SEC's two top targets, two of its founding members proposed for Big Ten realignment

Hawkeyes Wire's Jacob Keppen had four notable proposals for the Big Ten in conference realignment: the SEC's two top targets, UNC and Notre Dame, and two of the "It Just Means More" conference's founding members, Tulane and GA Tech.

Keppen's list of B1G targets included only AAU-accredited schools. As realignment reporter Greg Swaim has relayed, the Big Ten won't consider any schools that don't have the proper AAU credentials; thus likely keeping out FSU and Clemson, the two schools with the most eyeballs on their next moves.

"I don't know how many times I have to bring this up, but of thirteen B1G schools I have quality sources for, eleven of them tell me in no uncertain terms that their school will absolutely, positively NOT vote in a school that is not AAU accredited," Swaim wrote.

Notre Dame and GA Tech make sense for the Big Ten

Tulane is a massive stretch for the Big Ten. It's not likely the B1G has the same interest in expanding into Louisiana that it does into Texas and Florida. Not to mention, the ACC has Tulane in its contingency plan if/when FSU, Clemson, and others do up and leave.

UNC figures to receive heavy SEC and Big 12 interest. While the Big Ten would be foolish not to pursue the Tar Heels, UNC is far from a guarantee for anyone right now. And that certainly includes the ACC too.

Notre Dame and the Big Ten belong together. Most of the Fighting Irish's primary rivals reside in the B1G now, and geographically it makes too much sense.

GA Tech, meanwhile, makes sense as a southern expansion candidate for the Big Ten. The Yellow Jackets' academics are certainly desirable and Atlanta could be the next major city the B1G bring into its ranks.