(03-24-2014 07:41 PM)IR4CU Wrote:  In one of his posts, JR mentions the possibility of the networks dividing up the Big 12 and ACC with UNC/Va Tech going to the SEC, Duke/UVA going to the BIG, ISU/KSU/TT/OSU to the PAC and the Big 12 & ACC reforming as follows:

Pitt, Syracuse, Boston College, Notre Dame
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami
Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas
Louisville, West Virginia, N.C. State, Wake Forest.

I think this is close to a dream scenario for the SEC and BIG (although the BIG would prefer UNC) and I agree that I can see the networks being very happy with this. However, I do not think this would work out well for the schools in the new makeshift conference in general and Clemson in particular.

From a conference perspective, although the pods help to some degree, this conference is clearly a makeshift conference with no geographic cohesion and not much in the way of cultural cohesion. There are certainly some good existing rivalries (UT/OU, FSU/CU, ND/SU) and some good potential new rivalries but as a whole this conference just has too many non-similar schools. Travel distances would not be favorable as the conference would stretch from Miami to Boston and the Atlantic Ocean to Kansas/Texas. The geographic center of this conference is somewhere near Jamestown, TN (northeast corner of TN). Clemson and ND would be the two schools closest to the conference center and for Clemson, the average distance from Clemson to all of the schools would be 530 miles straight line or 645 miles driving distance.

The biggest problem I see from Clemson’s perspective would be recruiting. Being able to regularly play UT, OU, ND, and WVU would certainly help from a recruiting standpoint but I think this would be far outweighed by now having to compete for NC and VA players with instate SEC schools (UNC and Va Tech). Granted, VA is not a big recruiting ground for Clemson but we do pull some decent talent out of that state from time to time. North Carolina on the other hand is one of Clemson’s prime recruiting grounds. Clemson already has to compete against the SEC in it’s other primary recruiting areas of SC, GA, and FL. It is nice and advantageous not to have to recruit against an in state SEC school in NC and VA. While Clemson does a decent job of recruiting against SEC schools in GA, FL, & SC we have lost several prime targets to SEC schools in the past several years simply because the kid wants to play in the SEC (and I certainly understand their motivation). It becomes harder and harder to recruit against the SEC every year and having UNC and Va Tech in the SEC would only make this worse for Clemson. From a recruiting standpoint, I fear any conference scenario that has an SEC school in the states of NC and VA without Clemson also being in the SEC. By the way, I believe that if Clemson ever became part of the SEC, they would become a recruiting monster.

The best hope for Clemson to the SEC would be a Big 10 and SEC partition of the ACC with each taking 6 schools. Then the Big 12 losing the requisite 8 to the PAC would move us to a 3 x 20 model. It's just that such a scenario would require the Big 10 warming up big time to ESPN and signing a long duration T1 deal, and the PACN selling interest to ESPN or both ESPN and FOX. It really is the only way to wind up with balance between conferences. The problem with the 4 conference model is there is always a slightly weaker conference. If the Big 12 is parsed then there is a significantly weaker conference (ACC or PAC) at the end depending upon where Texas and Oklahoma are placed. If the ACC is partitioned in a four conference scenario the best alignment for balance is unfortunately the one that you cited. I just wish you guys had said yes back in 1991 because you definitely fit the SEC to a T. Plus I could see taking a week off to stay at Myrtle Beach either prior or after an away game at Clemson.

(03-24-2014 08:02 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(03-24-2014 07:41 PM)IR4CU Wrote:  In one of his posts, JR mentions the possibility of the networks dividing up the Big 12 and ACC with UNC/Va Tech going to the SEC, Duke/UVA going to the BIG, ISU/KSU/TT/OSU to the PAC and the Big 12 & ACC reforming as follows:

Pitt, Syracuse, Boston College, Notre Dame
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami
Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas
Louisville, West Virginia, N.C. State, Wake Forest.

