Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

(04-27-2020 09:59 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

Transic it is within the power of ESPN to force the key PAC schools into the Big 10.

All they need do is to move Vanderbilt to the ACC, or have Vanderbilt decide that they won't keep pace in spending, they won't pay players, and they won't get into the booster contract game. Because if that slot opens up then Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the SEC forces a great many changes.

The only avenue then left to the PAC schools to play economic catch up is the movement of key schools to the Big 10. They literally would have no other acceptable means at hand.

ESPN controls whether the ACC can pay any more or not. So if the SEC is sated at 16 with Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas which makes for a very nice geographical arrangement for the East and West Divisions where do the Big 10 and PAC schools find a means by which to match such a move? With each other. So the Big 10 moves to 20 taking 6 PAC schools Colorado is the Bridge, and the 4 Cali schools and UW make up the western most division of 5.

Now the ACC gets antsy. The key brands there want to make a move as well. But ESPN refuses to assist F.S.U. and Clemson, or Virginia Tech.

Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and N.C. State move to the SEC to make for 20.

We now a P2, but a third P conference forms:

Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah
Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, T.C.U.
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech
Boston College, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

Now tell me that new conference wouldn't be highly competitive athletically?

The Big 10 gets all AAU members to 20. The SEC picked up strength with Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and now the pick up hoops with the research triangle and Virginia.

That arrangement of 60 would sell.

(04-27-2020 09:59 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

Actually, I think they'd pick UNLV. Las Vegas is more of a PAC style market...larger city in what is mostly a state where the people are pretty spread out. It makes travel easier for one thing.

That and if UNLV is playing in the new Raiders stadium then that's a great facility to host PAC games in. And you know the ad dollars from the local tourism industry will be heavier with a presence in Vegas. The PAC could use that sort of ally.

Granted, the league might prefer to host their conference championship events in Las Vegas, but I don't think that would keep UNLV out.

If Vanderbilt backs out, the SEC will still need a private school. Of course, there are other ways to get one in the fold rather than offering a full membership to a school from the ACC or Big 12.

This would all depend on whether Vandy decided they wanted to be a partial member or if they wanted to join a league like the Big East. I tend to think the latter simply because they will need a solid platform for their basketball program. That will be the money maker going forward and they'll never get top billing in the SEC unless they became an elite program. Well, that's not happening anytime soon.

They'll end up spending less on minor sports and getting their basketball team on national TV more often if they threw in with a league like the Big East. Nashville would be a good market for that conference at that so I think the interest would be mutual.

The easiest thing to do for the SEC at that point would be to find an all sports member interested in investing in football. The trouble with finding a suitable partial would be dividing the money appropriately as well as getting a school that doesn't need big money to support a football program. The thing about Vandy is that they have no apparent interest in a competitive football program. Most private schools, even many at the G5 level, are putting forth a better effort. Nonetheless, it won't do us a lot of good to add someone that isn't prepared to compete at a high level. These type of options among private schools are a bit limited, but it's doable.

So my old plan of adding TCU seems like the best idea to me. They offer a direct presence in Dallas-Fort Worth and it also happens to be pretty competitive even by higher standards.

Now the question is what else could we get from the Big 12?

(04-28-2020 02:38 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  If Vanderbilt backs out, the SEC will still need a private school. Of course, there are other ways to get one in the fold rather than offering a full membership to a school from the ACC or Big 12.

This would all depend on whether Vandy decided they wanted to be a partial member or if they wanted to join a league like the Big East. I tend to think the latter simply because they will need a solid platform for their basketball program. That will be the money maker going forward and they'll never get top billing in the SEC unless they became an elite program. Well, that's not happening anytime soon.

They'll end up spending less on minor sports and getting their basketball team on national TV more often if they threw in with a league like the Big East. Nashville would be a good market for that conference at that so I think the interest would be mutual.

The easiest thing to do for the SEC at that point would be to find an all sports member interested in investing in football. The trouble with finding a suitable partial would be dividing the money appropriately as well as getting a school that doesn't need big money to support a football program. The thing about Vandy is that they have no apparent interest in a competitive football program. Most private schools, even many at the G5 level, are putting forth a better effort. Nonetheless, it won't do us a lot of good to add someone that isn't prepared to compete at a high level. These type of options among private schools are a bit limited, but it's doable.

