report: SEC wants to stay at 16 teams amidst ongoing realignment saga

Conference realignment is currently wreaking havoc on college football and college athletics across the country. The latest blow came when the B1G landed USC and UCLA out of the Pac-12, bringing the B1G up to 16 teams beginning in 2024.

Since then, reports and rumors have swirled that the B1G might be interesting in adding additional programs. Others have also reported on what the remaining Pac-12 teams could do and whether or not the Big 12 or SEC might expand in the aftermath.

At least in terms of the SEC, it appears that the conference is content to stand pat once Texas and Oklahoma join the league. Sources told Saturday Down South columnist Matt Hayes that the preference of the SEC is to remain at 16 teams.

“We’re positioned at 16 (teams) for a robust future,” an SEC athletic director told SDS. “The need just isn’t there.”

Another SEC source said that no expansion move by another conference is seen as “threatening” to the SEC. The same SEC source admitted “There’s no value” in adding schools just for the sake of adding schools.

Of course, things could change if the B1G makes a major move to go above 16 teams. But for now, it sounds like the SEC will stay with the plan of 16 teams once Texas and Oklahoma officially join the conference.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.