It will be interesting to see what tomorrows Houston Chronicle headline in the sports section will be.

*** SMUstang ***

Is anyone else curious if the SEC will stop at 16?

If it weren’t for the messy GOR, why not take Florida St and Clemson too?

Not reading all the previous posts... Just came to say that if this happens (taken from a random Twitter post), college football outside the SEC is pretty much done.

SEC East
Alabama
Auburn
Georgia
Florida
Kentucky
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

SEC West
Arkansas
LSU
Missouri
Mississippi
Mississippi State
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M

Expanded playoff or not, this is the only league that will matter. The rest will be playing for scraps.

TAMU and Mizzou will vote no. Everyone else would have to hope that Bama and Auburn decide they don't want to be in the East, or it's gonna happen.

As postedby the SEC Nework, it appears the "pods" are defacto "divisions" as they are not being paired into larger, 8-team divisions. I agree with others that 2 divisions are better than 4... maybe even better than 1 (assuming that becomes an option). There is a small chance that the SEC is looking to hold 2 CCGs with both likely to gain NY6 access.

With 2 divisions you can still create pods (mini-divisions that change every year or so). Every year you play 3 teams in your pod, 4 teams from your paired pod, and 1 extra-pod rival; you host every team at least every 6 years. The 1 annual rival outside your pod allows the ability to keep all major rivalries intact. And, the SEC doesn't even need to go to 9 games to do it.

(07-22-2021 01:13 PM)Artifice Wrote:  Not reading all the previous posts... Just came to say that if this happens (taken from a random Twitter post), college football outside the SEC is pretty much done.

SEC East
Alabama
Auburn
Georgia
Florida
Kentucky
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

SEC West
Arkansas
LSU
Missouri
Mississippi
Mississippi State
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M

Expanded playoff or not, this is the only league that will matter. The rest will be playing for scraps.

TAMU and Mizzou will vote no. Everyone else would have to hope that Bama and Auburn decide they don't want to be in the East, or it's gonna happen.

Truer words were never spoken. I have already written off the NFL. Now I have to look at professional college football too.

*** SMUstang ***

ACC

Atlantic : UVA, V Tech, UNC, Duke, NC state, Wake, Clemson, G Tech
Coastal: BC, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, ND, TCU, FSU, Miami

If nd went in for football, the acc would make some $ too. I even like a football only in navy or BYU to pair with ND

Does anyone else think that maybe Sankey is trying to create not just a super conference but THE super conference?

He’s at 16 now. He could easily cherry pick another 8-14 more, tearing the ACC and Big Ten up in the process.

(07-22-2021 01:18 PM)Crayton Wrote:  As postedby the SEC Nework, it appears the "pods" are defacto "divisions" as they are not being paired into larger, 8-team divisions. I agree with others that 2 divisions are better than 4... maybe even better than 1 (assuming that becomes an option). There is a small chance that the SEC is looking to hold 2 CCGs with both likely to gain NY6 access.

With 2 divisions you can still create pods (mini-divisions that change every year or so). Every year you play 3 teams in your pod, 4 teams from your paired pod, and 1 extra-pod rival; you host every team at least every 6 years. The 1 annual rival outside your pod allows the ability to keep all major rivalries intact. And, the SEC doesn't even need to go to 9 games to do it.

Pods (proposed permanent opponents listed next to each team)

West
Oklahoma > Mississippi St
Texas > Texas A&M
Arkansas > LSU
Missouri > Ole Miss

East
Alabama > South Carolina
Auburn > Georgia
Tennessee > Kentucky
Vanderbilt > Florida

Pod and designated opponents are permanent, pods rotate playing each other.

(07-22-2021 02:36 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Pods (proposed permanent opponents listed next to each team)

West
Oklahoma > Mississippi St
Texas > Texas A&M
Arkansas > LSU
Missouri > Ole Miss

East
Alabama > South Carolina
Auburn > Georgia
Tennessee > Kentucky
Vanderbilt > Florida

Pod and designated opponents are permanent, pods rotate playing each other.

Unfair to SC and Vandy. Pair them and then pair Alabama with Florida.

(07-22-2021 02:45 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:36 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Pods (proposed permanent opponents listed next to each team)

West
Oklahoma > Mississippi St
Texas > Texas A&M
Arkansas > LSU
Missouri > Ole Miss

East
Alabama > South Carolina
Auburn > Georgia
Tennessee > Kentucky
Vanderbilt > Florida

Pod and designated opponents are permanent, pods rotate playing each other.