I think this is close to a dream scenario for the SEC and BIG (although the BIG would prefer UNC) and I agree that I can see the networks being very happy with this. However, I do not think this would work out well for the schools in the new makeshift conference in general and Clemson in particular.

From a conference perspective, although the pods help to some degree, this conference is clearly a makeshift conference with no geographic cohesion and not much in the way of cultural cohesion. There are certainly some good existing rivalries (UT/OU, FSU/CU, ND/SU) and some good potential new rivalries but as a whole this conference just has too many non-similar schools. Travel distances would not be favorable as the conference would stretch from Miami to Boston and the Atlantic Ocean to Kansas/Texas. The geographic center of this conference is somewhere near Jamestown, TN (northeast corner of TN). Clemson and ND would be the two schools closest to the conference center and for Clemson, the average distance from Clemson to all of the schools would be 530 miles straight line or 645 miles driving distance.

The biggest problem I see from Clemson’s perspective would be recruiting. Being able to regularly play UT, OU, ND, and WVU would certainly help from a recruiting standpoint but I think this would be far outweighed by now having to compete for NC and VA players with instate SEC schools (UNC and Va Tech). Granted, VA is not a big recruiting ground for Clemson but we do pull some decent talent out of that state from time to time. North Carolina on the other hand is one of Clemson’s prime recruiting grounds. Clemson already has to compete against the SEC in it’s other primary recruiting areas of SC, GA, and FL. It is nice and advantageous not to have to recruit against an in state SEC school in NC and VA. While Clemson does a decent job of recruiting against SEC schools in GA, FL, & SC we have lost several prime targets to SEC schools in the past several years simply because the kid wants to play in the SEC (and I certainly understand their motivation). It becomes harder and harder to recruit against the SEC every year and having UNC and Va Tech in the SEC would only make this worse for Clemson. From a recruiting standpoint, I fear any conference scenario that has an SEC school in the states of NC and VA without Clemson also being in the SEC. By the way, I believe that if Clemson ever became part of the SEC, they would become a recruiting monster.

The best hope for Clemson to the SEC would be a Big 10 and SEC partition of the ACC with each taking 6 schools. Then the Big 12 losing the requisite 8 to the PAC would move us to a 3 x 20 model. It's just that such a scenario would require the Big 10 warming up big time to ESPN and signing a long duration T1 deal, and the PACN selling interest to ESPN or both ESPN and FOX. It really is the only way to wind up with balance between conferences. The problem with the 4 conference model is there is always a slightly weaker conference. If the Big 12 is parsed then there is a significantly weaker conference (ACC or PAC) at the end depending upon where Texas and Oklahoma are placed. If the ACC is partitioned in a four conference scenario the best alignment for balance is unfortunately the one that you cited. I just wish you guys had said yes back in 1991 because you definitely fit the SEC to a T. Plus I could see taking a week off to stay at Myrtle Beach either prior or after an away game at Clemson.

JR it's a long way from Clemson to Myrtle Beach.

Surprise of the year... the ECU army has not pointed out their proximity to Myrtle Beach yet. That will make item #1,342 that proves ECU is ready for that SEC invite.

(03-25-2014 07:23 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-24-2014 08:02 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(03-24-2014 07:41 PM)IR4CU Wrote:  In one of his posts, JR mentions the possibility of the networks dividing up the Big 12 and ACC with UNC/Va Tech going to the SEC, Duke/UVA going to the BIG, ISU/KSU/TT/OSU to the PAC and the Big 12 & ACC reforming as follows:

Pitt, Syracuse, Boston College, Notre Dame
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami
Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas
Louisville, West Virginia, N.C. State, Wake Forest.

I think this is close to a dream scenario for the SEC and BIG (although the BIG would prefer UNC) and I agree that I can see the networks being very happy with this. However, I do not think this would work out well for the schools in the new makeshift conference in general and Clemson in particular.

