Conference Expansion: Utes Might get shafted...

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5255568

It's looking as if the PAC-10 may be trying to become a 16 team conference by adding 6 Big-12 schools instead of the previous scenario of adding Utah and Colorado. This would keep the MWC alive as i am personally hoping for.

However, what I don't like, is that it appears the SEC may be trying to add Florida St, Miami, and a couple others to also be 16 team conference. The BIG-10 is trying to recruit Nebraska, Missouri, and few Big East schools to also have a 16 team roster. The remaining fragments of the Big East and ACC will then become their own super conference. With 4, 16-team conferences, you can bet the BCS system will then revolve completely around the new conferences, and basically bar the non-affiliated schools from ever playing for a championship, or even getting invited to any high payout bowl games again. I think the college football system is starting to smell as bad as the politicians in DC these days.

Any thoughts?

The Utes really wouldn't get shafted, if the big 12 is blown up the talk is that the top 6 teams from there go to the pac to create a 16 team conf. That move would leave 6 teams in fairly close proximity that need to find a conference, If the MW did pick up another couple teams they cold form a two division conference and establish a conference championship game.

If that did happen the conference would qualify for an automatic bid at a BCS game, hardly getting the shaft if you ask me.

Besides all of the news conferences that keep getting called off and delayed leads me to believe that there isn't consensus in the big 12 as to what is going to happen.

Here's a look from the SEC fan's point of view. Texas and Texas Tech hold the keys at the moment...actually it's the Texas legislature.

http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2010/6/6/1504044/thoughts-on-conference-expansion

hyperduc wrote:

That move would leave 6 teams in fairly close proximity that need to find a conference, If the MW did pick up another couple teams they cold form a two division conference and establish a conference championship game.

If that did happen the conference would qualify for an automatic bid at a BCS game, hardly getting the shaft if you ask me.

Besides all of the news conferences that keep getting called off and delayed leads me to believe that there isn't consensus in the big 12 as to what is going to happen.

The problem is that Nebraska and Missouri are probably going to the Big-10 because they are getting tired of Texas's selfishness. That only leaves Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, and Kansas State left searching for a conference. I guess that would help some, but I'm not sure it will be enough for an automatic bid in light of the new super conferences. I won't be surprised then when the bowl system gets rigged to revolve strictly around these four conferences and Notre Dame. Hopefully in the end this will all bring a positive net result for the MWC somehow. I will be thrilled to see BYU and Utah stay in the same conference as well.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5257774

The Pac-10 begins negotiating its new TV agreement at the end of this year and Scott said he needs to know the makeup of his conference before he sits down with TV executives.

Something will surely be taking place in the coming months.

What do you think would happen with cross conference games? Having sixteen teams to a conference would really toss things up.

I wonder if that would make an automatic bid more likely for the MWC if you have a weaker BCS conference or even possibly the dissolution of a conference.

Well news out of Texas is that they aren't going to get UT or Tech unless they take the turds at Baylor, while something like this may not be enough to deep six the big 12 blowup, but it does make the colorado and utah to pac-10 scenario.

shotgunwill wrote:

What do you think would happen with cross conference games? Having sixteen teams to a conference would really toss things up.

Keep an open mind here 'cause this might sound crazy...

I think we will end up with 5, possibly 6 (only if the BCS is generous and I hope they are) Superconferences with automatic bids and the MWC will be one of them.

Every conference will have to have a system like the SEC already does. Split the conferences into smaller divisions where each team must (at least should) play every team in their conf. division. This effectively eliminates the need for a playoff.

And yes, I'm an old fart that doesn't think student athletes need to play mores games to decide who is the best amateur football team in America.

If the MW gets enough teams (12 required) to have a conference championship they WILL get an automatic bid.

I think I like the idea of no conference playoffs, I think that would definitely streamline things.

Not that I am saying that a winning record is everything, I worry about upsets to a higher wins team, and then the lower wins team getting p0wn3d in the nationals. I would much rather see the higher quality and non-"cupcake" schedule teams go head to head in the nationals. Makes for WAY better bowl games IMO.

shotgunwill wrote:

I think I like the idea of no conference playoffs, I think that would definitely streamline things.

