The final Great Realignment of College Football?

[Flipper]

Kansas and Iowa state in the B1G probably makes the most sense...if any of this makes sense...or does the B1G try to poach Missouri? Adding those St Louis cable viewers would be attractive

[Schadenfreude]

It appears Texas and Oklahoma are actually going to do this. This is a world of hurt for the now-Medium XII.

[jpfalcon09]

It appears Texas and Oklahoma are actually going to do this. This is a world of hurt for the now-Medium XII.

Athletic reported one solution could be the Pac-12 absorbing the remaining 8 schools from the Big 12 and splitting into two conferences. I guess the remaining programs are going to do whatever they can to stick together, but I have a feeling it's going to end up every school for itself.

[MarkL]

Deleting my vertical real estate abuse of a post ...

[MarkL]

I read that the SEC has also been talking to ... Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, and Michigan, with aims to make a 20 team super conference, or effectively a super division. I personally see this as incorrect reporting, jumping on rumors, pipe dreams, and nothing more.

But if it is ... college football has jumped the shark. My honest suggestion is to just scrap all conferences and let each program schedule as independents based on rivalries and competitive goals, and similarly let each program negotiate their own media deals. Why have conferences if there is no conference loyalty?

[BillyLP]

I read that the SEC has also been talking to ... Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, and Michigan, with aims to make a 20 team super conference, or effectively a super division. I personally see this as incorrect reporting, jumping on rumors, pipe dreams, and nothing more.

But if it is ... college football has jumped the shark. My honest suggestion is to just scrap all conferences and let each program schedule as independents based on rivalries and competitive goals, and similarly let each program negotiate their own media deals. Why have conferences if there is no conference loyalty?

My question with this would be, would the SEC drop Vanderbilt, Kentucky, the Mississippis, Missouri, Arkansas, etc? Teams like Miami, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin, Penn State, Oregon, etc. all have better history and resources for football. If they're trying to make a super division, why keep "weak" programs over more established ones? If this happens and I were with the NCAA, I'd just tell the SEC, "Hey good luck, but we're moving on from you" and force them to establish their own semi-pro league to compete with the NFL, and then try to build up the other conferences as the main event. There will always be a market for college football.

[jpfalcon09]

Texas and OU make it official - I highly doubt it'll be 2025-26 for the first time we see both of them in the SEC. Lawyers will figure it out.

Watching what happens to the rest of the Big 12 (Big 8 now) will probably be a big factor as to the future of major college football.

[jpfalcon09]

I read that the SEC has also been talking to ... Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, and Michigan, with aims to make a 20 team super conference, or effectively a super division. I personally see this as incorrect reporting, jumping on rumors, pipe dreams, and nothing more.

But if it is ... college football has jumped the shark. My honest suggestion is to just scrap all conferences and let each program schedule as independents based on rivalries and competitive goals, and similarly let each program negotiate their own media deals. Why have conferences if there is no conference loyalty?

My question with this would be, would the SEC drop Vanderbilt, Kentucky, the Mississippis, Missouri, Arkansas, etc? Teams like Miami, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin, Penn State, Oregon, etc. all have better history and resources for football. If they're trying to make a super division, why keep "weak" programs over more established ones? If this happens and I were with the NCAA, I'd just tell the SEC, "Hey good luck, but we're moving on from you" and force them to establish their own semi-pro league to compete with the NFL, and then try to build up the other conferences as the main event. There will always be a market for college football.

I would imagine member schools would have to vote to "kick-out" others. I don't feel like reading through the SEC by-laws. Doing so without a legitimate reason would probably cause a bunch of legal challenges. The mega powers leaving the conference on their volition makes it less messy and still gives the other members a place to be.

[Schadenfreude]

Conferences tend not to kick weak members out. It is more common for the strongest members to leave and form a new conference. Examples include the new CCHA and the Mountain West Conference.

A notable exception is Temple, which was pushed out of the Big East back in the days of Big East football.

[Flipper]

USC...yes...USC...may be in talks to join the B1G.

[zete]

Cincinnati has done just about all it needs to and will probably be invited somewhere. The MAC, as someone stated, has probably finally come to the end of the trail, a crossroad of such.

[roguewarrior]

Cincinnati has done just about all it needs to and will probably be invited somewhere. The MAC, as someone stated, has probably finally come to the end of the trail, a crossroad of such.

I’m not debating it; but, why does the MAC come to an end if big schools are hopping around?

[Schadenfreude]

why does the MAC come to an end if big schools are hopping around?

The MAC will carry on. So will the G5.

[jpfalcon09]

why does the MAC come to an end if big schools are hopping around?

The MAC will carry on. So will the G5.

I think the answer is, we simply don't know. G5 is in decent shape for the foreseeable future, but the wheels are in motion for realignment to even impact the mid-majors. If the Big 12 chooses to stay together and bring in programs like Cincy, Houston, UCF, and Boise, then those conferences are going to have to fill those remaining spots, etc. etc. Lots of dominoes yet to fall. Toledo, Buffalo, NIU would be prime candidates for the American if things happen the right way.

One thing is for sure, OU and Texas have proven it's every program for itself amidst this new landscape and the MAC (and other G5 conferences) would be stupid to not be having their own discussions about what the future is going to hold for their members.

[pdt1081]

why does the MAC come to an end if big schools are hopping around?

The MAC will carry on. So will the G5.

Need feeder programs for coaches and development of transfers. You may even see smaller schools with handshake, hush hush "agreements" with larger schools to help develop late bloomer talent.