(08-20-2016 07:21 PM)vandiver49 Wrote: (08-20-2016 02:20 PM)JRsec Wrote: (08-20-2016 01:55 PM)CyclonePower Wrote: (08-20-2016 12:37 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote: (08-20-2016 12:08 PM)CyclonePower Wrote: Guys stop getting my hopes up for a SEC invite! Unlike most states up north Iowa is very much a college state first. I think an SEC invite would help Iowa State thrive and the hate between Iowa and state would grow because of the SEC vs B10.
Des Moines and the suburbs are growing like fast and Iowa State alumni stay in the state so while our media market may not be the largest I wouldn't be surprised seeing a lot of Iowa state and SEC pride. It would hurt the big ten and maybe even cut off Nebraska.
I know where you are coming from CP. I held my breath waiting for the SEC to call Missouri. One of the happiest days of my life. I retired from the Air Force at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, so I have lived in the heart of the SEC for 28 years now. I knew what the SEC was all about and it is a special place. It is a 7 day a week deal down here.
I know you don't like the Jayhawks, but if we could come over with them with us I think we could set up a great triangle of hate for each other. The KC metro all the way up to Des Moines would be dominated with SEC talk. Plus I miss our games a lot. I would love to see the many great stadiums in the SEC even though Iowa State would be lucky to walk out of any of them with a win. We will have to try to get our revenge in basketball.
I also would like to thank you for your service and if down the line we are every conference mates again. I'd be happy to buy you a beer in Ames.
I do believe the basic idea is to get to 16. But if people would just stop and think about the geographical advantages to 6 team divisions then 18 would make so much more sense. With 5 divisional games it's much more of a definitive champion than what some suggest as 3 with 16 schools. The groupings are much more meaningful. And in the case of Old Big 8 and Big 12 members whether you are traditionally considered Southern becomes less relevant if you form a division of former rivals and old conference members.
When I consider a division of: Arkansas, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State what I see is the coming together of a good % of the best schools of the Old Big 8 with a smidgen of SWC with the Hogs. The interest in the area in the sports of these schools would only burgeon with this kind of placement.
When you also consider that the SEC would have difficulty translating their passion into the Mid Atlantic Coast toward New England, but could easily adapt the passion and loyalty of the upper Midwest where passion is naturally part of the makeup of the people then I question whether markets are everything we truly want in branding.
Yes they are nice, but an equal passion for sports will burn a lot brighter a lot longer than faithful fans leaving unfamiliar venues where the reception to their own school was almost as tepid as the home fans responses to their own.
The move of taking the four mentioned above would leave Texas and friends free to go either to the ACC, or PAC, but would probably limit their options to head North. That in some ways would be the ultimate revenge on both the Big 10 and Texas.
Can that plan work without OU? It has potential but I'm someone who likes contingencies.
It would certainly call for some divisional shuffling to balance it and you would have to eliminate Okie State:
Arkansas, Louisiana State, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri, Texas A&M
Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, Mississippi State, T.C.U., Vanderbilt
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
Certainly not ideal, but not bad as divisions. It would enable A&M and L.S.U. and Arky to duke it out most years with Missouri getting in the mix from time to time. It wouldn't be overwhelming for I.S.U. and Kansas provides that division the role of a Vanderbilt or Kentucky to keep a bit more balance.
Play 5 in your division rotate two from the other two divisions and play 1 permanent rival for 10 conference games.
Of course in a P4 I'm assuming at some point we move to all P4 games so 10 in a conference of 18 members is pretty darned good.
And Vandiver, you can call this the Texahoma to the PAC contingency. (OU, OSU, Texas, & Texas Tech to the PAC) (I.S.U., Kansas, T.C.U. & W.V.U. to the SEC)
I know this is not going to meet with acclaim but when you stop to look at what you get 2 AAU schools, a second Texas school in DFW, and a little bit of beltway exposure, eh, without Texas or Oklahoma it's probably as good as you can do without raiding the ACC, which will not be happening. If the Big 10 gives in and takes I.S.U. and KU we still get DFW and another football brand for the East.
Truly it is a fall back position.
At 16 we might look like this:
Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mississippi State
Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Vanderbilt
Louisiana State, Missouri, T.C.U., Texas A&M