From a conference perspective, although the pods help to some degree, this conference is clearly a makeshift conference with no geographic cohesion and not much in the way of cultural cohesion. There are certainly some good existing rivalries (UT/OU, FSU/CU, ND/SU) and some good potential new rivalries but as a whole this conference just has too many non-similar schools. Travel distances would not be favorable as the conference would stretch from Miami to Boston and the Atlantic Ocean to Kansas/Texas. The geographic center of this conference is somewhere near Jamestown, TN (northeast corner of TN). Clemson and ND would be the two schools closest to the conference center and for Clemson, the average distance from Clemson to all of the schools would be 530 miles straight line or 645 miles driving distance.

The biggest problem I see from Clemson’s perspective would be recruiting. Being able to regularly play UT, OU, ND, and WVU would certainly help from a recruiting standpoint but I think this would be far outweighed by now having to compete for NC and VA players with instate SEC schools (UNC and Va Tech). Granted, VA is not a big recruiting ground for Clemson but we do pull some decent talent out of that state from time to time. North Carolina on the other hand is one of Clemson’s prime recruiting grounds. Clemson already has to compete against the SEC in it’s other primary recruiting areas of SC, GA, and FL. It is nice and advantageous not to have to recruit against an in state SEC school in NC and VA. While Clemson does a decent job of recruiting against SEC schools in GA, FL, & SC we have lost several prime targets to SEC schools in the past several years simply because the kid wants to play in the SEC (and I certainly understand their motivation). It becomes harder and harder to recruit against the SEC every year and having UNC and Va Tech in the SEC would only make this worse for Clemson. From a recruiting standpoint, I fear any conference scenario that has an SEC school in the states of NC and VA without Clemson also being in the SEC. By the way, I believe that if Clemson ever became part of the SEC, they would become a recruiting monster.

The best hope for Clemson to the SEC would be a Big 10 and SEC partition of the ACC with each taking 6 schools. Then the Big 12 losing the requisite 8 to the PAC would move us to a 3 x 20 model. It's just that such a scenario would require the Big 10 warming up big time to ESPN and signing a long duration T1 deal, and the PACN selling interest to ESPN or both ESPN and FOX. It really is the only way to wind up with balance between conferences. The problem with the 4 conference model is there is always a slightly weaker conference. If the Big 12 is parsed then there is a significantly weaker conference (ACC or PAC) at the end depending upon where Texas and Oklahoma are placed. If the ACC is partitioned in a four conference scenario the best alignment for balance is unfortunately the one that you cited. I just wish you guys had said yes back in 1991 because you definitely fit the SEC to a T. Plus I could see taking a week off to stay at Myrtle Beach either prior or after an away game at Clemson.

JR it's a long way from Clemson to Myrtle Beach.

It's a heckuva lot closer than it is from Alabama and I did say I would make it a week long vacation. Plus we have close personal friends that live there. I love eating at the Parson's Table and compared to what I had to travel while in my working years its a day trip really and my wife loves it. Clemson would just be another excuse. When we had 12 schools in the SEC somebody asked me which 4 I would add. I said Wyoming for the peace and quiet, Nevada Las Vegas for the wild side, Central Florida for the grandkids, and Hawaii for my wife. Then the SEC schedule would be a retiree's favorite conference.

(03-25-2014 08:26 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  Surprise of the year... the ECU army has not pointed out their proximity to Myrtle Beach yet. That will make item #1,342 that proves ECU is ready for that SEC invite.

Thanks BBB. I hadn't really considered the Pirates' proximity to one of my favorite places very much but that would be the best reason to do so. The fact that the ECU guys have not thought about it is mark against them.

With a nod to indulging the latest rumor what if there were only 2 conferences: Conference FOX and Conference ESPN? And what if both were represented by 32 to 36 schools each? The interesting part would be that by having 6 divisions each of 6 teams the regional flavor of the conferences would be enhanced, not hurt. Even if it were 4 divisions of 8 the same would be true. It is something to think about should change occur.

