Superconferences & Realignment

[IRISHMAN]

not a fan of the superconfrences at all. I know it's about making money that drives everything but what if the NFL was run this way when teams could really just do what every they wanted and start creating their own divisions. their has to be some kind of structure or otherwise pretty soon it'll just be two conferences a west and east with the Mississippi river being the dividing line. imo college football was better with reginal conferences.

 

[IrishLax]

An "alliance" that reduces intra-conference games and expands inter-conference games is the best possible thing that could happen to CFB. We don't need super conferences, we need more cross-pollination in the sport.

Also, lol @ Big 12.

 

[Dale]

Most of the presser was just buzzword talk but some Nuggets:

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/petethamel/status/1430240508996202501?s=21[/TWEET]

New P12 commish at least seemingly able to recognize that shelling up the P12 to their own little world was awful. The interest in the alliance and more non-con is good.

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/max_olson/status/1430234719451500552?s=21[/TWEET]

Meh.

 

[Irish#1]

Even if his comment was neutral, the agreement must have irritated the SEC for Sankey to respond. They want to be the one driving the bus. Tells me they had some additional tasks in their project plan they were working on. I wouldn't be surprised if the SEC announces additional teams in the not to distant future.

As Lax mentioned, cross scheduling would have nipped this in the bud, but schools are chasing the dollar in order to continue building new facilities, attract the top recruits, etc.

 

[Irish#1]

B1G has almost 200K more students, which means more interest and more bodies watching. Even after adding Texas & OU the difference is still over 100K. Pac 12 with 455,143 students is almost identical to the SEC. ACC is 379,778. Combining the B1G, Pac12 and ACC puts them over 1.4M. That's a lot of clout when negotiating TV contracts.

B1G Enrollments
Illinois 51,605
Northwestern 22,448
IU 43,260
Iowa 31,240
Maryland 40,743
Michigan 48,090
Michigan St 49,809
Minnesota 51,327
Nebraska 25,390
Rutgers 50,173
OSU 61,391
PSU 46,000
Wisconsin 44,257
Purdue 45,500
Total 611,660

SEC Enrollments
Alabama 38,100
Auburn 30,460
Arkansas 27,559
Florida 52,407
Georgia 38,920
Kentucky 29,402
LSU 31,756
Ole Miss 21,617
Miss St 22,226
Missouri 30,014
S. Carolina 35,364
Tennessee 29,460
Vanderbilt 13,131
A&M 68,726
Total 469,142

Texas 51,090
Oklahoma 28,079
Total 548, 311

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

B1G has almost 200K more students, which means more interest and more bodies watching. Even after adding Texas & OU the difference is still over 100K. Pac 12 with 455,143 students is almost identical to the SEC. ACC is 379,778. Combining the B1G, Pac12 and ACC puts them over 1.4M. That's a lot of clout when negotiating TV contracts.

B1G Enrollments
Illinois 51,605
Northwestern 22,448
IU 43,260
Iowa 31,240
Maryland 40,743
Michigan 48,090
Michigan St 49,809
Minnesota 51,327
Nebraska 25,390
Rutgers 50,173
OSU 61,391
PSU 91,427
Wisconsin 44,257
Purdue 45,500
Total 656,660

SEC Enrollments
Alabama 38,100
Auburn 30,460
Arkansas 27,559
Florida 52,407
Georgia 38,920
Kentucky 29,402
LSU 31,756
Ole Miss 21,617
Miss St 22,226
Missouri 30,014
S. Carolina 35,364
Tennessee 29,460
Vanderbilt 13,131
A&M 68,726
Total 469,142

Texas 51,090
Oklahoma 28,079
Total 548, 311

That PSU number has to be counting satellite campuses

 

[Irish#1]

That's what I thought when I saw that number being so much bigger than the other schools, but the site didn't specify. A quick google shows University Park enrollment is about 46K. I'll adjust.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/max_olson/status/1430234719451500552?s=21[/TWEET]

There's a solid "Gentlemen of Extraordinary Leagues" meme here somewhere, but I haven't quite figured it out yet.

 

[tussin]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/SolidVerbal/status/1430538962637107209[/TWEET]

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I don't know what people expected it to be. These conferences are all currently bound by existing agreements.

It's very bad for ESPN that they've put together a voting bloc. The CFP expansion (if it happened within the term of the original 10 year CFP agreement) would have given ESPN the broadcast rights for another 10 years. The immediate effect of the alliance is that the CFP will not expand until that deal is up and the rights go out on the open market.

And the alliance schools have good reason to see the SEC and ESPN working hand in glove for the CFP expansion. The timing of the proposed expansion fits ESPN's interest by maximizing the length of the broadcasting agreement; and it fits the SEC's needs because the expansion proposal almost certainly removed a huge roadblock to Texas/OU joining.

I am curious to see what happens with ESPN's future working relationship with the alliance conferences. NBC may be regretting their decision to shutter NBC Sports now that it appears CFB broadcast rights may be looking to diversify.

 

[BobbyMac]

I don't know what people expected it to be.

Isn't it 3 conferences saying WE will determine what the future of college football look like, not you?

Or in bar talk... You may have the biggest Richard, SEC but the girth of our combined Johnsons is more prodigious and we can simultaneously plug all 3 holes.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Isn't it 3 conferences saying WE will determine what the future of college football look like, not you?

Or in bar talk... You may have the biggest Richard, SEC but the girth of our combined Johnsons is more prodigious and we can simultaneously plug all 3 holes.

