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Conference Realignment (speculation thread)

R

rmartin65

Hall of Fame
With the news of the sudden move by Syracuse and Pitt to join the ACC, I think we are seeing the birth of the super-conferences. How do you think it all goes down?

I have 4 super conferences forming (ACC, Big 10, Pac 12 and SEC) and 3 Minor Conferences (WAC/MWC, MAC, Sun Belt/CUSA), all with 16 teams, split into 2 divisions of 8. New teams are in italics.

ACC

North
Boston College
Connecticut
Maryland
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
Syracuse
Virginia
Virginia Tech

South
Clemson
Duke
Florida State
Georgia Tech
Miami (FL)
North Carolina
North Carolina State
Wake Forest


Big 10

East
Cincinnati
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue

West
Illinois
Iowa
Iowa State
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Northwestern
Wisconsin


PAC-12

East
California
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
UCLA
USC
Washington
Washington State

West
Arizona
Arizona State
Colorado
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas
Texas Tech
Utah

SEC
East
Alabama
Auburn
East Carolina
Florida
Georgia
South Carolina
South Florida
West Virginia

West
Arkansas
Kentucky
LSU
Mississippi
Mississippi State
Tennessee
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt

WAC/MWC

East
Air Force
BYU
Colorado State
New Mexico
New Mexico State
TCU
Utah State
Wyoming

West
Boise State
Fresno State
Hawaii
Idaho
Nevada
San Diego State
San Jose State
UNLV

Sun Belt/C-USA

East
Florida Atlantic
Florida International
Memphis
Southern Mississippi
Troy
Tulane
UAB
UCF

West
Baylor
Houston
Kansas
Kansas State
Rice
Southern Methodist
Tulsa
UTEP

MAC

East
Akron
Army
Buffalo
Kent State
Navy
Marshall
Ohio
Temple

West
Ball State
Bowling Green
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Northern Illinois
Miami (OH)
Toledo
Western Michigan

Leftovers
Arkansas State
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
Middle Tennessee
North Texas
Western Kentucky
 
I know the rumors are out there, but I don't think Tech will end up in the Pac-12/16. The school is just too horrible at academics for them to dilute their conference. I would expect either Kansas or BYU to take that last spot over them.
 
Is it possible to join 2 conferences? For example, Notre Dame is independent in football (I know that's not a conference) but I believe that they are in the Big East for other sports. Is it possible for Texas to join the Pac-12 for football, and the ACC for basketball? Other sports could join either or, but I'm mainly focused on football and basketball in this post. The football program would go against some good competition in the Pac-12, and the ACC would be the most dominant basketball conference in college.

So, is it possible? If not, I wouldn't mind UT going to the ACC.
 
Dutchrudder said:
I know the rumors are out there, but I don't think Tech will end up in the Pac-12/16. The school is just too horrible at academics for them to dilute their conference. I would expect either Kansas or BYU to take that last spot over them.
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Texas is insisting they come along for the ride. They know that Tech will be indebted to them, they can use them as an excuse or ally for political reasons and they need a strong alliance in the West coast centric conference. Same reason OU is bringing along OSU.

Football is driving these changes, which is why Kansas is an also-ran in this discussion.
 
Stemp said:
Texas is insisting they come along for the ride. They know that Tech will be indebted to them, they can use them as an excuse or ally for political reasons and they need a strong alliance in the West coast centric conference. Same reason OU is bringing along OSU.

Football is driving these changes, which is why Kansas is an also-ran in this discussion.
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It may be worth it for the Pac if they can get Texas, but I don't see why Texas would care about where Tech lands. Academically, Tech is one of the worst schools in all of the BCS conferences. I can't imagine schools like Stanford and Cal would want such a terrible institution in their conference. OSU, OU, BYU and Texas would be the jackpot for the Pac12.
 
As a Texas fan, I would rather go to the PAC16 than the ACC. Seems like there are better teams.
 
