(06-19-2017 01:38 PM)murrdcu Wrote: (06-19-2017 12:41 PM)BePcr07 Wrote: (06-19-2017 08:04 AM)Otacon Wrote: The PAC 12 can't compete with the ACC or Big 12 either....
There are a couple comments on the main page regarding a XII/PAC merger. The idea I think the PAC would prefer is a group of "power leftovers" to add content so they wouldn't feel forced to add G5 programs to grow their network. I would presume the XII powers (Texas and Oklahoma) would prefer more Eastern-based conferences.
SEC + Oklahoma, Oklahoma St
B1G + Kansas, Connecticut
ACC + Notre Dame, Texas, West Virginia, Cincinnati
PAC + TCU, Texas Tech, Kansas St, Houston
This leaves out Iowa St and Baylor (although I get the feeling Iowa St may find a home.)
8/10 XII schools have a home which dissolves the conference. The PAC gets a huge boost with 3 Texas schools - not sure if the SEC would fight this. The SEC gets a large brand. The B1G gets a cultural fit in Kansas and another hand in the Northeast in Connecticut and both are basketball household names. The ACC finally gets Notre Dame all-in and Texas with 2 other decent regional brands.
I think the ACC would not be able to add both Texas and Norte Dame as full members. Giving Texas a partial adds 5 more games to the inventory.
Well, to put it another way, if Texas joined the ACC in full they would insist upon travel companions, at least two of them, but 4 would be more likely.
Texas can't afford a full ACC schedule without a good number of their usual faces on their home schedule.
If Texas goes independent for football they will either:
1. Stay in the Big 12
2. Get an Indy deal with the ACC and keep their minor sports in the Big 12.
Either would be a pain in the rear.
This is why the original plan ESPN had for the ACC made more sense. Let North Carolina State and Virginia Tech (duplicated market schools) move to the SEC with A&M and Missouri and the ACC creates a Western Pod with Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and likely Miami. Notre Dame joins in full. Quite Frankly it would still work if we both moved to 18.
ACC: Cincinnati, Texas, T.C.U., Texas Tech, West Virginia to 18.
SEC: N.C. State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech to 18.
That way everyone joins in full. Here are your divisions:
ACC North: Boston College, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia
ACC Atlantic: Clemson, Duke, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest
ACC Gulf: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Texas, T.C.U., Texas Tech.
SEC East: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, N.C. State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech
SEC Central: Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
SEC West: Arkansas, Louisiana State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M
The reason OU stays in the SEC in the 18 member scenario is they will insist on OSU. That way both OU and UT only have to use 1 OOC game to keep the RRR and their normal rivals with them. If Texas resumes with A&M then that becomes their second OOC game.
The resultant SECN and ACCN footprints would have enough overlap to be bundled together. The ACC gains branding and the SEC gains more markets. The ACC might lose two schools but none that impact their ability to generate more conference revenue.