Unfair to SC and Vandy. Pair them and then pair Alabama with Florida.

That just means they are the teams in the divisions.:

West:
Oklahoma
Texas
Arkansas
Missouri

North:
Mississippi St
Texas A&M
LSU
Ole Miss

South:
South Carolina
Georgia
Kentucky
Florida

East:
Alabama
Auburn
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

(07-22-2021 02:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Does anyone else think that maybe Sankey is trying to create not just a super conference but THE super conference?

He’s at 16 now. He could easily cherry pick another 8-14 more, tearing the ACC and Big Ten up in the process.

At some point, and who knows what number that occurs, the number of noncompetitive teams becomes a problem for a strong portion of the league - especially if a strong faction of teams determine that their collective voice is no longer being heard or incorporated. The larger conferences becomes, the more there are cooks in the kitchen. Make no mistake, adding Texas and Oklahoma provides tremendous near-term and long-term value for the SEC. However, it is no secret that Texas was part of the SWC, which broke apart, and the Big 12, which very well could break apart. Was that because of Texas? Not individually, but the needs of Texas will always be greater than that of their respective counterparts - which is why schools like Arkansas, Missouri and Texas A&M made a concentrated effort to leave their affiliations with Texas behind.

There needs to be a balance to it. While I do think we are moving towards two ultra-conferences, it is only natural for - years down the line - for these same schools to step back and declare "we want something smaller - we want the opportunity to win a conference championship; we want a larger say in how we operate; we want more opportunities to win competitive (for us) games."

Not sure what additional moves will be made, and it will certainly be fascinating to watch unfold, but I guarantee - no matter what the votes say - there will not be universal acceptance, internally, to these moves (even larger conferences).

(07-22-2021 02:53 PM)BCSvsBS Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:45 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:36 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Pods (proposed permanent opponents listed next to each team)

West
Oklahoma > Mississippi St
Texas > Texas A&M
Arkansas > LSU
Missouri > Ole Miss

East
Alabama > South Carolina
Auburn > Georgia
Tennessee > Kentucky
Vanderbilt > Florida

Pod and designated opponents are permanent, pods rotate playing each other.

Unfair to SC and Vandy. Pair them and then pair Alabama with Florida.

That just means they are the teams in the divisions.:

West:
Oklahoma
Texas
Arkansas
Missouri

North:
Mississippi St
Texas A&M
LSU
Ole Miss

South:
South Carolina
Georgia
Kentucky
Florida

East:
Alabama
Auburn
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

I question the geographic sensibility of your division names.

(07-22-2021 02:54 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Does anyone else think that maybe Sankey is trying to create not just a super conference but THE super conference?

He’s at 16 now. He could easily cherry pick another 8-14 more, tearing the ACC and Big Ten up in the process.

At some point, and who knows what number that occurs, the number of noncompetitive teams becomes a problem for a strong portion of the league - especially if a strong faction of teams determine that their collective voice is no longer being heard or incorporated. The larger conferences becomes, the more there are cooks in the kitchen. Make no mistake, adding Texas and Oklahoma provides tremendous near-term and long-term value for the SEC. However, it is no secret that Texas was part of the SWC, which broke apart, and the Big 12, which very well could break apart. Was that because of Texas? Not individually, but the needs of Texas will always be greater than that of their respective counterparts - which is why schools like Arkansas, Missouri and Texas A&M made a concentrated effort to leave their affiliations with Texas behind.

There needs to be a balance to it. While I do think we are moving towards two ultra-conferences, it is only natural for - years down the line - for these same schools to step back and declare "we want something smaller - we want the opportunity to win a conference championship; we want a larger say in how we operate; we want more opportunities to win competitive (for us) games."

Not sure what additional moves will be made, and it will certainly be fascinating to watch unfold, but I guarantee - no matter what the votes say - there will not be universal acceptance, internally, to these moves (even larger conferences).

Ignorant comments. Arkansas wanted Texas to come. Missouri wanted to avoid the big east fate as they nearly did with the pac 16. A&M was more about escaping Tech. And it was a branding decision more than athletic.

(07-22-2021 02:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Does anyone else think that maybe Sankey is trying to create not just a super conference but THE super conference?

He’s at 16 now. He could easily cherry pick another 8-14 more, tearing the ACC and Big Ten up in the process.

I would also think the Pac-12 may also be in danger of losing teams too.