I am adding something to make sure everyone knows this is a mock to the titlt.
 
Super Mario said:
As a Texas fan, I would rather go to the PAC16 than the ACC. Seems like there are better teams.
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Same here. I am excited about this move.

Also, the culture of The University of Texas is very much a western culture, with a mix of California fruits and nuts, Northwest trees and grunge, Arizona dessert and Colorado cool. The ACC is East Coast. That is just not who we are. Same thing with the Southern culture of the SEC or the Midwest culture of the Big 10 (B1G). Texas will fit in great with the schools in the PAC 16. And the proposed pod system helps sustain key regional rivalry games, such as UT vs OU.

I am really pleased with what is being proposed here. Although it is obviously not finished until it is finished.

I hope they get it done. Its all good.
 
How can the ACC be considered a super conference in football with it's current lineup? The ACC adds a whipping boy in Syracuse and an average program in Pittsburgh. Adding UCONN would do nothing for the league either, atleast football wise.
 
TexansSeminole said:
How can the ACC be considered a super conference in football with it's current lineup? The ACC adds a whipping boy in Syracuse and an average program in Pittsburgh. Adding UCONN would do nothing for the league either, atleast football wise.
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If they lose Miami or Florida State to the SEC, that will make it even worse. Needless to say, both of these schools would be natural fits in the SEC. It could happen.
 
Since this is the conference realignment speculation thread....

Report: Big East, Big 12 discuss merger

NEW YORK -- A person involved in the discussions tells The Associated Press that school and conference officials from the Big East and Big 12 have been discussing ways to merge what's left of the two leagues if Texas and Oklahoma leave the Big 12.

The person, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk publicly about what is going on behind the scenes, said Monday there has been dialogue between athletic directors and high-level officials in the conference offices.

Syracuse and Pittsburgh have announced they will be leaving the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Texas and Oklahoma are both trying to decide whether to leave the Big 12 for the Pac-12, taking Oklahoma State and Texas Tech with them.
Click to expand...
 
And then there is this:

OU, Texas authorized to act on Pac-12

The University of Oklahoma's board of regents and their counterparts at Texas granted their school presidents the authority to take action regarding conference realignment on Monday.

The moves clear the way for the Sooners and Longhorns to apply formally to the Pac-12, with whom they have been undergoing discussions in recent days on how to make the schools' addition to the conference work.

On Sunday, those talks were still a long way from the point at which Pac-12 leadership would be comfortable recommending the move to the league's presidents, a source told ESPN.com's Andy Katz. The proposed expansion would include fellow Big 12 schools Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

"There has been a great deal of movement around the country and press reports around the country concerning conference realignment,'' school president William Powers told the Texas board. "We believe that it would be very helpful if the campus and I, and along the terms that were discussed earlier with consultation the chancellor and the chairman of the board and others, be able to explore options and have the authority to make decision with respect to this including continued participation in the Big 12."

....
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One step closer....

But then again, Mack Brown weighs in with some profound words of wisdom (from the same article):
Texas coach Mack Brown shared the apparent skepticism of an overwhelming majority of fans throughout Big 12 country when he said the best interests of players should be duly considered in any decisions on conference alignment.

According to the results of a poll released Monday that was commissioned by Baylor and conducted by KRC Research, college football fans prefer traditional rivalries and regional conferences over super-conferences.

According to the poll over the weekend of 1,500 college graduates within Big 12 states, 76 percent of fans said they would be disappointed by the creation of super-conferences.

Brown turned impassioned in the Big 12's weekly conference call with the league's head coaches and media. "As much as we talk about money," Brown said, "as much as we talk about college football, as much as we talk about realignment, as much as we talk about great games, playoffs and all that stuff, we better go back and make sure that we're taking care of the players and that the players and the high school coaches are always considered in the equation.

"Because if not, we're not going to have a game, and they're the ones that are playing. And, for parents to travel all the way across the country is going to put a bigger burden on them."
Click to expand...
 