Hope it is true. It would be a giant step forward compared to the baby steps that have been going on for the last couple decades. Get this realignment stuff done (or mostly done since eventually I think there will be just 1 large association).

JRSEC, think you were right that ESPN might be driving this bus the main realignment board, if this rumor has any legs. They could let UMD go for nothing, get out of a court case that is looking like it might become messy and expose them to litigation, and consolidate all the most valuable B12 and ACC properties under the SEC banner. It would leave the B1G/PAC/FOX with little of value for future expansion (sign they are not planning to win B1G T1 bid). If true, I guess I nailed it the other day when I said it makes sense for ESPN to move soon on consolidation while it has the most power it is likely to have to influence things.

(03-27-2014 12:40 PM)JRsec Wrote:  With a nod to indulging the latest rumor what if there were only 2 conferences: Conference FOX and Conference ESPN? And what if both were represented by 32 to 36 schools each? The interesting part would be that by having 6 divisions each of 6 teams the regional flavor of the conferences would be enhanced, not hurt. Even if it were 4 divisions of 8 the same would be true. It is something to think about should change occur.

Pods don't get me too excited, but three sub-conferences with 11 teams each just might trip my trigger!
IIRC the original post that brought this up did say the impetus for this was Mizzou going to the B1G.

ACC
WVU
Va. Tech
UVa
Carolina
Wake Forest
NC State
Dook
Clemson
'lil carolina
Ga. Tech
Miami

SEC
Florida State
Florida
Georgia
KY.
Louisville
Tenn.
Vandy
Alabama
Auburn
Ole Miss
Miss. State

SWC
LSU
Arkansas
Kansas
Kansas St.
Oklahoma
Okie State
Texas
A&M
TCU
Baylor
Texas Tech

The PAC would remain at 12, the other two sub-conferences of the B1G would be broken down with 10 teams each. If they insisted on having 11 too, the B1G could add UConn to the east and Cincinnati to the central.
If you will notice the championship series is already set up for 6. BTW, I have Notre Dame joining the B1G in this scenario as a full time member.

(03-28-2014 07:49 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 12:40 PM)JRsec Wrote:  With a nod to indulging the latest rumor what if there were only 2 conferences: Conference FOX and Conference ESPN? And what if both were represented by 32 to 36 schools each? The interesting part would be that by having 6 divisions each of 6 teams the regional flavor of the conferences would be enhanced, not hurt. Even if it were 4 divisions of 8 the same would be true. It is something to think about should change occur.

Pods don't get me too excited, but three sub-conferences with 11 teams each just might trip my trigger!
IIRC the original post that brought this up did say the impetus for this was Mizzou going to the B1G.

ACC
WVU
Va. Tech
UVa
Carolina
Wake Forest
NC State
Dook
Clemson
'lil carolina
Ga. Tech
Miami

SEC
Florida State
Florida
Georgia
KY.
Louisville
Tenn.
Vandy
Alabama
Auburn
Ole Miss
Miss. State

SWC
LSU
Arkansas
Kansas
Kansas St.
Oklahoma
Okie State
Texas
A&M
TCU
Baylor
Texas Tech

The PAC would remain at 12, the other two sub-conferences of the B1G would be broken down with 10 teams each. If they insisted on haveing 11 too, the B1G could add UConn to the east and Cincinnati to the central.
If you will notice the championship series is already set up for 6. BTW, I have Notre Dame joining the B1G in this scenario as a full time member.