So my old plan of adding TCU seems like the best idea to me. They offer a direct presence in Dallas-Fort Worth and it also happens to be pretty competitive even by higher standards.

Now the question is what else could we get from the Big 12?

A few things:

So far the SEC Spring Meeting (meaning release of details about the ESPN/ABC deal won't be disclosed) has been called off until further notice.

Second, Slive had said the SEC would have no partial members. Sankey hasn't broached the subject to my knowledge. But if there was anyone who could go as a partial it would be Vanderbilt.

I agree their basketball program would have more success elsewhere.

I'm not sure how this resolves, but if we had the chance, and the opening, to land Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas then I think we would do it without question. Then if things got antsy over in the ACC I could see us consider taking Duke, UNC, N.C. State and Virginia to move to 20.

That leaves any network (ESPN especially) a lot of brands with which to build a new conference.

I really don't think in the end that ESPN will be able to keep the top basketball brands of the ACC from jumping if the SEC or Big 10 shows interest.

(04-28-2020 03:34 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-27-2020 09:59 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

Transic it is within the power of ESPN to force the key PAC schools into the Big 10.

All they need do is to move Vanderbilt to the ACC, or have Vanderbilt decide that they won't keep pace in spending, they won't pay players, and they won't get into the booster contract game. Because if that slot opens up then Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the SEC forces a great many changes.

The only avenue then left to the PAC schools to play economic catch up is the movement of key schools to the Big 10. They literally would have no other acceptable means at hand.

ESPN controls whether the ACC can pay any more or not. So if the SEC is sated at 16 with Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas which makes for a very nice geographical arrangement for the East and West Divisions where do the Big 10 and PAC schools find a means by which to match such a move? With each other. So the Big 10 moves to 20 taking 6 PAC schools Colorado is the Bridge, and the 4 Cali schools and UW make up the western most division of 5.

Now the ACC gets antsy. The key brands there want to make a move as well. But ESPN refuses to assist F.S.U. and Clemson, or Virginia Tech.

Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and N.C. State move to the SEC to make for 20.

We now a P2, but a third P conference forms:

Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah
Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, T.C.U.
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech
Boston College, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

Now tell me that new conference wouldn't be highly competitive athletically?

The Big 10 gets all AAU members to 20. The SEC picked up strength with Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and now the pick up hoops with the research triangle and Virginia.

That arrangement of 60 would sell.

I did mention somewhere that a situation where both UT and OU join the SEC would, essentially, force the Big Ten to talk to the California 4 programs, as that gained leverage in favor of the SEC cannot go unanswered.

Also, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest would put the Big East in a much stronger footing in the middle of the region. St. Louis U. could properly fill up the last spot. A longer shot is Boston College, unless the priests running that school decide to throw in the towel.

Thinking about this further, I doubt there would be a third P superconference to accompany an enlarged SEC and Big Ten. Too many viable programs would be left behind. I think the rest of the ACC would stick together but they won't add anyone else except West Virginia. Instead, they might make it a go at ten members, while ND keeps an independent schedule. I could see the programs in the West and plains reorganizing, with the separating line the border between Colorado and Utah, possibly with BYU and Boise State finally moving up.

Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama
Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida
South Carolina, Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State

Washington, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue
Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers

Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Arizona, Arizona State, Nevada, Utah, Brigham Young, Boise State

New Mexico, Colorado State, Wyoming, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State

Louisville, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami

That's 69 programs, with ND making it 70.

(04-28-2020 10:05 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 03:34 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-27-2020 09:59 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

Transic it is within the power of ESPN to force the key PAC schools into the Big 10.

All they need do is to move Vanderbilt to the ACC, or have Vanderbilt decide that they won't keep pace in spending, they won't pay players, and they won't get into the booster contract game. Because if that slot opens up then Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the SEC forces a great many changes.

The only avenue then left to the PAC schools to play economic catch up is the movement of key schools to the Big 10. They literally would have no other acceptable means at hand.

ESPN controls whether the ACC can pay any more or not. So if the SEC is sated at 16 with Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas which makes for a very nice geographical arrangement for the East and West Divisions where do the Big 10 and PAC schools find a means by which to match such a move? With each other. So the Big 10 moves to 20 taking 6 PAC schools Colorado is the Bridge, and the 4 Cali schools and UW make up the western most division of 5.