TexansSeminole said:
How can the ACC be considered a super conference in football with it's current lineup? The ACC adds a whipping boy in Syracuse and an average program in Pittsburgh. Adding UCONN would do nothing for the league either, atleast football wise.
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In this case, being the clear best basketball conference and a viable football conference will be enough. Also, not letting the SEC or the Big 10-twelve think it cherry pick its members is also valuable.
 
http://twitter.com/#!/kbohls


kbohls kbohls
No small point. UT prez Bill Powers has authority to stay in Big 12, but cannot take action on own to change conferences; regents keep that.
30 minutes ago
»

kbohls kbohls
Didn't get to ask UT prez Powers how Big 12 could still be viable. He took zero questions, ducked into elevator and left. To Pac12, I guess.
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Bold is interesting
 
Couple of things to point out from this article regarding the musical chairs.

Big East exit fees are only $5 million per school.
Should the ACC vote to accept Pittsburgh and Syracuse, Big East bylaws call for a $5 million exit fee - a veritable pittance in today’s climate of billion-dollar television deals - as well as an advanced notice of 27 months. Such a timeline would technically mean neither school would be contractually permitted to leave until the 2014-2015 academic year; technically, that would also mean next to nothing in this day and age as both sides could make concessions - i.e. “enhanced” financial considerations in exchange for an accelerated time frame for an exit - that would expedite the process.

When this domino falls - and, yes, we’re saying when and not if - it will trigger what will likely become the most seismic shift to the conference landscape in the game’s history.
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Nobody from the ACC is going anywhere, even to the SEC.
Of course, the fact that the ACC is suddenly a very proactive conference could also serve as protection against potential poaching from another league. Well, that and the news the conference recently and unanimously approved a bump in exit fees - from roughly $12 million to the current figure of $20 million - means that the league is interested in keeping their current membership intact as well as adding to their current roll.
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http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/17/acc-to-vote-on-expansion-sunday-as-total-apocalypse-looms/
 
pbat488 said:
interesting read that is important to all this realignment going on.

http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/20...NYT+>+Sports)&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimessports
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The optimal name for the conference currently tagged to be the PAC 16 would be the Western Athletic Conference. Unfortunately, that name is currently taken. However, with the weakness of the WAC and the rapid change in conference alignment now going on in College Football, that name could possibly become available sooner rather than later.
 
The thing that gets me out of all of this is the fact that Syracuse and Pitt's move to the ACC came out of nowhere. They weren't making a big deal about it, or whining about the Big East the whole time like A&M was. They actually look smart and competent in this move, a stark contrast to the way A&M handled their mess, and they aren't even in the SEC yet.
 
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Dutchrudder said:
The thing that gets me out of all of this is the fact that Syracuse and Pitt's move to the ACC came out of nowhere. They weren't making a big deal about it, or whining about the Big East the whole time like A&M was. They actually look smart and competent in this move, a stark contrast to the way A&M handled their mess, and they aren't even in the SEC yet.
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Wish I could rep ya you T-sip
 
MojoMan said:
Same here. I am excited about this move.

Also, the culture of The University of Texas is very much a western culture, with a mix of California fruits and nuts, Northwest trees and grunge, Arizona dessert and Colorado cool. The ACC is East Coast. That is just not who we are. Same thing with the Southern culture of the SEC or the Midwest culture of the Big 10 (B1G). Texas will fit in great with the schools in the PAC 16. And the proposed pod system helps sustain key regional rivalry games, such as UT vs OU.

I am really pleased with what is being proposed here. Although it is obviously not finished until it is finished.

I hope they get it done. Its all good.
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I never thought about it that way however I see some of that. Austin does have a little bit of a California vibe and we know there are a bunch of them here.

