Former South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier has controversial thoughts on SEC expansion

Steve Spurrier is the greatest coach in the history of the South Carolina football program. He also is one of the top headmen in the history of the Duke Blue Devils (despite spending just three years in Durham) and is the best coach ever to lead his alma mater at the University of Florida.

Ever since his days at Duke in the late 1980s, Spurrier has been a quick-witted free thinker who always says what he is thinking, even if others don't like what he has to say.

That trait was seen clearly on Wednesday.

In an appearance on the "A Peek Inside Florida Gators" podcast with Ali Peek, the Head Ball Coach was asked about conference realignment and expansion, and in true Spurrier fashion, he spoke his mind.

Spurrier began by talking about his disappointment that the South Carolina Gamecocks are not playing against the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, or Tennessee Volunteers thanks to the new realignment-altered schedule format.

When pushed to declare where Florida State and Clemson should wind up if they leave the ACC, Spurrier quickly replied, "Well, I think that FSU definitely belongs in the SEC...Clemson sort of belongs there also...Ah, [FSU] would do very well if they play like they did last year, and I think Clemson would do pretty well...they would do better in the ACC as far as winning conference championships, but they want to play in the big-time."

There are sure to be South Carolina football fans and Florida football fans alike who are not thrilled with the HBC's comments. However, as one of the fiercest competitors ever to coach at the college level, it is clear that Spurrier views Florida State and Clemson as additional challenges for the Gators and Gamecocks to overcome.

From a practical standpoint, though, the addition of those two teams to the SEC actually would make the schedule a little bit easier for the conference incumbents.

Assuming that the annual rivalries from the Palmetto State and Sunshine State would not be interrupted, the two teams would have a non-conference game open up on the schedule, presumably for a team less talented.

For now, though, it is unknown how conference realignment will shake out, but the Gamecocks and Gators surely will be keeping one eye on their ACC rivals.