Originally Posted by
AirWalke
Basically, it all stems from the situation in the Big 12. We were on the verge of disaster last year with Nebraska and Colorado leaving until ESPN stepped in with a contract guaranteeing the remaining 10 teams a much more luxurious TV contract.
This year, for whatever reason, Texas A&M picks up their ball and high tails it to the SEC... why? Probably tired of living under Texas' shadow.
So, A&M is all but gone, fine, we'll just replace them... when reports suddenly trickle in with Oklahoma saying "Good idea, we want out as well!"... Thus far a chain of events have been set into motion that has led to other conferences attempting to match the SEC's expansion. The ACC is attempting to expand because they're afraid of losing Clemson and Florida State to the SEC.
Essentially what looks like is happening is the formation of four, 16-team superconferences, although the Big Ten does not seem keen on expanding beyond their current 12. It's all about money and larger TV contracts, and very little to do with academics (although, again, Big Ten would be the lone exception, requiring that all of their members have or have had AAU status.)