With All The Re-Alignment...

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

How does this, or will this, affect our future game times/dates?

Given the complete expansion of the Big 10 and SEC, with the latter extending multiple Time Zones, Big Noon kickoffs are going to start at 9 AM PT in some instances.
Also, with more marquee matchups, ESPN will certainly put the power conferences ahead of the G5, even the Funbelt.

Do you think MU games are going to be more weekday heavy, and we might even have earlier kickoff times on Saturdays to free up space for the bigger games?

I think this is something we haven't explored yet, but could be a huge impact on us, directly.

Thoughts?

 

[RhinoD]

I would say the odds of us getting a Saturday time slot on ESPN or ESPN2 are about zero regardless of opponent, record, etc. Since 90 percent of our games are going to be on ESPN3, time slot won't matter. Streaming can accommodate dozens of games at any given time.

I would expect MU to get 1-2 "national" ESPN games each year, most likely during the week (this year its Louisiana on a Wednesday)... Our Saturday games will be on ESPN3 unless we are playing a P5 team.

 

[Jartard]

 

[BleedsGreen33]

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Where in the world is this all going. I remember back when realignment first got going it was a move to get 4 super16 conferences to eventually get the playoff we have right now. If the tweet you posted is 100% on the level and Joel Klatt is correct about Colorado moving back the Big XII that means that the Pac-12 and the ACC is pretty much toast. I guess the ACC could somewhat, but I'm not sure I see where they're going at this point.

I'm still firmly on the side of the G5 just breaking off and doing our own thing. I know people will cry about being relegated to another I-AA, but we already are and if anything trying to stay with the "P5(or4)" it's going to bankrupt tons of programs. Even some of the P5(4) won't be able to keep up with the 6-7 figure NIL deals and whatnot.

Everyone here, at least those of us old enough, had fun playing for national titles at the I-AA level. Playing for a G5 National Title would be fun too. A lot more meaningful than the GoDaddy.com/BadBoyMower/St.Pete's/Pizza/BoB Bowl.

There are about 15-20 schools that will be able to keep pace with this new age of CFB. The rest are just lying to themselves if they think they can keep pace with the like of Bama, tOSU, USC, Texas, OU, and ND.


Above referenced tweet.

 

[alphasig1053]

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This dude couldn't be that plugged into sports, or he would have a lot more twitter followers. With that said, UNC and UVA would have to be turned down by the B1G before they made an attempt to join the SEC.

Also, I am not too sure that this changes much for our TV slots. The outcome of the bargaining rights for the 2nd portion of the B1G will let us know a lot more about the situation. I look for CBS to snap them. This would cause ESPN to no longer have the rights to B1G games because Fox has the other part of the agreement already locked up.

 

[herdfan06]

Where in the world is this all going. I remember back when realignment first got going it was a move to get 4 super16 conferences to eventually get the playoff we have right now. If the tweet you posted is 100% on the level and Joel Klatt is correct about Colorado moving back the Big XII that means that the Pac-12 and the ACC is pretty much toast. I guess the ACC could somewhat, but I'm not sure I see where they're going at this point.

Maybe Conference USA will gain the remaining members.

 

[exHerdSID]

If ESPN works a deal for UNC, UVA, Clemson and FSU to go SEC, they may offer the ACC schools like WVU, Cincinnati, Houston and maybe another B12 school from an "open" state. Adding Ohio and Texas to the subscription bases adds more, because current schools already cover NC and VA. The ACC might be told renegotiate now or in 10 years face the really bad news. The B12 schools are going PAC12 mostly, anyway, with Washington and Oregon still looking to the B1G, which could happen. ACC schools like Pitt, VT and even Miami would get to hold on to, and gain some leverage. The school that could really make the giant jump would be UCF to the ACC.
ESPN and Fox may just be moving around the chairs at the party so everybody is sitting next to someone they can tolerate, even of they don't really like them or even know them from the past.
Just some thoughts...

 

[BleedsGreen33]

Maybe Conference USA will gain the remaining members.

