The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

The conference of the super independents seems very possible. UT and OU could bring the Big 12 BCS AQ tie in and it solves the last half of the season scheduling problem. I could see other programs like USC going "independent" and joining this conference. TAMU leaving the Big 12 could turn BYU's easy Oct and Nov schedule into something a lot more interesting.

I will let someone more in tune with the USC perspective, DDD or Sipi, speak to this. As someone familiar with the P10 though I would be open mouth shocked to see USC leave the Pac. Even for more money.

[BemidjiCoug]

I will let someone more in tune with the USC perspective, DDD or Sipi, speak to this. As someone familiar with the P10 though I would be open mouth shocked to see USC leave the Pac. Even for more money.

Agreed, especially with the new realignment. They will be winning the South Division every year. Most likely win the conference championship game nearly every year as well. They would be crazy to leave.

[Surfah]

I will let someone more in tune with the USC perspective, DDD or Sipi, speak to this. As someone familiar with the P10 though I would be open mouth shocked to see USC leave the Pac. Even for more money.

Recruiting.

[Mormon Red Death]

I will let someone more in tune with the USC perspective, DDD or Sipi, speak to this. As someone familiar with the P10 though I would be open mouth shocked to see USC leave the Pac. Even for more money.

It would be like a B1G team or an SEC team doing it.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The conference of the super independents seems very possible. UT and OU could bring the Big 12 BCS AQ tie in and it solves the last half of the season scheduling problem. I could see other programs like USC going "independent" and joining this conference. TAMU leaving the Big 12 could turn BYU's easy Oct and Nov schedule into something a lot more interesting.

I have to admit that I kind of like this super independent conference idea.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

It would be like a B1G team or an SEC team doing it.

Even bigger than that IMO. There is a connection between the Pac 8 schools that still exists. USC has been the top dog in that group. Other teams have had moments where they wear the crown for a time, Washington, UCLA now Oregon. But USC has been the leader of the conference, a connection that they value from my perspective. That is what makes them very different that Texas or BYU seeking greener pastures. USC has played in 33 Rose Bowls, by comparison the B10 team with the most appearances is Michigan with 20.

If USC left the Pac 12, I think the conference would probably cease to exist.

It means something to USC to play Stanford, Cal, UCLA, Washington on a regular basis. I don't get the impression that Texas or BYU care who they play as long as there are a lot of zeros on the check. That is what makes them very different that Texas or BYU seeking greener pastures.

[Surfah]

I have to admit that I kind of like this super independent conference idea.

Me too. Another interesting take from Shaggy Bevo was to create a super Pac-10 with the best of the Big 12 representing the Pac East and put the original Pac 10 in the west. I am not sure BYU fits into that, but that would be something. Not sure it would work but it'd make for some fun games.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Me too. Another interesting take from Shaggy Bevo was to create a super Pac-10 with the best of the Big 12 representing the Pac East and put the original Pac 10 in the west. I am not sure BYU fits into that, but that would be something. Not sure it would work but it'd make for some fun games.

I think we found out last summer how BYU would fit if they are relying on the Pac 10 schools. Why would the 10 Pac schools now reverse course and jump at the chance to include BYU?

[Surfah]

I think we found out last summer how BYU would fit if they are relying on the Pac 10 schools. Why would the 10 Pac schools now reverse course and jump at the chance to include BYU?

Like I said, not sure BYU fits into that. But the Texas fans were arguing for BYU inclusion on the Pac East side of things.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Like I said, not sure BYU fits into that. But the Texas fans were arguing for BYU inclusion on the Pac East side of things.

I am not sold on the idea that super conferences are going to be the next stop for major college football. However, I think BYU's long term success in D1 football requires them to get into a BCS conference before the formation of super conferences if that is the direction things go.

[Surfah]

I am not sold on the idea that super conferences are going to be the next stop for major college football. However, I think BYU's long term success in D1 football requires them to get into a BCS conference before the formation of super conferences if that is the direction things go.

I agree on both points.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

It's a less-known fact, but ND and UT have been talking about this informally for at least a year or two.

The idea is that this would not be structured quite like a traditional conference. It would be designed to really be a type of "independent super conference" where the teams have a lot of leeway to do their own TV deals, and operate very autonomously, but get together on some formal scheduling agreements and some structured championships in the minor sports.

Because of its loose structure, obviously only certain types of teams would be eligible and be a good fit - teams that can, and want to basically be out there on their own for the most part, while enjoying an easier time scheduling.

