Official Conference Expansion prediction thread.

[beefytee]

The official question: Which teams with BYU and Utah be associated with in 3 years?

I would say conference, but with talk of the Big 12 going sayonara and western alliances, I thought I would ask which teams would they be associated with as who knows what will be considered a conference in the future.

My guess:

BYU: Oklahoma, Texas, TAMU. With the Oklahoma game last year and the 1 and done with Texas coming up, it looks like BYU is trying to get in bed with these guys. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say it works out.

Utah: UCLA, USC, Cal, Stanford. I do think they end up in the Pac-10 (or the remnants of it).

One note: this prediction allows BYU and UTAH the possibility of ending up in the same conference if there is some sort of Western alliance.

I think more realistically though, they will basically be in the Big 12 and Pac 10 and there won't be as dramatic of a shift.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I think that BYU will likely be in a conference similar to the MWC or WAC. If the massive expansions or alliances happen there might be a couple of current BCS teams left out in the cold, Baylor, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Washington State, are a few that have been suggested elsewhere.

I could see a 12-14 team conference including BYU, Boise, TCU, Wyoming, CSU, UNLV and maybe some CUSA schools combing with the above mentioned former BCS schools to make a conference.

[statman]

Goal - Formation of super conferences for huge increase in TV money + splitting up BCS $$$ among fewer members


Big 10 goes to 16: Adds: ND, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Missou & Nebraska

ACC goes to 16: Adds: UCONN, Pitt, Syracuse & East Carolina

SEC goes to 16: Adds: Louisville, West Virginia, S Florida and TCU (!)

Big East - CEASES TO EXIST.

PAC 10 goes to 12: Adds Utah & Colorado

It seems highly unlikely that the PAC 10 would expand beyond 12 unless they can be convinced to take BYU. If BYU is negotiable, then everything's negotiable, If they got to 14 - add Utah, Colorado, BYU, Boise St (I know a stretch in everything except football quality, but the sportsworld would really feel sorry for Boise State). If they go to 16, add either ( SJSU & FSU ) or ( UNLV & UNR ).

Big XII is going to have as many teams as the PAC 10 ends up with. If they stay at 12, add BYU, Memphis, AFA/Colorado St. If they go to 14, add BYU, Memphis, AFA, Colorado St & Tulsa. If they go to 16, Big XII(14) + Tulane & Southern Miss.

This sets up a nice situation for an 8-team tournament: The above 5 conference winners plus three at large teams.


What about the mid-majors? MWC? - irrelevant. WAC? - irrelevant. Conf USA? - irrelevant

If the above three remaining conferences wanted to go way out on a limb, they might try to consolidate to a big geographically horrific 16-team conference that contains Hawaii & Marshall and the best of what remains in between. Assuming the PAC 10 and Big XII went to 16, teams in the entrails would include: Hawaii, either (SJSU/FSU) or (UNLV/UNR), UNM, SDSU, Wyoming, NMSt, Idaho, Utah St, Marshall, SMU, UTEP, UAB, LaTech, Houston & Rice. Or some such. That ALMOST includes everyone in Div-1A.

Not the Sun Belt, and not the Mid-American - Frankly, if you want to combine the "best" of those two conferences into another 16 team league, and give them a seat at the playoff table, I'd be fine with that. But if that were the case, I'd want a 16-team playoff (at least). Champions of 7 super-conferences, plus the next top 9 teams.
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I think I'd probably prefer that the SEC, Big 10 & ACC all go to 16, the Big XII and PAC-10 go to 12, and the rest form two ugly conferences that have a play-in to a tourney.

But I really do like the idea of the SEC, ACC & Big 10 got to 16 teams and eliminate the Big East...

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Whatever happens I just want Wyoming to be included so landpoke sticks around.

[USUC]

I'm can't shake this deep feeling of dread at the impending conference realignments. The great possibility of BYU being left out is of course part of this, but as a fan of college football in general it just seems the divide between the "haves" and "have nots" is about to be of Grand Canyon proportions. If you have four super conferences, three of those are in the east. If you are not one of the lucky few to be given an invite to the PAC- whatever, your football program is basically of little worth. This is a huge section of the United States that won't have viable teams. What outside chances mid-majors had at a national championship is all but gone. What is the incentive to keep pumping money into a football program? The only purpose of the mid-major after this would be warm-up games for the super conferences. I realize that is basically what the situation is like today, but to this point four mid-majors have made it into a BCS bowl. This never happens if there are only four super conferences. I'm already consoling myself with the belief that the super conferences won't work in the long run and eventually implode.

