(09-01-2023 02:32 PM)shizzle787 Wrote: Whoa. Conference realignment is running down the tracks at a 1,000 miles per hour.
With the additions of SMU, Cal, and Stanford, the ACC (and the rest of the P4) are now done.
That leaves the remaining dominoes:
First up are OSU and WSU. Though Oregon State would like to rebuild the Pac-12 in its own image, I do not see that happening. What I do see happening is the MW schools and OSU and WSU merging under the Pac-12 name. These schools then invite Gonzaga to get to a 14/14 football/basketball split. The MW is officially dead.
With the departure of SMU, the American looks to add a 14th member for inventory purposes. Ultimately, the league adds Texas State to bolster its presence in Texas.
The Sun Belt is now down to 13 schools. The league decides WKU is the best fit and invites the Hilltoppers.
Down to 9 members, CUSA looks to expand again. EKU checks the most boxes and no longer needs to deal with politics associated with WKU.
Out west, the WCC is down to 8 schools. Cue Grand Canyon and Seattle. These additions get the league back to 10 members.
This leaves Division 1 with 362 schools, 31 conferences, 134 FBS schools, and 128 FCS schools as of 7/1/25.
I think most everyone expects some sort of merge between the MWC and the remains of the PAC (the new MPAC).
But for the rest, let's be
bold : )
FSU, NC, Clemson, and VT (and espn), convince the rest of the ACC to let them go to the SEC for some sort of structured deal.
The ACC backfills with USF, UConn, Memphis, Tulane, and Navy - Making them 17+1+1.
Add SMU, and that's 5 down from the AAC.
The MPAC takes what they want from the western AAC/CUSA.
Temple, seeing the writing on the wall, pairs with WKU to the MAC.
The SB takes what they want from what's left of the AAC/CUSA, if anything.
espn and CBS (who also have media deals with CUSA) use this as a way out of the AAC media deals.
The remains of the AAC and CUSA merge in some way.
And realignment is over for awhile.