COLLEGE FOOTBALL / GENE WOJCIECHOWSKI : Florida State Reverse Was the Smart Play

We said that "superconferences" were making a beeline for the 1990s. Perhaps that should be the 2090s.

We boldly observed that Florida State was a natural for the Southeastern Conference, and that Miami wasn't far behind. Needless to say, we, as well the SEC athletic directors, were surprised by the Seminoles' recent decision to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Gracious losers that they are, the SEC athletic directors voted last week not to extend mighty Florida State an invitation to join. Of course, they did this \o7 after\f7 they learned the Seminoles had committed to the ACC.

Then, completing the classless farce, Louisiana State Athletic Director Joe Dean suggested that Florida State would regret the day it spurned the SEC. Dean went so far as to say that SEC teams should consider banning the Seminoles as future opponents.

As one might expect, few tears were shed for the SEC.

"The SEC was so aggressive, so overly aggressive, that it caused other conferences to defend themselves," said Fred Jacoby, Southwest Conference commissioner. "They're acting like a jilted lover, a jilted suitor. (The vote) was a face-saving technique."

In retrospect, Florida State made the logical move. Instead of joining what would have been a 12-team Southeastern Conference (with plans for expansion), the Seminoles settled for the coziness of the now nine-team ACC. By doing so, they aligned themselves with a strong academic conference, they broadened their recruiting possibilities on the East Coast and they became instant favorites to win the ACC football championship in the first year they can play a complete schedule.

Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden preferred the ACC to the SEC for the last reason. No team, he reasoned, wins a national championship with an 8-3 record, which was a distinct possibility in the ultracompetitive SEC. In fact, LSU's Dean revealed that Florida State was willing to join the SEC only if the Seminoles didn't have to play Auburn and Alabama in the same season. The league declined.

But as always, the real reasons for the switch involve money. By accepting the ACC's bid, Florida State has to share conference paydays with fewer members. And Florida State also will share in the ACC's lucrative basketball television package.

Now, it's time to rank the remaining favorites in the realignment race, beginning with . . .

MIAMI--The SEC has set its sights on luring the Hurricanes from independent status. Earlier this week, SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer met quietly with Miami officials. And rumors persist that Miami eventually could join the Southwest Conference or the ACC or even create an Eastern Seaboard Conference.

"Miami is kind of an interesting case," said Jim Haney, Big West commissioner. "By the looks of it, Miami has positioned itself to join a conference, (but) I think they'll end up being an independent."

Jacoby disagreed. He said Miami would prefer to remain an independent but might have to join a conference simply because of scheduling considerations.

"Once the conferences start their play, it's very hard to get an adequate schedule, especially during the months of October and November," Jacoby said.

SOUTH CAROLINA--Potentially a better choice than the much-ballyhooed Hurricanes. South Carolina draws well in football and is strong in many other sports. The Gamecocks desperately would like an SEC invitation.

TEXAS and TEXAS A&M--Sure, both schools said they are going to stay in the SWC . . . for now. But if the conference doesn't make some drastic changes, the Longhorns and Aggies could bolt.

SYRACUSE--Don't be surprised if the Orangemen join Penn State in the Big Ten, 11 and 12.

OKLAHOMA--The SWC covets the Sooners. "Oklahoma doesn't add a lot of television (potential) to the conference, but it does add a marketable football and basketball program," Haney said.

NEBRASKA--Another viable candidate for the Big Ten or the SWC. If the Cornhuskers and Sooners decide to stay put, it would be only because they received bigger distribution shares from the Big Eight.

BRIGHAM YOUNG--Under the right conditions, the Cougars might consider joining, say, the Pacific 10. But the Pac-10 has no plans to expand. Another possible alternative remains the SWC. The conference would become attractive only if Nebraska and/or Oklahoma join, too.

The SWC was in a near state of emergency a month and a half ago. Arkansas was leaving after 76 years in the conference. Texas and Texas A&M were threatening to move, too. Since then, Jacoby has instituted policies designed to make the SWC more competitive.

For starters, Jacoby is pursuing the formation of a Big Eight/SWC superconference. He also is trying to schedule games against a "select" group of Eastern independents, most likely Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.