In my opinion we should scrap 10, 12, 14 team conferences. 9 team conferences offer an 8 game round robin schedule plus 4 non conference games, which would yield a true champion without polls or computer rankings. It offers the chance for more regionalization/rivalries, which means larger crowds, and less travel, putting less strain on athletic budgets and olympic sports. Basketball teams could easily fit in a home and away schedule plus multiple non conference games. It would mean more conference commissioners/opportunities.

How about...

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee

Big Ten: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin

SWC: Arkansas, Houston, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas Tech

Pac "9": Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington

ACC: Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, NC State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 8: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern

MWC: Boise State, BYU, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State

New Conference: Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Purdue, Temple, West Virginia

New Conference: Appalachian State, Central Florida, East Carolina, Miami, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Florida, UAB, Vanderbilt

(03-02-2021 12:20 PM)schmolik Wrote:  How about...

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee

Big Ten: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin

SWC: Arkansas, Houston, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas Tech

Pac "9": Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington

ACC: Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, NC State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 8: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern

MWC: Boise State, BYU, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State

New Conference: Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Purdue, Temple, West Virginia

New Conference: Appalachian State, Central Florida, East Carolina, Miami, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Florida, UAB, Vanderbilt

Looks good except it leaves out some teams, I don’t see Navy, Baylor, SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, Rice, a lot of the MWC, most of C-USA, and the SBC, and the MAC, and independents.

(03-02-2021 11:52 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  In my opinion we should scrap 10, 12, 14 team conferences. 9 team conferences offer an 8 game round robin schedule plus 4 non conference games, which would yield a true champion without polls or computer rankings. It offers the chance for more regionalization/rivalries, which means larger crowds, and less travel, putting less strain on athletic budgets and olympic sports. Basketball teams could easily fit in a home and away schedule plus multiple non conference games. It would mean more conference commissioners/opportunities.

I couldn't agree more. I'm afraid that ship has sailed, though.

(03-02-2021 12:48 PM)SMUstang Wrote:  

(03-02-2021 12:20 PM)schmolik Wrote:  How about...

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee

Big Ten: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin

SWC: Arkansas, Houston, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas Tech

Pac "9": Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington

ACC: Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, NC State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 8: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern

MWC: Boise State, BYU, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State

New Conference: Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Purdue, Temple, West Virginia

New Conference: Appalachian State, Central Florida, East Carolina, Miami, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Florida, UAB, Vanderbilt

Looks good except it leaves out some teams, I don’t see Baylor, SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, most of C-USA, most of the MWC, SBC, or MAC.

Sorry, I should have at least put SMU in a conference.

New Conference: Baylor, North Texas, Rice, SMU, Texas Arlington, Texas San Antonio, Texas State, Tulsa, UTEP

New Conference: Arkansas State, Louisiana, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Tulane, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Troy

New Conference: Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Marshall, Old Dominion, Western Kentucky

MWC2: Air Force, Colorado State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Utah State, Wyoming, Need Two (Might Rearrange MWC and MWC2)

Go ahead and cut three teams out of the MAC.

It will never happen, but I just wish the CFP could somehow merge with the CCGs - if nothing else to get rid of the situation, and complaining, where you have a highly-ranked non-division winner who doesn't even reach the CCG but can qualify for the playoff. I think it would also get conferences out of a rigid scheduling mind-set that would allow for regional and rivalry games, as well as other made-for-fans games, which motivates better attendance and a better football season.

Football isn't college basketball, but I think the CFP post-season structure could utilize some NCAAB Tournament elements and principles to come up with an excellent expanded CFP.

I'd like to see a 16-team CFP with four 4-team regions, where the ultimate goal of each region is to earn a berth into one of the CFP semi-final bowls....that lead into the National Championship...no CCGs. Have a mix of autobids and at large selections and focus the Selection Committee on seeding the four CFP regions...where you have four 1 seeds, four 2 seeds, etc. and avoid rematches and same-conference matchups.

