Conference realignment?

[johnabeard]

texas and notre dame join the pac 16 would be a dream of mine. naturally u would need two more teams but man i could get use to a texas vs usc game every year.

 

[coolhorn]

There is no readily available school out there that brings any added value to the Big XII. Arkey is a pipe dream...they are NOT leaving the SEC for something as shakey as the Big XII. There are four, maybe five or six current Big XII schools that are likely to have options. I do NOT see UT making a move to the SEC, B1G, or ACC...there would be no fellow travelers in most of those situations. The only LOGICAL move is for UT, OU, OSU, and Tech to move west and form half of a new PAC East, with the Arizonas, Colorado, and Utah. KU, I think, has a shot at the B1G because of their basketball and academics. I have to think Baylor's recent upgrades buys them a place at somebody's table when all is said and done. The rest of the Big XII? Think Mountain West, C-USA, or AAC. That's my two cents worth, how I see things playing out, and sooner, rather than later. I think Patterson starts thinking about UT's conference affiliation as soon as he hires some new coaches and fires some deadwood at Bellmont Hall.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

For personal reasons, I would love Texas to join the Pac 12. We could have 4, 4 team pods:

Pod A - Texas, TX Tech/Baylor, OU, OSU

Pod B - UA, ASU, CU, Utah

Pod C - UCLA, USC, Stanford, Cal

Pod D - UW, WSU, Oregon, Oregon St

Games against teams in our Pod, then play against all teams from a specific pod (rotates every year), and then one team from each of the other 2 pods (again, rotates every year), and then rest OOC games.

3 games - against teams in our pod

4 games - against teams in different pod

2 games - against one team from the other 2 pods

3 games - OOC games

Larry Scott has done a tremendous job with the Pac 12. He and Patterson could make the Pac very special.

 

[deadbeef]

As I understand it (I'm not a lawyer and could be wrong), it's not so much a question of a penalty, as it is the fact that we don't own our tier 1 and 2 rights any more. We could leave whenever, but we wouldn't bring any revenue to the new conference until the GOR expires.

 

[Brasky]

For personal reasons, I would love Texas to join the Pac 12. We could have 4, 4 team pods:
Pod A - Texas, TX Tech/Baylor, OU, OSU

Pod B - UA, ASU, CU, Utah

Pod C - UCLA, USC, Stanford, Cal

Pod D - UW, WSU, Oregon, Oregon St

Games against teams in our Pod, then play against all teams from a specific pod (rotates every year), and then one team from each of the other 2 pods (again, rotates every year), and then rest OOC games.

3 games - against teams in our pod

4 games - against teams in different pod

2 games - against one team from the other 2 pods

3 games - OOC games

Larry Scott has done a tremendous job with the Pac 12. He and Patterson could make the Pac very special.

I love this. The best thing about it though is I like your grouping our regional schools and I agree with it. We should be exploring an exit with OU, OSU, and then 2 of 3 out of Baylor, TT and Kansas.

 

[BevoBlake]

For personal reasons, I would love Texas to join the Pac 12. We could have 4, 4 team pods:
Pod A - Texas, TX Tech/Baylor, OU, OSU

Pod B - UA, ASU, CU, Utah

Pod C - UCLA, USC, Stanford, Cal

Pod D - UW, WSU, Oregon, Oregon St

Games against teams in our Pod, then play against all teams from a specific pod (rotates every year), and then one team from each of the other 2 pods (again, rotates every year), and then rest OOC games.

3 games - against teams in our pod

4 games - against teams in different pod

2 games - against one team from the other 2 pods

3 games - OOC games

Larry Scott has done a tremendous job with the Pac 12. He and Patterson could make the Pac very special.

