Conference Realignment thread

[utenation]

On 5/29/2024 at 9:33 PM, Wyobraska said:

Now I'm curious.  Which rivalries in the Big 12 do you think are better?

I tend to agree that Utah/BYU becomes the best rivalry in the conference.  

The only other candidates are TCU/Baylor and Arizona/Arizona St.  I guess KU and KSU.  

The TCU/Baylor rivalry is such a big deal for the B12 that they decided to shove the game on ESPN+ so the whole nation could tune in last year. 

Not to mention, TCU’s stadium was not even close to full. 
 

Kansas has been historically bad in football until recently. I like the direction they are going though.  ASU/AZ is a good series but being in the P12 for over a decade, I never really got a sense of hate like Utah/BYU. And as long as I’ve been alive I can’t remember a UTAH/BYU game not being sold out no matter how bad or good the teams have been. Hoops has been pretty spicy over the years too. 
 

This is a pure opinion topic, so it’s open for debate. 

[Spaztecs]

On 5/28/2024 at 6:35 PM, Loyal Coug said:

Wait I thought you hated the Pac-2, especially WSU, and want no part of us! :) You softening up?

That said, I don't think I've seen the link below (compliments of the UNLV Board) about NCAA team-by-team Revenue/Expense for FY 2023.

Football Bowl Subdivision | College Athletics Database (knightnewhousedata.org)

As I related to my delusional Coug brethren, WSU was the lowest current Power 5 team, revenue-wise, at $79 million. $13-some million below OSU at the bottom, with the rest at or (in most cases far above) $100 million. Behind a small handful of current AAC teams, and below SDSU at just over $100 million. I'm sure NIL monies are similar.  

So WSU can't compete with the P4. Period. The only solution is the reverse merger. Rename it whatever we want. I am warming up to the "PacWest-14". 

The Wac-a-Pac has a ring to it.

[Spaztecs]

On 5/29/2024 at 9:01 AM, NorCalCoug said:

Sorry, the BigXII can weather the loss of ANY program from the conference without any major impact to overall value.  That includes BYU.  It also includes Utah.  Sorry that fact hurts the feels but there’s no program in the BigXII whose value is head and shoulders above anyone else - like Texas and Oklahoma.  So yes, Utah can leave.  BYU can leave.  Kansas can leave.  ANY program can leave and the BigXII will be just fine.

But let’s be honest, we both know Utah isn’t going anywhere.  The B1G wet dream the delusional folks in SLC have is never coming to pass.  The ACC stuff is just a laughable troll job.  Even I don’t think Utah is that stupid.

Yes, they are.

See their belief that they were worth more than what ESPN offered.

[Spaztecs]

On 5/29/2024 at 10:34 AM, Chalsean said:

Losing the national champs would be a death nail

 

I can hear the bones rattling as we speak.

[UNLV2001]

[Brew_Poke]

On 5/29/2024 at 8:19 PM, RSF said:

Best rivalry...that's a good one..

 

Which ones have more notoriety, in your opinion?

[Johnny Idol]

On 5/30/2024 at 8:49 AM, Spaztecs said:

The Wac-a-Pac has a ring to it.

Any consolidation of the MWC and PNW twins has to be a reverse merger into the PAC-12.  There is just too much more money to be made.  My only concern is going to 14.  I say the MWC trims 2 schools before solidifying with the PNW twins.  There is too much chatter behind the scenes for it not to happen.  

The first school would be Hawaii.  I like Hawaii but they are a football only member that hasn't brought much to football.  The play their home games on their practice field and only have vague hopes of a new stadium sometime next decade.  They could go independent and the new PAC-12 could even offer a 5 game scheduling agreement.  The door would be left open for possible future membership.

The second school would obviously be Utah State.  They never should have been allowed to join and nobody wants them now or in the future.  Cut the cord and send them off to Conference USA...  Or maybe they could dust off their old PROJECT plans and try to reform the WAC.

The new PAC-12 would have 4 pods of 3 schools each. You play the 2 other schools in your pod every year.

PAC-12
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State

San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State

Nevada
UNLV
New Mexico

Colorado State
Air Force
Wyoming

[Wyobraska]

On 5/30/2024 at 6:09 PM, Johnny Idol said:

Any consolidation of the MWC and PNW twins has to be a reverse merger into the PAC-12.  There is just too much more money to be made.  My only concern is going to 14.  I say the MWC trims 2 schools before solidifying with the PNW twins.  There is too much chatter behind the scenes for it not to happen.  

The first school would be Hawaii.  I like Hawaii but they are a football only member that hasn't brought much to football.  The play their home games on their practice field and only have vague hopes of a new stadium sometime next decade.  They could go independent and the new PAC-12 could even offer a 5 game scheduling agreement.  The door would be left open for possible future membership.

