Superconferences & Realignment

[Some Irish Bloke]

Has to be purely a basketball play.

 

[ACamp1900]

I’m so glad we are doing all this realignment and playoff bullshit,… because history, regionality and the bowls were never important at all to cfb,…..

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

There won't be many rivalries left in sports at the pro or college levels, and the ones there are just won't be all that compelling. It will take decades to forge new ones.

 

[Irishnuke]

Colorado is headed back to the Big 12 after next season.

 

[MKEagle]

After Big 12 adds Colorado, what’s next? Pac-12 schools targets, but don’t sleep on UConn

Step one in Big 12 expansion is adding Colorado. Though a Pac-12 school could be targeted next, Brett Yormark also likes the idea of UConn.

theathletic.com

UConn in the Big 12. Bonkers.

UConn leaving the Big East seems to be a rumor ever since they rejoined Big East which is a shame

 

[IrishLax]

So the Big 12 is basically just going to be a national "conference" over less-desirable P5 schools. Honestly, not a bad strategy, as long as it doesn't water down their media $$ too much.

 

[Irishnuke]

PAC-12 is falling apart. Gotta think they go after SDSU and who else? UNLV? New Mexico? Fresno St? Slim pickings

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

PAC-12 is falling apart. Gotta think they go after SDSU and who else? UNLV? New Mexico? Fresno St? Slim pickings

Didn't SDSU just recently reaffirm their commitment to the Mountain West?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

The PAC is supposedly on the verge of announcing their new media rights deal. I'm guessing Colorado pulled the trigger once they saw those details.

The PAC is also doing a grant of rights amongst its members which is supposed to last the duration of that next media rights deal. As the ACC can tell you, there's a down side to that (at least for some members).

 

[GATTACA!]

Didn't SDSU just recently reaffirm their commitment to the Mountain West?

Only because the PAC12 wouldn't take them.

 

[calvegas04]

Didn't SDSU just recently reaffirm their commitment to the Mountain West?

Read they can't afford the MW fee for leaving early

 

[ulukinatme]

Got to think the late night PAC-12 games hurt their revenue, less eyes catching those games. Got to think Oregon and Washington could be looking to jump ship next. There's already some articles out there that they'll use that as leverage if they do stay.

 

[GATTACA!]

Got to think the late night PAC-12 games hurt their revenue, less eyes catching those games. Got to think Oregon and Washington could be looking to jump ship next. There's already some articles out there that they'll use that as leverage if they do stay.

First thing I would try is replacing the cameras they use that make it look like you're watching a high school game.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Got to think the late night PAC-12 games hurt their revenue, less eyes catching those games. Got to think Oregon and Washington could be looking to jump ship next. There's already some articles out there that they'll use that as leverage if they do stay.

I’m sure they have been looking to jump ship from the moment USC and UCLA announced their intentions. But where can they go?

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

PAC-12 is falling apart. Gotta think they go after SDSU and who else? UNLV? New Mexico? Fresno St? Slim pickings

These are all regional options and bad ones at that. All of them are moderate to major downgrades in both athletic facilities and academics.

 

[IrishLax]

I’m sure they have been looking to jump ship from the moment USC and UCLA announced their intentions. But where can they go?

Right, it was already reported months ago that they tried for the Big Ten and the Big Ten said "no thank you." The reason is that they bring very little in the way of media dollars and it wasn't worth diluting the pie.

 

[Irishnuke]

These are all regional options and bad ones at that. All of them are moderate to major downgrades in both athletic facilities and academics.

No shit. Hence slim pickings

 

[Huntr]

 

[IrishLax]

Sounds like Arizona wants in. They are probably kicking themselves for adding Houston, Cinci, and UCF... but maybe not, because that move gave them stability.

The other question is whether the PAC12 gets cut out of the auto-AQ to the playoffs with the way things are going. There is no way to justify them getting a bid if they were to lose Oregon, Washington, etc.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

No shit. Hence slim pickings

So we agree. And tomorrow is Friday. Outstanding.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Sounds like Arizona wants in. They are probably kicking themselves for adding Houston, Cinci, and UCF... but maybe not, because that move gave them stability.

The other question is whether the PAC12 gets cut out of the auto-AQ to the playoffs with the way things are going. There is no way to justify them getting a bid if they were to lose Oregon, Washington, etc.

I would venture to guess they will not be kicking themselves. You have three football wild states in UH, UC and UCF. Now you're getting CU and Arizona? They're golden. When the dust settles they're in great position in terms of stability, without a doubt.

 

[BobbyMac]

U of A fans are sad af. They end up on the outside looking in at the P2 while AZ A&M made the AAU and is headed straight to the B1G once they figures out who and how many they want.

 

[Irish#1]

We're going to end up with three or four large (number of teams) conferences and then I wouldn't be surprised if the next evolution is they splinter back out to look like the conferences we had in the 60's - 80's.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I’m sure they have been looking to jump ship from the moment USC and UCLA announced their intentions. But where can they go?

Their only two options would be the big12 or SEC, I think, if the B1G doesn't budge. Washington would get eaten alive in the SEC.

 

[stlnd01]

We're going to end up with three or four large (number of teams) conferences and then I wouldn't be surprised if the next evolution is they splinter back out to look like the conferences we had in the 60's - 80's.

If we can also have the independent giants - not just us but Miami, Penn State, Florida State - that we had in the 80s, that'd be just fine.

Personally though I think it goes the other way. Two megaconferences that contain the 32 or 36 or 40 teams that matter. Everyone else is effectively a G5. At least in football, maybe something like what you describe emerges for other sports.

 

[IrishLax]

I feel like the natural move here is:
1. Utah

Then maybe Arizona + ??

If you're the Big 12 I think you want to get to 16 teams and then literally split West // East. Make yourself a national conference.

 

[stlnd01]

Their only two options would be the big12 or SEC, I think, if the B1G doesn't budge. Washington would get eaten alive in the SEC.

The travel alone would kill Washington in the SEC. Imagine flying your swim team from Seattle to Gainesville?

Must say, I don't entirely understand why the Big Ten doesn't want Washington. Seattle's a big market. It's a good school. Traditionally strong at football. Them and Oregon give USC/UCLA some neighbors. I get not wanting to slice up the pie but if you don't want Washington/Oregon I'm not sure who else you're going to want either (except us of course). Maybe North Carolina/UVA.

 

[IrishLax]

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

The travel alone would kill Washington in the SEC. Imagine flying your swim team from Seattle to Gainesville?

Must say, I don't entirely understand why the Big Ten doesn't want Washington. Seattle's a big market. It's a good school. Traditionally strong at football. Them and Oregon give USC/UCLA some neighbors. I get not wanting to slice up the pie but if you don't want Washington/Oregon I'm not sure who else you're going to want either (except us of course). Maybe North Carolina/UVA.

Considering both Oregon and Washington are public research universities, I'm surprised the B1G didn't prioritie them over UCLA as well, unless they were really drawn to UCLA's basketball brand, but that would surprise me. Football is king, even in the Mid West.

Maybe they'll reconsider as these superconferences continue to expand. Personally, I agree with Irish#1, I hope they bloat and disband. We're staring down the barrel of an AFC/NFC in college football. Regional rivalries are going to disband, it's a shame.

 

[Huntr]

Considering both Oregon and Washington are public research universities, I'm surprised the B1G didn't prioritie them over UCLA as well, unless they were really drawn to UCLA's basketball brand, but that would surprise me. Football is king, even in the Mid West.

SC and UCLA were a package deal and the only one that actually mattered in the PAC was SC, so UCLA went, too.