FBS Conference Realignment (updated breakdown)

[bamawriter]

Agree partially with BYU. But Houston, Memphis and Central Florida were all worthy contenders with decent funds to go with them. Even Air Force, Boise State, Utah State or Colorado State wouldn't be horribly bad picks to round up to 12.



OU, maybe, but doubtful. Depends on what kind of financial deal they get going in. And specifically where they are going. If it's the SEC, they know they very likely will end up in the west where they get to play an SEC West schedule. And that ain't no picnic. Big Game Bob is content to win 9-11 games a year which keeps his job safe. If he plays Bama, LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas, A&M, MSU and whatever permanent cross division rival he stands a chance of 8 or less wins a year which puts him on the hot seat.

Texas, no way they jump ship. They won't go anywhere they have to give up the Longhorn Network. They would go indie before joining a conference which would require them to give up the rights to that network and the associated funds that go with it.

The LHN is dead in the water after the contract expires.

And while some argument could be made for UCF or even Cincinnati, adding Houston would have been pissing money away and Memphis would not have been a whole lot better.

 

[Grand Vol]

The LHN is dead in the water after the contract expires.

Yeah, in 2031. It was a 20 year deal made in 2011. So, either ESPN ponies up the balance of that $295 million contract early to buy them out or they are stuck with it. Sure, they could afford to, but that's a big hit in the financials section of the annual report.

However, it is owned by Disney, so the money is there...

And while some argument could be made for UCF or even Cincinnati, adding Houston would have been pissing money away and Memphis would not have been a whole lot better.

I think you're wrong about Houston. Someone will end up picking them up in a P5 conference. Likely Memphis too. They'll have the last laugh.

 

[bamawriter]

Yeah, in 2031. It was a 20 year deal made in 2011. So, either ESPN ponies up the balance of that $295 million contract early to buy them out or they are stuck with it. Sure, they could afford to, but that's a big hit in the financials section of the annual report.

However, it is owned by Disney, so the money is there...



I think you're wrong about Houston. Someone will end up picking them up in a P5 conference. Likely Memphis too. They'll have the last laugh.

There are only going to be 4 power conferences after the next round of contracts expire. Houston may get a look from an ACC or Pac 12, but I doubt it. Memphis might interest the ACC if they get desperate.

 

[LoudOrange]

There are only going to be 4 power conferences after the next round of contracts expire. Houston may get a look from an ACC or Pac 12, but I doubt it. Memphis might interest the ACC if they get desperate.

I believe Memphis' academics wouldn't allow an invite from the ACC.

 

[TNnative]

I refuse to use leaders and legends for them

I propose the losers and the lame.

 

[ALLVOL24/7/365]

No way I'd want West Virginia. And OSU is going to hook their wagon with OU as long as possible.

Definitely don't want WV. I believe I read somewhere several years ago the OU and OSU are going to go together because the Oklahoma State Government has basically decreed that they are joined at the hip. OU can not go anywhere without OSU. I would be for taking both myself. Because we sure do not want Memphis or some other crap team.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

If the SEC ever expands again, I'm hoping we rob the ACC.

Would love to get some of the North Carolina schools in (though it'd be a real political challenge to break up the UNC-NCState-Duke-Wake foursome), or the Hokies from Virginia.

Not just because they are decent schools with good academics, good athletics, and good history. These would also be new media markets for us. And good people in those two states.

Yeah, would much rather see us look east than west if we grow again.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

If the SEC ever expands again, I'm hoping we rob the ACC.

Would love to get some of the North Carolina schools in (though it'd be a real political challenge to break up the UNC-NCState-Duke-Wake foursome), or the Hokies from Virginia.

Not just because they are decent schools with good academics, good athletics, and good history. These would also be new media markets for us. And good people in those two states.

Yeah, would much rather see us look east than west if we grow again.

I have always wanted Clemson and vs. Tech..they are both like SEC schools already in that they are football schools first and foremost. We wouldn't get into NC, but we would have virgiinia and sc...and our Vols already do a great job recruiting NC...better than the other SEC schools. I felt this way before Clemson got so hot lately...with the way they are recruiting and winning now, they would be able to recruit even better in the SEC. Lookout bama

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I have always wanted Clemson and vs. Tech..they are both like SEC schools already in that they are football schools first and foremost. We wouldn't get into NC, but we would have virgiinia and sc...and our Vols already do a great job recruiting NC...better than the other SEC schools. I felt this way before Clemson got so hot lately...with the way they are recruiting and winning now, they would be able to recruit even better in the SEC. Lookout bama

We won't go after Clemson because the SEC already has South Carolina.

And if Clemson recruited better in the SEC, that would be terrible for Tennessee.