Now the ACC gets antsy. The key brands there want to make a move as well. But ESPN refuses to assist F.S.U. and Clemson, or Virginia Tech.

Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and N.C. State move to the SEC to make for 20.

We now a P2, but a third P conference forms:

Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah
Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, T.C.U.
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech
Boston College, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

Now tell me that new conference wouldn't be highly competitive athletically?

The Big 10 gets all AAU members to 20. The SEC picked up strength with Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and now the pick up hoops with the research triangle and Virginia.

That arrangement of 60 would sell.

I did mention somewhere that a situation where both UT and OU join the SEC would, essentially, force the Big Ten to talk to the California 4 programs, as that gained leverage in favor of the SEC cannot go unanswered.

Also, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest would put the Big East in a much stronger footing in the middle of the region. St. Louis U. could properly fill up the last spot. A longer shot is Boston College, unless the priests running that school decide to throw in the towel.

Thinking about this further, I doubt there would be a third P superconference to accompany an enlarged SEC and Big Ten. Too many viable programs would be left behind. I think the rest of the ACC would stick together but they won't add anyone else except West Virginia. Instead, they might make it a go at ten members, while ND keeps an independent schedule. I could see the programs in the West and plains reorganizing, with the separating line the border between Colorado and Utah, possibly with BYU and Boise State finally moving up.

Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama
Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida
South Carolina, Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State

Washington, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue
Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers

Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Arizona, Arizona State, Nevada, Utah, Brigham Young, Boise State

New Mexico, Colorado State, Wyoming, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State

Louisville, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami

That's 69 programs, with ND making it 70.

That's interesting. However I don't think we would go less than 48. Too much beating up of each other and too great a lack of rivalries.

So figure 4 divisions each of 6 teams in both the SEC and Big 10.

Clemson and Florida State would rebel if they didn't have straight path to the playoffs.

Notre Dame will go all in if the playoff is contained within a conference or league format.

So add Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Notre Dame to the Big 10.

Add Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech to the SEC.

That way UVa, SoCar., Fla, and Georgia keep their year end rivalries. And it is possible the SEC would take Louisville over Georgia Tech.

(04-29-2020 12:46 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 10:05 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 03:34 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-27-2020 09:59 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

Transic it is within the power of ESPN to force the key PAC schools into the Big 10.

All they need do is to move Vanderbilt to the ACC, or have Vanderbilt decide that they won't keep pace in spending, they won't pay players, and they won't get into the booster contract game. Because if that slot opens up then Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the SEC forces a great many changes.

The only avenue then left to the PAC schools to play economic catch up is the movement of key schools to the Big 10. They literally would have no other acceptable means at hand.

ESPN controls whether the ACC can pay any more or not. So if the SEC is sated at 16 with Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas which makes for a very nice geographical arrangement for the East and West Divisions where do the Big 10 and PAC schools find a means by which to match such a move? With each other. So the Big 10 moves to 20 taking 6 PAC schools Colorado is the Bridge, and the 4 Cali schools and UW make up the western most division of 5.

Now the ACC gets antsy. The key brands there want to make a move as well. But ESPN refuses to assist F.S.U. and Clemson, or Virginia Tech.

Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and N.C. State move to the SEC to make for 20.

We now a P2, but a third P conference forms:

Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah
Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, T.C.U.
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech
Boston College, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

Now tell me that new conference wouldn't be highly competitive athletically?

The Big 10 gets all AAU members to 20. The SEC picked up strength with Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and now the pick up hoops with the research triangle and Virginia.

That arrangement of 60 would sell.

I did mention somewhere that a situation where both UT and OU join the SEC would, essentially, force the Big Ten to talk to the California 4 programs, as that gained leverage in favor of the SEC cannot go unanswered.

Also, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest would put the Big East in a much stronger footing in the middle of the region. St. Louis U. could properly fill up the last spot. A longer shot is Boston College, unless the priests running that school decide to throw in the towel.

