Conference changes

[davish75]

There is lots of talk about the BCS accepting MWC; and Big 10 and PAC 10 expanding to 12 members.

Is this something that will likely happen in the Spring or late Winter? If so, how is SMU prepared to make the best of these conference expansions?

It would be a tragedy if MWC become part of the preferred BCS without a playoff system that allowed all the D-1 conferences to participate.

[Peruna2001]

The MWC would definitely need to make some improvements before they would be allowed to be a AQ BCS school. They would probably need to add Boise State and another program to make the conference as a whole stronger.

Personally, what I'd like to see is a new conference made up of the best and promising hopefuls of MWC, C-USA, and WAC. I think with a few schools from each conference, you could easily make a case for an AQ BCS conference. You could still keep it regional (close to anyways).

[Stallion]

the first option might happen- TCU long ago had a broader long range vision of joining the MWC which might pay off with eventual inclusion in the BCS or at least a more prestigious conference affiliation. SMU basically decided that the BCS was not really a goal so they decided to unite among common private school core-which will always be a financially questionable decision

the second option ain't going to happen. Any expansion to become a new BCS Conference will be dictated by the MWC

[EastStang]

I don't see BCS expansion to include the MWC for two reasons. (1) they don't want to split the pie anymore than they already do. (2) Networks don't want the MWC for viewership reasons -which is why Boise and TCU got sent to the kiddies table. The only way that happens is if the BE is demoted. Who wants to remove all the schools in the most populous part of the Country from the BCS formula - ain't gonna happen? So, it isn't going to happen. If the Big Ten takes Missouri, then the opening in the Big XII could be the payoff for TCU (but that's a long shot due to geography of the conference and Arkansas).

[NickSMU17]

Big East isn't going anywhere....Their Basketball programs hold the NCAA hostage...

[CalallenStang]

The MWC would definitely need to make some improvements before they would be allowed to be a AQ BCS school. They would probably need to add Boise State and another program to make the conference as a whole stronger.

Boise and two others from what I've heard.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

When did the BCS first amend to permit a non-AQ school to qualify? I'm asking because it seems that at least one non-AQ is now qualifying every season. Has that been the case every year since a non-AQ has been permitted to qualify. I know its no guarantee that a non-AQ will participate every year. But it goes to the point that perhaps the BCS doesn't have that much to lose by adding another AQ (if in effect that's what is happening every year now).

Why would Missouri contemplate a move to the Big-10? They have never been a part of that conf. Would Missouri really leave their historical Big-8 rivals to move to an entirely new conf.?

I really don't see the PAC-10 expanding. There is not any regional school that looks like a good fit for the university profile of the PAC-10 who is not already a member. I think the Big-10 would love to have Notre Dame. But they went down that road a few years ago and Notre Dame said no. Is that door still open?

I could see the BCS including the MWC if certain changes were made to that conf. It seems way too top heavy right now. Schools like San Diego State, New Mexico, and UNLV bring essentially nothing to the table.

Just some random musings/questions

[davish75]

Doesn't including the MWC into the AQ BCS perpetuate the unfairness of the whole system? It merely means the Utah delegation might end their call for a Justice Dept investigation. CUSA, MAC and Sunbelt conferences need to be proactive in making sure the same system is not continued.

The only fair remedy is for a playoff system that allows every conference at least one representative to play post season for the NC.

[mustangxc]

The best scenario would be for all conferences to have 10 members. Eliminate non-conference games and every team plays every team in its conference for a total of 9 regular season games. Then the conference champions automatically qualify for a playoff plus a couple of wildcard spots for the best teams that are not conference champions. Any teams not in the playoffs can go bowling to determine the strongest conferences from top to bottom. Under this scenario everyone wins because the regular season is still extremely important, you declare an undisputed national champion and still have the joy of bowl games. Playoffs would involve 16 teams. The national finalists would play a total of 13 games (9 conference + 4 post-season). College presidents cannot say that this system would undermine academics. What do you think?

I wouldn't even be opposed to extending the playoffs an additional round for a total of 14 games for the national finalists and 32 teams in the field!

[East Coast Mustang]

The best scenario would be for all conferences to have 10 members. Eliminate non-conference games and every team plays every team in its conference for a total of 9 regular season games. Then the conference champions automatically qualify for a playoff plus a couple of wildcard spots for the best teams that are not conference champions. Any teams not in the playoffs can go bowling to determine the strongest conferences from top to bottom. Under this scenario everyone wins because the regular season is still extremely important, you declare an undisputed national champion and still have the joy of bowl games. Playoffs would involve 16 teams. The national finalists would play a total of 13 games (9 conference + 4 post-season). College presidents cannot say that this system would undermine academics. What do you think?

I wouldn't even be opposed to extending the playoffs an additional round for a total of 14 games for the national finalists and 32 teams in the field!

Won't happen- big conferences won't give up the big money conference championships and dilute the pot unless they're forced to by Congress

[Wuba]

The best scenario would be for all conferences to have 10 members. Eliminate non-conference games and every team plays every team in its conference for a total of 9 regular season games. Then the conference champions automatically qualify for a playoff plus a couple of wildcard spots for the best teams that are not conference champions. Any teams not in the playoffs can go bowling to determine the strongest conferences from top to bottom. Under this scenario everyone wins because the regular season is still extremely important, you declare an undisputed national champion and still have the joy of bowl games. Playoffs would involve 16 teams. The national finalists would play a total of 13 games (9 conference + 4 post-season). College presidents cannot say that this system would undermine academics. What do you think?

I wouldn't even be opposed to extending the playoffs an additional round for a total of 14 games for the national finalists and 32 teams in the field!

Most teams would play 3 fewer games, sounds like a terrible idea to me.

[lwjr]

If and/or when BCS TV contract comes up for negotiation, I think you could see some moving around, but until then just talk. When does the current TV contract expire or is there one?

[Charleston Pony]

I thought the current arrangement with the BCS was in place until 2013, so I can't imagine there will be any rush to suddenly become more inclusive. The MWC and WAC have managed to play their way in so it can be argued the system is probably OK for now. The biggest problem is the current system still does not guarantee an undisputed champion.

If the next agreement includes any kind of limited playoff, I would like to see a rule to allow only 12 team conferences who determine a champion via a championship game to have an automatic qualifier. That would force some moves by several conferences and fix the "inclusion" debate.

Who knows what might happen. Only thing SMU can do is to get better so we are in position for some consideration the next time the music starts for another round of musical chairs.

[Peruna2001]

A little more on MWC chances to be AQ...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=roadtobcs/0910

[MustangStealth]

Eliminate non-conference games and every team plays every team in its conference for a total of 9 regular season games.

No more...
Georgia - GA Tech
Florida - Florida St.
USC - Notre Dame
Clemson - South Carolina
Colorado - Colorado St.
Navy - Air Force
SMU - TCU
Missouri - Illinois
Independents vs anyone


Oh yeah, fans would LOVE this idea...