If a bipartisan bill becomes federal law, then Congress will limit power conferences like the SEC, the Big Ten and the ACC to no more than 19 members, in a move to prevent mega-conferences.
\nThe Big Ten already includes 18 members, leaving room for just one more school, if this bill becomes law.
\nThe 16-team SEC has more room to maneuver, and schools in the ACC or Big 12 could perk up at the chance to join the league where “It Just Means More” (and more money).
\nBut, which schools should the SEC desire?
\nThat's the subject of debate on this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, as hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams each make their case for which three schools would suit SEC expansion.
\n\n\nThe Protect College Sports Act becoming law wouldn't force the SEC to pursue further expansion, but it might spur another round of realignment as conferences race to 19.
\nThe legislation would include hurdles for schools seeking a new home, by requiring any school that moves from one power conference to another to spend five years as an independent before competing in its new conference digs.
\nAll ball, no bull: Michigan doesn't need a coach who hates Ohio State
\nAdams: Josh Heupel keeps checking boxes, but can he win a title at Tennessee?
\nIf SEC decides to expand, which schools should it consider?
\nToppmeyer’s three picks for SEC expansion
\nMiami: Does “The U” fit the SEC? It's a fair question. Miami isn’t the South. It’s south of the South. It’s the Beach. Typically, when the SEC expands, its new members neatly fit into the conference's existing culture, while also expanding the league’s footprint into new terrain. The SEC is already in the state of Florida.
\nStill, I cannot ignore that Miami appears built for this pay-for-play era of college sports. It’s all-in on restoring its football program to national prominence. The SEC hasn’t sent a team to the national championship game in any of the past three seasons. Miami got there last year, and the Hurricanes smashed the Gators along the way. Miami reloaded with another team that can make a run. If “The U” is back, the SEC shouldn’t ignore it.
\n\nNorth Carolina: Football rules in the SEC, but the conference thrives across multiple sports. UNC is an athletics behemoth. It annually finishes high in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings that measure success across all sports. Plus, UNC is a national brand that would help solidify the SEC’s emergence as a basketball powerhouse. Adding North Carolina also would expand the SEC’s footprint into a state that’s been growing in population. The SEC Network is headquartered in Charlotte, but the conference currently has no members in the state. UNC would fix that.
\nDuke: Just how serious is the SEC about being the nation’s best basketball conference? Add North Carolina plus Duke, and a conference that’s already emerging as a hoops dynamo would have basketball on lock, and it would own the North Carolina TV market. As for Duke football, well, the Blue Devils are the reigning ACC champions, aren’t they?
\nAdams’ three picks for SEC expansion
\nMiami: If you can’t beat ‘em, add ‘em.
\nMiami doesn’t fit the SEC’s culture to a ‘T.’ Game day in Miami isn’t exactly Neyland Stadium. The Hurricanes play in an NFL stadium, off campus. But, nobody can deny Miami is spending big bucks on its football roster and positioning the program to compete for titles. When “The U” is at its best, it commands national attention.
\nMiami would make for a good road trip for SEC fans, too. Pack your swimsuit.
\nTexas Tech: If the SEC decides to expand, do it by adding schools committed to spending what it takes to win in this pay-for-play era. Backed by a billionaire booster who sees himself as something of a team owner, Texas Tech has become a major player. The SEC is already in Texas, but it’s not in West Texas. Invite that oil money into the party.
\nOklahoma State: Why isn’t Bedlam on college football’s schedule anymore? Because, the SEC added Oklahoma and interrupted the series. Fix that.
\nIf the SEC gets Texas buttoned up, it might as well lean into the cowboy brand. Lock up Cowboy Country and add Oklahoma State to restore one of the sport's best rivalries to the schedule.
\nThe SEC ... Boots and Ball. New slogan?
\nWhere to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered
\n\nBlake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
\nThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: If SEC expands beyond 16 teams, start with Miami | Opinion