The same can be said about A&M. They have the whole hick/redneck thing going on and that fits in with the SEC. That wasn't meant as an insult either, I am part redneck myself and love to crank up some Kevin Fowler (btw, want to go to an Aggy convention? Go to a Kevin Fowler concert, they are out in full force at his shows, even the ones in Austin). I also root for the Aggies when they are not playing us and I have family in Splendora. ;)
 
Hookem Horns said:
I never thought about it that way however I see some of that. Austin does have a little bit of a California vibe and we know there are a bunch of them here.

The same can be said about A&M. They have the whole hick/redneck thing going on and that fits in with the SEC. That wasn't meant as an insult either, I am part redneck myself and love to crank up some Kevin Fowler (btw, want to go to an Aggy convention? Go to a Kevin Fowler concert, they are out in full force at his shows, even the ones in Austin). I also root for the Aggies when they are not playing us and I have family in Splendora. ;)
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I completely agree. Texas A&M is very Southern and not so much Western. More of a Robert E. Lee and Lynyrd Skynyrd type flavor. The SEC is culturally a great fit for the Ags. If Texas had gone SEC, it would have made for some great football, but I fear that UT would have been a bit of a cultural outsider. Or maybe UT would have regarded much of the rest of the SEC as cultural outsiders. Perhaps that is a better way to put it. And I think that is part of the reason we have never seen the SEC given serious consideration by UT in all this.
 
Billboard in Waco...

billboard.jpg
 
^Well, if we're going to cast in religious metaphors I think Nebraska and A&M get the role of Judas.

I don't find the PAC a cultural fit for Texans or UT. Outside of Highland Park & the 40 acres, we don't value the things they do on the left coast. Culturally, Texas fits more in middle America or the Deep South.

Instead of driving to Waco or College Station, Billy Bob's parents have to fly to L.A. now. And I can promise you, Billy's Dad was planning on never having to walk amongst those people in Cali-forn-i-a in his lifetime. Halloween once a year is more than enough for him.

I hate these outcomes and think we, UT, shot ourselves in the foot.
 
Dan B. said:
Shouldn't that read "Thou shalt not covet they neighbor's TV Deal?"
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A&M didn't go out of their way to prevent the LHN from being created nor are they trying to sabotage it, but Baylor is trying to block A&M from going to the SEC. Big difference.
 
I honestly believe that when this all shakes out, OU and OSU will be the PAC 14, Texas and Tech will be in a reconstituted Big 12 with the remnants of the Big East (including WV) and A&M and Mizzou will be in the SEC.

Why? Because OU/OSU wants to forge their own path and reports are that the Okie higher-ups are tired of the shenanigans of Texas. Texas wants to keep the LHN as is, and not change or remove any branding. Plus, in the Big 12, they are still the big dog and can push around all the other schools who are just happy to still be in an AQ conference. Mizzou doesn't want to be left without a spot and the SEC is their 2nd choice to a Big 10 offer, ahead of staying in a precarious Big 12. WV will miss out on SEC but is a big enough program to make the move with the rest of the Big east teams . This would also allow Baylor to keep is AQ status and money and not sue the SEC.

Now, I will qualify by saying that Mizzou and WV may switch positions with Mizzou staying and WV going SEC, but from what I'm hearing Mizzou is the more desirable choice and assuming the Big 10 offer doesn't appear, that is what will happen.
 
Dutchrudder said:
A&M didn't go out of their way to prevent the LHN from being created nor are they trying to sabotage it, but Baylor is trying to block A&M from going to the SEC. Big difference.
Click to expand...

You don't have to sabotage something to covet it. You don't sense a bit of envy from the A&M camp?
 
Stemp said:
I honestly believe that when this all shakes out, OU and OSU will be the PAC 14, Texas and Tech will be in a reconstituted Big 12 with the remnants of the Big East (including WV) and A&M and Mizzou will be in the SEC.