I do wonder who gets left out. If anyone does. If they ACC wants to survive they will need to backfill. I wonder if WVU would get the nod now. What could happen with UCF? Could they back out of the Big XII and go to the ACC?

The Big XII additons AZ, AZ State, Utah, and Colorado improve the Big XII, but man that travel would be even more brutal for WVU and UCF.

This realignment is like a drunk trying to figure out a slide puzzle.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

This dude couldn't be that plugged into sports, or he would have a lot more twitter followers. With that said, UNC and UVA would have to be turned down by the B1G before they made an attempt to join the SEC.

Also, I am not too sure that this changes much for our TV slots. The outcome of the bargaining rights for the 2nd portion of the B1G will let us know a lot more about the situation. I look for CBS to snap them. This would cause ESPN to no longer have the rights to B1G games because Fox has the other part of the agreement already locked up.

It's not so much TV slots. Back when wvu was added it was rumored FSU and someone was going to the Big XII and UNC was either going with Duke to the SEC or with another school to the B1G. The ACC stepped in and made them all sign something like a 25 year GoR deal which all but assured those teams wouldn't leave.

 

[exHerdSID]

Not sure about time slots. Yes, probably some "time filler" slots ala MACction but also we may just be part of a package for another network other than ESPN/ABC or Fox so some reasonable Saturday times, too.
I do think that eventually the G4/5 becomes its own division with a championship "tourney." There is no feasible way for Sunbelt and others to compete with the giant dollars that will be flowing. It may come down to the G4/5 needing to decide to get a single slot in a much bigger NC tourney, or build their own with 8-16 teams ala the past. And that may depend on the money, too.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Not sure about time slots. Yes, probably some "time filler" slots ala MACction but also we may just be part of a package for another network other than ESPN/ABC or Fox so some reasonable Saturday times, too.
I do think that eventually the G4/5 becomes its own division with a championship "tourney." There is no feasible way for Sunbelt and others to compete with the giant dollars that will be flowing. It may come down to the G4/5 needing to decide to get a single slot in a much bigger NC tourney, or build their own with 8-16 teams ala the past. And that may depend on the money, too.

I think the G4 should jointly charge an astronomical amount, like $5 million minimum for a game with a P5 school.
Yes, it would likely mean the G5 would hardly see anyone from the P5 play, but with all the teams getting insane amounts of money, the CFP could end up with several 3-4 loss teams, making it somewhat less appealing, and some schools would do it, just to pad their record.
If the NCAA won't pay the G5, make the P5 do it instead.

 

[Jartard]

I think the G4 should jointly charge an astronomical amount, like $5 million minimum for a game with a P5 school.
Yes, it would likely mean the G5 would hardly see anyone from the P5 play, but with all the teams getting insane amounts of money, the CFP could end up with several 3-4 loss teams, making it somewhat less appealing, and some schools would do it, just to pad their record.
If the NCAA won't pay the G5, make the P5 do it instead.

Exactly!

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

I do wonder who gets left out. If anyone does. If they ACC wants to survive they will need to backfill. I wonder if WVU would get the nod now. What could happen with UCF? Could they back out of the Big XII and go to the ACC?

The Big XII additons AZ, AZ State, Utah, and Colorado improve the Big XII, but man that travel would be even more brutal for WVU and UCF.

This realignment is like a drunk trying to figure out a slide puzzle.

Its all about money and market.
As I said, the ACC doesn't seem restricted in adding to the conference, they just won't let anyone leave.
I guarantee if wvu was worth it, the ACC would've invited them, and told Notre Dame, "join as a full time member or not" which ND wouldn't. Cincy would have joined, or the next most valuable program.

But, wvu has;
No major TV market.
Sub-par academics.
Poor location.
No money.

I doubt the ACC takes them based on that, but also, they can just tell VT, Pitt, and everyone in the ACC with a history with wvu, to just schedule them OOC. It'll bring revenue to their game, but 1 less mouth to feed as a full member because wvu is useless by comparison.

What the Big 10 and SEC are doing, is they are selecting the teams with the most valuable criteria not only for themselves, but to ensure anyone leftover, is somewhat exposed or shown to be a significantly less valuable program, thus, not giving confidence in being offered a competitive TV contract.

