Because it is hard to guess where schools might move (since all the prime candidates have several suitors) I will list problems I see for each conference currently and how they can solve them with the right expansion or moves. If their expansion (or lack of expansion) does not address the problem then obviously it will continue to be a problem most likely. Feel free to add more major or minor problems or argue against any of these. These are off the top of my head to help get discussion started. I probably forgot a few problems.
SEC - Very strong. Really no pressing problems.They have the most flexibility of all the conferences in who they add IMO.
1)
Weak BB overall. SEC is very competitive in all sports except BB. UK and UF mask this a bit because they have won quite a few titles the last decade or so, but the SEC really could use another 1-2 top BB schools to help elevate the quality of play overall and also provide more interesting BB match-ups for the SECN and national TV. Fix: Add UNC, Duke, or Kansas.
2)
Scheduling issues with 14 schools. Fix: Expand to 16, or even 20, and go to pod scheduling.
B1G - Very strong. FB needs help.
1)
Lacks a major FB recruiting hotbed in their footprint (CA, TX or GA/FL) which has resulted in underwhelming results on the field the last decade. Fix: Add Texas, FSU, GT and/or Miami. OU would help some in the DFW area somewhat.
2)
Scheduling issues with 14 schools. Fix: Expand to 16, or even 20, and go to pod scheduling.
PAC
1)
PST/MST is hurting their ratings and exposure to Americans in the CST/EST. Fix: Add B12 schools in the CST or even consider an EST pod if the ACC falls apart.
2)
Lack suitable expansion candidates outside of the B12. Fix: Do what it takes to land Texas and OU. If it means working out a deal on the LHN then do it. If it means taking some B12 little brothers to get the big fish then do it. If it means going past 16 then do it.
3)
PACN carriage. Fix: If it struggles to get carriage long term then add FOX or ESPN as a partner.
ACC
1)
Too many lower value schools and duplicate markets. Fix: Let NC State and VT (SEC) or VA (B1G) leave if they want. If the B1G wants any of Pitt, BC, or Syracuse let them go as well. This opens up more room to add schools from the B12 with new markets and greater value.
2)
Poor TV contract and no network. The contract they have with ESPN is killing their value, plus ESPN already sold off most of the less valuable games to regional networks which means they lack content to start up an ACC network. Fix: Go large (18-20 schools) with Texas and it's B12 friends. Provides content for an ACC network and would reopen the ESPN contract for renegotiation. LHN could become the ACCN.
3)
Poor football outside of FSU and Clemson. The ACC recruits well enough. Talent is not the issue for the most part. Getting results with that talent is. Fix:
Spend more on coaches to attract better coaches. Upgrade facilities. Add Texas and/or OU.
4)
Scheduling issues with 14 schools. Fix: Expand to 16, or even 20, and go to pod scheduling.
B12
1)
Lacks population footprint. Fix: Add schools with value from states with large populations (CA, FL, OH, etc.) in states where the B12 has no current presence.
2)
Texas and OU, and to a smaller extent Kansas, are most of the value and hold the conference together. Texas itself might be 40-50% of the value of the conference. Fix: Hard to do, but add schools like FSU, VT and Clemson who can grab national interest. Failing that continue to keep UT and OU happy (good luck doing that long term).
3)
B12 TV model. The big 3 make competitive (or better) money to conferences with networks, but the other schools will struggle to keep up. Lacking a conference network hurts building the B12 brand and exposure nationwide. Fix: Difficult. LHN deal runs 20 years and all the schools have sold their T3 to someone. Maybe roll the LHN into an ESPN B12 conference network. Unlikely UT would go for that even though they have been losing exposure by showing 2-3 FB games on the LHN each year.
4)
Lack of CCG/round robin. The 9 game round robin results in more losses than conferences with divisions. This will hurt getting schools into the playoff. Going to divisions with 12 or more schools would allow a CCG for a little more money. Fix: Add 2 schools to get to 12. Problem is no available schools are worth adding based on current value, outside of maybe BYU, even with the extra value of a CCG. They would have to add 2 project schools similar to TCU.
5.
Lacks suitable expansion candidates. Fix: Out of it's hands mostly. Expand with G5 project schools, or work with G5 schools to get to P5 standards in a decade, or hope the ACC is mortally wounded by the B1G/SEC and they can pick up some valuable pieces later.