Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[KidSilverhair]

All they have to do is convince ESPN and FOX to make a rule to force Notre Dame to join a conference. That conference would be the ACC. Then the ACC is fine. The money, academics, and tradition in that conference rivals the SEC and BIG 10 all day. Virginia, Carolina, FSU, Miami, Clemson, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Pitt, Va Tech, Duke, etc....????? That's a lot of tradition, pride, fans, alumni & money. Plus, it's in the Sun Belt. The ACC probably isn't going anywhere.

When does NBC’s ND contract end? ESPN/FOX don’t have any influence until that’s over.

 

[JM4CY]

In Mike Hlas’ Gazette column today about the B1G developments, he brought up the Stanford band. It was sarcastic - I think? - but Iowa fans just will. Not. Let. That. Go.

They are one of the most red-assed fan bases in all of college sports.

 

[StLCyclone]

The real test will be if viewership falls off among fans not in the B1G or SEC, or even among schools in those leagues who are used to losing 1-2 games a year and are suddenly squeaking into bowl games.

Bowl games are dead. How many top players skipped them last year?

One of the next dominos to fall is an expanded 8 or more likely 12 team CFP.

 

[Cloneon]

Football attendance of key teams not currently committed to the SEC or BIG.

18 Florida State 74,292 93%
21 Iowa 66,938 95%
22 Washington 65,781 94%
25 Va Tech 61,562 94%
29 Texas Tech 56,924 94%
31 West Va 56,640 94%
32 BYU 56,597 89%
33 NC State 56,517 98%
34 Oregon 56,275 104%
35 Miami 55,760 86%
36 Okie State 55,240 97%
37 Iowa State 55,042 89%
38 Kansas State 51,828 104%
39 Arizona State 51,504 80%
40 Louisville 50,503 92%
41 North Carolina 49,650 79%
42 Arizona 47,691 89%
43 Ga Tech 47,340 86%
44 Utah 46,344 101%
45 Stanford 45,432 91%
47 Baylor 44,775 99%
48 TCU 44,720 99%
49 California 44,505 71%
51 Colorado 43,328 86%
53 Pitt 42,706 62%
57 East Carolina 40,361 81%
58 Virginia 40,327 65%
60 Oregon State 37,168 86%
63 UCF 64,814 79%
68 Houston 32,733 82%
71 Cincy 31.695 79%
73 Wash State 30,789 94%
80 Kansas 26,650 53%

I recognize that the ACC GOR is a blocker but I chase Wash, Oregon, Va Tech and Miami.

If we need to start with Wash, Oregon, AZ and ASU, I am okay with that.

If the BIG takes Wash and Oregon, I think we are fine just brining in the AZ schools and wait on the ACC.

Thanks. It'd be really interesting to see the breakdown of the percent of 'away' fans. If for no other reason than the difference in attendance (between 29 and 40) could be attributed to how well the other fan base travels. So, while USC and UCLA bring the opponent, it's unlikely their fans rumps will even make a difference in away game attendance.

 

[KidSilverhair]

I don’t think there are going to be divisions anymore at least not how they are currently. Iowa realistically just made their last title game. As an Iowa State fan that doesn’t make me sad or anything but my college fandom takes a hit knowing that teams like Iowa will be just playing spoiler to the big boys from here on out.

That’s gonna be the reality of 20/24/+ team conferences, especially with the trend of ditching divisions and sending the “best two” to the CCG. More and more teams are going to play the Vanderbilt/Indiana/Kentucky role of providing Ws for the Alabama/Ohio State/Georgia tier … even teams that are used to regularly being in the top 25 like Iowa or Texas or Oklahoma.

The athletic programs will like the money; the fans may not like the W/L record.

 

[BCClone]

The ACC is a concern. If they can entice the big teams, it may open up their contract negotiations again. That could hurt us.

 

[Cloneon]

Bowl games are dead. How many top players skipped them last year?

One of the next dominos to fall is an expanded 8 or more likely 12 team CFP.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Let's say there's a championship between the B1G and the SEC with 25% of NCAA eyeballs and a championship among the other 75% of eyeballs; I'm not seeing the overwhelming difference. Yes, the 'conference' championship games will also draw, but so will the playoff games of the other 75%. Let's just say, the two super conferences have to get significantly larger to justify the 2 super conference scenario.

 

[isucy86]

If you are the ACC, would you try to add some or all of the Big12 in order to force a renegotiation of tv contract? Since ND wont play ball.
Or maybe try to align with the Big12 and Pac12 remnants to make a 36 team natiinwide conference with 4 divisions?

Otherwise you know you are next to be poached.

As much as ND seems like a great fit for the Big10, I think they will ride out the ACC relationship until the end. From a recruiting standpoint, I think it helps to play games in the SE. It's not like they need the ACC to create that visibility, but I think its frosting on the cake.

