08-05-2013, 08:32 AM
I continue to think about this situation as it is the Big 12 that is most likely to yield the next round of realignment. Having considered all options here is what I am presently thinking.
1. Unless Oklahoma is one of the teams the SEC would add I don't see the need to add anyone from the Big 12. And if Oklahoma comes to the SEC then West Virginia or Kansas should be the one to come with them.
2. The best course of action in my opinion, outside of an Oklahoma addition to the SEC is to refuse to take any of the Big 12 teams forcing the ACC to take multiples if the conference is to be dissolved.
3. Should Texas need a place to move outside of the PAC the ACC seems to me to be the most likely destination, but they won't want to go alone.
4. Given ESPN's third tier interest in Kansas (a move likely designed to thwart Big 10 expansion Southward into Kansas or deeper into the Big 12 then perhaps Kansas is of interest to the ACC as well.
5. The SEC should refrain from taking Big 12 schools in exchange for a decent pod of 4 moving to the ACC. Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Kansas would do nicely. Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor and West Virginia would be fine as well.
6. The cost of remaining out of the ACC's way should be North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. The ACC loses no footprint and gains a Western Pod even if West Virginia is part of the 4 moving to the ACC (Miami shifts to the West).
7. A move to D4 solves two problems for the ACC. New requirements at the D4 level and its structure require ND's full membership. The new requirements also lead to Wake Forest stepping down. With only two N.Carolina schools balance is achieved in the ACC.
North: Boston College, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse
East: Duke, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia
South: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami
West: Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma (or Oklahoma State), Texas
8. I also don't see any future moves until after the establishment of D4. Then I believe we will see a somewhat more orderly restructuring into 4 somewhat balanced conferences.
ESPN protects the best Big 12 property and solidifies the SEC's new partnership with the ACC.
I listed an option for Oklahoma State's inclusion. A compromise position might be needed for the PAC (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas State, T.C.U./Iowa State).
No matter how this gets done the future enemy of the ACC will be the Big 10, not the SEC. I can see Swofford making a preemptive move here as the ACC did almost two decades ago with the Big East.
1. Unless Oklahoma is one of the teams the SEC would add I don't see the need to add anyone from the Big 12. And if Oklahoma comes to the SEC then West Virginia or Kansas should be the one to come with them.
2. The best course of action in my opinion, outside of an Oklahoma addition to the SEC is to refuse to take any of the Big 12 teams forcing the ACC to take multiples if the conference is to be dissolved.
3. Should Texas need a place to move outside of the PAC the ACC seems to me to be the most likely destination, but they won't want to go alone.
4. Given ESPN's third tier interest in Kansas (a move likely designed to thwart Big 10 expansion Southward into Kansas or deeper into the Big 12 then perhaps Kansas is of interest to the ACC as well.
5. The SEC should refrain from taking Big 12 schools in exchange for a decent pod of 4 moving to the ACC. Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Kansas would do nicely. Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor and West Virginia would be fine as well.
6. The cost of remaining out of the ACC's way should be North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. The ACC loses no footprint and gains a Western Pod even if West Virginia is part of the 4 moving to the ACC (Miami shifts to the West).
7. A move to D4 solves two problems for the ACC. New requirements at the D4 level and its structure require ND's full membership. The new requirements also lead to Wake Forest stepping down. With only two N.Carolina schools balance is achieved in the ACC.
North: Boston College, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse
East: Duke, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia
South: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami
West: Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma (or Oklahoma State), Texas
8. I also don't see any future moves until after the establishment of D4. Then I believe we will see a somewhat more orderly restructuring into 4 somewhat balanced conferences.
ESPN protects the best Big 12 property and solidifies the SEC's new partnership with the ACC.
I listed an option for Oklahoma State's inclusion. A compromise position might be needed for the PAC (Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas State, T.C.U./Iowa State).
No matter how this gets done the future enemy of the ACC will be the Big 10, not the SEC. I can see Swofford making a preemptive move here as the ACC did almost two decades ago with the Big East.