Is the P3 out?
We batted around the idea of the P3 a while back although it involved the disintegration of both the ACC and the Big 12. Well, now the ACC is stable.
The question I have is, is there a way we could still end up with a P3?
Benefits being 1) the leagues could still be larger and incorporate their own semi-finals without having to add any G5s 2) and all the Power champs could still make the playoff with the added intrigue of a wildcard.
There seems to be some level of weakness in the PAC and their GOR will expire around the time the Big 12's does. Unless the PAC sells their network, is it possible they could be ripe for invasion?
Would the networks use this opportunity to create multi-regional leagues?
I was intrigued a while back when it was suggested UCLA should join the Big 12. Now, that was relatively absurd as no current P5 should be thinking about joining the Big 12. The question remains...would anyone from the PAC actually entertain joining a new league that was a bit stronger overall?
Weaknesses of the PAC:
1. Their time zone issues limit exposure.
2. Their relative lack of fan passion limits distribution of their network.
3. Their lack of recruiting bases outside of CA limits exposure to talent.
4. Their lack of appealing expansion options outside of a Big 12 members.
5. While the PAC is a collection of fine national universities, their exposure to other regions' students is also limited.
What if the networks look at the PAC as an opportunity to create multi-regional leagues as is done with professional leagues? Some pro leagues divide up into East and West conferences to limit travel, but others like the NFL and MLB spread their divisions from coast to coast to maximize national viewership.
I want to say I'm not suggesting this should happen. I like the regionalism of college sports. I'm suggesting maybe it could happen if the networks start to think a little differently. Most of the weaknesses above are allayed by joining up with Eastern based conferences.
What about this?
SEC takes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Arizona State, USC, and Utah
B1G takes Colorado, UCLA, Stanford, California, Oregon, and Washington
ACC takes Notre Dame, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas, Iowa State, and West Virginia
Now, you've got 3 conferences of 20. Divide them up into 4 divisions and you've got conference semi-finals. Each conference champion goes to the playoff along with one wildcard.
Each league is multi-regional with the Eastern based ACC stretching only into the Midwest while the more Central based SEC and B1G reach to the West Coast.
Current Power schools left out...Washington State, Oregon State, Kansas State, TCU, Baylor
Thoughts?
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