Realignment: Scenerios That Involve SMU

[StallionsModelT]

I know its been discussed over and over on this board but I want to know specifics about how all of these potential conference realignments will affect us. To me, in almost every scenerio, it just seems like more shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titantic for schools like SMU. Should Mizzou bolt for the Big 10, Colorado leave for the Pac-10, and God knows what's going to happen w/ Texas, would the Big 12 even consider us at that point? You have to think that wherever Texas goes that A&M will go as well. Tech is unlikely to be invited to a conference like the Pac-10 b/c of academic prestige. Baylor I think is literally hanging by a thread in the Big 12. I've also read that both OU and OSU are happy w/ the current situation in the Big 12. So really what are the realistic scenerios for us?

Revamped Big 12 (Add SMU, TCU, BYU, and Utah)
Revamped MWC (Add SMU, Houston, Boise when BYU, CSU, and Utah bolt)
C-USA (No change?)
Big East (Add SMU, TCU, Houston, etc. )


Anything I'm leaving out? Which one is the most likely? Thanks.

[PK]

We can play these what if games forever and it won't make any of them happen. I just hope our admin people are 5 steps ahead of what is happening and are working to make sure we don't wind up sucking hind [deleted] when it is all said and done.

[StallionsModelT]

I keep trying to look at realignment as a positive for us. I just hope we haven't waited too long to finally get our act together. We have a lot of outstanding advantages (i.e. Dallas, wealthy alums, academically strong, national appeal, etc.) but we are still a small, private Christian school. Like you I hope the powers that be are being proactive to ensure that we are in the best place possible for realignment.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

To me, in almost every scenerio,
it just seems like more shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titantic for schools like SMU.

Have you forgotten who is in charge here now? (and it ain't Todd Dodge!)
Nothing wrong with a little worry, but don't fret ModelT we no longer
have bozos steering the ship. Titanic references are past-tense. These guys
will make sure we are well positioned for any conference changes. In fact I
hear they are very focused on making sure SMU is ready when the floodgates open.

[couch 'em]

If the verbal agreements and handshakes have been made actually come through, SMU will be in a better situation once this all shakes out. Just sit, wait, and hope the first dominos fall the way they said they would.

[SMU89]

To me, in almost every scenerio,
it just seems like more shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titantic for schools like SMU.

Have you forgotten who is in charge here now? (and it ain't Todd Dodge!)
Nothing wrong with a little worry, but don't fret ModelT we no longer
have bozos steering the ship. Titanic references are past-tense. These guys
will make sure we are well positioned for any conference changes. In fact I
hear they are very focused on making sure SMU is ready when the floodgates open.

Agree - NO MORE LIDO DECK

[Stallion]

Here's the Truth-I know it will make some people cry. [deleted] travels downhill. It never travels uphill. The realignment will happen in successive moves with the strongest conferences making the moves to the detriment of the weaker conferences The Haves will make the moves best for them in succession in the order of their financial and competitive strength. SMU is not going to be in position to jump to the Big 12 if conferences are only adding 1 or 2 teams to get to 12-no matter what you heard at the Pep Rally. Nobody at SMU or at schools in conferences not contemplating realignment know exactly what is going to happen except possibly the key powerbrokers like ND, Texas and the rumored schools like Colorado. Missouri Nebraska etc. The Have-Nots like SMU will have little or any say in the matter in that minor realignment scenario. If the realignment scenario involves conferences trying to get to 14 or 16 mega-conferences then all hell breaks loose. When the Big Boys finish making their moves in a succession of realignments in the order of their strength then the remaining Have Nots will pick up to remaining marbles to the detriment of the EVEN MORE HAVE NOTS. The best scenario would be for SMU to be among those teams to pick up the pieces from the leftovers of the Big 12, MWC and CUSA to form what could be a stronger more beneficial conference. I think SMU's has about a 50-50% chance of improving their situation in that scenario AND 50-50% chance of being further relegated to a weaker conference than we have now.

