NCAA Conference Realignment

[dew1679666265]

Wow, they're going to cause the Big East to be a non-football conference.

 

The Big East could always add teams as well. Memphis has been looking for a larger conference to join and its basketball program would make it enticing. ECU is another school that could be considered and most any Florida school could be a possibility as well (lower conference, that is). I don't know if it'd retain BCS status, but there are schools it could add to keep football.

 

The shake up it would cause would be very interesting. If they take a couple Big East teams along with 1 or 2 Big XII teams and Notre Dame everything could change. The SEC would probably stay the same but every other major conference could change with the Pac-10 taking some of the Big XII schools and the rest of the Big XII and Big East combining into one conference. Basically you would see big conference add to the number of schools in the conference and the number of BCS conferences go down by one.

 

Going down to 5 BCS conferences isn't necessarily a bad thing for the BCS people either. It would open the door to more non-BCS schools getting a big bowl game and thus quiet the call for a playoff a bit. A playoff is still inevitable in my mind but this could delay it a couple of years.

 

I've heard rumors that Arkansas wants into the Big XII (more natural rivalries, but less money).

[dew1679666265]

They would definitely lose BCS status adding those schools

 

Yeah, I probably understated that a tad.

 

Though in a more prominent conference, some of the Florida schools (FAU and UCF in particular) could start to improve a bit more quickly. FAU is kind of in that UConn and USF mold in that it hasn't been D1A for very long and yet is still having some success. Put in a more prominent conference, Schnellenberger could really improve them. UCF has been a pretty good team off and on in Conference USA and, being in Florida, might have the potential to improve some as well.

[Vanilla Ice]

I am somewhat surprised WVU isn't mentioned at all; I know the academics aren't great, but still.

[Outshined_One]

Going down to 5 BCS conferences isn't necessarily a bad thing for the BCS people either. It would open the door to more non-BCS schools getting a big bowl game and thus quiet the call for a playoff a bit. A playoff is still inevitable in my mind but this could delay it a couple of years.

 

There were rumors that the BCS was evaluating the MWC for a possible BCS auto-bid. If things shift around enough, the MWC could find themselves courting a number of teams that would really help their case.

[SouthSideRyan]

I am somewhat surprised WVU isn't mentioned at all; I know the academics aren't great, but still.

 

What's surprising? Their academics aren't good enough. They're a non-starter

[CubbieBum]

Had an interesting conversation with my dad today on this subject. If the Big Ten ends up taking a Big XII school and some others then bolt to other conferences (Colorado to Pac-10 is always rumored) Texas and Oklahoma may decide to jump ship and join the SEC.

 

If the Big Ten goes to 14 or 16, the ACC adds a couple of the left over Big East teams to move up in numbers in order to match, the PAC-10 adds Colorado and one other, the SEC may look to match it by adding Texas and Oklahoma which would be monumental.

 

The Big Ten may see this as a possibility and may be currently talking to both Texas AND Oklahoma. Texas talks about their state rivalries as a reason for staying but I think the Oklahoma rivalry is all they truly care about. Getting both schools to join along with three of Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Missouri would be the biggest possible move out there.

 

 

Anyways just some thoughts.

[SouthSideRyan]

There is literally no chance that Oklahoma and Texas would go to the SEC

[dew1679666265]

There is literally no chance that Oklahoma and Texas would go to the SEC

 

The SEC would be more likely to get a Florida State or Miami from the ACC (Va Tech might be another option) if it chose to expand.

[CubbieBum]

There is literally no chance that Oklahoma and Texas would go to the SEC

 

Why not?

[dew1679666265]

There is literally no chance that Oklahoma and Texas would go to the SEC

 

Why not?

 

They're the kings of the Big XII as it is, plus there are no natural rivalries in the SEC for either team (save maybe Arkansas). Money would be the biggest reason they'd be interested, but I think the SEC would be more interested in a team like FSU or Miami due to the natural rivalries (Florida teams, FSU/Bama, etc.).

[CubbieBum]

There is literally no chance that Oklahoma and Texas would go to the SEC

 

Why not?

 

They're the kings of the Big XII as it is, plus there are no natural rivalries in the SEC for either team (save maybe Arkansas). Money would be the biggest reason they'd be interested, but I think the SEC would be more interested in a team like FSU or Miami due to the natural rivalries (Florida teams, FSU/Bama, etc.).

