I suspect the biggest difference between Virginia Tech and the Arkansas, Mississippi State duo is that Tech has, to-date, failed to adequately capitalize on the potential for monetary support from its alumni and from businesses in the Commonwealth and elsewhere in the region. I suspect the Hogs and Dogs are much closer to tapping out the potential monetary resources available to them.

The current Tech athletic administration is only now beginning to fully monetize the Hokies' brand and success. Louisville doesn't have such a huge athletic budget because it has a lot of rich, charitable alumni. Louisville's budget is huge because it has tapped into the corporate sector in the so-called "Kentuckiana" region. Currently, WVU's athletic budget is roughly $10 million greater than Tech's, partly because the Big 12 generates more revenue per school than the ACC and partly because WVU has historically been able to draw more corporate donations than Tech. I think Tech can and will narrow its corporate dollar deficit while also pulling more money from its alums and individual supporters.

Beyond money, Tech has better recruiting prospects than either Arkansas or MSU. Tech is better positioned to recruit against schools in its region than the Hogs or Dogs. Tech is a better school academically and, unless Penn State returns to dynastic form, it does not have a superpower looking across its fence.

If Tech hypothetically joined the SEC, it obviously would not dominate or win football championships as easily as they have come in the ACC. But Tech is a far cry from where South Carolina was when it joined the SEC two decades ago. Tech's brand is stronger than USC's was then and is about as strong or maybe stronger than USC's is now. I think Tech could do at least as well as (or better than) Georgia has done in the past 10-15 years, even though Georgia probably has a higher ceiling than Tech.

My analysis is not intended to be critical of Arkansas, Mississippi State or South Carolina. With the right administration and right coaching, any of those schools might elevate itself (although MSU has the steepest climb). Each has gotten there for just a moment or two, but hasn't consistently sustained it. And Florida, Georgia, Alabama and LSU will always be in the best position to field heavyweight teams in the SEC. But don't sell Tech's potential short.