[Harry0569]

Don't rule out us going to the Pac-10. They want to get 16 in their conference. (Add Colorado, BYU, Utah) They do not want to add Boise. The Pac 10 would love to add the Dallas Market to its base, and the access to recruiting would be unreal.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Here's the Truth-I know it will make some people cry. [deleted] travels downhill. It never travels uphill. The realignment will happen in successive moves with the strongest conferences making the moves to the detriment of the weaker conferences The Haves will make the moves best for them in succession in the order of their financial and competitive strength. SMU is not going to be in position to jump to the Big 12 if conferences are only adding 1 or 2 teams to get to 12-no matter what you heard at the Pep Rally. Nobody at SMU or at schools in conferences not contemplating realignment know exactly what is going to happen except possibly the key powerbrokers like ND, Texas and the rumored schools like Colorado. Missouri Nebraska etc. The Have-Nots like SMU will have little or any say in the matter in that minor realignment scenario. If the realignment scenario involves conferences trying to get to 14 or 16 mega-conferences then all hell breaks loose. When the Big Boys finish making their moves in a succession of realignments in the order of their strength then the remaining Have Nots will pick up to remaining marbles to the detriment of the EVEN MORE HAVE NOTS. The best scenario would be for SMU to be among those teams to pick up the pieces from the leftovers of the Big 12, MWC and CUSA to form what could be a stronger more beneficial conference. I think SMU's has about a 50-50% chance of improving their situation in that scenario AND 50-50% chance of being further relegated to a weaker conference than we have now.

Nothing new at all, in your edited 3 times post. I bet Jeff Reinebold makes you wanna cry.

[Stallion]

once again you add nothing to the discussion- Do your little cheer and move on-

[ALEX LIFESON]

once again you add nothing to the discussion- Do your little cheer and move on-

Like I said, you didn't mention anything new, just a compilation of many other ideas that have been brought up previously.

[jkflamebo]

After all the realignment is said and done, how can it be any worse than what it is now? CUSA is close to being an embarrassment. I'd rather roll the dice and see if a bigger and more financially sound conference is interested.

The timing of June Jones at SMU could not be more critical than now with all this realignment talk.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

The timing of June Jones at SMU could not be
more critical than now with all this realignment talk.

[Water Pony]

Here's the Truth-I know it will make some people cry. [deleted] travels downhill. It never travels uphill. The realignment will happen in successive moves with the strongest conferences making the moves to the detriment of the weaker conferences The Haves will make the moves best for them in succession in the order of their financial and competitive strength. SMU is not going to be in position to jump to the Big 12 if conferences are only adding 1 or 2 teams to get to 12-no matter what you heard at the Pep Rally. Nobody at SMU or at schools in conferences not contemplating realignment know exactly what is going to happen except possibly the key powerbrokers like ND, Texas and the rumored schools like Colorado. Missouri Nebraska etc. The Have-Nots like SMU will have little or any say in the matter in that minor realignment scenario. If the realignment scenario involves conferences trying to get to 14 or 16 mega-conferences then all hell breaks loose. When the Big Boys finish making their moves in a succession of realignments in the order of their strength then the remaining Have Nots will pick up to remaining marbles to the detriment of the EVEN MORE HAVE NOTS. The best scenario would be for SMU to be among those teams to pick up the pieces from the leftovers of the Big 12, MWC and CUSA to form what could be a stronger more beneficial conference. I think SMU's has about a 50-50% chance of improving their situation in that scenario AND 50-50% chance of being further relegated to a weaker conference than we have now.

Stallion makes a strong point. We can't do much planning or active pre-emptively until the majors make decisions, extend invitations and receive acceptances. Any idea that we have an "understanding" is naive and premature. Until the Big Ten/11, SEC and PAC-10 determine the size and magnitude of their invitations, SMU can only hope the moves (or chaos) permits us to improve our future alignment. I am optimistic, based on JJ and our projected future value, but it is based on hope and wishful thinking. Much has to be determined and SMU is, at best, a second mover in the New World Order.

[Topper]

I think the Big 10 and probably the PAC 10 already have plans in place, including contingency plans. The big question will be how many Big 12 teams will be targets of the raids. Right now, Texas and the Aggies can sit back and call their own shots. The SEC is also in a pretty good position to make strong offers to whoever they like if the ACC or Big 12 implode so they can sit back and wait as well.

There was talk this week about the Big 12 and the PAC 10 trying to hold on to what they have by doing a joint TV contract negotiation deal. Probably won't work. I remember when the SWC fell apart UT kept its mouth shut while the league tried to work a TV deal with the networks and the Big East. There sure arent enough TV sets turned on watching those West Coast games in the big Eastern markets as it is. Cant see UT salivating over such a deal. The big money will probably be with the SEC and the Big 10. The TV networks will ultimately drive these deals.