Conference(s) Realignment (My Take)

[DL65]

Assuming Texas and four others from the Big 12 South bolt for the PAC 10, the domino effect in the realignment of conferences will really take off and how it ends is anyones guess.

My favorite scenario for the BIG 10, if it wants or feels the need to expand further: The Conference would add Notre Dame and Pittsburgh and stop at 14 teams. Traditions (rivalry games), academics, and travel for the fan bases would be manageable and should be prime considerations. The Conference would maintain its Mideast/Midwest flavor.

As to the BIG 12, I would like to see a mix of the former BIG 8 and the old SWC come in to play: Iowa State, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Houston, TCU, Baylor, SMU, and Rice. Again, many of the traditional rivalry games would remain intact and travel for the fan bases would be better than if the teams went to the MWC or elsewhere. Additionally,Tulsa could be added to connect the Texas schools with the former BIG 8 schools.

In any case, I suspect we'll see the juggling of conferences in the next year or two. It's only the beginning of a changing landscape of collegiate football alignments, IMHO.

Go Gophers!!

 

[MrGopher]

Yeah, I think it will get completely crazy when the SEC really makes its move.

Chances are, they land A&M. What next? Do they add just one, or do they really invade the ACC/BigEast/C-USA?

 

[Southpaw]

Chances are, they land A&M. What next? Do they add just one, or do they really invade the ACC/BigEast/C-USA?

If the SEC adds Texas A&M, how about Arkansas returning to the midwest? - they never have fit in well with the SEC.

 

[gophmeister]

Yeah, I think it will get completely crazy when the SEC really makes its move.

Chances are, they land A&M. What next? Do they add just one, or do they really invade the ACC/BigEast/C-USA?

My guess is the SEC goes to 14 in order to maintain equal divisions if they do indeed add Texas A&M. I have no idea who #14 is, but I think it's safe to say it won't be Miami or FSU. The ACC might come out unscathed if all this realignment doesn't get out of hand.

 

[MrGopher]

If the SEC adds Texas A&M, how about Arkansas returning to the midwest? - they never have fit in well with the SEC.

If A&M comes to the SEC, it goes a long way toward legitimizing Arkansas in that conference. I think that Arkansas would then have a huge new reason to stay.