****The official NEW new conference realignment thread.****

[Saul Good]

the second thread has been pronounced dead.

[HolyHandgernade]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I don't think the SEC is in a position where they need to settle for fallback options. If UNC and Virginia aren't moving, the SEC likely stays at 14. I used to be convinced that State and Tech made sense, but the more I think about it, the less sense they make.

Well, from what I've been reading, nobody in the SEC likes 14, it segregates the conference even more than either a 12 or 16 team conference does. Add on to the fact CBS, allegedly, won't readjust their contract portion unless the SEC has semi-finals. Then, the final straw, is that SEC network. Nobody has the actual figures, but the feeling is the SEC needs more TV markets to make the network viable. I don't mean just survive, but where it prints its own money like the BTN does.

So, sure, the SEC could stand pat, but nobody seems happy with that. The teams aren't as important as the markets, right now, to the SEC. So, NC St and VPI aren't "fallbacks" in their eyes, they are strategies. They are multiple options to get what they really want.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

I could too, but someone still needs to break the logjam. The B!G, although they won't publicly state it, is waiting on ND too. In market terms, they are just that valuable. But, let's say ND reups with NBC and are effectively off the table for anyone.

What does UNC want to protect most if it feels he ACC can't be saved? They want to preserve Duke as a conference mate. Will the B!G take Duke to appease UNC? If they do, what is there next move, UVA or the NE markets? The SEC is the premiere sports conference, but overall, the B!G is the most desirable conference when you factor in academic benefits.

That's why I think by even mentioning schools like Duke and Louisville, the SEC is just shaking the tree a bit to see what might drop. The SEC just needs some kind of movement and then take their chance in the ACC pinata scramble.

I think the SEC would like the Big XII to grab FSU and Louisville, thus blowing up the ACC.

[HolyHandgernade]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I think the SEC would like the Big XII to grab FSU and Louisville, thus blowing up the ACC.

I do too, and I think that is the only reason they even mentioned Louisville as a possibility. It just doesn't make any sense, otherwise. However, Louisville doesn't produce the biggest bang for the B12 buck and it isn't the partner school FSU is looking for, so we're back to logjam.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

I do too, and I think that is the only reason they even mentioned Louisville as a possibility. It just doesn't make any sense. However, Louisville doesn't produce the biggest band for the B12 buck and it isn't the partner school FSU is looking for, so we're back to logjam.

Where have you seen the SEC mention Louisville?

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I think the SEC would like the Big XII to grab FSU and Louisville, thus blowing up the ACC.

I agree with this. I also don't think the SEC wants the PAC-12 to take Texas, OU and the crew either. That would make the ACC#4 on the pecking order.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I agree with this. I also don't think the SEC wants the PAC-12 to take Texas, OU and the crew either. That would make the ACC#4 on the pecking order.

I think the SEC would love that.

[qabbaan]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I think the SEC would like the Big XII to grab FSU and Louisville, thus blowing up the ACC.

I think they would too, because the SEC would get the picks of the litter.

It would help the Big 12 to add a football school in FSU, but it also would hurt them in the sense that blowing up the ACC would would make the SEC stronger.

The Big 12 could add FSU but it's still in 4th place, and further behind the SEC than ever.

I don't think expanding with one normally good football school and one normally crappy one is going to enhance the media deal much, either.

[Saul Good]

Clearly KK has found Jesus regarding Mizzou's move to the SEC. The KU fans calling in are melting down over the fact that he has decided to continue to cover Mizzou. The guy on now sounds like he's about to cry.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Clearly KK has found Jesus regarding Mizzou's move to the SEC. The KU fans calling in are melting down over the fact that he has decided to continue to cover Mizzou. The guy on now sounds like he's about to cry.

Phoenix tears.

[HolyHandgernade]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Where have you seen the SEC mention Louisville?

Sorry, that was in the thread I took this info from, but wasn't in the OP. Basically, nobody buys it because why would the SEC consider Ville and not FSU? Rumors were that U of L was willing to take less money permanently in order to come on board, but most don't give that rumor any credibility. Sorry, I got my threads mixed.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

Sorry, that was in the thread I took this info from, but wasn't in the OP. Basically, nobody buys it because why would the SEC consider Ville and not FSU? Rumors were that U of L was willing to take less money permanently in order to come on board, but most don't give that rumor any credibility. Sorry, I got my threads mixed.

Where, though? Not trying to call you out, just haven't seen it ever mentioned, and this stuff is like crack to me.

[HolyHandgernade]

Spots 1-4 are all that really matters as far as top conferences. The money isn't that great a difference. The SEC, B!G and PAC will always have the advantage of continuity and history. The B12 does just fine for itself on the field of competition and the decidedly smaller population profile.

So, this "distance" between 1 and 4 isn't really much of a brag. All the schools in the top 4 are going to get paid handsomely, then its just a matter of competition on the field/court.

[HolyHandgernade]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Where, though? Not trying to call you out, just haven't seen it ever mentioned, and this stuff is like crack to me.

Oh, well let me get you a large shipment, then:

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=159&f=4582&t=9153190&p=1

[qabbaan]

You know what should have happened? The good football schools east of the Rockies should have formed a new power conference, instead of being chained up to a conference that will hurt them of they ever wanted to be in consideration for a title berth.

I'm thinking of Clemson, FSU, NC State, the Virginia schools, WV, Texas, the Oklahoma schools, Missouri, A&M, Nebraska a few years ago. They could have had a start on a conference on par with the SEC and Big Ten in terms of strength of schedule and footprint, and dollars.

It could have preserved at least some long-standing series and gained a lucrative TV deal, and these teams wouldn't have weak schedules hurting their title hopes at times, like they may in the conference where they are now.

As a Missouri fan, I will miss the primary football rival in recent years, in Nebraska. The SEC is better for Missouri, but this new conference could have been good too.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I think the SEC would love that.

You would think that but an unstable ACC would cause some of the prizes in it to shake free. If the ACC is #4 on the pecking list I don't think you would see North Carolina become available IMO.