David Whitley: ‘It’ll probably be a cold day in South Beach before the SEC asks Miami to join’

Gator Sports’ David Whitley weighed in on the possibility of adding one of Florida’s in-state rivals, Miami, to the SEC — and Hurricanes fans will not like what he said about their teams being added to the No. 1 conference in the country (at least) three years running.

Whitley took a shot at the Hard Rock Stadium crowds, saying they were Vanderbilt-like, pointed out that ‘The U’ didn’t finish as a ranked team, and buried a dagger deep into the hearts of ‘Canes fans ‘it’ll probably be a cold day in South Beach before the SEC asks Miami to join.’

The overall focus of Whitley’s piece, titled “FSU’s future is clouded by bad moves in the past,” was (you guessed it) about the prospect of the Seminoles escaping the ACC, which has a TV rights deal with ESPN until 2036.

Expanding into the North Carolina and/or Virginia markets could be more important to the SEC, though, as Whitely suggests:

"“With FSU, it’s a question of overall value. If SEC teams are already getting $100 million a year, are the Seminoles worth $101 million to the league? Is it better to expand the TV footprint to North Carolina and Virginia?”"

Clemson and Florida State have the best odds to accept an SEC invitation next

Florida State has been in the SEC conversation due to a natural rivalry with the Gators. They also have won a title in the past decade, something only six teams can claim to have done. Clemson, meanwhile, has the winning pedigree of a school from the Southeastern Conference themselves, having won a quarter of all the College Football Playoff championships that have been played.

Both teams are tied for having the best odds to be the next school to accept an SEC invitation at +250. For what it’s worth, Miami has the next best odds at +325, so perhaps South Beach is due for some uncharacteristic weather in the future.