Now that the Pac 10 has created the model for future conferences- 16 teams. I've heard some members of the national media speculate does this set the stage for 4 mega conferences with 16 members each.
Does this set the stage for logical expansion? Conferences with strong geographic focus vs. the model when the Big 10 originally got this ball rolling - basically a money grab. If the Big 10 were to go after schools like ND, Texas, Maryland, Rutgers, etc.
Here is a structure for four 16 team conferences that makes a lot of sense to me. The highlights of what I propose are:
Does this set the stage for logical expansion? Conferences with strong geographic focus vs. the model when the Big 10 originally got this ball rolling - basically a money grab. If the Big 10 were to go after schools like ND, Texas, Maryland, Rutgers, etc.
Here is a structure for four 16 team conferences that makes a lot of sense to me. The highlights of what I propose are:
- In keeping with Big 10 tradition. It wouldn't be a 16 team conference, but 17 teams. An even number teams is ideal, but the Big 10 has shown having an odd number is workable.
- Miami & FSU would move from the ACC to the SEC.
- The ACC would expand up the East coast.
- This might not be the perfect money grab that was originally speculated for the Big 10. Schools like ISU, KU & KSU won't increase the Big 10's current payout of $22M annually/school. However, I think the addition of ND, and a 16 team football playoff system, the payout/school would go up.
- I think for the below to happen, the NCAA and maybe political entities might have to step in to create an athletics landscape where there are limited losers. The only team left out of my proposal is Baylor. Like my proposal of having a 17 team Big 10, maybe there should be a 17 team Pac 10. The Big 12 South teams could make this happen if they want it. Otherwise, Baylor might make sense as the 10th team in the MWC.
ACC
Clemson
Boston College
Wake Forest
North Carolina State
Maryland
Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Duke
Virginia
Pittsburgh
West Virginia
Rutgers
Connecticut
Syracuse
South Florida 3-4 8-5
Big Ten
Ohio State 7-1 11-2
Iowa 6-2 11-2
Penn State 6-2 11-2
Northwestern 5-3 8-5
Wisconsin 5-3 10-3
Michigan State 4-4 6-7
Purdue 4-4 5-7
Minnesota 3-5 6-7
Illinois 2-6 3-9
Michigan 1-7 5-7
Indiana 1-7 4
Notre Dame
Nebraska 6-2 10-4
Missouri 4-4 8-5
Kansas State 4-4 6-6
Iowa State 3-5 7-6
Kansas 1-7 5-7
Pac 10
Oregon
Arizona
Oregon State
Stanford
USC
California
Washington
UCLA
Arizona State
Washington State
Colorado
Texas
Oklahoma State
Texas Tech
Oklahoma
Texas A&M
Baylor ???
SEC
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Alabama
LSU
Mississippi
Arkansas
Auburn
Mississippi State
Louisville
Cincinnati
Florida State
Miami (FL)
Last edited: