ACC, PAC-12, and BIG alliance / conference realignment

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Alsacs]

How much is UConn regretting their recent conference decisions? I actually thought dropping football to independent and joining the Big East wasn’t a bad move. But a risk was that it took them a bit out of position for future realignment.

I don’t think I their fanbase would want to leave the BE now that they’re “home”. But had they been moving from the AAC to this new Big 12, it’d probably have been seen as a massive upgrade.

This is a great point.
If UConn didn’t hire Edsall 2.0 they would have likely been picked for this expansion instead of BYU.

This expansion will destroy the American as well.

 

[Toga]

So ESPN didn't end the B12 and its TV contract and didn't lock up the rights to an expanded CF Playoffs or even get an agreement on an expanded playoffs.

 

[Alsacs]

So ESPN didn't end the B12 and its TV contract and didn't lock up the rights to an expanded CF Playoffs or even get an agreement on an expanded playoffs.

ESPN is finally being punished for being the shadow power in college football.

The Big XII will raid an ESPN property in the American. Likely will cause the American to look to add from Coastal Carolina, Liberty, and Marshall.

ESPN isn’t going to keep exclusivity of the CFB playoffs and that is good for football fans.

What ESPN did though is unife the college football world against the SEC.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Surprised about Houston. I think they are a great add for a conference trying to get into Texas but not for a conference that already has 3 teams in Texas. I would think Memphis or USF are the better adds.

 

[TheCusian]

Think ACC should add Cinci and Houston and probably WVU

 

[KaiserUEO]

ESPN is finally being punished for being the shadow power in college football.

The Big XII will raid an ESPN property in the American. Likely will cause the American to look to add from Coastal Carolina, Liberty, and Marshall.

ESPN isn’t going to keep exclusivity of the CFB playoffs and that is good for football fans.

What ESPN did though is unife the college football world against the SEC.

this is why ive been ignoring all of your "Fear the ESPN Machine" rhetoric.

these 'academic' institutions will do whats best for themselves and if it means taking another bit of a hit in football, they will do so.

the NFL is ok with both double AA football and AAA football being played and the American public has proven theyll watch the mac and other G5 programs.

spreading the wealth amongst cbs & fox & abc/espn and maybe even nbc...will be good for all.

 

[Alsacs]

this is why ive been ignoring all of your "Fear the ESPN Machine" rhetoric.

these 'academic' institutions will do whats best for themselves and if it means taking another bit of a hit in football, they will do so.

the NFL is ok with both double AA football and AAA football being played and the American public has proven theyll watch the mac and other G5 programs.

spreading the wealth amongst cbs & fox & abc/espn and maybe even nbc...will be good for all.

What is another bit of a hit in football.

The Big XII is getting revenge on the American and ESPn but if ESPN offers them the most money I bet they will resign with them.
It’s just going to cost ESPN money now. They own the American for cents on the dollar. They will probably have to pay the Big XII 20-25 per member. The American commissioner’s contract with ESPN was so bad UConn went independent and killed its football program.

 

[Scooch]

This is a great point.
If UConn didn’t hire Edsall 2.0 they would have likely been picked for this expansion instead of BYU.

The assumption is that a different coach would have had better results than Edsall, and I'm not entirely sure that's the case. For as difficult as it is to win at SU, it's 100X tougher at UConn.

I think this is more a case of the UConn administration simply reaching the end of their rope when it came to wishing and hoping they'd make it into a P5 conference.

The bird in hand was rejoining the Big East for hoops, which has been an immediate upgrade for them in terms of interest and donations (and will translate to better ratings and attendance this season).

The 'two in the bush' was the possibility that there'd be more openings in P5 leagues in the future. And honestly, there's no guarantee a reconstituted B12 is going to be an actual power conference going forward (it may be for the next couple years, then won't).

Anyway, the B12 and American should just merge. That makes the most sense for all parties. Hell, merge with the Mountain West while they're at it. Create a P5 league based solely on volume.

 

[texascpa]

American is probably going to lose Navy too. I can't see them sticking in a watered down AAC.

 

[DoctorBombay]

So ESPN didn't end the B12 and its TV contract and didn't lock up the rights to an expanded CF Playoffs or even get an agreement on an expanded playoffs.

Yeah but…the BigXII is dead man walking at this point.
ESPN can lay in the weeds until the old contract is done, and watch while Fox/NBC et al, sign a reconstituted BigXII for pennies on the dollar. Those four new adds are a bandaid, & the first P4 offer that comes to Kansas, or WVU, or OkSt, they’re gone.

 

[TheCusian]

The assumption is that a different coach would have had better results than Edsall, and I'm not entirely sure that's the case. For as difficult as it is to win at SU, it's 100X tougher at UConn.

I think this is more a case of the UConn administration simply reaching the end of their rope when it came to wishing and hoping they'd make it into a P5 conference.

The bird in hand was rejoining the Big East for hoops, which has been an immediate upgrade for them in terms of interest and donations (and will translate to better ratings and attendance this season).

The 'two in the bush' was the possibility that there'd be more openings in P5 leagues in the future. And honestly, there's no guarantee a reconstituted B12 is going to be an actual power conference going forward (it may be for the next couple years, then won't).

Anyway, the B12 and American should just merge. That makes the most sense for all parties. Hell, merge with the Mountain West while they're at it. Create a P5 league based solely on volume.

I think of the ACC in this context re:B12 - what would we look like without Clemson and FSU, but then added Cinci, UCF, Houston and WVU?

