(12-10-2017 06:34 PM)msm96wolf Wrote: Again, this is more if sitting at a bar conversation and brainstorming. Not that it will happen.
Since everyone talks about an 8 team playoff, basically make CCG the Semi's with CFP able to reward the best teams. IE: Say there is a 1 Loss Penn State and 1 Loss OSU in one division loses to a 9-3 loss Nebraska. The one loss team is still in the hunt for a CFP spot.
It only takes 8 teams dissolve the B12. If the B10 and PAC12 agree to take 6 teams and they only need to get the ACC or SEC to take 2 team.
Breakdown TV Money fox TV goes B10 & Pac 12, ESPN goes to other SEC and ACC.
B10 - Kansas and Iowa St
P12 - Tx, TT, Ok, OSu
ACC - TCU & offer ND, if they refuse, take Baylor/WV (ND may chose to be independent)
SEC - Kansas St and WV/Baylor
There's no way at all this would happen through a collective agreement of the theoretical P4 or the current P5. The Pac clearly gains far more than the other conferences in the scenario you present. The others won't merely acquiesce. Texas will be fought over, likely by the Big Ten and Pac, but also possibly by the SEC or ACC. Oklahoma will be fought over by the Big Ten, Pac, and SEC.
Oklahoma will probably be the catalyst. The Big Ten may be an attractive conference, but they won't allow OSU to tag along. Also OU would be very much out of place geographically and culturally. The Pac has already shown itself to be amenable to taking OSU. The SEC might be willing to take the OK schools as a pair. OU and OSU aren't exactly attached at the hip, but OU should have enough leverage to bring little brother along.
The OK schools alone would also be rather out of place geographically and culturally in the Pac. But the Pac has more room to grow than the Big Ten or SEC, so at least two Texas schools can come along as well. If one of those schools isn't UT, however, there likely won't be any Pac expansion at all.
Texas of course has the most options of any Big 12 school. Assuming the Big 12 does indeed break down, I see the Longhorns going to the Pac before any other conference. They would have the same problem as OU in joining the Big Ten. The SEC might fight for UT, but they already have A&M, which in itself is a deterrent to UT. Independence or the FB-only ACC route both seem like a stretch.
The Pac would naturally be pleased to add UT. However, UT would not join without conditions. Some deal favoring UT would have to be made regarding the Longhorn and Pac networks. Also, at least one friend (more likely three) would have to tag along. If OU opts for the Pac, then you'll likely see a OU/OSU/UT/TT combo, as was already attempted by the Pac.
If OU opts for the SEC, then UT would want to bring two more TX friends with to the Pac. This would come down to TCU, Baylor, and Houston, I imagine. Rice would be nice, but their academics are not nearly up to snuff. My money would be on TCU and Houston. Baylor is damaged property, too religious/right-wing for the Pac, and not in a desirable metro area.
Without either OU or UT, the SEC is unlikely to expand. The Big Ten might want to pick up Kansas, but finding #16 would be tough given their self-imposed high standards. Iowa State gives them basically nothing, and it might prove difficult to pry Missouri loose from the SEC even if the Big Ten wanted to.
The ACC will only expand to 16 if Notre Dame goes all in. The ACC might consider adding WV as #15, but that's where they'd stop (that is, if the SEC doesn't bite first, perhaps adding WV along with OU or as a replacement for Missouri). If ND becomes a full member, the other contenders for the ACC's #16 are Cincinnati and UConn.
Baylor, KSU, and ISU have basically no chance to remain power conference schools if the Big 12 goes down.
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Okay, while we are waiting for bowl season. Does P12 and B10 push for power 4?
