The domination of the SEC and the rise of the Pac-12

The Southeast Conference (SEC) has been dominating the NCAA for the past few years, with an SEC team winning the BCS National Championship Game for the last five years.

Florida (x2), Louisiana State, Auburn and Alabama have each won the BCS bowl, leaving the rest of the conferences to play catch up. But is the newly structured Pac-12, formerly the Pac-10, ready to make a move on the SEC after signing a bumper television contract?

With a 12-year deal with ESPN and Fox worth $2.7 billion the Pac-12 now shares the most valuable media rights fees of any conference in college sports. The teams of the west coast will reap the benefits, with bigger and better facilities a possible outcome of the shared wealth.

Many experts have said that money will help with recruiting, attracting more five star talent to the west coast. However, the west coast does not have the same hardcore fan base that the Southeast states or Texas have, and recruits love to play in front of big crowds. Rarely does a five-star recruit head to the west coast unless he is based locally to start with. So could this hold the Pac-12 back?

Well with new connections with media outlets and vast amounts of money comes the opportunity of new advertising and exposure, with the aim of bringing in new fans. And considering the long-term nature of the media contract the conference has the time to build up a fan base to rival that of the SEC teams.

So with more money, the opportunity to garner new fans and potentially new facilities, the recruits are likely to come. And with the recruits and correct coaching the Pac-12 could soon be the dominant conference in the NCAA.

Article courtesy of NJ Sharrocks.