I've long been a fan of Texas and Oklahoma joining the PAC. It would be unreasonable to leave Oklahoma State out now, so I suppose Texas would have to bring Tech. Baylor has been great lately but I see an expiration date on that success when Texas brings in their new coach and Tech gets things turned around with Kingsbury. I agree with just about everything you said, outside of Larry Scott and his success with the PAC. I actually think Scott has been mostly bad for the conference since he took over. Sure, he expanded the PAC-12 brand and therefore broadened the PAC's reach. But what did he stretch the brand with? Colorado and Utah. Those two schools have gone a combined 25-45 since joining the PAC-12. He's also failed to broker a deal with DirecTV to air the PAC-12 Network. While this also falls on DirecTV, this is something seriously hurting the fans outside of the local regions. On top of all of that, is the Bowl Bid issue. The PAC-12 for being the conference it is, has a horrible Bowl Lineup. The 2nd best PAC-12 team, in the event that they don't receive an "At Large" bid, will play in the Alamo Bowl. That means the PAC-12's second best team, plays against the BIG 12's fourth best team. After that, they get Holiday Bowl against the BIG 12's fifth best team. And then we drop down to the Sun Bowl in El Paso...need I say more?

Now, bringing in Texas and Oklahoma would no doubt cement Scott as the best PAC-12 Commissioner of all time. But I think when you look at his body of work, it doesn't really bode well. At least not in the Football world.

 

[Jyoung185]

I wish Texas would join the SEC. My fiancé is from Houston and so many of her friends who couldn't get into UT/ A&M went SEC. We have traveled to many of those schools to watch games and they are always a blast. The Texas - Ole Miss game last year was one of the best game environments I've been to in years.

I realistically see us joining the PAC. My biggest issue with the Pac is geography. Other than the schools we would bring with us, the closest school is Arizona State, which is about a 15 hour drove from Houston(according to google) and in a different time zone. In the SEC driving to the university of Florida is a 12 hour drive.

As someone who travels to a lot of away games, the SEC is ideal because of geography and environment of opponents. Wish Patterson would look at the SEC as a real option

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

I actually think Scott has been mostly bad for the conference since he took over. Sure, he expanded the PAC-12 brand and therefore broadened the PAC's reach. But what did he stretch the brand with? Colorado and Utah. Those two schools have gone a combined 25-45 since joining the PAC-12. He's also failed to broker a deal with DirecTV to air the PAC-12 Network. While this also falls on DirecTV, this is something seriously hurting the fans outside of the local regions. On top of all of that, is the Bowl Bid issue. The PAC-12 for being the conference it is, has a horrible Bowl Lineup. The 2nd best PAC-12 team, in the event that they don't receive an "At Large" bid, will play in the Alamo Bowl. That means the PAC-12's second best team, plays against the BIG 12's fourth best team. After that, they get Holiday Bowl against the BIG 12's fifth best team. And then we drop down to the Sun Bowl in El Paso...need I say more?
Now, bringing in Texas and Oklahoma would no doubt cement Scott as the best PAC-12 Commissioner of all time. But I think when you look at his body of work, it doesn't really bode well. At least not in the Football world.

All valid points you have there. In terms of money generating, he's has done so much for the PAC. PAC schools now have more money than before to build newer facilities and attract top coaches. Top to bottom, the PAC now has the best football coaches/names in the country.

But I do agree with you, in terms of making the PAC more National, he needs to brand the conference much better.

 

[Boobie Miles]

Pac 16 "dream" will never happen. Who knows what will happen in the next few years with the conferences. Could there be a breakaway? Possibly. Everything could drastically change in the next few years, so who truly knows what is to come. To be honest, aside from where we currently are, I think that the SEC would be idealistic due to location and all major state schools. But when you look at Texas, it is that crown jewel that would be ideal in any conference. There can be made an argument for the Pac 12, SEC, ACC, and even the B1G for wanting to expand with Texas. Texas could be independent and thrive as well. I'd just suggest not putting any stock or time and effort thinking about 2 schools that could help the Big 12. There are no schools that could currently be added that would add any worth or value.

