06-19-2011, 11:54 PM
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#2
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Banned
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Re: Predicting and scheduling future conference movement
WHEN: I would think everyone will give this new look a shot and we won't see any movement till 2016 or so. Any arguments?
WHAT: For starters, obviously everything revolves around the Big 12. They are the loosest affiliated group at this point. The Longhorn network and the way money is split up there is going to cause serious resentment which would lead Texas A&M to the SEC. To balance at 14, the SEC would either have to take another Big 12 school (the push last time around was for OU, which would have shifted Bama and Auburn to the SEC East) or poach an ACC or Big East school (most likely Virginia Tech) to go to 14.
The SEC didn't really WANT to expand, but the consensus seemed to be they would do so only to protect the brand and also would only do so in a way that "expands the footprint" (meaning going into new states/markets, meaning Georgia Tech and Florida State would be unlikely candidates.
This would leave Texas with a decision, go to the Pac-12 or try it as an Independent. Users could obviously go either way but if they went to the Pac-12 and took everyone but aTm with them that puts that conference at 15, meaning you'd have to add 1 more. Who would that be? If OU goes to the SEC, that would put both of those conferences at 14 and we're fine.
Also, it should be noted that under this scenario, Notre Dame might freak out and join the Big Ten in a move to protect their other sports. The thought process being that if major realignment happens, the Big East would be very vulnerable and Notre Dame would seek refuge in the Big Ten. Putting that conference at 13 teams. Who would be 14?
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