XLance, I think such a move would be preemptive and reactive. It would be reactive to the foot dragging of the NCAA and to the threats of Unions. Consolidating all power into two (essentially) leagues would lend for the kind of consensus and lobbying power that will be necessary to handle these kinds of future threats to the game and much more efficient than trying to bring a consensus out of 5 regionally biased conferences. It will be preemptive in dealing with future economic concerns as well both for the networks and the conferences. For the networks it limits their overhead to just the BTN and SECN and for the conferences it would eliminate 3 sets of offices, some of their employees, and 3 commissioners thereby increasing the pie to be divided by the 32-36 remaining schools by 3 full shares. And it will keep 100% of the playoff money for conference championships in house while helping to hold the interest of 3 regions during the series of games. And it would guarantee a 50/50 split annually of the championship game all while increasing the bowl contracts.

So if something like this comes about I don't look for anyone to leave the SEC. It would be more likely that present SEC, the 11 Southern ACC schools, and the 6 Texas and Oklahoma schools would become the base 32 teams of a 36 school conference. If Kansas and Kansas State come along then I would look for Tulane and Rice to round it out unless the union bug bites them in which case we would also likely lose Wake and T.C.U. and stick to just 32 teams.

(03-28-2014 07:49 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 12:40 PM)JRsec Wrote:  With a nod to indulging the latest rumor what if there were only 2 conferences: Conference FOX and Conference ESPN? And what if both were represented by 32 to 36 schools each? The interesting part would be that by having 6 divisions each of 6 teams the regional flavor of the conferences would be enhanced, not hurt. Even if it were 4 divisions of 8 the same would be true. It is something to think about should change occur.

Pods don't get me too excited, but three sub-conferences with 11 teams each just might trip my trigger!
IIRC the original post that brought this up did say the impetus for this was Mizzou going to the B1G.

ACC
WVU
Va. Tech
UVa
Carolina
Wake Forest
NC State
Dook
Clemson
'lil carolina
Ga. Tech
Miami

SEC
Florida State
Florida
Georgia
KY.
Louisville
Tenn.
Vandy
Alabama
Auburn
Ole Miss
Miss. State

SWC
LSU
Arkansas
Kansas
Kansas St.
Oklahoma
Okie State
Texas
A&M
TCU
Baylor
Texas Tech

The PAC would remain at 12, the other two sub-conferences of the B1G would be broken down with 10 teams each. If they insisted on haveing 11 too, the B1G could add UConn to the east and Cincinnati to the central.
If you will notice the championship series is already set up for 6. BTW, I have Notre Dame joining the B1G in this scenario as a full time member.

Swap Clemson and South Carolina with Louisville and Vanderbilt and you have my vote!

(03-28-2014 11:42 AM)IR4CU Wrote:  

(03-28-2014 07:49 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 12:40 PM)JRsec Wrote:  With a nod to indulging the latest rumor what if there were only 2 conferences: Conference FOX and Conference ESPN? And what if both were represented by 32 to 36 schools each? The interesting part would be that by having 6 divisions each of 6 teams the regional flavor of the conferences would be enhanced, not hurt. Even if it were 4 divisions of 8 the same would be true. It is something to think about should change occur.

Pods don't get me too excited, but three sub-conferences with 11 teams each just might trip my trigger!
IIRC the original post that brought this up did say the impetus for this was Mizzou going to the B1G.

ACC
WVU
Va. Tech
UVa
Carolina
Wake Forest
NC State
Dook
Clemson
'lil carolina
Ga. Tech
Miami

SEC
Florida State
Florida
Georgia
KY.
Louisville
Tenn.
Vandy
Alabama
Auburn
Ole Miss
Miss. State

SWC
LSU
Arkansas
Kansas
Kansas St.
Oklahoma
Okie State
Texas
A&M
TCU
Baylor
Texas Tech

The PAC would remain at 12, the other two sub-conferences of the B1G would be broken down with 10 teams each. If they insisted on haveing 11 too, the B1G could add UConn to the east and Cincinnati to the central.
If you will notice the championship series is already set up for 6. BTW, I have Notre Dame joining the B1G in this scenario as a full time member.

Swap Clemson and South Carolina with Louisville and Vanderbilt and you have my vote!