 

[harpethhorn]

Pac 16 "dream" will never happen. Who knows what will happen in the next few years with the conferences. Could there be a breakaway? Possibly. Everything could drastically change in the next few years, so who truly knows what is to come. To be honest, aside from where we currently are, I think that the SEC would be idealistic due to location and all major state schools. But when you look at Texas, it is that crown jewel that would be ideal in any conference. There can be made an argument for the Pac 12, SEC, ACC, and even the B1G for wanting to expand with Texas. Texas could be independent and thrive as well. I'd just suggest not putting any stock or time and effort thinking about 2 schools that could help the Big 12. There are no schools that could currently be added that would add any worth or value.

I've never put any stock in Texas to the SEC…..but with the very recent regime change that view could change. IMO

Adding Texas and Oklahoma to an SEC West Division of LSU, A+M, Arkansas, Ole Miss, MSU and Missouri would re-ignite old rivalries and add immense value to a conference already well positioned for increased revenue growth. Lots of obstacles, of course….which would occur with any move out of the Big 12, especially related to LHN. But ESPN could view a Texas addition to the SEC as the revenue catalyst to leverage folding LHN into the SEC network. And both sides see massive increases in money in Tiers 1,2 and 3. Not to mention the incredible visibility as ESPN further ramps up marketing college sports' premier conference.

Once the dust has settled on Patterosn's cleansing of Bellmont and the old guard give way to the new regime, I have to think enough smart people at UT will (at least) consider the possibilities.

May never happenn, and may be risks UT is unwilling to take. But that upside potential for our program will never exist in any current or revised form of the Big 12.

 

[PDX Horn]

I've long been a fan of Texas and Oklahoma joining the PAC. It would be unreasonable to leave Oklahoma State out now, so I suppose Texas would have to bring Tech. Baylor has been great lately but I see an expiration date on that success when Texas brings in their new coach and Tech gets things turned around with Kingsbury. I agree with just about everything you said, outside of Larry Scott and his success with the PAC. I actually think Scott has been mostly bad for the conference since he took over. Sure, he expanded the PAC-12 brand and therefore broadened the PAC's reach. But what did he stretch the brand with? Colorado and Utah. Those two schools have gone a combined 25-45 since joining the PAC-12. He's also failed to broker a deal with DirecTV to air the PAC-12 Network. While this also falls on DirecTV, this is something seriously hurting the fans outside of the local regions. On top of all of that, is the Bowl Bid issue. The PAC-12 for being the conference it is, has a horrible Bowl Lineup. The 2nd best PAC-12 team, in the event that they don't receive an "At Large" bid, will play in the Alamo Bowl. That means the PAC-12's second best team, plays against the BIG 12's fourth best team. After that, they get Holiday Bowl against the BIG 12's fifth best team. And then we drop down to the Sun Bowl in El Paso...need I say more?
Now, bringing in Texas and Oklahoma would no doubt cement Scott as the best PAC-12 Commissioner of all time. But I think when you look at his body of work, it doesn't really bode well. At least not in the Football world.

The Pac 12 Network is available on every major cable provider and struck a deal with Dish Network on 9/8/12. It is available to every Pac 12 fan in the country if they choose to get Dish Network. Not sure how one could use that as a negative towards Scott.

 

[BevoBlake]

The Pac 12 Network is available on every major cable provider and struck a deal with Dish Network on 9/8/12. It is available to every Pac 12 fan in the country if they choose to get Dish Network. Not sure how one could use that as a negative towards Scott.

Because DirecTV is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, satellite option(s) out there right now. DirecTV kills Dish Network in just about every major category, including channels and availability. It's a negative, not sure how one could not see that as a negative towards Scott.

 

[Nakona Horn]

Texas' most realistic home IMO is the ACC as a full time member or associate member like ND. But a lot of things need to happen first.

Texas needs to get back to elite/top 10 status in football.

