Conference realignment IE Nuke it from Orbit

[Nomadic1]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...division-4-to-revolutionize-college-athletics

We're going to 4 divisions, not mentioned in the article but gaining buzz in a whole lot of places, it was mentioned during the Big 12 media day that there is a coalition of 75 schools ready to do this. This is likely to be a good thing for us but the whole of college athletics is about to become 1,000x sleazier than it already is.
It would appear that once again, secession is being lead by southerners. Less dramatic this time around...

 

[JasonS]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...division-4-to-revolutionize-college-athletics

We're going to 4 divisions, not mentioned in the article but gaining buzz in a whole lot of places, it was mentioned during the Big 12 media day that there is a coalition of 75 schools ready to do this. This is likely to be a good thing for us but the whole of college athletics is about to become 1,000x sleazier than it already is.
It would appear that once again, secession is being lead by southerners. Less dramatic this time around...

As long as UC is included, I don't care.

 

[Nomadic1]

As long as UC is included, I don't care.

In the short term, I agree. I think we're well situated for the ish to hit the fan too. My fear though, is with the stipend and with the olympic sports, do we start seeing law suits demanding compensation for the volley ball team, the basketball team, the golfers etc. Then, what of the NCAA tournament?
This whole thing is just nuts.

 

[JasonS]

In the short term, I agree. I think we're well situated for the ish to hit the fan too. My fear though, is with the stipend and with the olympic sports, do we start seeing law suits demanding compensation for the volley ball team, the basketball team, the golfers etc. Then, what of the NCAA tournament?
This whole thing is just nuts.

Some of the commissioners were talking about breaking away for football and leaving everything else alone. I think that is what you'll see. Too much march madness money to walk away from.

 

[Bearcat22]

Here's part of story from Mark Schlabach from ESPN on the topic

Obviously, a segregation of college football would have dire effects on teams that aren't part of the big five conferences. Nearly as many programs outside the big five (more than 60 in 2014) as in them (64 in 2014) would be adversely affected by the move. If the big five leagues formed their own federation, would there be another run on conference realignment? Would programs like Boise State, BYU and Cincinnati scramble for new homes so they wouldn't get left behind?

http://espn.go.com/college-football...lege-football-big-five-conferences-split-ncaa

This is a weird one. I don't like the direction this going but don't want UC to be excluded either.

 

[JasonS]

Here's part of story from Mark Schlabach from ESPN on the topic

Obviously, a segregation of college football would have dire effects on teams that aren't part of the big five conferences. Nearly as many programs outside the big five (more than 60 in 2014) as in them (64 in 2014) would be adversely affected by the move. If the big five leagues formed their own federation, would there be another run on conference realignment? Would programs like Boise State, BYU and Cincinnati scramble for new homes so they wouldn't get left behind?

http://espn.go.com/college-football...lege-football-big-five-conferences-split-ncaa

This is a weird one. I don't like the direction this going but don't want UC to be excluded either.

See, this is the issue. If something happens, UC is currently on the outside looking in but definitely deserves to be included with these programs. The idea of 4 super conferences is not going to happen, which is actually a good thing for UC. The hope is that if this happens, the Big 12 feels it needs to increase their membership and UC is a part of that. Thank goodness we have good leadership in place right now at UC.

 

[Robert]

See, this is the issue. If something happens, UC is currently on the outside looking in but definitely deserves to be included with these programs. The idea of 4 super conferences is not going to happen, which is actually a good thing for UC. The hope is that if this happens, the Big 12 feels it needs to increase their membership and UC is a part of that. Thank goodness we have good leadership in place right now at UC.

I really hope UC gets invited to the Big 12 along with UConn. Some people gripe about the travel issues, but it would be almost identical to the travel we face moving forward in the AAC. In the AAC, you're looking at trips to Tulsa, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Orlando, and Tampa.

If the Big 12 expanded with UC and UConn, it would make West Virginia much happier and would put the Big 12 on more equal footing with the ACC and Big 10 in basketball. Put UC and UConn in a basketball-centric division with WVU, Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State. Then you're left with the more football-centric south division consisting of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, and TCU. Play a 16-game basketball schedule (round-robin within division, home-and-home with other division) and an 8-game football schedule (play each division opponent and play the other division opponents every other year) and you have a fantastic football and basketball conference.