Nice try, but...........

(03-28-2014 09:34 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-28-2014 11:42 AM)IR4CU Wrote:  

(03-28-2014 07:49 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 12:40 PM)JRsec Wrote:  With a nod to indulging the latest rumor what if there were only 2 conferences: Conference FOX and Conference ESPN? And what if both were represented by 32 to 36 schools each? The interesting part would be that by having 6 divisions each of 6 teams the regional flavor of the conferences would be enhanced, not hurt. Even if it were 4 divisions of 8 the same would be true. It is something to think about should change occur.

Pods don't get me too excited, but three sub-conferences with 11 teams each just might trip my trigger!
IIRC the original post that brought this up did say the impetus for this was Mizzou going to the B1G.

ACC
WVU
Va. Tech
UVa
Carolina
Wake Forest
NC State
Dook
Clemson
'lil carolina
Ga. Tech
Miami

SEC
Florida State
Florida
Georgia
KY.
Louisville
Tenn.
Vandy
Alabama
Auburn
Ole Miss
Miss. State

SWC
LSU
Arkansas
Kansas
Kansas St.
Oklahoma
Okie State
Texas
A&M
TCU
Baylor
Texas Tech

The PAC would remain at 12, the other two sub-conferences of the B1G would be broken down with 10 teams each. If they insisted on haveing 11 too, the B1G could add UConn to the east and Cincinnati to the central.
If you will notice the championship series is already set up for 6. BTW, I have Notre Dame joining the B1G in this scenario as a full time member.

Swap Clemson and South Carolina with Louisville and Vanderbilt and you have my vote!

Nice try, but...........

"IIRC the original post that brought this up did say the impetus for this was Mizzou going to the B1G."

Uh...No. Not even for a full share. which I am reasonably sure they would not be offered anyway

Lets say that the SEC and ACC did merge and that parts of the Big 12 came on board as well. How might such a conference look and function. I think 32 schools more likely than 36 so let's start there.

First I think the ability to organize regionally would be great enhanced so lets talk in terms of 4 eight team divisions:

Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest

Boston College, Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsuburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Arkansas, Louisiana State, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M

Seven games of each annual schedule are set. You rotate 1 each year from each of the other 3 divisions and have 1 permanent rival from one of the other divisions. The 12th game is against the Big 10/PAC Conference. And the 7th home game is the preseason game played 2 weeks before the official opening of the season against a nearby lower FBS or FCS program.

At 36 the structure becomes 6 six team divisions and might look like this:

Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest

Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Arkansas, Baylor, Louisiana State, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M

Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

In this setup there would be 5 annual divisional games and you would rotate 1 school from each of the other 5 divisions annually for 10 games. You would have 1 permanent rival from another division and schedule 1 game against the Big 10/PAC conference plus the preseason game played against a nearby lower FBS or FCS school two weeks prior to the open of the season.

In the 32 school 4 division of 8 setup each of the divisional champions would meet for a 4 team conference playoff for the championship.

In the 36 school 6 division of 6 setup each of the divisional champions and the two schools with the best remaining record would be seeded for an 8 team conference championship playoff.

The regional setups in either scenario would greatly enhance the ability of the fan base to travel, especially to minor sports. It curtails overhead and enhances regional rivalries which can only spur interest. Having the playoffs mostly internal to two large conferences would allow those conferences to keep 100% of the playoff revenue and split the national championship game money. That's a win win for both.

Baseball could be handled by expanding Omaha to 12 teams total 6 in each bracket for the World Series double elimination if we have two 36 team conferences or keep it at 8 if we have two 32 team conferences.

For basketball you could have a total conference tournament with all 36 teams seeded and then have a best of 3 or 5 series between the Big 10/PAC champion and the SEC/ACC champion. If it is a series it could have 1 campus game each with the third played at a neutral predetermined site, and if 5 games 2 home games each with the final at the neutral site. Yes I know this is different but it is really like having 2 NIT's followed by the NBA championship only both conferences keep 100% of the revenue from their conference tournaments which also could be held at 4 regional to the conference sites with their own final four played at a predetermined neutral site. Then the two conferences split the championship series money 50/50.