It's quite smart, and potentially demoralizing to many who'll either have to fold, or go elsewhere.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

Its all about money and market.
As I said, the ACC doesn't seem restricted in adding to the conference, they just won't let anyone leave.
I guarantee if wvu was worth it, the ACC would've invited them, and told Notre Dame, "join as a full time member or not" which ND wouldn't. Cincy would have joined, or the next most valuable program.

But, wvu has;
No major TV market.
Sub-par academics.
Poor location.
No money.

I doubt the ACC takes them based on that, but also, they can just tell VT, Pitt, and everyone in the ACC with a history with wvu, to just schedule them OOC. It'll bring revenue to their game, but 1 less mouth to feed as a full member because wvu is useless by comparison.

What the Big 10 and SEC are doing, is they are selecting the teams with the most valuable criteria not only for themselves, but to ensure anyone leftover, is somewhat exposed or shown to be a significantly less valuable program, thus, not giving confidence in being offered a competitive TV contract.

It's quite smart, and potentially demoralizing to many who'll either have to fold, or go elsewhere.

One of the biggest thing that kept wvu out of the ACC was their academics. However if they lose FSU, Clemson, UNC, and Duke there won't be much else to turn to.

WVU has been making overtures since OU and Texas announced they were leaving. According to some eerdiots on the Rivals Main Board they have made a lot ground with the ACC since their last rejection.

Again who knows. It's strange to me that Oregon (at least to my knowledge) hasn't been mentioned in going to the Big XII or B1G.

IF these rumors pan out then the PAC-12 is down to Oregon, Oregon St, Washington, Wash St, and Stanford. That's not sustainable and who on earth do they poach? You'd have to be insane to leave another P5 to join the Pac-?.

Honestly I thought you'd see WVU to the ACC and OkSt, Baylor, Texas Tech, another Big XII bolt to the Pac-12.

What does ND do? Will they stay independent? Gonna be tough to make the playoffs if the P5 becomes the P4. Going to be tough to put together a better independent resume than a P4 champ.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

One of the biggest thing that kept wvu out of the ACC was their academics. However if they lose FSU, Clemson, UNC, and Duke there won't be much else to turn to.

WVU has been making overtures since OU and Texas announced they were leaving. According to some eerdiots on the Rivals Main Board they have made a lot ground with the ACC since their last rejection.

Again who knows. It's strange to me that Oregon (at least to my knowledge) hasn't been mentioned in going to the Big XII or B1G.

IF these rumors pan out then the PAC-12 is down to Oregon, Oregon St, Washington, Wash St, and Stanford. That's not sustainable and who on earth do they poach? You'd have to be insane to leave another P5 to join the Pac-?.

Honestly I thought you'd see WVU to the ACC and OkSt, Baylor, Texas Tech, another Big XII bolt to the Pac-12.

What does ND do? Will they stay independent? Gonna be tough to make the playoffs if the P5 becomes the P4. Going to be tough to put together a better independent resume than a P4 champ.

Most wvu fans couldn't find the main academic building on a campus map so take their perspectives with a grain of salt.

I think Oregon and UW may consider staying and draw some Big 12 teams to join them. The financial losses of USC and UCLA hurt the revenue more than the TV, since both are kind of in the same area.

I also read there's a possibility of a package schedule deal with the ACC and Pac-12 for good matchups to keep the conference afloat.
The money is less but there are less teams too.

As for Notre Dame, they signed the same GoR agreement as the rest of the ACC I believe, at least that's what I read, so they may be stuck.

I think Oregon could afford to go independent, one of a few who could.
Texas should be independent, but that's clearly not happening.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

Most wvu fans couldn't find the main academic building on a campus map so take their perspectives with a grain of salt.

I think Oregon and UW may consider staying and draw some Big 12 teams to join them. The financial losses of USC and UCLA hurt the revenue more than the TV, since both are kind of in the same area.

I also read there's a possibility of a package schedule deal with the ACC and Pac-12 for good matchups to keep the conference afloat.
The money is less but there are less teams too.

