Conference realignment has been good to ISU FB

[alarson]

This makes the most sense to me as well. I fully expect WV to be the end of year rival for ISU. KU-KSU is KU's only real conference rival besides what little they have with us.

True.

If they just slide in schedules WVU will end up playing KU, but with some adjustment it could be worked out. KU-KSU definitely makes the most sense, and that would just leave us and WVU as the only ones without natural 'rivalry' games on that weekend.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Pac-12 is staying at 9 conference games and the BigTen is moving to 9 conference games. Its about quality match ups on TV. We're at 9 games and I highly doubt the Fox deal will allow us to go back to 8 conference games. I'd expect the new Tier 1 deal with ESPN to solidify that as well.

Play 8 conf games and require every team to have at least one BCS noncon.

This would be the only way I see it happening but KSU and TTU will be kicking and screaming about it.

 

[dualthreat]

KU isn't rivals with anyone. Iowa state is rivals with ksu.

 

[alarson]

Pac-12 is staying at 9 conference games and the BigTen is moving to 9 conference games. Its about quality match ups on TV. We're at 9 games and I highly doubt the Fox deal will allow us to go back to 8 conference games. I'd expect the new Tier 1 deal with ESPN to solidify that as well.

.

Those 2 conferences benefit from the 9 games. The big 12, like the SEC, is strongly disadvantaged by 9 game schedules as you are taking away what would mostly be wins for the conference against noncon opponents. That means less bowl teams (on average) and lesser wins for conference teams in general.

The big 10 and PAC? Theyre not as good. They play a BCS opponent instead of that conference game? They have a good chance of adding more losses to the conference than they would if they played themselves.

 

[EYEoftheSTORM]

KU isn't rivals with anyone. Iowa state is rivals with ksu.

Agree with that point.

The ISU-KU game is about as heated as the KU-KSU game... Although I am not sure why.... maybe thank Mizzou?

 

[alarson]

This would be the only way I see it happening but KSU and TTU will be kicking and screaming about it.

Could have it be part of the revenue formula. You get X if you play 1 BCS noncon. Otherwise, you get a smaller portion.

If its worth it to them to keep the easy noncon, they can basically 'buy out' of it

 

[bosco]

Agree with that point.

The ISU-KU game is about as heated as the KU-KSU game... Although I am not sure why.... maybe thank Mizzou?

I disagree. Right now I think most fans would say they care more about the KSU game then KU.

 

[cykadelic2]

...thus far anyways.

The increase in revenue (plus payouts) and trading A$M and MU for TCU and WVU will facilitate ISU's climb. Not to be greedy, but it will get even better if the Big 12 adds more peer schools that are farther away from Texas (Louisville/Cinci/BYU) and goes back to an 8 game conference schedule.

With their resources and recruiting bases, the upside of both A&M and Mizzou is greater than TCU and WVU so I agree with you somewhat there but the new Tier 1 contract revenues may take a hit by losing A&M and Mizzou. If you are looking for an 8 game conference schedule, don't count on it if expansion occurs. The only way it reverts back to 8 conference games is if ND joins and accommodations will be made for their non-conference scheduling requirements.

I love the 10 team conference format and I hope it stays that way unless ND is added as a full member.

 

[ketelmeister]

I believe we will see 12 teams and one fewer conference game in the next couple of years. Two more teams will give you the same number of conference games over the season.

 

[ISUFan22]

Iowa state is rivals with ksu.

Which sucks, as KSU would be my last choice for a rival. Farmageddon? Bleh.

The only real rivalry left in the Big 12 is Texas/Oklahoma...and then Oklahoma/Oklahoma State. All other rivalries are forced.

 

[bosco]

Iowa state is rivals with ksu.

Which sucks, as KSU would be my last choice for a rival. Farmageddon? Bleh. The only real rivalry left in the Big 12 is Texas/Oklahoma...and then Oklahoma/Oklahoma State. All other rivalries are forced.

Your right about the rivalries aside from KU vs MU/KSU. With the round robin this year the conference did feel more tight knit. Every week the games seemed to have more meaning than when there was 12 because everyone played everyone. It sucks to play 9 conference games but I liked that "family" feel.

 

[cykadelic2]

I believe we will see 12 teams and one fewer conference game in the next couple of years. Two more teams will give you the same number of conference games over the season.

True, but with two more teams to divide the money with, the only way you don't dilute revenue shares for the 10 existing schools is to provide more inventory for the networks with 9 conference games.

 

[alarson]

True, but with two more teams to divide the money with, the only way you don't dilute revenue shares for the 10 existing schools is to provide more inventory for the networks with 9 conference games.

And you can come up with more with good noncon matchups.

 

[cykadelic2]

And you can come up with more with good noncon matchups.

Doubtful given today's environment where schools' priority #1 is to get as many home non-con games as possible. It's much easier to impose a 9 game conference schedule for more premium inventory than to trying to force schools to schedule better non-con matchups.