Other moves on the horizon for both conferences:
The team nobody wants any part of is Idaho. Their only shot in the dark might be the MAC, which still has an uneven divisional alignment after swapping out Temple for UMass, though they had no problem going through last season with 13 teams. More likely, they'd play as an FBS independent while seeking the same alternatives as Boise (non-football membership in the Big Sky or Summit). If those fail, they'd downgrade to FCS and rejoin the Big Sky in all sports.
This would be the biggest power-move since Nebraska moving if they could do it. It would counter the SEC going into Texas and getting A&M, and would leave them one school short for for 12 and a title game (Georgia Tech? Virginia Tech? Louisville? Tulane, who had been mentioned as a Vandy-type roundheel to boost win totals and further get into SEC territory?)
Agreed. It would be a fantastic move for the Big 12, and a really smart move for FSU. Having dated an FSU alum for several years and gone to many games in Tallahassee, my perception has been that Seminole fans and alumni are far less ingrained with the southeast pride thing that grips most SEC schools including Florida, as well as ACC schools (VA, NC, Duke, NC St). By that I mean they'd be far less provincial about breaking away from a traditional conference rivalry base rooted in the confederate states and moving to one that's essentially Texas and the plains.
Definitely makes sense for both the school and the conference. You'd have WVU in the heart of PA/OH/VA recruiting grounds. About 400 miles south, Clemson would cover north GA and the Carolinas. Another 300 miles SW would be FSU, with exposure to Florida and the southern regions of GA, AL and MS. None of the three schools would bring large markets to the table, but the geographic presence over a wide swath of the eastern US would still be huge.
VT twisted so many arms and greased many palms to get into the ACC and now they want to bail?
https://twitter.com/#!/GMUWashPost/status/200980802278932480
Not only that, but the legislature basically forced the ACC to take VT over Syracuse in that round of reorganization. Is there any reason to think they'd let VT bolt for the SEC now that they finally have them and UVA in the same conference?
I think this has to do with FSU's history. They've only been in the ACC for 20 years, and before that they were independent forever. To get the program going, Bowden had an anyone, anytime, any place philosophy which FSU fans still take pride in. The used to play ND and WVU every now and then. they just did a home and home with BYU.
As far as the UConn angle, this would be the open door they need to jump to the ACC.
If they could, maybe the Big 12 could take both and expand to 14.
I like the concept, but just a slight nitpick. No way they'll put KS and KSU in separate divisions unless their annual rivalry game is guaranteed to continue on an inter-divisional basis. More likely they'd put both in the East with ISU in the West.
I thought about that, too. I'm a KU guy. I think KU and K-State would be OK separated if they know it's for the best in the conference. Do what the SEC does, have one cross-division rivalry, and they ensure that football game happens the second Saturday of October, same as usual. Looking back at those divisions, though, I should've put KU in the west and K-State in the east so the KSU-ISU "Farmageddon" rivalry would continue.
The funny thing is, if Pitt hadn't jumped to the ACC, they would have almost assuredly gotten the potential Louisville spot and preserved their rivalry with WVU
At one point, before Oklahoma started to flirt with the Pac-12 last summer, the Sooners pushed for Pitt, WVU and Louisville to join the conference, pushing the Big 12 back to 12 teams -- Texas A&M was gone basically, but Mizzou-to-the-SEC hadn't grown any legs yet. Had Oklahoma gotten its way -- it didn't because Texas vehemently opposed any expansion -- maybe TCU's still a free agent and the ACC's still at 12 teams.
How does ESPN look terrible? They got a great deal and Comcast and CBS still haven't gained any significant rights since relaunching their channels.
If they announce before June 1, they won't be eligible for the FCS playoffs this year.
Word around the campfire is that Creighton and GMU within the next few years. Basically waiting to see if the Big East implodes and what UMass/Richmond do.
Richmond not at GMU's level of hoops?
Why would Notre Dame join the ACC if it loses its football programs like Clemson and FSU? That makes zero sense.
Yes the A-10. Richmond just did a massive renovate of their football stadium and have indicated that they might jump up to 1A if the price is right for them. As of right now, their football program is more advanced than Charlotte or Georgia St. They are 4 years removed from a national title.
I'm saying that there might be a home for Richmond in the Sun Belt or CUSA, or any other conference that will have them, especially if the CAA completely implodes.