By moving to this kind of format the 64 or 72 teams split everything all the time. Football earns more, basketball earns a lot more, and baseball becomes more profitable. As for minor sports they are all contested in nearby venues until the conference championship round of play so a much greater number of fans would be able to affordably follow those sports. That only has an upside as well.

Think about it.

BTW after looking at them the 36 team conference is super tight on the regional breakdowns and that's very enticing.

Also, consider the Networks comfort with this setup. By keeping the divisions regionally tight then headed into the playoffs each region of the country is involved.

(04-02-2014 10:06 AM)JRsec Wrote:  Lets say that the SEC and ACC did merge and that parts of the Big 12 came on board as well. How might such a conference look and function. I think 32 schools more likely than 36 so let's start there.

First I think the ability to organize regionally would be great enhanced so lets talk in terms of 4 eight team divisions:

Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest

Boston College, Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsuburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Arkansas, Louisiana State, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M

Seven games of each annual schedule are set. You rotate 1 each year from each of the other 3 divisions and have 1 permanent rival from one of the other divisions. The 12th game is against the Big 10/PAC Conference. And the 7th home game is the preseason game played 2 weeks before the official opening of the season against a nearby lower FBS or FCS program.

At 36 the structure becomes 6 six team divisions and might look like this:

Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest

Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Arkansas, Baylor, Louisiana State, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M

Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

In this setup there would be 5 annual divisional games and you would rotate 1 school from each of the other 5 divisions annually for 10 games. You would have 1 permanent rival from another division and schedule 1 game against the Big 10/PAC conference plus the preseason game played against a nearby lower FBS or FCS school two weeks prior to the open of the season.

In the 32 school 4 division of 8 setup each of the divisional champions would meet for a 4 team conference playoff for the championship.

In the 36 school 6 division of 6 setup each of the divisional champions and the two schools with the best remaining record would be seeded for an 8 team conference championship playoff.

The regional setups in either scenario would greatly enhance the ability of the fan base to travel, especially to minor sports. It curtails overhead and enhances regional rivalries which can only spur interest. Having the playoffs mostly internal to two large conferences would allow those conferences to keep 100% of the playoff revenue and split the national championship game money. That's a win win for both.

Baseball could be handled by expanding Omaha to 12 teams total 6 in each bracket for the World Series double elimination if we have two 36 team conferences or keep it at 8 if we have two 32 team conferences.

For basketball you could have a total conference tournament with all 36 teams seeded and then have a best of 3 or 5 series between the Big 10/PAC champion and the SEC/ACC champion. If it is a series it could have 1 campus game each with the third played at a neutral predetermined site, and if 5 games 2 home games each with the final at the neutral site. Yes I know this is different but it is really like having 2 NIT's followed by the NBA championship only both conferences keep 100% of the revenue from their conference tournaments which also could be held at 4 regional to the conference sites with their own final four played at a predetermined neutral site. Then the two conferences split the championship series money 50/50.

By moving to this kind of format the 64 or 72 teams split everything all the time. Football earns more, basketball earns a lot more, and baseball becomes more profitable. As for minor sports they are all contested in nearby venues until the conference championship round of play so a much greater number of fans would be able to affordably follow those sports. That only has an upside as well.

Think about it.

BTW after looking at them the 36 team conference is super tight on the regional breakdowns and that's very enticing.

Also, consider the Networks comfort with this setup. By keeping the divisions regionally tight then headed into the playoffs each region of the country is involved.

I really like this 36 team conference and regional set up from a Clemson perspective. Getting to play Georgia every year is ideal. I would hate to lose the annual FSU game but getting Tennessee annually would help. As for Clemson's permanent rival, I would love for that to be either FSU, Auburn, A&M, or Va Tech but would be happy to take almost anyone of the other schools in exchange for this 36 team setup (my least preferred teams would be BC, WFU, and Duke).