[Surfah]

I'm can't shake this deep feeling of dread at the impending conference realignments. The great possibility of BYU being left out is of course part of this, but as a fan of college football in general it just seems the divide between the "haves" and "have nots" is about to be of Grand Canyon proportions. If you have four super conferences, three of those are in the east. If you are not one of the lucky few to be given an invite to the PAC- whatever, your football program is basically of little worth. This is a huge section of the United States that won't have viable teams. What outside chances mid-majors had at a national championship is all but gone. What is the incentive to keep pumping money into a football program? The only purpose of the mid-major after this would be warm-up games for the super conferences. I realize that is basically what the situation is like today, but to this point four mid-majors have made it into a BCS bowl. This never happens if there are only four super conferences. I'm already consoling myself with the belief that the super conferences won't work in the long run and eventually implode.

I feel much the same way. This is bad for college football. I really think this is much ado about nothing though. I think a few conferences can and will expand by a team or two. But 16 team superconferences? I just don't see it happening. There is too much politicking for any of it to happen.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I'm can't shake this deep feeling of dread at the impending conference realignments. The great possibility of BYU being left out is of course part of this, but as a fan of college football in general it just seems the divide between the "haves" and "have nots" is about to be of Grand Canyon proportions. If you have four super conferences, three of those are in the east. If you are not one of the lucky few to be given an invite to the PAC- whatever, your football program is basically of little worth. This is a huge section of the United States that won't have viable teams. What outside chances mid-majors had at a national championship is all but gone. What is the incentive to keep pumping money into a football program? The only purpose of the mid-major after this would be warm-up games for the super conferences. I realize that is basically what the situation is like today, but to this point four mid-majors have made it into a BCS bowl. This never happens if there are only four super conferences. I'm already consoling myself with the belief that the super conferences won't work in the long run and eventually implode.

Do we worry about the divide between BYU and USU, Utah and New Mexico State, TCU and Bowling Green? There is always going to be division and in many cases the division is already Grand Canyon-esque (Donut did I need a hyphen there or not?).

If you eliminate the team you cheer for from the equation and just look at college football in general 4, 16 team conferences is much better for the game for many reasons IMO, but none greater than it would lead towards a playoff and true championship for the sport.

[USUC]

Do we worry about the divide between BYU and USU, Utah and New Mexico State, TCU and Bowling Green? There is always going to be division and in many cases the division is already Grand Canyon-esque (Donut did I need a hyphen there or not?).

If you eliminate the team you cheer for from the equation and just look at college football in general 4, 16 team conferences is much better for the game for many reasons IMO, but none greater than it would lead towards a playoff and true championship for the sport.

Thats the thing though, you have to eliminate the team you cheer for. I can see how this would be awesome if your team was included. I have thought for the past five minutes trying to come up with a good counter-argument. But I can't because the reality of this is not too different than what we already have today. I would just hate to be a fan of a team that gets left out (as it looks like I will probably be one of those fans). At least now I can justify my delusion a little bit. I prefer the pre-BCS system to what we have now. Sure the BCS has allowed for a lot of many to be made for the WAC and MWC. But I would still prefer the bias to exist in the AP and coaches poll than the BCS/non BCS crap. I guess I prefer covert prejudice-ism. In the four conference scenario, the BCS gets a shot of steroids.

[Moliere]

Do we worry about the divide between BYU and USU, Utah and New Mexico State, TCU and Bowling Green? There is always going to be division and in many cases the division is already Grand Canyon-esque (Donut did I need a hyphen there or not?).

If you eliminate the team you cheer for from the equation and just look at college football in general 4, 16 team conferences is much better for the game for many reasons IMO, but none greater than it would lead towards a playoff and true championship for the sport.

I've been saying this for months weeks.

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpost.php?p=336894&postcount=3

[byu71]

I will predict this. If Utah gets into one of these mega conferences and BYU doesn't, there will be a good chance down the road BYU will drop football. If BB can't generate enough money, they might drop athletics all together.

The non-subidizing policy of the church for athletics at BYU will mean BYU won't be able to afford to have an athletic program.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I've been saying this for months weeks.

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...94&postcount=3

I am but a humble servant trying to deliver your message.

[byu71]

I will predict this. If Utah gets into one of these mega conferences and BYU doesn't, there will be a good chance down the road BYU will drop football. If BB can't generate enough money, they might drop athletics all together.

The non-subidizing policy of the church for athletics at BYU will mean BYU won't be able to afford to have an athletic program.

Wow, I make this simple prediction on CB and some of them come unglued. Maybe some are still bitter over my stand on scheduling.

[jay santos]

This whole business of conference looting and realignment makes no sense in the grand scheme.

The NCAA should have the balls to step up and regulate things.

[Surfah]

This whole business of conference looting and realignment makes no sense in the grand scheme.

The NCAA should have the balls to step up and regulate things.

You expect this from them after they tried expanding the NCAA basketball tournament field?

[USUC]

You expect this from them after they tried expanding the NCAA basketball tournament field?

How much money does a FBS team pay in dues to the NCAA? It doesn't seem like a lot of these teams are getting their moneys worth. If this organization is designed to keep the integrity of amateur athletics it is doing an amazingly poor job in this realm.