(11-06-2021 11:12 PM)Soobahk40050 Wrote: I think by the time OK and Texas join, semi finals will be allowed, but if not, then I see no reason not to set up an 8+1 scheduling system.
Each teams play 8 conference games (3 in pod, 5 others) + 3 OOC games. Then on what is now "rivalry weekend" you play a 9th "conference game." Pod winners play pod winners. 2nd place plays 2nd place on a rotating basis. 3rd plays 3rd, 4th plays 4th.
Championship game the following weekend.
Positives: balances the schedule even if it may causes some repeat matchups (avoid if possible, i.e instead of pod winner A playing B a second time, they play C.) 4th place vs 4th place may lead to "battle for a bowl game" "bracket buster" type competitions.
Semi finals would be another reason to breakaway. SEC Semis would be wort another 6o - 70 million to the conference and the NCAA is the only rules obstacle to it. And you should note ESPN is using SEC mouthpieces to push for it.
A breakaway would allow ESPN to build a league without contractual interference. Compliance with court decisions (like NIL and perhaps next Summer pay for play) would allow all schools a pass on their current conferences, GOR's, exit fees, etc., by precedent.
What I'm about to list is purely speculative but such a league could look like this:
North: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin
Plains: Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas
Southwest: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Texas A&M
Southeast: Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina
Atlantic: Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia
Pacific: Arizona, Colorado, California Los Angeles, Oregon, Washington, Utah
*Working with but separate:
Privates:
Baylor, Duke, Miami, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Rice, Southern Cal, Stanford, T.C.U., Tulane, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest
I doubt you would get that much compliance and likely if the SEC broke away with some ACC schools and perhaps a couple more from the B12 you would see the Big 10 and PAC form a league as well. It's uncharted territory so who knows? I do know there are schools elsewhere which would be interested at the revenue levels mentioned in the 110-120 million range, but they likely will never publicly reveal their interest and may like forming one they had more control in forming. We'll see.
But if there is a breakaway from the NCAA there are half a dozen or so hoops brands which would be profitable to consider.