As an independent- their value to an NBC or CBS might have more value. The key is still being able to schedule strong teams outside of the ACC. As long as they are playing Ohio State, Wisky, USC, Stanford, etc. there is no reason to push to join Big10.

 

[WooBadger18]

No ****. I think I'll just get into Division 3 football. Simpson/Central used to be a fun game (in the 80's/90's). Are they still good?

As a fan of a d3 school, there is a quaint charm to it. Plus, I can watch pretty much all of Wooster’s games online for free on their athletic website. Yes, it’s basically a single camera, but I can watch the games. And Wooster has more athletics teams than Iowa State (21 vs. 16).

Part of me wants the top teams to break away (as long as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Iowa State) aren’t a part of it. Because yes, the bubble will probably burst. But all that means is that the ADs and coaches will be making less money, and the athletes will have fewer perks. Why should I care about that? Plus, you’ll need to have more geographically compact conferences, so we’ll be in either the “big 8” again or “big 10”

The current system just is not as enjoyable. I’m willing to blow it up and see what happens

 

[JP4CY]

Danny Kanell nervous this AM on ESPNU radio.
Basically said FSU is surrounded by the SEC and if the SEC wants to expand Miami makes more sense between the two.

Time for the B12 to call them up.

 

[CyJack13]

Bowl games are dead. How many top players skipped them last year?

One of the next dominos to fall is an expanded 8 or more likely 12 team CFP.

Good, eliminate bowl games and expand the playoffs. 14 team field, two teams get a first round bye.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Idk… I just don’t see a religious school in the big 10. Could see them trying to poach Houston instead. And I dont really think they are that concerned with Texas markets.

I think Maryland is the closest thing to a former Confederate state the Big Ten can accept.

 

[Cloneon]

Good, eliminate bowl games and expand the playoffs. 14 team field, two teams get a first round bye.

My old inside source for Pac12 info says that's it for Bowl games. Now every venue will be lobbying for a seat at the 'playoff' scenarios. That's still a lot of empty stadiums during the holidays. Very very sad.

 

[CyJack13]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Let's say there's a championship between the B1G and the SEC with 25% of NCAA eyeballs and a championship among the other 75% of eyeballs; I'm not seeing the overwhelming difference. Yes, the 'conference' championship games will also draw, but so will the playoff games of the other 75%. Let's just say, the two super conferences have to get significantly larger to justify the 2 super conference scenario.

If you think only 25% of NCAA fans are watching a championship game between the expanded B10 and SEC you are living in a fantasy world. Even if they do their own playoff, the field could be Georgia, Bama, LSU, Texas, USC, Penn St. Ohio St, etc. That example is leaving out OU, Florida, A&M, UCLA, Wisconsin, etc. That will not be lacking for eyeballs.

 

[SCNCY]

My old inside source for Pac12 info says that's it for Bowl games. Now every venue will be lobbying for a seat at the 'playoff' scenarios. That's still a lot of empty stadiums during the holidays. Very very sad.

That would be sad if it comes to this. The nice thing about bowl games was playing teams in other conferences that you may not get a chance to.

 

[Cloneon]

If you think only 25% of NCAA fans are watching a championship game between the expanded B10 and SEC you are living in a fantasy world. Even if they do their own playoff, the field could be Georgia, Bama, LSU, Texas, USC, Penn St. Ohio St, etc. That example is leaving out OU, Florida, A&M, UCLA, Wisconsin, etc. That will not be lacking for eyeballs.

Don't be offended, but I'm not sure what you're saying. Do you think fewer or more than 25% of all (ie ALL other NCAA football enthusiasts) NCAA eyeballs will be watching those schools in the playoff? I know I wouldn't and I love college football. But my love for it is when it's associated with ISU.

 

[JM4CY]

Danny Kanell nervous this AM on ESPNU radio.
Basically said FSU is surrounded by the SEC and if the SEC wants to expand Miami makes more sense between the two.

Time for the B12 to call them up.

Any other good podcasts about all this to listen to today?

 

[Proton]

I hope this doesn’t happen, but If I’m the Big Ten I add Washington, Oregon, Kansas, and Missouri.

 

[BCClone]

Danny Kanell nervous this AM on ESPNU radio.
Basically said FSU is surrounded by the SEC and if the SEC wants to expand Miami makes more sense between the two.

Time for the B12 to call them up.

You don't remember the last time FSU was brought up as an option do you? we were told to do something that isn't physically possible.

 

[CyJack13]

Don't be offended, but I'm not sure what you're saying. Do you think fewer or more than 25% of all (ie ALL other NCAA football enthusiasts) NCAA eyeballs will be watching those schools in the playoff? I know I wouldn't and I love college football. But my love for it is when it's associated with ISU.

A Much, much higher number than 25% of college football fans will be watching. And you probably will end up watching too.