RE: Do we ever see 4x16?
We had our chance at 6 x 12:
Pac 12 - stays as is
Big 10 - stays at 12 (no Rutgers or Maryland)
ACC - reverts to 12 (keeps Maryland, no Louisville, Pittsburgh, or Syracuse)
SEC - reverts to 12 (no Missouri or Texas A&M)
Here's where it gets messy:
With Nebraska and Colorado the only departures from the Big 12, this would have made adding TCU and West Virginia that much more questionable. The Big 12 still would be able to offer more money than the Big East, but would not be in such desperation to rapidly expand the footprint. My guess is that Louisville and Cincinnati get to head to the Big 12 North with Missouri, Iowa State, Kansas, and Kansas State. Texas A&M reluctantly presses on in the Big 12 South.
With Louisville and Cincinnati gone from the Big East, but Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Syracuse, and TCU staying, the Big East holds the last golden tickets, but still has to worry about satisfying the non-football half of the conference. A large part of it may depend if Notre Dame would be required to join a conference or not in a 6 x 12 alignment. Central Florida and Houston both get added to push the Big East to a 9/17 alignment, or 10/17 if Notre Dame is a football member. Brigham Young and Boise State all get added for football only, with perhaps another school like San Diego State getting an offer to join for football if Notre Dame is allowed to remain a football independent.
Big East National - Boise State*, South Florida, TCU, Rutgers, West Virginia, San Diego State*
Big East American - BYU*, Central Florida, Houston, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Syracuse
MWC West - Hawaii*, UNLV, San Jose State, Nevada, Idaho, Fresno State
MWC Mountain - NMSU, New Mexico, Colorado State, Air Force, Wyoming, Utah State
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