Not that I am saying that a winning record is everything, I worry about upsets to a higher wins team, and then the lower wins team getting p0wn3d in the nationals. I would much rather see the higher quality and non-"cupcake" schedule teams go head to head in the nationals. Makes for WAY better bowl games IMO.

You lose, you go home. How is that different than a playoff?

I understand that FB, I just want some quality football, not some ho hum nationals. Teams that have earned it, not won it by a coaching or player mistake.

That's all I'm saying....

I'm an SEC fan too, don't hate me brother.

The more I think about it, I kinda like the thought of these new conference realignments. I would like to see the MWC be able to bring in Kansas, Kansas St., and Boise St. Since I've seen nothing in the news today to counter the possibilities of these scenarios, I will be paying close attention to the world of college football in the near future.

Now I don't see this scenario ever happening, but how cool would this be:

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1092201

Here's an excerpt:
So we wait.

Each day gives Baylor another opportunity to marshal its political forces and gives Colorado another day to float silly scenarios like eyeing a jump to the Mountain West.

Each day gives Missouri and Nebraska fans more time to hope Notre Dame decides by June 15 to stand alone so they can say they finally stuck it to Texas.

The worst-case scenario for Nebraska would be to say no thanks to the Big 12, allow the Big 12 South schools to start negotiating with the Pac-10, only to see Notre Dame ultimately change its mind, land in the Big Ten, and leave Nebraska with the not-so-unthinkable scenario of joining Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and Kansas State in the Mountain West.

The Mountain West's decision to stand pat Monday was telling. Why make a commitment to Boise State right now, when that league, which is desperately trying to become a BCS conference, can wait a week and see if there are bigger trophies to be had.

shotgunwill wrote:

I understand that FB, I just want some quality football, not some ho hum nationals. Teams that have earned it, not won it by a coaching or player mistake.

That's all I'm saying....

I'm an SEC fan too, don't hate me brother.

Definitely not a hater, will!

I'd say that coaching and player mistakes are and have always been part of the game- any game. The team that wins earns it and the losers don't. Referee mistakes are another matter.

HOLY CRAP. HERE WE GO!


Nebraska is moving from The Big12 to the Big10!

Watch the dominoes fall! I'm still hoping BYU, Utah and Boise St. end up in a BCS conference.


http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2010/6/9/1509805/orange-bloods-nebraska-agrees-to#comments

Hang on boys, its going to get crazy!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5268408
Heres a good article.
The Pac-16 is going to be one hellva conference!
Lets keep our fingers crossed that the MWC can make a big move!

Here's to hoping the MWC will pick up the Kansas schools and possibly Missouri or Colorado. Whatever happens, I don't want to see the BYU/Utah rivalry get tampered with.

Or the BYU/TCU rivalry....

I'm even more hopeful for the MWC, now that the PAC 16 left some homeless Big 12 schools that the MWC can house.

Those schools, if added to the MWC would have the weight to give the MWC a BCS berth.

Oh, and add BSU too.

I don't know if the schools left are going to strengthen the football aspect much. But if the do come to the MWC they would be one tough basketball confrence.
I really don't know how I want this monster to play out, if the 6 teams bolt to the PAC-10 and the MWC picks up the remains and BSU, I still think they would be left out of the BCS. The Pac-16 would be a monster of a Confrence, and you know the Big 10 and Sec will follow suit and possibly the ACC and Big East would also be picked apart to help those 2 get to 16 teams. That leaves 3 "super" conferences. I think they would have to do something with the bowls too. I guess we can just wait and see.

mikevanwilder wrote:

I don't know if the schools left are going to strengthen the football aspect much. But if the do come to the MWC they would be one tough basketball confrence.
I really don't know how I want this monster to play out, if the 6 teams bolt to the PAC-10 and the MWC picks up the remains and BSU, I still think they would be left out of the BCS. The Pac-16 would be a monster of a Confrence, and you know the Big 10 and Sec will follow suit and possibly the ACC and Big East would also be picked apart to help those 2 get to 16 teams. That leaves 3 "super" conferences. I think they would have to do something with the bowls too. I guess we can just wait and see.

Stay positive!

There is no way that the MWC would be denied a BCS berth after adding BSU, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri and Iowa State!

As predicted, Boise State joins the MWC!

Here is an SEC wonk saying just what I was saying about the MWC getting a BCS berth!

http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2010/6/11/1513451/boise-state-joins-mountain-west