(05-19-2012 08:25 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(05-19-2012 08:19 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(05-19-2012 08:08 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(05-19-2012 06:56 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  SEC won't expand any further for the forseeable future imo. They're already the king. They're also so wrapped up in tradition and whatnot that it about killed them to go to 14 haha. I think the Big 12 only expands if they get a premier team in the fold i.e. FSU, Miami, ND. If those teams decide to stay put, than so will the conference. Texas doesn't want to go to 12, just for the sake of going to 12. They are pretty comfortable with 10. And as we know, Texas calls the shots.

You are incorrect about the SEC. They are not going to be proactive, but IF any ACC teams jump ship to anywhere else first, then the SEC will target Virginia Tech, and likely NCSU. I'm not guessing.

I agree that FSU wants to go the the B12, and I think the announcement yesterday will likely push them over the edge to go. Assuming that happens, then I would guess that the B12 would go after at least Clemson or Miami. I don't think VT would be interested, b/c they would be courted by the SEC.

I also agree that Texas wants to stay at 10. But the majority want to go to 12, and with yesterday's announcement, I'm sure DeLoss Dodds is wise enough to know if the B12 lets in 2 or 4 ACC FB teams, and the SEC takes 2, then the New Big 4 will have a monopoly on most of the good FB in the country.

That certainly makes sense... However, they are certainly telegraphing their intentions. With the public outcry for a more fair and balanced system, I'd imagine that there are already coalitions being formed among the other conferences to counteract these scenarios.
Is it too late? Time will tell. Nevertheless, I think public disdain will ultimately tear down an even more corrupt process. Especially if they try to lock out practically the entire East coast.

Yeah, that sounds logical. But remember, the New Big 4 conferences are pulling off this takeover in a brilliant way. They are scooping up all the best FB programs, and they're setting up a new playoff and bowl system that will be approved by all 11 conferences + ND. And they will leave just enough money and access on the table to get away with it. And it will be locked in for probably 10 years.

You make a compelling case, TripleA. That's why I wonder if it will meet with such widespread approval. The money is obscene. It certainly wouldn't hurt those conferences to buy their sovereignty.
That said, the stories in the press have already overwhelmingly stated how these agreements are going to corrupt the process. Once the Big 12/SEC start using their sovereignty to blackmail public universities into paying heavy buyouts from athletic conferences, I wonder how the press is going to react to that... Those that will be left behind in the ACC will certainly be getting their politicos and press machines on this.

It just has a very dirty smell. But then, so did the creation of the BCS.

I'm wondering if the general public has learned from past sins and gained a greater ability to think critically about these institutions. It seems like a black cloud has been hovering since the announcement. But then, I'm a Big East fan..

^ Noble thoughts, but likely futile in the end. I mean, if you want to carry this to extremes, just for debate purposes, the B12 could take FSU, Clemson, Miami, Pitt, 'Cuse and ND. The SEC could take VT and NCSU. The B10 could take UNC, Duke, UVA and GT or MD.

Conference membership is up to conferences. Always has been. And the vote in a few weeks will set up the Big 4 to dominate in FB. All legal and above board.

Who would be left to complain? The schools in the BE and below?

(05-19-2012 09:05 PM)TripleA Wrote:  ^ Noble thoughts, but likely futile in the end. I mean, if you want to carry this to extremes, just for debate purposes, the B12 could take FSU, Clemson, Miami, Pitt, 'Cuse and ND. The SEC could take VT and NCSU. The B10 could take UNC, Duke, UVA and GT or MD.

Conference membership is up to conferences. Always has been. And the vote in a few weeks will set up the Big 4 to dominate in FB. All legal and above board.

Who would be left to complain? The schools in the BE and below?

That's certainly plausible. I doubt such extreme changes are forthcoming though.
Ken Starr already laid out a blueprint for leftbehind AQ schools to follow if they feel their conferences will be ripped apart and/or they'll be shut out.

I don't think the extreme is coming, either. Just used it as illustration, to make a point.

But regardless, the Big 4 is leaving just enough access and money on the table to stay ahead of any roadblocks to their plans.

We'll still be with the big boys in BB, though. They're not going to break away. Too little money for too much political risk.

(05-18-2012 04:06 PM)CommuterBob Wrote:  The BE needs to think bigger. The SEC/XII agreement isn't about the Sugar or Cotton - it's about bidding out the game on the open market. They set the price. The other venues and TV will pay to have it. The BE has to be able to sell itself - and that could be with the ACC or with another partner. This new deal only proves the old model of the bowls going to bid from the conferences is being replaced with the conferences bidding out the games. Cut out the middle man (the bowl), get an agreement and market the game. That's the new strategy. Then the conference isn't beholdened to some bowl committee to get revenue, they can get that themselves.

You've hit the nail on the head here. The one positive I can see out of this whole situation is that it is putting the conferences in control.

I've been saying for a while now that the bowl system is a bad post season model for the Big East (and the ACC to for that matter). I'm completely in favor of the Big East making similar move that allows them a post season move to benefit the schools and the conference.