(02-28-2012 09:45 AM)HP-TBDPITL Wrote:  

(02-28-2012 09:39 AM)NoQuarter08 Wrote:  Ballard has said on multiple occasions that they expand to 18 by May and then evaluate the VALUE in expanding further. Key word is value. That's what makes me believe we don't go to 24.

I hope that doesn't happen.

You must have missed his interview on Pirate Radio where he casually said that the new conference would be "at least" 24 members. He wasnt questioned about that comment, but he did use the term "at least". He also added the value comment, which I believe he meant in terms of the 1)school, 2)market, 3)rival, and 4)athletic program.

If that's the case he definatly contradicted a very specific statement on "exploring the value beyond 18" in a previous interview. I'm sorry but 24 is a horrible idea IMO. That makes it that much harder to get into an future FBS playoff if conference champions get bids. It also splits the pie too many ways and nearly gurantees a 12 / 12 split later on down the road. Pretty tough to get 16 members on the same page, 24 would be a nightmare.

Literally every time I've heard the number 24 in interviews it is preceeded by words / phrases like "possibly will expand to", "could go to", "might even go to" or something like that.

I know what I heard and it's apparent that they aren't sure what they're going to do other than 18 is a guarantee.