As for Notre Dame, they signed the same GoR agreement as the rest of the ACC I believe, at least that's what I read, so they may be stuck.

I think Oregon could afford to go independent, one of a few who could.
Texas should be independent, but that's clearly not happening.

Two points.

1. Not sure Colorado, AZ, AZST, and Utah would be potentially joining the Big XII without some assurance that schools are staying put. It would be absolute insanity to see those four Pac-12 teams to move to the Big XII only to see OKSt, Baylor, KState, and Texas Tech (just using random schools) leaving for the Pac-12.

2. I don't think any school can survive the future of CFB being an independent. IF we are witnessing the P5 shrinking to the P4 like they wanted to do back in 2012 there will be no access for an independent to make the playoff. You're going to end up with 4 super16 conferences that the conference champs will be in the the playoff. That is what was supposed to happen back then.

Sure someone might cry for expansion again, but after thinking about this today I think this latest set of moves is to kill any more playoff expansion talks. It's one thing to have an entire conference complaining about being left out. There's a lot of concentrated pull. A team or two teams by themselves won't have that much clout to spur the conversation.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Two points.

1. Not sure Colorado, AZ, AZST, and Utah would be potentially joining the Big XII without some assurance that schools are staying put. It would be absolute insanity to see those four Pac-12 teams to move to the Big XII only to see OKSt, Baylor, KState, and Texas Tech (just using random schools) leaving for the Pac-12.

2. I don't think any school can survive the future of CFB being an independent. IF we are witnessing the P5 shrinking to the P4 like they wanted to do back in 2012 there will be no access for an independent to make the playoff. You're going to end up with 4 super16 conferences that the conference champs will be in the the playoff. That is what was supposed to happen back then.

Sure someone might cry for expansion again, but after thinking about this today I think this latest set of moves is to kill any more playoff expansion talks. It's one thing to have an entire conference complaining about being left out. There's a lot of concentrated pull. A team or two teams by themselves won't have that much clout to spur the conversation.

As I said, it's the only reason I can think of as to why Oregon and UW are still there. Oregon has Nike money and UW has the Seattle/Tacoma market, the largest remaining of the Pac-12.
Both schools would be attractive to either Big 12 or Big 10.

Tell that to Notre Dame, they've pretty much built an identity on being independent, and I said a few schools could pull it off. Notre Dame or Texas can absolutely do it, as could Oregon, but not everyone.

I fhink they will expand the CFP, because you'll have schools within the conferences complaining.
In all however, this feels like a house of cards.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

As I said, it's the only reason I can think of as to why Oregon and UW are still there. Oregon has Nike money and UW has the Seattle/Tacoma market, the largest remaining of the Pac-12.
Both schools would be attractive to either Big 12 or Big 10.

Tell that to Notre Dame, they've pretty much built an identity on being independent, and I said a few schools could pull it off. Notre Dame or Texas can absolutely do it, as could Oregon, but not everyone.

I fhink they will expand the CFP, because you'll have schools within the conferences complaining.
In all however, this feels like a house of cards.

Joel Klatt was on FoxNews with Brian Kilmeade and said he believes the playoff is going to expand to 12 in order to be more inclusive. We'll see.

Also in all of this we've forgotten about Cal. I fogort they were there until Kilmeade brought them up.

 

[RhinoD]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/college-conference-expansion-realignment-scenarios-060735741.html

Good stuff from Yahoo Sports here trying to read the tea leaves... Long story short, nothing else is going to move until Notre Dame makes a decision, Oregon and Washington are invited somewhere, or the SEC officially tries to poach 2-4 more teams from the ACC and/or Big12.