 

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

[RedFlash]

There is literally no chance that Oklahoma and Texas would go to the SEC

 

Why not?

 

They're the kings of the Big XII as it is, plus there are no natural rivalries in the SEC for either team (save maybe Arkansas). Money would be the biggest reason they'd be interested, but I think the SEC would be more interested in a team like FSU or Miami due to the natural rivalries (Florida teams, FSU/Bama, etc.).

 

Don't forget about Georgia Tech. The YJ do have a long history in the SEC and they have rivalries with GA, and Auburn not to mention they could have interests in starting rivalries with Bama, Florida, Tennessee and perhaps even South Carolina. I don't know if you can get Miami or FSU to jump ship from the ACC. I'm sure the SEC would offer both, but I think considering the overall weakness of the ACC, I think FSU and Miami both see the door open to dominate the ACC, as opposed to having to go through Bama and/or Florida for the SEC.

[dew1679666265]

Don't forget about Georgia Tech. The YJ do have a long history in the SEC and they have rivalries with GA, and Auburn not to mention they could have interests in starting rivalries with Bama, Florida, Tennessee and perhaps even South Carolina. I don't know if you can get Miami or FSU to jump ship from the ACC. I'm sure the SEC would offer both, but I think considering the overall weakness of the ACC, I think FSU and Miami both see the door open to dominate the ACC, as opposed to having to go through Bama and/or Florida for the SEC.

 

Georgia Tech and Clemson would both be options, I agree. North Carolina would make a lot of sense from a football standpoint, but there's no way the basketball team would be in favor of it.

 

Wasn't FSU close to coming to the SEC in the 90s? I think Bowden eventually vetoed it, but I seem to remember them considering it strongly. I think both would be possibilities because of the rivalries and money and I think the ACC is on the rise. UNC football is getting better, Va Tech is good to very good and Clemson has potential. I think they'd strongly consider it.

[dew1679666265]

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

 

The natural rivalries is a big thing, I think. Outside of Arkansas, there's just no established rivalries for either team. I agree, though, this is just throwing around ideas right now.

[CubbieBum]

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

 

The natural rivalries is a big thing, I think. Outside of Arkansas, there's just no established rivalries for either team. I agree, though, this is just throwing around ideas right now.

 

I agree the natural rivalries are a big thing but getting two teams like Texas and Oklahoma isn't something any conference would turn down. They both have strong followings, bring in lots of money, are very good in the big sports and bring one of the best rivalries with them.

[dew1679666265]

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

 

The natural rivalries is a big thing, I think. Outside of Arkansas, there's just no established rivalries for either team. I agree, though, this is just throwing around ideas right now.

 

I agree the natural rivalries are a big thing but getting two teams like Texas and Oklahoma isn't something any conference would turn down. They both have strong followings, bring in lots of money, are very good in the big sports and bring one of the best rivalries with them.

 

If they asked, I don't think the SEC would turn them down. But I think the SEC would put most of its time into wooing ACC teams that make more geographical sense. But yeah, if Texas and OU asked to join, I'm sure the SEC would be very open to that.

[Derwood]

Let's just consolidate the 6 BCS conferences down to 4, then have a 2 round playoff for the NC.

 

EDIT: Actually, it would be 3 round. First round are the 4 conference title games, then you'd have a 1/1 Final Four and a 1/8 Championship.

 

book it, done

[Guest]

Rumblings are getting louder that the Pac-10 is likely to add Colorado and Utah.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

 

The natural rivalries is a big thing, I think. Outside of Arkansas, there's just no established rivalries for either team. I agree, though, this is just throwing around ideas right now.

 

I agree the natural rivalries are a big thing but getting two teams like Texas and Oklahoma isn't something any conference would turn down. They both have strong followings, bring in lots of money, are very good in the big sports and bring one of the best rivalries with them.

 

The whole problem with this is not Texas and Oklahoma, its Texas and A&M. Texas isn't going anywhere unless A&M is going. The Oklahoma rivalry is great, but there is no way I can see Texas parting ways with A&M. If the Big Ten can secure a commitment from ND, I think the Texas scenario becomes a whole lot more likely. A&M would make 14 teams, and then you can throw in Pitt and one of Rutgers or Syracuse. Much like ND will schedule USC out of conference Texas will continue to schedule Oklahoma each year. This is just me throwing crap against the wall right now, but I think financially this would be the biggest win for the conference.