 

[BobbyMac]

Texas didn't make the chart. Should've never joined the SEC.

 

[Irish#1]

Isn't it 3 conferences saying WE will determine what the future of college football look like, not you?

Or in bar talk... You may have the biggest Richard, SEC but the girth of our combined Johnsons is more prodigious and we can simultaneously plug all 3 orifices.

You got it. That's why I posted those numbers. With the agreement, not many large fan bases or cities (TV's) left for the SEC to to increase its audience.

 

[Dale]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/schuttecfb/status/1430224624260984839?s=21[/TWEET]

What accuracy chance does Wannstedt on a random radio appearance have? We should know tomm since Pac-12 was supposed to address expansion Friday

 

[zelezo vlk]

I would be shocked at all that happening. Honestly any of it.

 

[NorthDakota]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/schuttecfb/status/1430224624260984839?s=21[/TWEET]

What accuracy chance does Wannstedt on a random radio appearance have? We should know tomm since Pac-12 was supposed to address expansion Friday

I could see Iowa pushing for Iowa State unless they want to piss off the legislature.

But...it sounds like Dave just picked the logical homes for the bona fise P5's that were in the Big 12. Baylor, TCU, and Tech do seek like odd men out if any 3 were going to get left out.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

The religious schools Baylor, TCU…..may find it tough to find a home in what comes next. The more I hear about this realignment the more it looks like independence is in their future much like BYU and ND.

 

[Irish#1]

Heard a discussion on the radio and Baylor was brought up. Sounds like there's no interest in adding them to a conference. Enrollment is small 16,787. Alum base not big enough audience for TV.

 

[drayer54]

Heard a discussion on the radio and Baylor was brought up. Sounds like there's no interest in adding them to a conference. Enrollment is small 16,787. Alum base not big enough audience for TV.

Awesome basketball teams and a nice new stadium and they can't sneak in somewhere. What a shame.

 

[Dale]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/schuttecfb/status/1430224624260984839?s=21[/TWEET]

What accuracy chance does Wannstedt on a random radio appearance have? We should know tomm since Pac-12 was supposed to address expansion Friday

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/brucefeldmancfb/status/1430967365068410880?s=21[/TWEET]

In shocking news, random Dave Wannstedt radio appearance was incorrect

 

[Rogue219]

Iowa State and Kansas joining the Big Ten still makes total sense.

WVU in the ACC means Backyard Brawl again. Yes please.

 

[BobbyMac]

Iowa State and Kansas joining the Big Ten still makes total sense.

WVU in the ACC means Backyard Brawl again. Yes please.

Geographically yes. But ISU doesn't help in the new TV market metric and down the line when each team is able to define what their stream value is, will ISU be able to compete with KU, Mizzou, Pitt, UVa, UNC, Duke, Vandy or GT?

WVU makes perfect sense in the ACC now that the ACC gave up trying to be B1Gish and accepted Louisville.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Geographically yes. But ISU doesn't help in the new TV market metric and down the line when each team is able to define what their stream value is, will ISU be able to compete with KU, Mizzou, Pitt, UVa, UNC, Duke, Vandy or GT?

WVU makes perfect sense in the ACC now that the ACC gave up trying to be B1Gish and accepted Louisville.

On the other hand, ISU fans show up and travel really well, which may be as good an indication of "likelihood to purchase a subscription" as we have. If streaming services are going to be playing a part in the future, a smaller fanbase that is willing to spend money might actually be more attractive than a larger fanbase of fair-weather fans.

 

[drayer54]

On the other hand, ISU fans show up and travel really well, which may be as good an indication of "likelihood to purchase a subscription" as we have. If streaming services are going to be playing a part in the future, a smaller fanbase that is willing to spend money might actually be more attractive than a larger fanbase of fair-weather fans.

Wait until you see Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the UNLV game. It's going to be red.

 

[Dale]

BYU under serious consideration for the Big 12 per the Athletic

If Big 12 is going to seriously try to stay afloat, I think Houston, BYU and UCF are the easy 3. The fourth, competitive wise makes sense for UC but I’d hear other choices out financially

 

[tussin]

BYU under serious consideration for the Big 12 per the Athletic

If Big 12 is going to seriously try to stay afloat, I think Houston, BYU and UCF are the easy 3. The fourth, competitive wise makes sense for UC but I’d hear other choices out financially

UCF in the Big 12 feels wrong. I'd add SMU instead.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Real talk, without Texas and Okie is the Big 12 much better than the MAC? Even the teams they're trying to lure in a 3rd rate programs.

 

[Dale]

Real talk, without Texas and Okie is the Big 12 much better than the MAC? Even the teams they're trying to lure in a 3rd rate programs.

The MAC? Yes. 100%. Now the AAC? Debatable.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I was curious so I pulled up Sagarin which is hardly definitive but useful for this sort of thing. National rankings to start 2021:*

AAC
23 Cincinnati
34 UCF
61 SMU
62 Memphis
66 Houston
70 Tulsa
81 Tulane
94 Navy
105 E. Carolina
113 Temple
117 USF

Big 12 (minus OUT)
7 ISU
15 OSU
18 TCU
26 WVU
37 KSU
41 Baylor
54 Texas Tech
104 Kansas

*These rankings aren't all that useful for 2021 because they wrap in historical program data. But for this exercise I think that approach is better than using any ranking system that relies on a particular snapshot in time since we're looking for a proxy on overall program quality.