Thinking about this further, I doubt there would be a third P superconference to accompany an enlarged SEC and Big Ten. Too many viable programs would be left behind. I think the rest of the ACC would stick together but they won't add anyone else except West Virginia. Instead, they might make it a go at ten members, while ND keeps an independent schedule. I could see the programs in the West and plains reorganizing, with the separating line the border between Colorado and Utah, possibly with BYU and Boise State finally moving up.

Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama
Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida
South Carolina, Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State

Washington, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue
Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers

Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Arizona, Arizona State, Nevada, Utah, Brigham Young, Boise State

New Mexico, Colorado State, Wyoming, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State

Louisville, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami

That's 69 programs, with ND making it 70.

That's interesting. However I don't think we would go less than 48. Too much beating up of each other and too great a lack of rivalries.

So figure 4 divisions each of 6 teams in both the SEC and Big 10.

Clemson and Florida State would rebel if they didn't have straight path to the playoffs.

Notre Dame will go all in if the playoff is contained within a conference or league format.

So add Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Notre Dame to the Big 10.

Add Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech to the SEC.

That way UVa, SoCar., Fla, and Georgia keep their year end rivalries. And it is possible the SEC would take Louisville over Georgia Tech.

Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas A&M
LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee
Georgia Tech, Georgia, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida State, Florida
Kentucky, Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech

Washington, Oregon, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona
Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana
Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern

Washington State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Arizona State, Brigham Young, Boise State
Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State

Louisville, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Miami, South Florida, Central Florida, Cincinnati


While it's tilted toward the upper two it's still essentially a P4, as it covers enough areas that no one would feel left out. With nine, the "new" eastern conference would have enough members to have an eight-game conference season. The remnants of the PAC and Big 12 essentially merge and pick up some known FB programs to beef it up a bit. Some would argue whether there are a few more that would throw in the towel but I think leaving out some historical programs may not sit well with influential people in the sports biz.

Playoffs would be a best of six. The B1G/SEC get automatic bids for two of them and get byes for the first round. Then the second-place finishers play the champions of the other two for the last two playoff spots. Yes, one team from the SEC/B1G might potentially play up to five additional games after the regular season to win a championship but, on the other hand, being they'd have more money and better athletes in due time, those somewhat mitigate the other factors. One potential solution is reducing the regular season to ten games and convert the spring game into a preseason game against a lower FBS/FCS team. The two intra-conference rounds would be played at campus sites, giving the leading team the chance of having two more additional home games.

(04-29-2020 03:50 AM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 12:46 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 10:05 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 03:34 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-27-2020 09:59 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  Well, it would result in a tighter geography if they do replace Colorado with Nevada. But if they do intend to stick around I doubt they would go beyond 12, as the money may not be there (and probably why CU would entertain an offer from the Big Ten).

Yes, Reno may be picked over Las Vegas as they'd want to keep LV open for PAC special events like bowls and basketball tournament (the same may be said for San Diego, being that they'd rather not "graduate" a Cal State program to the P group).

Transic it is within the power of ESPN to force the key PAC schools into the Big 10.

All they need do is to move Vanderbilt to the ACC, or have Vanderbilt decide that they won't keep pace in spending, they won't pay players, and they won't get into the booster contract game. Because if that slot opens up then Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the SEC forces a great many changes.

The only avenue then left to the PAC schools to play economic catch up is the movement of key schools to the Big 10. They literally would have no other acceptable means at hand.

ESPN controls whether the ACC can pay any more or not. So if the SEC is sated at 16 with Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas which makes for a very nice geographical arrangement for the East and West Divisions where do the Big 10 and PAC schools find a means by which to match such a move? With each other. So the Big 10 moves to 20 taking 6 PAC schools Colorado is the Bridge, and the 4 Cali schools and UW make up the western most division of 5.

Now the ACC gets antsy. The key brands there want to make a move as well. But ESPN refuses to assist F.S.U. and Clemson, or Virginia Tech.

Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and N.C. State move to the SEC to make for 20.

We now a P2, but a third P conference forms:

Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah
Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, T.C.U.
Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech
Boston College, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

Now tell me that new conference wouldn't be highly competitive athletically?

The Big 10 gets all AAU members to 20. The SEC picked up strength with Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and now the pick up hoops with the research triangle and Virginia.

That arrangement of 60 would sell.