(04-03-2014 09:30 AM)IR4CU Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 10:06 AM)JRsec Wrote:  Lets say that the SEC and ACC did merge and that parts of the Big 12 came on board as well. How might such a conference look and function. I think 32 schools more likely than 36 so let's start there.

First I think the ability to organize regionally would be great enhanced so lets talk in terms of 4 eight team divisions:

Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest

Boston College, Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsuburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Arkansas, Louisiana State, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M

Seven games of each annual schedule are set. You rotate 1 each year from each of the other 3 divisions and have 1 permanent rival from one of the other divisions. The 12th game is against the Big 10/PAC Conference. And the 7th home game is the preseason game played 2 weeks before the official opening of the season against a nearby lower FBS or FCS program.

At 36 the structure becomes 6 six team divisions and might look like this:

Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia

Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest

Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Mississippi, Mississippi State

Arkansas, Baylor, Louisiana State, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M

Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

In this setup there would be 5 annual divisional games and you would rotate 1 school from each of the other 5 divisions annually for 10 games. You would have 1 permanent rival from another division and schedule 1 game against the Big 10/PAC conference plus the preseason game played against a nearby lower FBS or FCS school two weeks prior to the open of the season.

In the 32 school 4 division of 8 setup each of the divisional champions would meet for a 4 team conference playoff for the championship.

In the 36 school 6 division of 6 setup each of the divisional champions and the two schools with the best remaining record would be seeded for an 8 team conference championship playoff.

The regional setups in either scenario would greatly enhance the ability of the fan base to travel, especially to minor sports. It curtails overhead and enhances regional rivalries which can only spur interest. Having the playoffs mostly internal to two large conferences would allow those conferences to keep 100% of the playoff revenue and split the national championship game money. That's a win win for both.

Baseball could be handled by expanding Omaha to 12 teams total 6 in each bracket for the World Series double elimination if we have two 36 team conferences or keep it at 8 if we have two 32 team conferences.

For basketball you could have a total conference tournament with all 36 teams seeded and then have a best of 3 or 5 series between the Big 10/PAC champion and the SEC/ACC champion. If it is a series it could have 1 campus game each with the third played at a neutral predetermined site, and if 5 games 2 home games each with the final at the neutral site. Yes I know this is different but it is really like having 2 NIT's followed by the NBA championship only both conferences keep 100% of the revenue from their conference tournaments which also could be held at 4 regional to the conference sites with their own final four played at a predetermined neutral site. Then the two conferences split the championship series money 50/50.

By moving to this kind of format the 64 or 72 teams split everything all the time. Football earns more, basketball earns a lot more, and baseball becomes more profitable. As for minor sports they are all contested in nearby venues until the conference championship round of play so a much greater number of fans would be able to affordably follow those sports. That only has an upside as well.

Think about it.

BTW after looking at them the 36 team conference is super tight on the regional breakdowns and that's very enticing.

Also, consider the Networks comfort with this setup. By keeping the divisions regionally tight then headed into the playoffs each region of the country is involved.

I really like this 36 team conference and regional set up from a Clemson perspective. Getting to play Georgia every year is ideal. I would hate to lose the annual FSU game but getting Tennessee annually would help. As for Clemson's permanent rival, I would love for that to be either FSU, Auburn, A&M, or Va Tech but would be happy to take almost anyone of the other schools in exchange for this 36 team setup (my least preferred teams would be BC, WFU, and Duke).

I rather like the 36 team set too. Where the divisions were predominantly football schools I liked the way the breakdown yielded about 4 strong schools per six in each division. That's a good core of games for determining a divisional champion. While the football is weaker in the basketball first divisions the competition level for hoops is much tougher in those divisions so it balances in a strange kind of way.