New ESPN Expansion Mega-Conference Models

[lwjr]

So the Big XII needs to add at least 3 (with CO, NE and MO leaving) or more, if 14 or 16 teams become the norm, to dominate the rebuilt Big XII? Who are the candidates? Could they tolerate old SWC mates? Invite BYU or other MWC teams in the Mountain Time, NM, AF, CSU and/or Wyoming? Arkansas is a great option, but is it realistic?

As it was pointed out earlier, BYU will not play on Sundays. I wonder with the new shake up coming down the road, BYU re-thinks their position on "No play Sundays".

[Samurai Stang]

I just don't see Texas alienating their fan base in Texas who like to travel as long as it is within 4-6 hours. i don't see them going to the Pac 10 and a different time zone for late night viewing and travel compared to a conference where most of their fans and teams can travel, even if there may be more tv dollars. I don't think Mack, Deloss and Augie want to go to a conference like the SEC where they will not be one of the two top teams (ou and ut) every year and take a chance on these spoiled ut fans who accept no less than 10 win seasons and bcs bowls and college world series appearances. The sec will raid Texas recruits even more than the big 12 north if ut and am join the sec diluting the ut strangehold on all those great players who sit on the bench for 4 or 5 years due to the stockpiled talent level. I say ut stays in place knowing they are a big dog like nd who can always change their minds if it doesn't work out.

Texas will always get the players they want and dominate whichever conference they are in. It does not matter who Texas plays, their dominance will continue.

As for alienating fans, that is simply ridiculous. The same argument was made with the SWC, and Texas is not hurting today for their decision.

[Samurai Stang]

So the Big XII needs to add at least 3 (with CO, NE and MO leaving) or more, if 14 or 16 teams become the norm, to dominate the rebuilt Big XII? Who are the candidates? Could they tolerate old SWC mates? Invite BYU or other MWC teams in the Mountain Time, NM, AF, CSU and/or Wyoming? Arkansas is a great option, but is it realistic?

As it was pointed out earlier, BYU will not play on Sundays. I wonder with the new shake up coming down the road, BYU re-thinks their position on "No play Sundays".

BYU will not have to change. There are simply too few candidates in the north for the Big 12 to be extremely selective.

New Mexico is horrible in football and brings a small television market.

Air Force would be a good candidate, with a program that is usually competitive. Additionally, they not only bring the Colorado market but a national base of military veterans.

Colorado State is a very strong candidate. They are located in Colorado and bring occasional success.

Wyoming is a horrible option. The entire state has little over 500,000 people. This is not a strong market, and brings no recruiting to speak of.

Arkansas will not leave the conquering SEC to join a Big 12 that is being torn into pieces. It would be a tremendous mistake on their part. Even entertaining the idea is wasting time.

[peruna81]

Heard an interesting stat this morning...current Big 12 covers 16% of televisions in the US...Pac 10 26%...SEC and Big Ten cover 40%..the next conference shifts will be about tv coverage(read advertising $$), and the shifts will be made accordingly. SEC/Big 10 will have the biggest say in this, according to an ESPN report.

SMU MAY have a chance to be on the right side of realignment, but it is a narrow chance at that, and will require much more in the way of working on alternate scenarios if left out again.

[NickSMU17]

Pac 10 will move first and start chain reaction...

Once again, no BCS teams want to be in a conference with Air force or Navy...