Why? Because OU/OSU wants to forge their own path and reports are that the Okie higher-ups are tired of the shenanigans of Texas. Texas wants to keep the LHN as is, and not change or remove any branding. Plus, in the Big 12, they are still the big dog and can push around all the other schools who are just happy to still be in an AQ conference. Mizzou doesn't want to be left without a spot and the SEC is their 2nd choice to a Big 10 offer, ahead of staying in a precarious Big 12. WV will miss out on SEC but is a big enough program to make the move with the rest of the Big east teams . This would also allow Baylor to keep is AQ status and money and not sue the SEC.

Now, I will qualify by saying that Mizzou and WV may switch positions with Mizzou staying and WV going SEC, but from what I'm hearing Mizzou is the more desirable choice and assuming the Big 10 offer doesn't appear, that is what will happen.
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Whatever happens, I hope its settled soon. Tired of hearing about the conflicting reports and yip yap from everywhere.
 
Dan B. said:
You don't have to sabotage something to covet it. You don't sense a bit of envy from the A&M camp?
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Kind of, but I don't know if it's so much about the LHN as it is the 300 million. I think A&M wants to make more money, and they didn't have an avenue available to do that in the Big 12's current structure, so they want to go to the SEC where they will be guaranteed 20+ million a year from the conference. That's what Nebraska and Colorado did too, and I don't blame any other school that wants to do the same - OU, OSU, Mizzou.

The LHN was a huge cashgrab for UT and nobody else in the conference could match that deal, rather they would likely struggle to sustain their own network. Very few schools in the country could make their own network anyways, so that's why every other major conference has gone the route of shared revenues and conference networks. Why let Ohio State bring in 10-15 mill a year on its own when you can create the BTN and get every school 8 million a year? A&M doesn't want to be another doormat in the Big 12 like the Baylors are so eager to do, but rather join a conference that shares the revenues and increases everyone's bottom lines.
 
It will never happen, but I think it would be cool if A&M changes their mind, and the BIG12 poaches Miami, FL and Florida State.

Or A&M leaves, BIG12 poaches TCU, Florida State and invites Notre Dame.

Option 1 would give them alot of TV sets in Florida, and option 2 would give them some TV sets in Florida, and Notre Dames following.

BYU would also be an option.
 
Oklahoma appears to be rethinking its move to the PAC-12.

If Oklahoma goes to the PAC-12, then the chain reaction begins at schools across the country. If Oklahoma can be induced to stay in the Big 12, all of this can still be stopped right now.


Report: Oklahoma wants Big 12 reform

If the University of Oklahoma is to stay in the Big 12, it will do so only if the conference adds regulations on ESPN's Longhorn Network and ousts commissioner Dan Beebe, according to a report in The Oklahoman Tuesday. The Oklahoman, citing a high-ranking Big 12 official, reported Oklahoma president David Boren said Monday the school would decide between applying for the Pac-12 or staying in the Big 12. The source stressed that reforms would be necessary for Oklahoma to remain in the Big 12.

If the University of Oklahoma is to stay in the Big 12, it will do so only if the conference adds regulations on ESPN's Longhorn Network and ousts commissioner Dan Beebe, according to a report in The Oklahoman Tuesday. The Oklahoman, citing a high-ranking Big 12 official, reported Oklahoma president David Boren said Monday the school would decide between applying for the Pac-12 or staying in the Big 12. The source stressed that reforms would be necessary for Oklahoma to remain in the Big 12. The source told the Oklahoman that a move by Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-12 wasn't inevitable.

The University of Oklahoma's board of regents and its counterpart at Texas granted their school presidents Monday the authority to take action regarding conference realignment. The moves clear the way for the Sooners and Longhorns to apply formally to the Pac-12, with whom they have been undergoing discussions in recent days on how to make the schools' addition to the conference work. After the regents meeting had adjourned, Boren admitted he's had "very warm and constructive discussions" with Pac-12 officials, but wouldn't say when the Sooners might apply for conference membership.

