I think realignment talk is almost likes sports version of soap operas when they were in their hay day.

You combine the sport's version of sexy story lines, unfaithfulness and always looking to conquer the competition. A lot of times we know the statements or indvidual views are based on rumor or innuendo, lack facts or are just an individual's speculation. Even after individuals rationally know that, realignment still keeps roping us back in(me included).

The real question of my post is, who will win out in determining realignment and what will it look like.

There are so many factors and many can be argued both ways.
1. Will the networks control it? Is this a ESPN vs FOX, or will the alternative methods blow this things wide open and ESPN and FOX's financial influence be diminished?

2. Does college football want a BALANCED 4 Power league setup with an expanded conference playoffs(with meaningful post season games leading into a CFP(which allows us to do away with the ridiculous POST-SEASON exhibition bowl) , or will it be everyone for themselves with each league trying to acquire as many big brands as possible to maximize revenues, albeit making its existing league members path to the playoffs more difficult. IF the balanced 4 league approach is not taken do we end up with an odd number such as 5 power leagues or even 3 mega power leagues? If the B1G or SEC goes to a huge number such as 24, I can see where they would like to see the current beauty pageant approach to the playoffs so they could still get 2 bids instead of 1.

3. Will the Power Conference college football ever combine and negotiate as one or will it always be every league for themselves?

4. Will academics play a major roll? Will traditional/regional rivalries ever matter as a major factor?

Maybe if we knew these answers we would have better ideas of the final product. I guess its just still fun to speculate with what I think are our sport's version of soap operas.