The article also notes that the Sun Belt has been the G5 conference doing the most to make sure its solvent when the musical chairs stop, and may not be done adding... What would make a lot of sense is for the SBC to take FIU and La. Tech and then the MAC take MTSU/WKU. Those moves would essentially relegate CUSA to FCS (one less cut of the TV money pie). There seem to be a lot of hard feelings between the Sun Belt and LT, so I don't know if everyone could swallow their egos for that, but it would be a solid move... The SBC would have 16 teams in 11 contiguous states. The MAC would have 14 teams and add Kentucky and Tennessee to its footprint of Ohio/Michigan/Indiana/Illinois.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/college-conference-expansion-realignment-scenarios-060735741.html

Good stuff from Yahoo Sports here trying to read the tea leaves... Long story short, nothing else is going to move until Notre Dame makes a decision, Oregon and Washington are invited somewhere, or the SEC officially tries to poach 2-4 more teams from the ACC and/or Big12.

The article also notes that the Sun Belt has been the G5 conference doing the most to make sure its solvent when the musical chairs stop, and may not be done adding... What would make a lot of sense is for the SBC to take FIU and La. Tech and then the MAC take MTSU/WKU. Those moves would essentially relegate CUSA to FCS (one less cut of the TV money pie). There seem to be a lot of hard feelings between the Sun Belt and LT, so I don't know if everyone could swallow their egos for that, but it would be a solid move... The SBC would have 16 teams in 11 contiguous states. The MAC would have 14 teams and add Kentucky and Tennessee to its footprint of Ohio/Michigan/Indiana/Illinois.

If LT wanted in, I'd make their AD crawl on all fours through a doggy door to the SBC commish's office and literally beg for a spot.

The sad thing is...he'd probably do it.

Honestly, MAC and CUSA should be dropped down to FCS.
MAC hasn't attempted to capitalize on their situation and it was only rumored they'd expand. If they really wanted to, they would.
Furthermore, given MTSU's stance on staying put in a dying conference, gives zero confidence in their leadership as a program even IF they moved to the MAC.

That and Judy's a complete idiot.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/college-conference-expansion-realignment-scenarios-060735741.html

Good stuff from Yahoo Sports here trying to read the tea leaves... Long story short, nothing else is going to move until Notre Dame makes a decision, Oregon and Washington are invited somewhere, or the SEC officially tries to poach 2-4 more teams from the ACC and/or Big12.

The article also notes that the Sun Belt has been the G5 conference doing the most to make sure its solvent when the musical chairs stop, and may not be done adding... What would make a lot of sense is for the SBC to take FIU and La. Tech and then the MAC take MTSU/WKU. Those moves would essentially relegate CUSA to FCS (one less cut of the TV money pie). There seem to be a lot of hard feelings between the Sun Belt and LT, so I don't know if everyone could swallow their egos for that, but it would be a solid move... The SBC would have 16 teams in 11 contiguous states. The MAC would have 14 teams and add Kentucky and Tennessee to its footprint of Ohio/Michigan/Indiana/Illinois.

I think the SEC and Big 10 force ND to join a conference as a full member.
The Big 10 and SEC aren't going to let ND continue to walk freely.
They'll ensure ND never gets into the CFP as the two conferences are likely going to completely re-write the rules, and without a chance of a NC, the ND fans are going to quickly abandon their team.

Basically, "if Notre Dame doesn't want in, then we're going to destroy their value to our product."

I will add, the SBC is very solid and may be courted by others to eventually join. They are a well led conference and could surpass everyone else in the G5 soon.

 

[RhinoD]

I think the SEC and Big 10 force ND to join a conference as a full member.
The Big 10 and SEC aren't going to let ND continue to walk freely.
They'll ensure ND never gets into the CFP as the two conferences are likely going to completely re-write the rules, and without a chance of a NC, the ND fans are going to quickly abandon their team.

Basically, "if Notre Dame doesn't want in, then we're going to destroy their value to our product."

I will add, the SBC is very solid and may be courted by others to eventually join. They are a well led conference and could surpass everyone else in the G5 soon.

Agreed on ND... They are going to have to pick a side. Either jump all in to the SEC or Big10, or join as a full ACC member and become the league's "savior." The ACC could then add one more team to get to 16 and try to fend off the SEC's advances.

The SBC is in a great spot... A conference put together in logical geographic locations, with schools that are desperately trying to be competitive in football, and seemingly competent leadership in the league office.