I sure hope Mr. Bowlsby is listening. I have a ton of faith in Ono and Babcock to get us out of the AAC in the next 2-3 years.

 

[UCalum08]

I really hope UC gets invited to the Big 12 along with UConn. Some people gripe about the travel issues, but it would be almost identical to the travel we face moving forward in the AAC. In the AAC, you're looking at trips to Tulsa, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Orlando, and Tampa.

If the Big 12 expanded with UC and UConn, it would make West Virginia much happier and would put the Big 12 on more equal footing with the ACC and Big 10 in basketball. Put UC and UConn in a basketball-centric division with WVU, Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State. Then you're left with the more football-centric south division consisting of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, and TCU. Play a 16-game basketball schedule (round-robin within division, home-and-home with other division) and an 8-game football schedule (play each division opponent and play the other division opponents every other year) and you have a fantastic football and basketball conference.

I sure hope Mr. Bowlsby is listening. I have a ton of faith in Ono and Babcock to get us out of the AAC in the next 2-3 years.

I like your reasoning sir. Someone needs to get you behind a desk and in an office calling the shots. Make it happen.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I really hope UC gets invited to the Big 12 along with UConn. Some people gripe about the travel issues, but it would be almost identical to the travel we face moving forward in the AAC. In the AAC, you're looking at trips to Tulsa, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Orlando, and Tampa.

If the Big 12 expanded with UC and UConn, it would make West Virginia much happier and would put the Big 12 on more equal footing with the ACC and Big 10 in basketball. Put UC and UConn in a basketball-centric division with WVU, Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State. Then you're left with the more football-centric south division consisting of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, and TCU. Play a 16-game basketball schedule (round-robin within division, home-and-home with other division) and an 8-game football schedule (play each division opponent and play the other division opponents every other year) and you have a fantastic football and basketball conference.

I sure hope Mr. Bowlsby is listening. I have a ton of faith in Ono and Babcock to get us out of the AAC in the next 2-3 years.

The Big 12 will not expand unless they are forced too. Cincinnati will be in the AAC for the long haul.

The only potential saving grace is if the top schools split from the NCAA. This is how it currently lays out:

PAC has 12
B1G has 14
ACC has 15 (w/ ND included)
B12 has 10
SEC has 14

I think for FB, if each gets to 14 (while ND stays Indy), that would add 6 schools to break away with. The main issue is the lack of viable candidates, especially for the PAC 12.

 

[JasonS]

The Big 12 will not expand unless they are forced too. Cincinnati will be in the AAC for the long haul.

The only potential saving grace is if the top schools split from the NCAA. This is how it currently lays out:

PAC has 12
B1G has 14
ACC has 15 (w/ ND included)
B12 has 10
SEC has 14

I think for FB, if each gets to 14 (while ND stays Indy), that would add 6 schools to break away with. The main issue is the lack of viable candidates, especially for the PAC 12.

The Pac 12 could take Boise and BYU. The reality is, if they split, they are going to want more teams. Where there isn't incentive now to add schools unless it increases the TV package, I see networks lining up for this and therefore you need to have enough games for everyone to enhance profits. Based on this, I could see a few schools getting an invite to the Pac 12 and Big 12. UC would be included in this for sure. Don't be surprised if the ACC moves to 16 teams should this happen. 15 is a nightmare for scheduling purposes. I also think a conference championship would be mandatory to keep things even. Would the new governing body require a minimum of 12 teams for the game? There are a lot of questions but I have a hard time seeing UC left out to be honest.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

The Pac 12 could take Boise and BYU. The reality is, if they split, they are going to want more teams. Where there isn't incentive now to add schools unless it increases the TV package, I see networks lining up for this and therefore you need to have enough games for everyone to enhance profits. Based on this, I could see a few schools getting an invite to the Pac 12 and Big 12. UC would be included in this for sure. Don't be surprised if the ACC moves to 16 teams should this happen. 15 is a nightmare for scheduling purposes. I also think a conference championship would be mandatory to keep things even. Would the new governing body require a minimum of 12 teams for the game? There are a lot of questions but I have a hard time seeing UC left out to be honest.

They will not take Boise State (JUCO like academics) or BYU (strong religious affiliation). SDSU, UNLV and Colorado State would be nice, but they simply aren't ready. The only viable PAC expansion targets are currently in the Big 12. So there appears to be stalemate.

