TheAsianSensation wrote:The problem is that in order for realignment to happen now (read: Big 12 dissolving), you need each of the Pac-12, SEC, ACC, and Big 10 to feel they're gaining money. Finding a permutation that makes all 4 happy is nearly impossible. Pac-12 is going to need both Texas and Oklahoma to make any of their plans work. I don't see how the SEC can expand without Oklahoma. The B1G could probably be fine with Kansas/UConn, but it's not plan A. ACC would probably go along with any break-even plan that ends the Big 12.
Only path that seems possible to me is that when the GOR runs out:
- Pac 16 adds the Texhoma plan (Texas/TTU/OU/OSU)
- SEC adds TCU (DFW market) and Cincy (new market)
- B1G adds UConn/Kansas
- ACC adds WVU (reluctantly, but just does it to kill the Big 12) and Notre Dame (who is forced at gunpoint into a conference for football)
- Baylor, K-State, and Iowa St out.
Texas independence won't work it would kill Pac-12 expansion. Oklahoma to the SEC or B1G would kill Pac-12 expansion. TCU or Oklahoma to anywhere but the SEC would kill SEC expansion. UConn to the ACC would kill B1G expansion. Notre Dame staying in limbo keeps the ACC from expanding. There's a lot of ducks that have to get lined up in a row for the Big 12 to die.
I don't think UConn is very high on the list for the B1G. I don't think they'll ever get Virginia, but they would inquire. Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma would all be ahead of UConn. I think the B1G is likely to get two of those before they'd have to go to UConn.
I don't think the PAC expands. Texas isn't giving up the LHN and as long as they have that none of the other conferences are taking them in. UT is more likely to go the Indy route and try to get a ND type deal with what remains of the XII or another conference.
OU would be a target of the SEC, but who would go with them is the question. TCU is possible because of DFW, although OU kind brings that market into play by itself plus it's a national brand. SEC could think outside the box and try to bring KU with OU. SEC basketball could use a KU/UK matchup every year and while KU football is bad, it gives the western SEC an easy win and brings in another national brand in basketball. Though I believe KU prefers the B1G. Though they would revive the Border War with MU. The SEC would also absolutely own the KC market with MU and KU.
Tech needs Texas if it's going anywhere else. So they're either stuck in a weaker/rebuilt XII or they end up in the MWC.
TCU might be able to get into the SEC but I wouldn't guarantee anything. I doubt the PAC would be interested, especially without UT.
Nobody will want to touch Baylor. Way too much baggage and I'm sure they'll have another controversy in the next 5 years. They'll be lucky if the AAC would take them in.
OSU would need to be able to tag along with OU into the SEC but I doubt that would happen. But I'd say there's a very slim chance. Of course the PAC might be an option if both OU and UT went.
KSU would be in the MWC if the XII died. KU won't leave unless the XII is falling apart and not just with rumors. If UT or OU or both leave, KU will have the green light to ditch KSU. KSU isn't getting into one of the other P4's.
Iowa State is a solid school. Football has moments but is usually bad. Basketball is good. It's in the AAU but the only conference that really makes sense in the B1G and they already have Iowa. They'd end up MWC/AAC.
West Virginia would be destined for the AAC. My understanding is they've applied to the SEC a few times and basically been laughed at. I don't think the ACC would want them either.
If the XII survives (kinda), it would be without OU, UT and KU. The conference would be getting a much lower TV contract which would make it more difficult for them to pull from the AAC I would think. The AAC should get a better deal when they're up in a few years. The MWC has a poor media deal which might allow for the remaining XII schools to pull in a few from there, but I wouldn't call that a guarantee. That conference is a lot less desirable without the big 3. It's not a horrible conference, but it's not a power conference either. There's no way BYU is interested without UT/OU.
Both the MWC and AAC can still expand if they choose, but they're no longer under fire to do so quickly. They can take their time and decide what's best for them. See if there's anyone out there that they feel makes them stronger. There's no need for either to rush into things.