Conference Realignment Rumors – 9-26-2011

I’m trying to keep from posting too much on the rumors as things change so frequently now a days, I’ll try to limit to once per week unless something major happens.  Now that Texas A&M to the SEC is a done deal as the Big 12 members have released the Aggies and the SEC from any litigation worries, you have to wonder what will happen next.  It appears that we might see some moves by the Big 12 first, however, there are a lot of rumors in that area.  Texas legislature was pushing for universities from Texas to be admitted (Houston, SMU, TCU) but Big 12 members don’t seem to be interested in that move.  They are interested in expanding their base and are trying to work out something with BYU.  Also rumored is Boise St, while they do anything television-wise, they offer one of the most legit programs over the last decade.  If the Big 12 goes with BYU and Boise St, we could also see Air Force being targeted.  Everyone is waiting to see what Missouri will do – will they stay in the Big 12 or will they become the 14th member of the SEC.  If they stay in the Big 12, realignment could see Louisville, Cincinnati or West Virginia in the Big 12 – but without Missouri – there is too much geography between the current schools and the midwest/eastern schools.

The Big East is looking to expand and has expressed interest in the service academies as football only members.  Army has said they are not interested, mainly because they are afraid they will not be competitive.  Maybe they are also seeing through the Big East as it is not a very solid conference at the moment.  Air Force and Navy have expressed interest but it might take a while for Navy to move in this direction because they have already committed their schedule for several years.  Air Force’s interest seems difficult to understand other than being in a possible Automatic Qualifier conference.  Air Force is in Colorado and that is a long, long way from the Big East.  Plus, what would Air Force do with their other sports?  I think they only have 9, so maybe that is not much of a worry.  Where some big issues come with the Big East is that other members might be interested in other opportunities.  Connecticut has all but stated they want to be in the ACC, not the Big East.  Rutgers is another possibility for the ACC.  West Virginia, Louisville and Cincinnati also seem to have other options with the Big 12.  To top it off, the hybrid hasn’t worked in the past, so why do they want to continue down this road?  Recently, there has been a big push by the basketball powers for re-admitting Temple and allowing Villanova to upgrade their football program.  I just think things are extremely shaky for the Big East.

The ACC seems to have a lot of interest in Connecticut, but are in no hurry at the moment as they wait to hear from Notre Dame.  Also, the ACC has to be worried about teams being poached by the Big 10 and SEC.  We’ll see if anything happens in the near future.

Realignment Rumors on Sept 20th

Things just keep getting crazier and crazier and there is no telling where things might go.  Rumors are still abound about Oklahoma and Oklahoma St to the PAC12, but now Oklahoma has made a stance that if they were to stay in the Big 12, there would have to be major changes.  This makes me question whether the PAC12 is going to vote in favor of Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.  Why would Oklahoma all of a sudden change their mind and want to reform the Big 12, something they had given up for no hope?  They want Beebe, the commissioner fired and for their to be limitations on the Longhorn Network.

Other rumors that are that Notre Dame is actually pretty serious about the ACC.  They have also pretty much said they are not interested in the Big 10 because of the travel to the midwest, but more interested in the ACC and the northeast.  I think the plan is still to stay independent, but to find a league for their other sports now that the Big East is imploding.  This would also give them a fallback if the super conferences ever do happen.  So it is looking more and more like a strong possibility of Villanova and Notre Dame to be 15 and 16.

Other rumors are that the MWC and CUSA are talking about a merger.  Now that the Big East looks like it will be merging with the Big 12, there will need to be another automatic qualifier for the BCS – the MWC and CUSA are pushing for the winner of their combined championship to get that berth.  The MWC has offered an invitation to TCU and BYU to come back and join them.

Navy was set to join the Big East until Syracuse and Pitt had left for the ACC.  The Big East was also looking to pull in Air Force as well – but now with things in limbo, this isn’t happening.  West Virginia applied to both the SEC and the ACC and was rejected by both.  It appears Missouri is the targeted 14th team for the SEC, though the SEC denies making any contact.

Lastly, it is reported that James Madison University will be looking at upgrading from FCS to FBS in the next 2 years.  New players on the block in that time will be Charlotte, JMU and Appalachian St – if they can all find a conference that will accept them.

NCAA Conference Realignment Update

While Texas A&M waits in limbo because of the threat of litigation, mainly from Baylor, there has been a ton of talking outside of this.  Baylor has already been talking with the Big East and feels confident they could get a Big East invite.  It is expected that Oklahoma may be making an announcement by Monday, September 19th that they are leaving the Big 12.  Apparently, they will apply for membership with the PAC12 with Oklahoma St.  The PAC12 has stated they are not interested in expansion unless the landscape changes – basically meaning, we are not going to make the first move.  Rumors have been rampant that Oklahoma has now twice contacted the Big Ten, but have been turned down both times because of academic issues.

The biggest rumor that has finally gotten some legs on Northwestern’s and Orangeblood forums is that Texas and Notre Dame have approached the Big 10 with terms of their acceptance into the conference.  They want an 8 game schedule, as opposed to 9 so they can preserve rivalry games and other things.  Rumor has it the Big 10 is agreeable with these stipulations and could possibly see both Texas and Notre Dame joining by 2012.  Notre Dame hockey is still waiting to make an announcement of what conference they will be joining – W Michigan, who was waiting for Notre Dame, because they wanted to go with them has now stopped waiting and made their decision who they want to join.  It is also rumored that Missouri is now having meetings about their membership, would that be SEC, Big 10 or PAC12?

All I know is that things are going to start falling like dominoes very soon.  We will see what happens but it looks like Oklahoma is adamant now they do not want to be part of the Big 12.  Oklahoma St is attached to the hip of Oklahoma.  BYU has stated they would be interested in joining the Big 12 if Oklahoma stays, but it just doesn’t look like the Big 12 will have much of a chance now.

Texas A&M is Leaving the Big 12

Texas A&M released a statement today that they would like to leave the Big 12 by 6/30/2012 to join another athletic conference.  That is no big surprise as I have been following the story in the previous posts:

1. Texas A&M Denied SEC Invite – Not So Fast
2. NCAA Conference Realignment on the Horizon
3. Is Conference Realignment Hell About to Break Loose?

There is a stipulation that they receive acceptance to the conference before they leave the Big 12 – but even though we don’t have any proof, it is pretty certain that the SEC outlined the steps for Texas A&M and they are following them.

Now there will be many questions:

1. Who will be the 14th member in the SEC?  Rumors are flying surrounding quite a few schools, this one is difficult to predict.
2. Will the SEC go with more than 14?  Highly unlikely, but don’t hold your breath.
3. Will the SEC stay with 13?  It’s unbalanced, but the MAC has had 13 members for several years.
4. Who will the Big 12 add?  We have heard BYU is the target, but not sure they will accept.  SMU is the only school to publicly proclaim they want in.
5. Will the Big 12 collapse?  Could Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Texas and Texas Tech head to a PAC16?
6. Will there be a huge realignment shift ahead and the beginning of mega conferences?

What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear them!