The Kansas City Star, citing a University of Missouri booster as its source, said that the Tigers have an invitation to join the Southeastern Conference and that the SEC is willing to wait for the Big 12 issues to be resolved before making a final decision. "Apparently [the SEC has] come to us," the Missouri booster said, according to the Star. "I've been told there is an offer on the table."
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http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Pac12-decides-not-to-expandfor-now.html

Below is the league's release in its entirety:

In light of the widespread speculation about potential scenarios for Conference re-alignment, the Pac-12 Presidents and Chancellors have affirmed their decision to remain a 12-team conference. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, “after careful review we have determined that it is in the best interests of our member institutions, student-athletes and fans to remain a 12-team conference. While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals were financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve. With new landmark TV agreements and plans to launch our innovative television networks, we are going to focus solely on these great assets, our strong heritage and the bright future in front of us.
 
MojoMan said:
Oklahoma appears to be rethinking its move to the PAC-12.

If Oklahoma goes to the PAC-12, then the chain reaction begins at schools across the country. If Oklahoma can be induced to stay in the Big 12, all of this can still be stopped right now.
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ArlingtonTexan said:
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Pac12-decides-not-to-expandfor-now.html

Below is the league's release in its entirety:

In light of the widespread speculation about potential scenarios for Conference re-alignment, the Pac-12 Presidents and Chancellors have affirmed their decision to remain a 12-team conference. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, “after careful review we have determined that it is in the best interests of our member institutions, student-athletes and fans to remain a 12-team conference. While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals were financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve. With new landmark TV agreements and plans to launch our innovative television networks, we are going to focus solely on these great assets, our strong heritage and the bright future in front of us.
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For me at least, this translates into, "We could not work out the nuts and bolts business aspects of the deal"
 
The problem with all of this is no one is in charge of the whole thing. It's basically a free for all in college sports.

The entire system is the most screwed up thing I have ever seen in sports. If the onfield product wasn't so good the rest of the crap would have turned everyone off by now.

Here is just some of the "crap" I can think of ..

No playoffs, teams going undefeated and having no shot at winning a championship, too many lopsided matchups early in the season, teams changing their entire uniform look each week (and atrocious at that), teams playing on blue fields, large networks creating networks for just one school creating more imbalance within conferences, schools then jumping conferences, conferences imploding, etc etc etc ..

All I have to say is thank gawd for Sunday.
 
MojoMan said:
Oklahoma appears to be rethinking its move to the PAC-12.

If Oklahoma goes to the PAC-12, then the chain reaction begins at schools across the country. If Oklahoma can be induced to stay in the Big 12, all of this can still be stopped right now.
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AKA the PAC12 said no thanks.
 
It appears the LHN may have been the deal killer. From ESPN:

Source: Pac-12 lacked Texas assurance

The Pac-12 decided it won't expand further late Tuesday because commissioner Larry Scott failed to get assurance that Texas would back an equal revenue sharing plan if the league added the Longhorns, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, a source with direct knowledge told ESPN.com.

Scott didn't endorse expansion to the league's presidents and chancellors, the source said.

The presidents never took a vote on the four Big 12 schools and the four schools didn't formally apply for inclusion either, the source said. The Pac-12 member presidents were on a conference call Tuesday night and reaffirmed the decision to stay at 12 members.

....
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BIG XII is currently 8 and needs to expand 4 more to get back to 12 with Missouri apparently on its way out. Here is what I would do:

1. Invite Airforce to get back into the Colorado market and Colorado recruiting
2. Invite South Florida to get back into the Florida market
3. Invite Louisville.
4. Invite BYU

I would reorganize the two divisions to re-balance them:

North: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Louisville
South: Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Air Force, South Florida, BYU

This move separates Oklahoma and Texas into 2 divisions. They would still play each other in the RRR, but now that they are in separate divisions, and could meet in a rematch the BIG XII championship game if they are the best 2 teams in the conference.
 