The second school would obviously be Utah State.  They never should have been allowed to join and nobody wants them now or in the future.  Cut the cord and send them off to Conference USA...  Or maybe they could dust off their old PROJECT plans and try to reform the WAC.

The new PAC-12 would have 4 pods of 3 schools each. You play the 2 other schools in your pod every year.

PAC-12
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State

San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State

Nevada
UNLV
New Mexico

Colorado State
Air Force
Wyoming

[utenation]

On 5/30/2024 at 1:07 PM, Brew_Poke said:

Which ones have more notoriety, in your opinion?

Let me help out here Brew.  He’s been asked this question twice now but apparently ran for those little Texas hills they call mountains. 
 

I’ll give you the real answer. RSF lives in Texas. They think everything is bigger and better there. God forbid a team from Utah or any school west of the continental divide comes in and makes a claim to be the best at something without the approval of the Texas folk. 
 

The B12 and whatever they previously called themselves is their dream job and conference for TCU.  A newcomer to this haven won’t be accepted without a shootout on main street. Throw away the logic and numbers. It’s all about Texas baby!

[since1670]

"It’s all about Texas baby!"

When I first arrived in Houston, oil wells were active on Main Street.

A few years before Missouri joined the SEC, a football player complained "all we hear around here is Texas, Texas, Texas". A count found 33 players were from Texas.

No Big-12 university is going to out recruit UHouston.

Rich in many ways.

[utenation]

On 5/30/2024 at 9:43 PM, since1670 said:

"It’s all about Texas baby!"

When I first arrived in Houston, oil wells were active on Main Street.

A few years before Missouri joined the SEC, a football player complained "all we hear around here is Texas, Texas, Texas". A count found 33 players were from Texas.

No Big-12 university is going to out recruit UHouston.

Rich in many ways.

So self proclaimed recruiting championships huh? Nice.  It’s just too bad all these teams you will “ out recruit” will beat you on any field. 
 

I’m surprised the B12 waited decades to grab a “powerhouse” like Houston. 

It will be interesting to see which AAC turd finally becomes the tallest midget in the B12. 
 

What a filthy city btw. 

[Destiny Dutch]

On 5/30/2024 at 11:35 PM, utenation said:

So self proclaimed recruiting championships huh? Nice.  It’s just too bad all these teams you will “ out recruit” will beat you on any field. 
 

I’m surprised the B12 waited decades to grab a “powerhouse” like Houston. 

It will be interesting to see which AAC turd finally becomes the tallest midget in the B12. 
 

What a filthy city btw. 

 

The Big 12 had to wait to get out of that terrible Longhorn Network deal before it could evolve with ANYONE.

I'm still amazed that UT let go of their sweetheart deal. They literally held an entire conference hostage.

The reason the Big 12 was able to move so fast is because they went through that expansion exercise in 2016, and UT squashed it to protect the LHN.

Anyway, as a follower of college realignment, I think a lot of programs will sink and swim in their new homes. UT will be a fascinating case study. Perhaps Utah will be another. Perhaps Houston will be another. Perhaps UNLV will be another.

I suspect a lot of balls are going to shrink.

[Spaztecs]

On 5/30/2024 at 6:09 PM, Johnny Idol said:

Any consolidation of the MWC and PNW twins has to be a reverse merger into the PAC-12.  There is just too much more money to be made.  My only concern is going to 14.  I say the MWC trims 2 schools before solidifying with the PNW twins.  There is too much chatter behind the scenes for it not to happen.  

The first school would be Hawaii.  I like Hawaii but they are a football only member that hasn't brought much to football.  The play their home games on their practice field and only have vague hopes of a new stadium sometime next decade.  They could go independent and the new PAC-12 could even offer a 5 game scheduling agreement.  The door would be left open for possible future membership.

The second school would obviously be Utah State.  They never should have been allowed to join and nobody wants them now or in the future.  Cut the cord and send them off to Conference USA...  Or maybe they could dust off their old PROJECT plans and try to reform the WAC.

The new PAC-12 would have 4 pods of 3 schools each. You play the 2 other schools in your pod every year.

PAC-12
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State

San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State

Nevada
UNLV
New Mexico

Colorado State
Air Force
Wyoming

The Utags are actually a contributor to this Conference. Both in FB and BB. They bring the dollar bills. There are other unnamed Schools who don't.

[utenation]

On 5/25/2024 at 12:15 AM, Did I hear a WOOSH? said:

That is more indicative of conference affiliation than the pacnw being significant in college sports.  Only one conference representing a large geographical area but few relative options increases chances of representation, actually it confers to my point about how scant the athletic options are.  Florida is about 1/3 the land mass of those two states with over double the population.  Not that it matters because it’s about the number of people involved/interested in football and Florida produces more athletes in football at the d1 level each year than the entire Pacific Northwest.  More high level recruits, more drafted players, etc.  The same cannot be said for any other region of the country comparatively to Florida so the pacnw is indeed a relative cfb desert.  Like everywhere else west of El Paso they rely on California athletes, which has had diminishing returns as well.

