If a bipartisan bill becomes federal law, then Congress will limit conferences like the SEC to no more than 19 members, in a bid to prevent mega-conferences.

Such a law wouldn't force the SEC to pursue further expansion, but it might spur another round of realignment as conferences race to 19. If the SEC did decide to add three more members, which schools should it consider?

That's the subject of debate on today's episode, as hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams each make their case for which three schools would suit SEC expansion.

They agree on one school from the ACC to top the SEC's wish list. From there, Adams heads southwest for additional expansion, while Toppmeyer stays on the east coast and builds a case to further solidify the SEC's basketball bona fides.

Interestingly, neither host makes a case for the SEC to add either Florida State or Clemson, which profile as good cultural fits, but their football programs are losing ground in this pay-for-play landscape.

If <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2026/08/08/protect-college-sports-act-congress-no-vote-cruz-cantwell-ncaa/91205678007/" aria-label="Link a bipartisan bill">a bipartisan bill</a> becomes federal law, then Congress will limit conferences like the SEC to no more than 19 members, in a bid to prevent mega-conferences.
Such a law wouldn't force the SEC to pursue further expansion, but it might spur another round of realignment as conferences race to 19. If the SEC did decide to add three more members, which schools should it consider?
That's the subject of debate on today's episode, as hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> each make their case for which three schools would suit SEC expansion.
They agree on one school from the ACC to top the SEC's wish list. From there, Adams heads southwest for additional expansion, while Toppmeyer stays on the east coast and builds a case to further solidify the SEC's basketball bona fides.
Interestingly, neither host makes a case for the SEC to add either Florida State or Clemson, which profile as good cultural fits, but their football programs are losing ground in this pay-for-play landscape.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

If a bipartisan bill becomes federal law, then Congress will limit conferences like the SEC to no more than 19 members, in a bid to prevent mega-conferences. Such a law wouldn't force the SEC to pursue further expansion, but it might spur another round of realignment as conferences race to 19. If the SEC did decide to add three more members, which schools should it consider? That's the subject of debate on today's episode, as hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams each make their case for which three schools would suit SEC expansion. They agree on one school from the ACC to top the SEC's wish list. From there, Adams heads southwest for additional expansion, while Toppmeyer stays on the east coast and builds a case to further solidify the SEC's basketball bona fides. Interestingly, neither host makes a case for the SEC to add either Florida State or Clemson, which profile as good cultural fits, but their football programs are losing ground in this pay-for-play landscape.