Reading The Tea Leafs for ISU: Welcome to the MAC

[Al_4_State]

ISU ABSOLUTELY helps the MWC become AQ.

You know why the MWC is not AQ? It's because of schools like UNLV, Wyoming, New Mexico, and SDSU that have tiny fan bases and rarely make bowls. The bottom half of the MWC is worse than the bottom halves of the Big East or ACC. If you add schools like ISU, KU, and KSU that have been competitive in major conferences, you greatly bolster that league's overall cache.

 

[DRCHIRO]

Heres my thing. I think if the Pac 10 went to 16, the Big Ten would follow suit. I think that gives us some sort of chance.

I also agree with Al. If that conference is developed, it's an AQ conference.

Agree with you and Al. We won't end up in the MAC. If the Big 10 goes to 12 or 14, we have no chance. If they go to 16, that may open the door slightly.

 

[UNIGuy4Cy]

ISU ABSOLUTELY helps the MWC become AQ.

You know why the MWC is not AQ? It's because of schools like UNLV, Wyoming, New Mexico, and SDSU that have tiny fan bases and rarely make bowls. The bottom half of the MWC is worse than the bottom halves of the Big East or ACC. If you add schools like ISU, KU, and KSU that have been competitive in major conferences, you greatly bolster that league's overall cache.

The more I think, I believe the Big 12 expands East and West after this, adding Cincy, Pitt, and other Big East schools along with BYU, Utah, and so on.

 

[everyyard]

There WON'T be AQ status or BCS if there are 4 16 team conferences. Read between the lines. This is to set up for a playoff and MORE MONEY!!!

 

[jbhtexas]

2. Just because those teams may be invited, it doesn't mean they will accept (Don't buy into the Deace, Miller, Perrault hype yet). Everything will likely hinge on UT.

Correct. In one of the plethora of links that was posted yesterday, the A&M AD was opining about how disruptive and expensive a recent trip was where A&M teams taveled to Washington/Oregon. I was thinking he made those comments in the framework of more interleague play between the Pac-10/Big 12, but perhaps he was speaking from some knowledge of these supposed invites to the Pac-10. It really didn't sound to me like he was interested, and that he even might be trying to discourage "something". Even with 8-team Pac-10 divisions, there will have to be games against the other division.

 

[FarminCy]

The more I think, I believe the Big 12 expands East and West after this, adding Cincy, Pitt, and other Big East schools along with BYU, Utah, and so on.

This is what I have thought all along. As long as some of the big 12 remains there will be teams that will want to jump and join the big 12 or whatever it will be called. It may not have the prestige as if UT and OU are in the conference but it will by no means that ISU is in the MAC.

As long as some of the North stays together they will be able to attract the top teams from the MWC as well as some of the Big East teams that geographically fit. It would create a pretty solid football conference but an awesome basketball conference.

Not sure it will actually happen but I just don't see in any way how ISU becomes a mid major like some are predicting.

 

[weR138]

There WON'T be AQ status or BCS if there are 4 16 team conferences. Read between the lines. This is to set up for a playoff and MORE MONEY!!!

Yeah, but from what I've read on this board most ISU fans want a playoff so it's all good, right?

 

[FarminCy]

ISU ABSOLUTELY helps the MWC become AQ.

You know why the MWC is not AQ? It's because of schools like UNLV, Wyoming, New Mexico, and SDSU that have tiny fan bases and rarely make bowls. The bottom half of the MWC is worse than the bottom halves of the Big East or ACC. If you add schools like ISU, KU, and KSU that have been competitive in major conferences, you greatly bolster that league's overall cache.

This is exactly right. Even if the MWC decides to stay at 12 do you not think they would make room for the Big 12 holdovers. I think they would gladly have a school like ISU over wyoming or SDSU. It's simple get rid of the bottom tier schools of the MWC and add the leftovers of the big 12.

I don't think it comes to this but no way does the MWC pass up on ISU if given the chance.

 

[AustinCyclone]

I really hope you guys are right.

As much as I hate to admit it (since I work at UT but bleed Cardinal and Gold) Texas holds the keys to all of this. If UT says yes to the Pac 10 invite the other 5 will jump right in behind them.

At that point the best case scenario for ISU would be an outside shot at the Big 10 but I just don't see it. The next best case would be an inclusion in a 16 team MWC.

 

[oldman]

Why not just pick up two teams and become the Big 8 again? There's bound to be maybe a couple really good mid-majors that would want to step up to a BCS conference.

 

[FarminCy]

Why not just pick up two teams and become the Big 8 again? There's bound to be maybe a couple really good mid-majors that would want to step up to a BCS conference.

Because conference championship games make a lot of money. The big east is at 8 football teams right now and no way do they survive this when all is said and done. Just wait until the SEC decides they like the looks of West Virginia and South Florida.

 

[enisthemenace]

ISU won't end up in the MAC. ISU, KSU, KU, Baylor, and Boise create a 14 team MWC, which gets AQ Status, and maybe can push for 5 Super Conferences, instead of 4. Why does there have to be 4?

Because "Final 5" doesn't have the same ring as "Final 4"? If there are 5 super conferences, how is the playoff (which is what 'everyone' wants) bye determined?

 

[st8]

The more I think, I believe the Big 12 expands East and West after this, adding Cincy, Pitt, and other Big East schools along with BYU, Utah, and so on.

the more YOU think, the greater the likelihood of hurting yourself.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Why not just pick up two teams and become the Big 8 again? There's bound to be maybe a couple really good mid-majors that would want to step up to a BCS conference.

When are you going to get it through your head that the Big 8 is dead, and has been for 15 years? Kaput? Not coming back? Sionara...

8-team conferences are not economically viable when they have to go up against 16-team goliaths with traditional powers. Hell - they're not viable now - ask the Big East why the traditional conferences are coming after their schools - they cannot compete revenue-wise.

 

[Al_4_State]

Because "Final 5" doesn't have the same ring as "Final 4"? If there are 5 super conferences, how is the playoff (which is what 'everyone' wants) bye determined?

Top 2 from each conference, round robin playoff.

A 4 team playoff is ridiculous, and won't make more $ than the bowl system.

 

[dabears32]

Because "Final 5" doesn't have the same ring as "Final 4"? If there are 5 super conferences, how is the playoff (which is what 'everyone' wants) bye determined?

Not many want a 4 team playoff. Most want a 8 or 16 team field.

 

[isuno1fan]

Top 2 from each conference, round robin playoff.

A 4 team playoff is ridiculous, and won't make more $ than the bowl system.

You still have the bowls for the teams that aren't the winners of the 4 super conferences. Go through the normal bowl season and then end it with the "final four" of FB for the nat'l championship.

 

[dosry5]

ISU won't end up in the MAC. ISU, KSU, KU, Baylor, and Boise create a 14 team MWC, which gets AQ Status, and maybe can push for 5 Super Conferences, instead of 4. Why does there have to be 4?

7's the key number here. Think about it. 7-Elevens. 7 dwarves. 7, man, that's the number. 7 chipmunks twirlin' on a branch, eatin' lots of sunflowers on my uncle's ranch. You know that old children's tale from the sea. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby. Step into my office.

 

[CycloneErik]

Why not just pick up two teams and become the Big 8 again? There's bound to be maybe a couple really good mid-majors that would want to step up to a BCS conference.

TV..............

 

[Incyte]

Not many want a 4 team playoff. Most want a 8 or 16 team field.

Exactly. Such hypothetical playoff would surely involve qualifier status for the 4-5 "non-64" conferences.