ND, Texas, Oklahoma, and BYU are the four really obvious candidates. The service academies might join in too.

This is what I thought before reading your post. Basically it's teams that want the scheduling comforts of a conference without subsidizing the Iowa States, Washington States and [this other team's name escapes me at the moment] of the college sports world.

[shoganai]

NCAA bylaws state that a conference must have 8 teams. They don't however state that all the teams must play each other. If ND and UT decide they want a super indy conferenc then they get 6 other teams (I will go with shoganai and say OU, OKST, byu, Airforce, Army and Navy). Only require 6 conference games which leaves all the indys 6 OOC to make their money.

You're tapping into the right perspective on this.

The fact is, a group of successful, culturally independent, self-sustaining athletic programs could become immensly powerful with this type of loose alliance.

First of all, schools like Texas A&M, Nebraska and Missouri who are known to bitch and whine about inequality are never on the radar - as good as they may be on the field. On the contrary, ONLY schools that fiercly want to go it alone, eat what they kill, and avoid messy conference entanglements are ever considered.

Second, because this really isn't a "conference" in the traditional respect, they can really do whatever the heck they want. They can easily start out with four teams and do little more than put a scheduling agreement on paper for October/November games, and say everybody is on their own for minor sports for now.

After a couple of years it would be pretty easy to collaborate on a few bowl agreements, and since the BCS operates independent of NCAA, it would be a snap to work something out where the top team in the "Independent Athletic Alliance" gets an auto bid with x-number of wins, etc. while the Cotton Bowl gets second pick, Holiday gets third, etc.

Later on, say a team like Florida State gets sick of the ACC and wants to get involved, no problem. As long as the Seminoles find a place for their minor sports, they're a great program to bring in. If enough teams that fit the bill eventually turn up, then they can form a minor sports conference with NCAA sanctioning but still essentially operate as a loose alliance for football. Again, because it's really just a scheduling/bowl collaboration, they can plan as many (or as few) games against each other as they collectively want. As long as they get a BCS tie-in, who cares?

Everybody keeps their own TV contracts. The malcontents are all off toiling away in a real conference somewhere, and all of these independent schools enjoy the benefits of publishing their brands however they want to without the big downside of independence - scheduling and bowls.

Lots of speculation, but it's not completely far-fetched either. Like I said, Texas and Notre Dame have had these conversations before, and it wouldn't be the most surprising thing if they ever gave it a shot.

[Mormon Red Death]

Even bigger than that IMO. There is a connection between the Pac 8 schools that still exists. USC has been the top dog in that group. Other teams have had moments where they wear the crown for a time, Washington, UCLA now Oregon. But USC has been the leader of the conference, a connection that they value from my perspective. That is what makes them very different that Texas or BYU seeking greener pastures. USC has played in 33 Rose Bowls, by comparison the B10 team with the most appearances is Michigan with 20.

If USC left the Pac 12, I think the conference would probably cease to exist.

It means something to USC to play Stanford, Cal, UCLA, Washington on a regular basis. I don't get the impression that Texas or BYU care who they play as long as there are a lot of zeros on the check. That is what makes them very different that Texas or BYU seeking greener pastures.

FYI here is the conference withdrawal rule.

3. Withdrawal. Each member reserves the right to withdraw from the Conference. The withdrawing member shall provide written notice at least 90 days before the commencement of a two-year withdrawal period which shall begin on the July 1 after the receipt of the written notice. If written notice is received less than 90 days prior to July 1, then the withdrawal period shall not begin until the next July 1. The withdrawal period may be shortened upon majority vote of the remaining members of the CEO Group. Effective on the date that a member delivers notice of withdrawal, the member’s representative to the CEO Group shall automatically cease to be a member of the CEO Group and shall cease to have the right to vote on any matter before the CEO Group. (6/10)
…
Each member of the Conference at all times pertinent herein shall have been deemed to have entered into agreements for nine annual football games with the other members of the Conference and shall be guaranteed that those games will be played as scheduled under such schedules as may be adopted by the Conference from time to time and shall continue for the two football seasons after the date of official notification to or from any such member that it shall resign from or its membership shall be otherwise terminated in the Conference, provided the institution maintains its NCAA Division

[Babs]

I will let someone more in tune with the USC perspective, DDD or Sipi, speak to this. As someone familiar with the P10 though I would be open mouth shocked to see USC leave the Pac. Even for more money.

A week ago you couldn't have paid me to believe this board could become any more delusional.