It's just too bad UCF can't be part of your conversation. Your school defines irrelevance.  Hell, you had about 150K watch your games against Houston and Cincy. When outside fans think of football in your state, my guess is UCF is near the bottom, right above high school football. 

[Motown Monty]

The UCF vs Utah rivalry appears to be a getting bigger

Big12 was smart to schedule this matchup on rivalry weekend

their fans have it out for each other!

[Chalsean]

On 5/30/2024 at 6:09 PM, Johnny Idol said:

Any consolidation of the MWC and PNW twins has to be a reverse merger into the PAC-12.  There is just too much more money to be made.  My only concern is going to 14.  I say the MWC trims 2 schools before solidifying with the PNW twins.  There is too much chatter behind the scenes for it not to happen.  

The first school would be Hawaii.  I like Hawaii but they are a football only member that hasn't brought much to football.  The play their home games on their practice field and only have vague hopes of a new stadium sometime next decade.  They could go independent and the new PAC-12 could even offer a 5 game scheduling agreement.  The door would be left open for possible future membership.

The second school would obviously be Utah State.  They never should have been allowed to join and nobody wants them now or in the future.  Cut the cord and send them off to Conference USA...  Or maybe they could dust off their old PROJECT plans and try to reform the WAC.

The new PAC-12 would have 4 pods of 3 schools each. You play the 2 other schools in your pod every year.

PAC-12
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State

San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State

Nevada
UNLV
New Mexico

Colorado State
Air Force
Wyoming

I'd rather stay in MWC as is w/o the twins than lose schools we have history with.  Just because something turns a profit doesn't mean its the right thing to do.

[Headbutt]

On 6/4/2024 at 2:51 PM, Chalsean said:

I'd rather stay in MWC as is w/o the twins than lose schools we have history with.  Just because something turns a profit doesn't mean its the right thing to do.

In the long run, I think we need both.  There is no predicting where all of this chaos is going to be in 5-10 years.  Strength in numbers is a pretty good answer right now IMO.  I'm a fan of small conferences (9 in FB is perfect IMO), but that's just not a realistic approach right now.  Whatever we put together in the next couple of years will likely see attrition shortly after.  I think that's the trend.

[Chalsean]

On 6/4/2024 at 2:58 PM, Headbutt said:

In the long run, I think we need both.  There is no predicting where all of this chaos is going to be in 5-10 years.  Strength in numbers is a pretty good answer right now IMO.  I'm a fan of small conferences (9 in FB is perfect IMO), but that's just not a realistic approach right now.  Whatever we put together in the next couple of years will likely see attrition shortly after.  I think that's the trend.

Oh totally agree and I hope we're all together.  Just if its a choice between OSU/WSU and UH/USU, i choose UH/USU

[Loyal Coug]

On 6/4/2024 at 2:09 PM, Chalsean said:

Oh totally agree and I hope we're all together.  Just if its a choice between OSU/WSU and UH/USU, I choose UH/USU

Well the Pac-14 can happen. Unfortunately, I see no discussion on the WSU or OSU fan sites that I troll about the MW merger (well except for my posts). It is either "be patient, wait and see" (that's worked out well so far), or hang on to the ACC or Big-12 pipe dreams. Of course fansites don't mean shit compared to what is being discussed among the Conferences or schools themselves. On MW sites, not much either. SDSU seems to be the only semi-frequent mention.

What I would like to see is Gloria picking up the phone like tomorrow and calling our poorly qualified Commissioner (and maybe The Pac-2's shit Presidents on the same call), and saying look - We FULLY reverse merge On July 1, 2025 or don't bother calling me again. Maybe that would open our eyes.

 

[Headbutt]

On 6/4/2024 at 4:10 PM, Loyal Coug said:

Well the Pac-14 can happen. Unfortunately, I see no discussion on the WSU or OSU fan sites that I troll about the MW merger (well except for my posts). It is either "be patient, wait and see" (that's worked out well so far), or hang on to the ACC or Big-12 pipe dreams. Of course fansites don't mean shit compared to what is being discussed among the Conferences or schools themselves. On MW sites, not much either. SDSU seems to be the only semi-frequent mention.

What I would like to see is Gloria picking up the phone like tomorrow and calling our poorly qualified Commissioner (and maybe The Pac-2's shit Presidents on the same call), and saying look - We FULLY reverse merge On July 1, 2025 or don't bother calling me again. Maybe that would open our eyes.

 

I think Gloria's done all she can.  Extended a carrot with a FB scheduling alliance and adding WSU as an affiliate member for some sports, then adding the stick of being able to bill the Pac for some millions if they tamper with the MWC membership.  Yeah, she's dealing with some pretty disingenuous characters that are slowing things down, but there's not much more she can do.