RE: MEMPHIS--when the dust settles-where is MEMPHIS
Best case is being included in 3rd super conference.
-One way is the Big 12 adds 4 corners to become base of 3rd super conference, and the ACC get liquidated to P2 to the point only 6 are available. Memphis would make the most sense to be #23 and USF #24 imo.
-The second way is ESPN executes a bait and switch around the ACC.
Say, 4 corners think they have a free option and can wait, maybe even sign a short GOR.
With no expansion west, ESPN baits WVU and Cincy to jump to the uncertain ACC, KU follows because UNC told ESPN they will die in the ACC before giving up their pond, and a basketball centric ACC best preserves KU's brand. 10 Big 12 end up in ACC to get dissolution and growth of ACC Network in new markets that love college sports.
At some point, the switch occurs, with at least 4 football schools to P2, because Miami and FSU would go suicidal on the ACC/ESPN if not in P2 and to get above UCF. VT, FSU, Miami, Clemson all to SEC. UVa goes BIG to keep up with VT, and manages to pull along UNC and Duke. NC St goes to SEC to give SECN a foothold in NC. (UNC may be more likely to go SEC with NCSt, or even get a LHN type gift from ESPN to stay in ACC with Duke, but this is a Memphis best case).
That leaves 6 ACC plus likely 10 Big 12. The 4 corners become free as the BIG can now move in the west knowing it has room for all 4 of Stanford, Cal, UW, Oregon (and ND btw). This assumes something like KU is not also added to SEC, but the need to do that soon goes down if BIG has UNC and Duke imo
Maybe the "ACC" stays at 20, but with ACCNet, they could justify G5s in new markets. Memphis, USF, SDSU etc could work their way to ACC. In this scenario, Memphis is taking the place of some of KSU/ISU/BYU/Oregon St/WSU (although one of those will likely make it)
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