Using the PRE-conference championship CFP rankings, 2020 season could have looked something like this:

ATLANTA REGION (Atlanta, Sugar Bowl)
(4)USC @ (1)Alabama
(3)Indiana @ (2)Cincinnati

INDIANAPOLIS REGION (Indianapolis, Rose Bowl)
(4)Northwestern @ (1)Notre Dame
(3)Georgia @ (2)Iowa State

ARLINGTON, TX REGION (Arlington, Rose Bowl)
(4)Iowa @ (1)Clemson
(3)Oklahoma @ (2)Florida

LAS VEGAS REGION (Las Vegas, Sugar Bowl)
(4)Coastal Carolina @ (1)Ohio State
(3)Miami @ (2)Texas A&M

Round 1 - December first weekend @ higher seed home field

Round 2 - December second weekend/pre-Christmas @ CCG site
(Atlanta, Indianapolis, Arlington, Las Vegas)

Semifinals - New Year's weekend (Saturday or NYD) @ NY6 venues

Championship - First Monday in January that is 7+ days after Semifinals @ pre-determined site

I think the natural progression is an 8-team playoff with some sort of autobid system that will ensure the P5 all get a slot.

The big question will be are there 3 at-large berths or 2, with either an autobid or conditional autobid for a G5 champ?

It’s a good system and one that will keep more fan bases engaged deeper into the season than what we currently have. It should also drive up the viewership and value of the CCGs.

(03-03-2021 02:59 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  I think the natural progression is an 8-team playoff with some sort of autobid system that will ensure the P5 all get a slot.

The big question will be are there 3 at-large berths or 2, with either an autobid or conditional autobid for a G5 champ?

It’s a good system and one that will keep more fan bases engaged deeper into the season than what we currently have. It should also drive up the viewership and value of the CCGs.

If there is an 8 team playoff, why do we need to have an autobid for P5 champion? Just have a bid for the six highest ranked champions.

I thought the thread was for discussing 9 team conferences, not 12 team conferences:)

(03-04-2021 11:15 AM)SMUstang Wrote:  I know this is pie-in-the-sky stuff but:

What if C-USA gave up Florida Atlantic and Florida International in exchange for Arkansas Little Rock and Texas Arlington? And the AAC picked up Army or BYU. Then all of the G5 conferences would have 12 football members for now.

ken_d convinced me that 9 team conferences ship has sailed.

9 team conference is the best 8 game round robin conference schedule and no do over CCG between teams that met during the season.

10 team conference is good too with 9 game conference schedule.

11 and 12 are ok with no divisions and 9 conference games and no CCG

Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

(03-05-2021 06:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

That's pretty good, but you would have to be made College Football Czar to pull it off.

(03-05-2021 07:01 PM)ken d Wrote:  

(03-05-2021 06:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

That's pretty good, but you would have to be made College Football Czar to pull it off.

I wouldn't turn down the job....

(03-05-2021 06:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

Congrats Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, Miss St, and Ole Miss; instead of playing Alabama and Auburn, you get to play Louisville and Memphis now!

Congrats Bama and Auburn; instead of playing LSU and Tennessee, you get to play the directional Florida schools that used to be in CUSA now!

I think you go back to 1980 and create a JoePa conference and a Metro football conference and you’re golden.

(03-05-2021 11:13 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(03-05-2021 06:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

Congrats Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, Miss St, and Ole Miss; instead of playing Alabama and Auburn, you get to play Louisville and Memphis now!

Congrats Bama and Auburn; instead of playing LSU and Tennessee, you get to play the directional Florida schools that used to be in CUSA now!

I never said it was preferable to the current alignment.

(03-05-2021 06:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

Nah, you only broke up the biggest rivalry in college football (Ohio State/Michigan).

(03-06-2021 06:15 AM)schmolik Wrote:  

(03-05-2021 06:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  Conferences of 9 teams are not ideal in the sense that all teams cannot play in-conference at the same time, but here's my effort at a "P8" of 9-team circuits:

ACC: Clemson, Duke, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Big 9: Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Big North: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin

Great East: Boston College, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, West Virginia

Pac-9: Boise State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State

SEC: Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, South Florida

South Central: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

SWC: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Utah

I didn't break up any states, and I got the Big 8 and the original ACC 8 back together.

Nah, you only broke up the biggest rivalry in college football (Ohio State/Michigan).

That can be played OOC, just like Oklahoma/Texas.

Move the OH schools to new Big 10, SMU instead of Utah in SWC. Otherwise it's great.