Key variable in ACC expansion yet to play out...

[Southland]

I think the biggest part of the ACC expansion saga has yet to play out… will the NCAA approve Championship games for conferences with less than 12 schools?

If the ACC is successful in altering the rule, we can assume the following:

(1) The ACC and Big Ten will stay at 11 in hopes of landing the Golden (Dome) Lottery ticket.

(2) The Pac 10 won’t be put in a position of needing to expand for extra revenue. This is huge for them, since Colorado is the only viable candidate for expansion anyway.

(3) With 1 and 2 being true, the Big XII and SEC are in no threat of losing a school or schools. Certainly, Missouri, Colorado and various SEC teams may otherwise be targeted.

Hence the ACC, Big Ten, Big XII, Pac 10 and SEC will hold…

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Given that, I have these questions:

Why would the Mountain West dilute their revenue pool by expanding to 12, when they could add Nevada and Boise only? The addition of two schools gives them a championship game, an extra bowl, low travel costs, and erases any criticism for giving in to the partial qualifiers at Hawaii or Fresno.

Why would the Big East stop at 8 football schools? Even if they added football affiliates to get to 10, they could have a championship game and the revenue.

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I think this Championship rule is going to have the biggest impact on what happens to the WAC and CUSA… hence, what happens to our beloved Ponies.

[93Mustang]

Well said. I think your post also demonstrates why the 12 team waiver requested by the ACC probably gets granted. The Big 10 and Pac-10 will want the option of having the championship game without going through the process (fiasco) the ACC just went through and the Big 12 and SEC will be ok with the waiver so the ACC, Big 10, and Pac- 10 don't come trying to poach them. The only opposition I can foresee is the Big East, but it might even have an incentive to support it so it can add fewer schools post 2004.

[EastStang]

The WAC has 10 schools already. CUSA might vote either way. MAC would probably go along. The MWC goats might vote for it, just to add fewer Billy Goats. So, I think it will pass the 1-A muster. This might lead to the first step to a defacto championship. Conference championships, then if the non-BCS Schools took the next step and said okay: MAC vs. CUSA. MWC vs. WAC. Winner of those two games plays each other in the Liberty Bowl. Ooops forgot the Sunbelt, well they could be worked in somehow.

[The PonyGrad]

Well said, that would be my point. If it favors the big conferences then that is the way it will go and for the reasons you mention it does favor them.

Actually that may be bad for SMU as significant instability may help SMU end up in a better situation as the options would be more plentiful.

[NavyCrimson]

one thing that may happen....

what's scary about the 'waiver' is that it gets the bcs conferences off the hook from adding their 12th members thus STOPPING the domino affect of happening in the formation of the other 'more regional' conferences who want admission to the cartel ... excluding the non-bcs teams from being included in the bcs-bowls.

i just think its time to get this settled in court!

[This message has been edited by Navy&Crimson (edited 07-01-2003).]

[Stallion]

Navy & Crimson you hit on the key. More BCS money split less ways and allowing the BCS to keep the wanna-bes like Louisville, TCU, BYU, Colorado St. and others out. The important downside: FOR THE FIRST TIME NON-BCS SCHOOLS WOULD HAVE A MAJORITY IN THE NCAA-The Final Showdown?

[NavyCrimson]

stallion - do u really think the non-bcs schools have the moxy, leadership, guts & whatever it takes to standup & challenge this cartel - with that 'majority'?

i hope so but when was the last time anybody ever saw leadership exhibited from a university on anything in this political correct climate of today?!

i really don't think they understand what power & influence they could have with this 'majority' once they get it!

will they even exercise that power!

who knows!