I did mention somewhere that a situation where both UT and OU join the SEC would, essentially, force the Big Ten to talk to the California 4 programs, as that gained leverage in favor of the SEC cannot go unanswered.

Also, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest would put the Big East in a much stronger footing in the middle of the region. St. Louis U. could properly fill up the last spot. A longer shot is Boston College, unless the priests running that school decide to throw in the towel.

Thinking about this further, I doubt there would be a third P superconference to accompany an enlarged SEC and Big Ten. Too many viable programs would be left behind. I think the rest of the ACC would stick together but they won't add anyone else except West Virginia. Instead, they might make it a go at ten members, while ND keeps an independent schedule. I could see the programs in the West and plains reorganizing, with the separating line the border between Colorado and Utah, possibly with BYU and Boise State finally moving up.

Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama
Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida
South Carolina, Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State

Washington, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue
Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers

Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Arizona, Arizona State, Nevada, Utah, Brigham Young, Boise State

New Mexico, Colorado State, Wyoming, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State

Louisville, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami

That's 69 programs, with ND making it 70.

That's interesting. However I don't think we would go less than 48. Too much beating up of each other and too great a lack of rivalries.

So figure 4 divisions each of 6 teams in both the SEC and Big 10.

Clemson and Florida State would rebel if they didn't have straight path to the playoffs.

Notre Dame will go all in if the playoff is contained within a conference or league format.

So add Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Notre Dame to the Big 10.

Add Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech to the SEC.

That way UVa, SoCar., Fla, and Georgia keep their year end rivalries. And it is possible the SEC would take Louisville over Georgia Tech.

Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas A&M
LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee
Georgia Tech, Georgia, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida State, Florida
Kentucky, Duke, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech

Washington, Oregon, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona
Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana
Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern

Washington State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Arizona State, Brigham Young, Boise State
Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State

Louisville, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Boston College, Miami, South Florida, Central Florida, Cincinnati


While it's tilted toward the upper two it's still essentially a P4, as it covers enough areas that no one would feel left out. With nine, the "new" eastern conference would have enough members to have an eight-game conference season. The remnants of the PAC and Big 12 essentially merge and pick up some known FB programs to beef it up a bit. Some would argue whether there are a few more that would throw in the towel but I think leaving out some historical programs may not sit well with influential people in the sports biz.

Playoffs would be a best of six. The B1G/SEC get automatic bids for two of them and get byes for the first round. Then the second-place finishers play the champions of the other two for the last two playoff spots. Yes, one team from the SEC/B1G might potentially play up to five additional games after the regular season to win a championship but, on the other hand, being they'd have more money and better athletes in due time, those somewhat mitigate the other factors. One potential solution is reducing the regular season to ten games and convert the spring game into a preseason game against a lower FBS/FCS team. The two intra-conference rounds would be played at campus sites, giving the leading team the chance of having two more additional home games.

When you look at that and analyze it what does it tell you about things as they stood pre 1992?

It tells me that the Big East teams caught lightening in a bottle for a little bit in that their champs where given a shot at titles without having to run the gauntlet of the SEC, Big 10, Big 8, or even the PAC of that time frame. Miami unquestionably benefitted from it and the rest of the conference was elevated by it and by access to South Florida recruits which were numerous and talented.

I refer to the gauntlet not to say Miami wasn't capable of winning any conference at the time, but because they were able to complete an 11 game season without the injury burden of the others and so were fresher heading into the bowls.

And where was the ACC in football in 1992? Georgia Tech had won a part of the championship in '90 and nothing before that going back to '81 when Clemson won it. Prior to that nada.

They are now the new Big East in that football comes down to Clemson or Florida State and not much else to beat up on them through the season. In the pre '92 days it was Virginia Tech coming into its own under Beamer, Syracuse and Miami, and some after '92 before both Miami and Va Tech left for the ACC in the late 90's. Putting Miami into a more friendly Southern base of Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Florida State no longer gave them the national media of New York when they played Syracuse or even Pitt and by the time those 2 were in the ACC their programs began to diminish. And the same might be said of the Big 12 where when Snyder stepped down it truly became a 2 team conference. Sure there have been some good Baylor and TCU teams but Oklahoma has dominated and Texas had a couple of solid years.

And what you present is essentially a P2 / G2+.