Stop it. First, we tried to join the SEC in the 50s, and Florida blocked us. Second, we don't fit in with the SEC, which, aside from Vandy is all large public schools, and aside from UF, is all bad schools (UGA is ok, I guess).
Well, we're in the Southeast. So being in the Southeastern Conference makes some amount of sense.
And we don't fit in the the ACC - which is a basketball conference.... not to mention that it's the All Carolina Conference. The tobacco road mafia is real ****.
Florida couldn't block us. If we really wanted to get in to the SEC we could.
We're also on the Atlantic Coast, which is the ACC, so.....
We don't fit in the SEC. Culturally we fit in with the ACC, and I spelled out why. Also, those schools can block. UVA initially blocked VT from the ACC. VT and UVA blocked WVU from the ACC (more VT and Beamer). UK has blocked Louisville from the SEC. USC has said they'd block Clemson from the SEC. As for basketball, with the success of our basketball program under Coach L, we're better in the ACC.
Adding Miami would be like printing money for the SEC. They would make so much money they wouldn't know what to do with it. I know it's technically true that Florida could "block" us, but money talks. The other schools aren't going to give up cash just to keep UF happy, they'll turn the screws on them until they allow it.
Just like Clemson or FSU wouldn't be blocked from joining either. It's all posturing. In the end, money talks.
Cultural fit is overrated. How does the fact that Tennessee is a large public school affect Miami? It doesn't.
Anyway - Miami is a fine academic institution, but let's not get too big-headed about it. Outside of South Florida, employers aren't going to look at a degree from Miami any differently than they would a degree from Auburn or South Carolina. If anything, Miami still has the "Suntan U" reputation nationally. And we're certainly not Vanderbilt.
Look, here's what I know - I would rather play in a football first conference, because we're a football first school. And I would rather have Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia on the schedule than Virginia, North Carolina, and Duke.
Gino Torretta thinks we should join the SEC. I'm rolling with Gino.