[CubbieBum]

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

 

The natural rivalries is a big thing, I think. Outside of Arkansas, there's just no established rivalries for either team. I agree, though, this is just throwing around ideas right now.

 

I agree the natural rivalries are a big thing but getting two teams like Texas and Oklahoma isn't something any conference would turn down. They both have strong followings, bring in lots of money, are very good in the big sports and bring one of the best rivalries with them.

 

The whole problem with this is not Texas and Oklahoma, its Texas and A&M. Texas isn't going anywhere unless A&M is going. The Oklahoma rivalry is great, but there is no way I can see Texas parting ways with A&M. If the Big Ten can secure a commitment from ND, I think the Texas scenario becomes a whole lot more likely. A&M would make 14 teams, and then you can throw in Pitt and one of Rutgers or Syracuse. Much like ND will schedule USC out of conference Texas will continue to schedule Oklahoma each year. This is just me throwing crap against the wall right now, but I think financially this would be the biggest win for the conference.

 

If Texas can agree to just schedule Oklahoma every year as a non-conference they can do the same with A&M.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

Well in this scenario the Big XII would be weakened and the SEC would be an escape of sorts for Texas and Oklahoma but I agree FSU and Miami would be better fits.

 

I doubt any of this happens. Most likely the Big Ten does nothing and the second most likely thing I think is adding one school.

 

The natural rivalries is a big thing, I think. Outside of Arkansas, there's just no established rivalries for either team. I agree, though, this is just throwing around ideas right now.

 

I agree the natural rivalries are a big thing but getting two teams like Texas and Oklahoma isn't something any conference would turn down. They both have strong followings, bring in lots of money, are very good in the big sports and bring one of the best rivalries with them.

 

The whole problem with this is not Texas and Oklahoma, its Texas and A&M. Texas isn't going anywhere unless A&M is going. The Oklahoma rivalry is great, but there is no way I can see Texas parting ways with A&M. If the Big Ten can secure a commitment from ND, I think the Texas scenario becomes a whole lot more likely. A&M would make 14 teams, and then you can throw in Pitt and one of Rutgers or Syracuse. Much like ND will schedule USC out of conference Texas will continue to schedule Oklahoma each year. This is just me throwing crap against the wall right now, but I think financially this would be the biggest win for the conference.

 

If Texas can agree to just schedule Oklahoma every year as a non-conference they can do the same with A&M.

 

Except A&M is a better academic school than Oklahoma, and is ranked at the same level as Purdue. Oklahoma is ranked outside the top 100. Academics will weight very heavily in the decision.

[CubbieBum]

Except A&M is a better academic school than Oklahoma, and is ranked at the same level as Purdue. Oklahoma is ranked outside the top 100. Academics will weight very heavily in the decision.

 

Read our posts again. We were talking about Texas and Oklahoma going to the SEC in the scenario the Big XII is raided. SEC doesn't care too much about academics.

[Andy]

It seems like Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers might be a logical trio to end up in the Big Ten, just cobbling together from a few different columns I've read on the subject.

[Guest]

Texas cares about academics. They're more likely to move to the Pac-10 than the SEC. If the Big 10 goes to 16 teams you could see a race to 16 from the Pac 10 and SEC. Miami, FSU, OU, and somebody like OSU/Clemson/GT could move to the SEC; Utah, Colorado, Texas, aTm, and two more for the Pac 10; and of course the typical Syracuse, Pitt, Rutgers, UConn, Mizzou, Nebraska as Big 10 candidates.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

It seems like Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers might be a logical trio to end up in the Big Ten, just cobbling together from a few different columns I've read on the subject.

 

None of those schools excite me. Mizzou would be sweet for the rivalry with Illinois, but academics are an issue for it and Nebraska. I also can't see Nebraska tossing aside it's old Big 8 Rivalries in football. Plus they add nothing in terms of television. I really don't see the benefit of either Big 12 school, unless it is to get the conference to 16.

 

And Bum, you are right. I probably shouldn't have quoted you, I was just laying out my best case scenario for the conference.