 

[JasonS]

They will not take Boise State (JUCO like academics) or BYU (strong religious affiliation).

Those things don't matter. It's all about the Benjamins.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Those things don't matter. It's all about the Benjamins.

You have no clue about realignment. So I think I will end this conversation here.

 

[Robert]

They will not take Boise State (JUCO like academics) or BYU (strong religious affiliation). SDSU, UNLV and Colorado State would be nice, but they simply aren't ready. The only viable PAC expansion targets are currently in the Big 12. So there appears to be stalemate.

I wouldn't rule BYU out because of their religious affiliation. It's not like they would be the only private school in the conference (Stanford and USC). I've never read or heard anything about the Pac 12 being against the inclusion of sectarian universities. Of course, they already have a strong presence in the Salt Lake City television market with Utah, but BYU has a national fan base, so they could be enticing.

I agree 100% on Boise State. They are awful academically. Louisville to the ACC was a big stretch, but Louisville is still a respectable institution and it was a necessary move. Boise State is awful academically and doesn't add money or a lot of television sets.

The Pac 12 missed out big time by not snatching up Texas A&M before the SEC pounced on them. They put all their eggs into the Texas/Oklahoma basket, which was never likely to happen IMO.

Also, I realize Cincy and UConn don't help the Big 12 financially... just day-dreaming.

 

[Robert]

I should add to my previous post that TCU would have been a logical choice to pair with Texas A&M. That would have done a lot more for the conference than adding Utah and Colorado IMO.

 

[Robert]

I thought you could edit posts? Anyway, it looks sort of silly that I called Boise State "awful academically" twice haha. When I get on a rant, my ability to write goes down the tube.

 

[JasonS]

You have no clue about realignment. So I think I will end this conversation here.

Right, because conference realignment happened because Nebraska is so good academically the Big Ten HAD to have them. You are delusional. This realignment is all about money and if the Big 5 conferences break away it will be because of money too. You can believe any of the bull shit spin you want, but this is about MONEY. End of story. Get a clue.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Right, because conference realignment happened because Nebraska is so good academically the Big Ten HAD to have them. You are delusional. This realignment is all about money and if the Big 5 conferences break away it will be because of money too. You can believe any of the bull shit spin you want, but this is about MONEY. End of story. Get a clue.

Don't listen to NTS, he never has anything productive to say. If it was about academics, UC would be in the ACC and Louisville would be stuck in the AAC. It's all money driven and academics are only a small part of the criteria used. I don't think realignment is finished, but it might be a while before we get our chance to move. The Big 12 is still a possibility, if WV continues to twist their arm. If we can dominate this league in basketball and football and continue to build a brand, we definitely will become more marketable and more appealing. At this point, that all that can be controlled, so we must focus on that.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Right, because conference realignment happened because Nebraska is so good academically the Big Ten HAD to have them. You are delusional. This realignment is all about money and if the Big 5 conferences break away it will be because of money too. You can believe any of the bull shit spin you want, but this is about MONEY. End of story. Get a clue.

The PAC 12 would have taken BYU over Utah but most BYU fans understand that they were not chosen because of their religious affiliation (and everything that it comes with including their demands regarding TV rights). The Big 12 was turned off by it (even when they were desperate to add members) and the PAC 12 was clearly turned off by it. They also cannot play games on Sunday which makes any arrangement other than football only a long shot. The PAC 12 doesn't need them now that they have Utah in the fold.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Don't listen to NTS, he never has anything productive to say. If it was about academics, UC would be in the ACC and Louisville would be stuck in the AAC. It's all money driven and academics are only a small part of the criteria used. I don't think realignment is finished, but it might be a while before we get our chance to move. The Big 12 is still a possibility, if WV continues to twist their arm. If we can dominate this league in basketball and football and continue to build a brand, we definitely will become more marketable and more appealing. At this point, that all that can be controlled, so we must focus on that.

Wrong again buddy. The ACC would have chosen Connecticut if it was about academics. The main problem was the dividing line between the northern schools and the southern schools in the ACC. The southern schools were tired of being outvoted on major issues that favored basketball over football. The northern schools finally realized that adding UConn (who still had some lingering hatred from BC as a result of the lawsuit in 2003), would drive away Clemson and Florida State, so they reluctantly admitted Louisville. UofL was a special case because they were so profitable of an athletic department that it was getting nearly impossible to ignore.