Conference Re-alignment Scenario
1. Big 12 Takes Colorado State, Houston, Cincinnati, and tries to take Brigham Young but they balk (because PAC 12 knows everyone will go to 16 soon); then Big 12 takes Memphis. (Big 12: 14)
2. PAC 12 gets nervous, goes ahead and takes Brigham Young, tries to take Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Ends up with Oklahoma State (PAC 12: 14)
3. With this activity and opening, SEC takes Oklahoma and West Virginia from weak Big 12 (SEC: 16; Big 12: 12)
4. Everyone on edge, ACC picks up Connecticut and Notre Dame (ACC: 16)
5. Backdoor wheeling and dealing: Missouri not happy in SEC (and Big 12 weaker), Maryland doesn’t fit Big Ten: SEC trades Missouri to Big Ten, Big Ten sends Maryland to ACC, SEC gets NC State and foothold in North Carolina (promises to play Duke and UNC every year in basketball). SEC: 14, ACC 16
6. PAC14 sees they must pick up 2 more. No good choices. Best available are Boise State and San Diego State (PAC 16).
7. Big 10 feeling antsy. Wants a good fit, good culture, keep presence out east (that they lost with Maryland). Ohio State doesn’t want Cincinnati. Texas and Florida schools too far from footprint. Goes patriotic and picks up two service academies: Navy and Air Force. Nice move Big 10, classy. Big 10: 16.
8. Big 12 definitely weak, to strengthen picks up South Florida, East Carolina, SMU, UCF, and good school and media market Tulane. Big 12: 16.
9. (optional but fun scenario) SEC and ACC decide to make a deal, potential win win: Vandy for Virginia Tech. Both schools allow conferences to pick up media markets. Vandy's basketball fits, more comfortable in ACC. SEC: 16, ACC: 16
10. There are now 5 Power 5 conferences of 16 = 80 teams
11. Remaining 48 schools. These schools re-organize into 4 conferences of 12:
12. WEST: Hawaii, Fresno State, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas-El Paso, UNLV, Utah State, UTSA, Wyoming
13. SOUTH: Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Rice, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, Troy, Tulsa, UL Lafayette
14. EAST: Appy State, Army, Buffalo, Charlotte, FL Atlantic, FL International, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Marshall, UMass, Old Dominion, Temple
15. MID-WEST: Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami Ohio, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan
16. NCAA Football Tournament (“8 team playoff”):
a. Each Power 5 conference champion gets 1 slot
b. 2 Wild Card teams from Power 5
c. 1 slot of champion of the remaining schools (Conference winners plays 4 team conference tournament; winner gets chance to compete for a national championship).
d. RESULT: Every team gets a shot at the national title. Power teams get 7 teams in, underdogs get a shot
WHY NOT? Too many reasons. WHY? This scenario is one way to get to a true national champion.
1. Big 12 Takes Colorado State, Houston, Cincinnati, and tries to take Brigham Young but they balk (because PAC 12 knows everyone will go to 16 soon); then Big 12 takes Memphis. (Big 12: 14)
2. PAC 12 gets nervous, goes ahead and takes Brigham Young, tries to take Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Ends up with Oklahoma State (PAC 12: 14)
3. With this activity and opening, SEC takes Oklahoma and West Virginia from weak Big 12 (SEC: 16; Big 12: 12)
4. Everyone on edge, ACC picks up Connecticut and Notre Dame (ACC: 16)
5. Backdoor wheeling and dealing: Missouri not happy in SEC (and Big 12 weaker), Maryland doesn’t fit Big Ten: SEC trades Missouri to Big Ten, Big Ten sends Maryland to ACC, SEC gets NC State and foothold in North Carolina (promises to play Duke and UNC every year in basketball). SEC: 14, ACC 16
6. PAC14 sees they must pick up 2 more. No good choices. Best available are Boise State and San Diego State (PAC 16).
7. Big 10 feeling antsy. Wants a good fit, good culture, keep presence out east (that they lost with Maryland). Ohio State doesn’t want Cincinnati. Texas and Florida schools too far from footprint. Goes patriotic and picks up two service academies: Navy and Air Force. Nice move Big 10, classy. Big 10: 16.
8. Big 12 definitely weak, to strengthen picks up South Florida, East Carolina, SMU, UCF, and good school and media market Tulane. Big 12: 16.
9. (optional but fun scenario) SEC and ACC decide to make a deal, potential win win: Vandy for Virginia Tech. Both schools allow conferences to pick up media markets. Vandy's basketball fits, more comfortable in ACC. SEC: 16, ACC: 16
10. There are now 5 Power 5 conferences of 16 = 80 teams
11. Remaining 48 schools. These schools re-organize into 4 conferences of 12:
12. WEST: Hawaii, Fresno State, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas-El Paso, UNLV, Utah State, UTSA, Wyoming
13. SOUTH: Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Rice, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, Troy, Tulsa, UL Lafayette
14. EAST: Appy State, Army, Buffalo, Charlotte, FL Atlantic, FL International, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Marshall, UMass, Old Dominion, Temple
15. MID-WEST: Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami Ohio, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan
16. NCAA Football Tournament (“8 team playoff”):
a. Each Power 5 conference champion gets 1 slot
b. 2 Wild Card teams from Power 5
c. 1 slot of champion of the remaining schools (Conference winners plays 4 team conference tournament; winner gets chance to compete for a national championship).
d. RESULT: Every team gets a shot at the national title. Power teams get 7 teams in, underdogs get a shot
WHY NOT? Too many reasons. WHY? This scenario is one way to get to a true national champion.