OU just got screwed. The Big 12-2-1 lives to be dysfunctional for another year. I just hope this clears our way to the SEC. Hoping for an announcement soon.
 
Doppelganger said:
BIG XII is currently 8 and needs to expand 4 more to get back to 12 with Missouri apparently on its way out. Here is what I would do:

1. Invite Airforce to get back into the Colorado market and Colorado recruiting
2. Invite South Florida to get back into the Florida market
3. Invite Louisville.
4. Invite BYU

I would reorganize the two divisions to re-balance them:

North: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Louisville
South: Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Air Force, South Florida, BYU

This move separates Oklahoma and Texas into 2 divisions. They would still play each other in the RRR, but now that they are in separate divisions, and could meet in a rematch the BIG XII championship game if they are the best 2 teams in the conference.
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No way man. South Florida? Way out of the Big 12 zone. Louisville sucks hard. BYU and Air Force are good additions, but would BYU come?

TCU would be a better fit (and a better program) than USF. And Houston or SMU, even Tulsa would be preferable to Louisville.
 
Doppelganger said:
BIG XII is currently 8 and needs to expand 4 more to get back to 12 with Missouri apparently on its way out. Here is what I would do:

1. Invite Airforce to get back into the Colorado market and Colorado recruiting
2. Invite South Florida to get back into the Florida market
3. Invite Louisville.
4. Invite BYU

I would reorganize the two divisions to re-balance them:

North: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Louisville
South: Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Air Force, South Florida, BYU

This move separates Oklahoma and Texas into 2 divisions. They would still play each other in the RRR, but now that they are in separate divisions, and could meet in a rematch the BIG XII championship game if they are the best 2 teams in the conference.
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My math has them at 9.

I think they will try and find a replacement for A&M and stick with 10 for this year. I don't see many schools jumping to join the dysfunctional conference.
 
rmartin65 said:
No way man. South Florida? Way out of the Big 12 zone. Louisville sucks hard. BYU and Air Force are good additions, but would BYU come?

TCU would be a better fit (and a better program) than USF. And Houston or SMU, even Tulsa would be preferable to Louisville.
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South Florida brings in the Florida market for both recruiting and audience. South Florida games are available in Miami, Orlando, etc. It would allow the Big XII to get a foothold in Florida.

Louisville brings in a decent market, but maybe a better option like West Virginia is available?

What I don't like about TCU, or UH is that it doesn't bring in any new markets to the BIG XII. Houston and Dallas already get plenty of BIG XII coverage. BIG XII needs to expand into new ones.
 
GlassHalfFull said:
My math has them at 9.

I think they will try and find a replacement for A&M and stick with 10 for this year. I don't see many schools jumping to join the dysfunctional conference.
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BIG XII is officially at 9 but Missouri is rumored to be on the way to the SEC, which would make it 8. I think schools who are in the BIG East, who look like it may be in some trouble or some teams in non BCS schools would jump at the chance to play in a BCS conference.
 
Doppelganger said:
BIG XII is officially at 9 but Missouri is rumored to be on the way to the SEC, which would make it 8. I think schools who are in the BIG East, who look like it may be in some trouble or some teams in non BCS schools would jump at the chance to play in a BCS conference.
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We will see on Missouri. That buzz seems to mostly be coming from the Missouri side.

The SEC wants to avoid the poaching label, so I don't see them taking another Big 12-2-1 school this year.
 
A&M, OSU, OU and Mizzou all go to the SEC, and let some of the Big East merge with the remainder of the Big 12. The Big 12 becomes Texas and the 11 dwarfs and the Longhorns get a BCS bowl every year. Everybody wins... kinda.
 
BYU has reportedly said "Thanks but no thanks" to moving to the Big 12.

Louisville seems to be the main target, but I think with all this drama they may have to dip into the non-AQ ranks to get 10, then stick with that for at least a year and prove the Big 12 won't get volatile again next summer.
 
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