So, where are we? Colorado has left the PAC and Arizona seems right on their heels. Is the BIG Ten really going to wait? I just can’t get my head around not filling out the western flank. What do you think?

Now that the 4 corner schools look to be in play, Oregon & Washington to B1G next!

I also think that these massive moves along with changing financial media landscape over the past year are forcing ESPN, SEC, and ACC to make moves a bit sooner than expected.

Everyone is positioning for CFP '26 and beyond where it will be a new day for college athletics.

(08-01-2023 07:19 AM)Strut Wrote:  Now that the 4 corner schools look to be in play, Oregon & Washington to B1G next!

I also think that these massive moves along with changing financial media landscape over the past year are forcing ESPN, SEC, and ACC to make moves a bit sooner than expected.

Everyone is positioning for CFP '26 and beyond where it will be a new day for college athletics.

I tend to agree with you Strut. I am going to go with Washington, Oregon, Stanford and Cal to round out the west...

If B1G also adds Stanford and Cal now, that will really jump start hyperspeed movement; implication being that the end game number is greater than 20. As Notre Dame always has a standing invitation.

(08-01-2023 01:17 PM)Strut Wrote:  If B1G also adds Stanford and Cal now, that will really jump start hyperspeed movement; implication being that the end game number is greater than 20. As Notre Dame always has a standing invitation.

I think the sweet spot is 20 for profitability. That said, 24 is quite possible because of relationships which need to be maintained, regional synergies, and niche desires of the networks more so than the conferences. I guess we'll see, but 6 to the West and 4 to the East for the Big 10 (counting from the 14 member conferences of the Big 10 and SEC) sure looks possible. 48 in the super two will more than cover the top football brands and allow for some top hoop's brands at nationally renowned schools. Mixing in the latter allows for a bit more normal win loss records for the former.

(08-01-2023 03:05 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-01-2023 01:17 PM)Strut Wrote:  If B1G also adds Stanford and Cal now, that will really jump start hyperspeed movement; implication being that the end game number is greater than 20. As Notre Dame always has a standing invitation.

I think the sweet spot is 20 for profitability. That said, 24 is quite possible because of relationships which need to be maintained, regional synergies, and niche desires of the networks more so than the conferences. I guess we'll see, but 6 to the West and 4 to the East for the Big 10 (counting from the 14 member conferences of the Big 10 and SEC) sure looks possible. 48 in the super two will more than cover the top football brands and allow for some top hoop's brands at nationally renowned schools. Mixing in the latter allows for a bit more normal win loss records for the former.

Completely agree with both of you here. Going to 20 now, when there is good academic and brand fit and no fees or GORs, and creating a nice west coast grouping is too much to pass IMHO. This also sets us a reasonable lift out east if ND wants in at some point. That said, the BIG doesn’t need to go past 20 and can wait out the ACC.

Cal and Stanford won’t be able to pull their own weight. I’m not interested in them.

If the Big 10 is going to move past 18, Notre Dame better be one of those schools.

(08-02-2023 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Cal and Stanford won’t be able to pull their own weight. I’m not interested in them.

If the Big 10 is going to move past 18, Notre Dame better be one of those schools.

You may have to scrap the PAC-9 to secure ND. I imagine such a move would implode the ACC. So, Stanford and Cal are the price B1G has to pay to make it happen.

(08-02-2023 06:23 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote:  

(08-02-2023 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Cal and Stanford won’t be able to pull their own weight. I’m not interested in them.

If the Big 10 is going to move past 18, Notre Dame better be one of those schools.

You may have to scrap the PAC-9 to secure ND. I imagine such a move would implode the ACC. So, Stanford and Cal are the price B1G has to pay to make it happen.

Notre Dame loses all leverage if the SEC and Big 10 simply quits wanting them or scheduling them. As long as we both pursue them, or the networks do through us, it is ill advised to build any plans based upon their inclusion. When the PAC and ACC are gone if they want access and don't want to join in full let them sign a scheduling agreement with the New Big 12. When their fans quit howling they'll pick up the phone and call one of us, most likely the Big 10.

List all of the current and future Big 12 teams (excluding Texas and OU) and then place ND's name next to each. Wake me up when you find a stimulating match up!

I want Stanford to bring the ridiculous tree to Iowa. Those fans are great folks, but I don't believe they care much for the Cardinal!?!?

I'm personally not interested in Cal; give me ASU instead and call it a day.

I think this conference is about to have 2 new members.

(08-03-2023 12:48 PM)cubucks Wrote:  I think this conference is about to have 2 new members.

My suspicion is that the two are a go once Arizona (and maybe others) announce for the Big 12. That gives the BIG a bit more time to talk with Fox, NBC, CBS (and likely ESPN, Amazon, Apple and TBS/TNT) about Stanford and Cal, who I still think will follow shortly.

(08-03-2023 01:55 PM)NotoriousOne Wrote:  

(08-03-2023 12:48 PM)cubucks Wrote:  I think this conference is about to have 2 new members.

My suspicion is that the two are a go once Arizona (and maybe others) announce for the Big 12. That gives the BIG a bit more time to talk with Fox, NBC, CBS (and likely ESPN, Amazon, Apple and TBS/TNT) about Stanford and Cal, who I still think will follow shortly.

I like ASU and Utah a lot more than Cal/Stanford.

(08-03-2023 09:41 PM)cubucks Wrote:  

(08-03-2023 01:55 PM)NotoriousOne Wrote:  

(08-03-2023 12:48 PM)cubucks Wrote:  I think this conference is about to have 2 new members.

My suspicion is that the two are a go once Arizona (and maybe others) announce for the Big 12. That gives the BIG a bit more time to talk with Fox, NBC, CBS (and likely ESPN, Amazon, Apple and TBS/TNT) about Stanford and Cal, who I still think will follow shortly.

I like ASU and Utah a lot more than Cal/Stanford.

Roger that! They would be a lot more competitive and a lot more grateful and not demanding at all. Grateful and not demanding go a long way in becoming happy conference members. Cal and Stanford are like inviting the Piss and Moan crowd to your Christmas party.

Or, maybe Washington and Oregon stay in the Pac?

Conference realignment is drunk.

Welcome to the Big Ten Conference.

(08-04-2023 11:45 AM)cubucks Wrote:  Welcome to the Big Ten Conference.

Yeah, wow! It actually happened. Good move by the BIG. I still, personally, think they need another couple of teams out west, but tomorrow is another day in the conference realignment soap opera.

Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks welcome to B1G!

(08-02-2023 06:31 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-02-2023 06:23 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote:  

(08-02-2023 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Cal and Stanford won’t be able to pull their own weight. I’m not interested in them.

If the Big 10 is going to move past 18, Notre Dame better be one of those schools.

You may have to scrap the PAC-9 to secure ND. I imagine such a move would implode the ACC. So, Stanford and Cal are the price B1G has to pay to make it happen.

Notre Dame loses all leverage if the SEC and Big 10 simply quits wanting them or scheduling them. As long as we both pursue them, or the networks do through us, it is ill advised to build any plans based upon their inclusion. When the PAC and ACC are gone if they want access and don't want to join in full let them sign a scheduling agreement with the New Big 12. When their fans quit howling they'll pick up the phone and call one of us, most likely the Big 10.

List all of the current and future Big 12 teams (excluding Texas and OU) and then place ND's name next to each. Wake me up when you find a stimulating match up!

The Big Ten has made its move. It'll be interesting to see what the SEC does. It's too bad conference realignment is nearing an end, unless one league is the end game, because realignment has been more exciting than college football itself.