LHN will need to gain significant distribution and expand to Direct-TV and Dish.

Texas needs to start the capitalization projects for the new basketball facility

Texas will start Lacrosse and men's soccer.

Texas is talking to ND about adding four to six more games

This will be about 5-7 years in the making.

 

[Randolph Duke]

Texas' most realistic home IMO is the ACC as a full time member or associate member like ND. But a lot of things need to happen first.
Texas needs to get back to elite/top 10 status in football.

LHN will need to gain significant distribution and expand to Direct-TV and Dish.

Texas needs to start the capitalization projects for the new basketball facility

Texas will start Lacrosse and men's soccer.

Texas is talking to ND about adding four to six more games

This will be about 5-7 years in the making.

If Texas starts lacrosse and men's soccer, what is added on the women's side (Title IX)?

 

[HornNdriftwood]

Forget conference realignment. What we need to push for is a real playoff (at least 8 teams). Does anyone really care about conference affiliation or championships in CBB. It's just the pathway to the playoffs.

With a real playoff, I don't think it really matters what conference you're in, unless it affects your RPI.

If UT is winning and going to the playoffs, nobody will care about joining another conference.

 

[orangeflow]

Originally Posted by SFlonghorngirl

For personal reasons, I would love Texas to join the Pac 12. We could have 4, 4 team pods:

Pod A - Texas, TX Tech/Baylor, OU, OSU

Pod B - UA, ASU, CU, Utah

Pod C - UCLA, USC, Stanford, Cal

Pod D - UW, WSU, Oregon, Oregon St

Games against teams in our Pod, then play against all teams from a specific pod (rotates every year), and then one team from each of the other 2 pods (again, rotates every year), and then rest OOC games.

3 games - against teams in our pod

4 games - against teams in different pod

2 games - against one team from the other 2 pods

3 games - OOC games

Like format but see Baylor win out over tex Tech in realignment to PAC-12.............Think PAC 12 best bet

 

[johnabeard]

Thanks everyone for the great insight on this topic, you guys helped me understand it a lot more and I appreciate all the great post. Lets keep this site on of the most informative and no non sense when it comes to trolls.

Hook em, now lets focus on the bowl game for Monday, then we can get back to the coaching topic.

 

[Old Tascosa]

I can't vouch for its veracity, but the info I was given was that the current thinking for the D4 is to limit it to the largest investing 72 football teams (other exclusive criteria as well) and have them play in either 8 regional round robin groups of 9; or 6 "mini" regional conferences of 12, all irrespective of current conference affiliations. The 12 would be split with the usual 5/3 schedule and a championship game. Either the 8 round robin champions; or the 6 "mini" champions supplemented with the 2 highest ranked non-champions, would then form an 8 team playoff, seeded by the committee. The remaining schedule would be filled only with games against other D4 teams which would not count toward the conference championships, but would toward the rankings/committee selection.

If this is accurate, then realignment becomes unnecessary and regional rivalries will once again rule. The next 3-4 months should be very interesting. Obviously a lot of details and contracts to be worked out, but it is thought to be feasible.

 

[Lord Vader]

As I understand it (I'm not a lawyer and could be wrong), it's not so much a question of a penalty, as it is the fact that we don't own our tier 1 and 2 rights any more. We could leave whenever, but we wouldn't bring any revenue to the new conference until the GOR expires.

Yes, and that is the penalty. All the money goes to the conference you left. You literally leave with nothing.

 

[Lord Vader]

Love your knowledge! If you were Patterson, what would you do with Texas in regards to conference affiliation?

The B1G is out for me. Great academics but horrific travel and sub par products.

Its between the Pac-12 and ACC. We seem to want to be Stanford in some ways, but I think culturally the ACC is the best fit. I'd rather our footprint be expanded into to the Southeast. Lots of good weather for fans, easy travel for the majority of the population base of this State, and good academics from schools like Duke and Georgia Tech. We'd fit in well there.