We’d not be close to the national championship for a while, reputation would take a huge hit, and we might see some new powers over 3-5 years. It takes a lot to build a Clemson, but FL/Oh/TX schools have access to a lot of talent. But overall, I wouldn’t say that reconstructed league couldn’t be competitive for playoff spots eventually.

I don’t think the B12 is dead after adding these teams. P5 or G7? Probably in between for a while

 

[DoctorBombay]

I think of the ACC in this context re:B12 - what would we look like without Clemson and FSU, but then added Cinci, UCF, Houston and WVU?

We’d not be close to the national championship for a while, reputation would take a huge hit, and we might see some new powers over 3-5 years. It takes a lot to build a Clemson, but FL/Oh/TX schools have access to a lot of talent. But overall, I wouldn’t say that reconstructed league couldn’t be competitive for playoff spots eventually.

I don’t think the B12 is dead after adding these teams. P5 or G7? Probably in between for a while

I think they’re done. At best they’re the new AAC. Nobody’s paying top dollar for that lineup. If I’m Kansas im PO’d!

 

[HRE Otto IV]

If divisions aren't done for, how will the B12 divide the teams? There isn't an easy way to split.

 

[Alsacs]

WVU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, BYU, TCU one division.

Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Iowa State the other division.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I wonder what the AAC next move would be. They could get to 12 by adding Liberty, Army, Air Force, and Rice. That would be a lot of private schools though.

East- USF, ECU, Liberty, Navy, Temple, Army
West- Air Force, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, Tulane, Memphis

I suppose they could try going to 16 to kill off the MWC.

West Pod- San Diego St, Fresno St, Boise St, Air Force
South Pod- Tulsa, SMU, Rice, Tulane
Southeast Pod- USF, ECU, Liberty, Memphis
Northeast Pod- Navy, Temple, Army, Marshall

 

[Alsacs]

I wonder what the AAC next move would be. They could get to 12 by adding Liberty, Army, Air Force, and Rice. That would be a lot of private schools though.

East- USF, ECU, Liberty, Navy, Temple, Army
West- Air Force, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, Tulane, Memphis

I suppose they could try going to 16 to kill off the MWC.

West Pod- San Diego St, Fresno St, Boise St, Air Force
South Pod- Tulsa, SMU, Rice, Tulane
Southeast Pod- USF, ECU, Liberty, Memphis
Northeast Pod- Navy, Temple, Army, Marshall

American should go Liberty, Coastal Carolina, App State.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

WVU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, BYU, TCU one division.

Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Iowa State the other division.

That keeps the four Big 8 teams together. But I would think they swap Texas Tech/TCU or Baylor/Houston. Either would keep Baylor and TCU together. Even then you have the Western most team (BYU) in a division with the three Eastern most teams.

Going to 16 fits so much better. Memphis or USF gives you an easy Eastern pod. The old Big 8 is the Northern pod. The 4 Texas schools is the Southern pod. Then add Boise St, San Diego St, and one of Fresno St or UNLV to have a Western pod with BYU.

That would be a geographical fit and kill off both the AAC and MWC. Which means the B12 is still P5.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

American should go Liberty, Coastal Carolina, App State.

That only gets them to 11 teams. Does App State really add value? They are the 5th most popular team in their state.

I forgot about Coastal they are a better choice than Marshall at 16 teams.

 

[KaiserUEO]

speaking of conference realignment...can anyone tell me how SUNY Buff won the battle of Ohio for the last spot in the MAC North over Toledo?

every school in the North is from Ohio but SUNY Buff.

travel wise, that was little bit of a loss for sure.

 

[Alsacs]

That only gets them to 11 teams. Does App State really add value? They are the 5th most popular team in their state.

I forgot about Coastal they are a better choice than Marshall at 16 teams.

Navy football only and Wichita State other sports.
The American is 12 now and losing Cincinnati, UCF, Houston so they only need 3 replacements.

 

[KaiserUEO]

That keeps the four Big 8 teams together. But I would think they swap Texas Tech/TCU or Baylor/Houston. Either would keep Baylor and TCU together. Even then you have the Western most team (BYU) in a division with the three Eastern most teams.

Going to 16 fits so much better. Memphis or USF gives you an easy Eastern pod. The old Big 8 is the Northern pod. The 4 Texas schools is the Southern pod. Then add Boise St, San Diego St, and one of Fresno St or UNLV to have a Western pod with BYU.

That would be a geographical fit and kill off both the AAC and MWC. Which means the B12 is still P5.

thats not bad.

it also finds away to bring UNLV and in turn Vegas to the P4(5).

 

[Alsacs]

Big XII could go zipper format as well. BYU/UCF would be the outlier.

KU/KSU
Baylor/TCU
Oklahoma State/Iowa State
Houston/Texas Tech
WVU/UC

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Navy football only and Wichita State other sports.
The American is 12 now and losing Cincinnati, UCF, Houston so they only need 3 replacements.

They are 11 after UConn left. So they would be down to 8. If they want 12 then they need 4. They could just go to 10 which means round robin in FB and BBall.

For 10 the most value would be Air Force and Army FB with Dayton BBall.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Big XII could go zipper format as well. BYU/UCF would be the outlier.

KU/KSU
Baylor/TCU
Oklahoma State/Iowa State
Houston/Texas Tech
WVU/UC

Still a geographic mess. Why expand East only to not have the Eastern teams together? If WV and Cincy are not together than they both stick out like thumbs. BYU sticks out like a thumb no matter what.

Even if divisions go away the conference is all over the place. They really need to go past 12.