(09-23-2018 02:53 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: We've discussed Penn St and the Big East/Eastern All Sports League on here before.
I'm inclined to say that if Penn St gets an invite then that conference would still be playing and Penn St could very well still be in it, especially if the Hurricanes and Nittany Lions come to enjoy being top dogs in their own league.
If Penn St is in a viable Eastern-based football conference in the early 90s and they are the dominant program I'm not sure the Big Ten has the same appeal.
In 2004-2005 the ACC's ability to raid the Big East is highly questionable. VT would be the only school who would really see moving as advantageous.
In 2010-2012 I think it all depends on how convincing the Big Ten can be with their argument. If they can offer Penn St and some choice companions piles and piles of cash then maybe the break occurs. The ACC Then gets the pick of what's left.
If instead it's Penn St that remains steadfast, then the alternative scenario is that the Big Ten goes after a handful of old Big 8 programs, the SEC claims the best Texas schools, and the SEC and Big East potential pilfer an ACC that still has just 9 members.
I think the key would have been Florida State - had Florida State joined the Big East instead of the ACC, the pendulum will have swung the other way.
The Big Ten would have taken Nebraska and Missouri.
Assuming no one in the ACC is available, I could see the SEC taking Texas A&M and TCU. If the ACC is in play, I think North Carolina and Virginia are their first picks.
Big East
North - Boston College, UConn, Rutgers, Syracuse, Penn State, Pittsburgh
South - Miami (FL), Florida State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, ???, ???
Non-football - Villanova, Georgetown, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, Marquette, DePaul, Providence
If the Big East went to 12 in football with North Carolina and Duke, it’s possible the entire 20-Team behemoth stays together. If UNC isn’t available I could see Clemson and Maryland here as well.
What’s left of the Big 12 likely takes in SMU if they lose TCU.
The ACC would depend on who was left, but I think it shakes out like this:
Louisville (replaced Miami)
Cincinnati (replaced Florida State)
South Florida (replaced Boston College)
Central Florida (replaced Virginia Tech)
Georgia Tech
Clemson
North Carolina
North Carolina State
Duke
Wake Forest
Virginia
Maryland
I think the bench for the ACC would run Temple, Memphis (if not in the Big 12), East Carolina (only if UNC leaves), and UMass. It’s quite possible the Big 12 could have added Louisville, Cincinnati, and Clemson or Georgia Tech