When UT and OU started talking last time, we lost other good teams. So I wouldn't be surprised if one or more non-UT/OU teams announce jumps soon. My _guess_: B1G approaches UT and KU today or tomorrow. KU says yes, if the terms are decent. UT may say no for now as a delay tactic, and no again later unless the SEC vote goes against them. If a "no" by UT to the B1G, with NU's and KU's encouragement the B1G goes for MU. MU would probably say yes because its academics/admin wanted to be in the B1G last time around, but the SEC offered instead. SEC then looks around for one more in a new big market in the south. NC or VA?

(07-22-2021 03:15 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:53 PM)BCSvsBS Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:45 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 02:36 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Pods (proposed permanent opponents listed next to each team)

West
Oklahoma > Mississippi St
Texas > Texas A&M
Arkansas > LSU
Missouri > Ole Miss

East
Alabama > South Carolina
Auburn > Georgia
Tennessee > Kentucky
Vanderbilt > Florida

Pod and designated opponents are permanent, pods rotate playing each other.

Unfair to SC and Vandy. Pair them and then pair Alabama with Florida.

That just means they are the teams in the divisions.:

West:
Oklahoma
Texas
Arkansas
Missouri

North:
Mississippi St
Texas A&M
LSU
Ole Miss

South:
South Carolina
Georgia
Kentucky
Florida

East:
Alabama
Auburn
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

I question the geographic sensibility of your division names.

I know. I just threw those out there as an example.

(07-22-2021 03:51 PM)PlayBall! Wrote:  When UT and OU started talking last time, we lost other good teams. So I wouldn't be surprised if one or more non-UT/OU teams announce jumps soon. My _guess_: B1G approaches UT and KU today or tomorrow. KU says yes, if the terms are decent. UT may say no for now as a delay tactic, and no again later unless the SEC vote goes against them. If a "no" by UT to the B1G, with NU's and KU's encouragement the B1G goes for MU. MU would probably say yes because its academics/admin wanted to be in the B1G last time around, but the SEC offered instead. SEC then looks around for one more in a new big market in the south. NC or VA?

If MU somehow got approval to exit on decent terms (I don't see how that is more likely than A&M) then the SEC would be forced to take TTech or OSU assuming KU joins MU to the B1G.

There is no way in possible hell UNC is going to jeopardize their BBall monopoly. It pays for itself. The football will come in what is still a watered down conference. They will have their opportunities as Clemson had and took theirs.

The ACC can solidify the conference with A&M and ND. You put ND in a pod with GTech, A&M, and The U, and you suddenly have a conference with no weaknesses in terms of branding and geography. That opens the life raft for Okie State to join OU and Tech/TCU to join UT.

(07-21-2021 03:54 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(07-21-2021 03:43 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(07-21-2021 03:28 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(07-21-2021 03:15 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  Well---this makes a heall of a lot more sense than Texas and Oklahoma to the Pac12.

I've been telling folks for 9 years it was likely and all I ever got in return was fan think, UT will never follow Aggy. Texas hates the SEC. OU prefers the B1G, and you know a good bit of that was likely true, but these are business moves and in a board room the bottom line, logistics, and overall product fit matters. Softball, women's gymnastics, baseball, all of it has to line up.

Ive said for a long time that IF the Longhorns were to move---the SEC or Big-10 make waaaaay more sense than the Pac-12. I just didnt think either UT or OU would leave a conference that fits them so well and gives them pretty much whatever they want.

That's where my surprise is. OU isn't a huge shock. But I didn't see UT leaving a power conference that they effectively run and follow A&M.

Exactly. Not to mention they have an easy path to the playoffs every year

And it isn’t as if UT or OU need to money. Still not convinced this is for real but we will see

(07-22-2021 04:10 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  If MU somehow got approval to exit on decent terms ...

I am under the impression that the SEC does not have any exit fees. They feel they don't need them.

(07-22-2021 04:18 PM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(07-22-2021 04:10 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  If MU somehow got approval to exit on decent terms ...

I am under the impression that the SEC does not have any exit fees. They feel they don't need them.

I'm from the old Big 8. I've followed Missouri most of my life. They would have loved to be in the B1G. They feel like Nebraska stole their spot. They recruit students heavily in Chicago. They'd probably still listen to the B1G, and the SEC would probably wish them well if they went. The B1G is still a better fit for them. But if the B1G can't guarantee the kind of income Mizzou will get in the SEC, no dice.