RE: The inevitable East/West Conference
Any college competing against an established professional football or baseball franchise in their city is in for attendance problems. It's a direct form of competition that is difficult to overcome. The Falcons hurt GT. MD was nearly destroyed by Skins, Ravens, and then the addition of Washington Nationals. BC, Pitt, Miami, Cincy, Houston, SMU, Stanford, Washignton, Tulane, NW, and Temple are among the ones that get hit with that competition.
It's a remarkable correlation between huge stadiums and schools either in the middle of nowhere or without local competition for that entertainment dollar:
Clemson
FSU
Bama
Auburn
UF
FSU
Tennessee
LSU
Ohio State
Michigan
MSU
Wisky
Penn State
Texas
TAMU
OU
UGA
Arkansas
Iowa
USC and UCLA are outliers in an urban area, but they have not had pro-football competition in decades.
I would venture that the major universities with the most nearby competition for entertainment dollars are:
MD - Everyone in DC and Baltimore
BC - Patriots/Red Sox/Celtics/Bruins
UConn - Everything in Boston and everything in NYC
Rutgers- Everything in NYC and Philly
Temple - Eagles, Phillies, 76's
Pitt - Steelers, Pirates, etc.
UNC/Duke/NC State - each other in the same DMA plus Carolina Hurricanes
GT - Falcons, Braves, etc
Miami - Dolphins, Marlins, etc.
Tulane - Saints
Cincy - Reds, Bengals
Houston - Texas, Rockets
SMU - Cowboys, Mavericks
Minnesota - Vikings, etc.
Colorado - Bronco's, Rockies
ASU - Cardinals, Suns
Stanford and Cal - 49's, Giants, etc.
NW - Bears, Cubs, etc
Michigan and Georgia seem to be the least negatively affected by close proximity to many pro franchises.
This would make a good thesis topic for someone seeking a master's degree.
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