SEC and Big Twelve Announce Bowl Partnership

[xubrew]

In the unlikely event that neither the SEC or Big Twelve champion make the four team playoff, the two will square off in a bowl game. No one is sure which one yet, but they speculate it will be either the Cotton or Sugar Bowls.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/05/sec-big-12-bowl-agreement-playoff/1

[xudash]

This is the SEC and Big XII working to establish their "Rose Bowl."

It's also a huge shot across the bow of college football, with the SEC, Big XII, B1G, and PAC 12 going for separation.

You can stick a fork in the BE.

The ACC may have a tornado brewing outside its front window.

I can't wait to see how ND fairs in all this. The power conferences probably don't give a rat's ass about them while they're in independence preservation mode.

[paulxu]

Maybe this is the beginning of the path toward 4 16 team bigs. Granted, the Big 12 has a ways to go as they don't even have 12 yet.

But if 4 large conferences want to dominate in the future, carving the top 64 teams from the current 120 or so in Div 1, than the talk about a 4 team playoff instead of the 2 team current BCS champion bowl, needs two games to bring them together...maybe the Rose and the new one.

I'd still favor an 8 team playoff system, but that would be hard to see now that they are doing some of these things. If you take out the power teams from the current ACC and BE and put them in the 4 conferences, you'd end up with things like Boise going to the Pac 12. I think I'll try to draw that up to see what it would look like. And of course ND would have to get cracking.

[LA Muskie]

Maybe this is the beginning of the path toward 4 16 team bigs. Granted, the Big 12 has a ways to go as they don't even have 12 yet.

But if 4 large conferences want to dominate in the future, carving the top 64 teams from the current 120 or so in Div 1, than the talk about a 4 team playoff instead of the 2 team current BCS champion bowl, needs two games to bring them together...maybe the Rose and the new one.

I'd still favor an 8 team playoff system, but that would be hard to see now that they are doing some of these things. If you take out the power teams from the current ACC and BE and put them in the 4 conferences, you'd end up with things like Boise going to the Pac 12. I think I'll try to draw that up to see what it would look like. And of course ND would have to get cracking.

Neinas said the Big XII and SEC "may create their own, new bowl" (or words to that effect). If I'm a BCS Bowl I'm worried. I think this is the *beginning* of the conferences taking back all the money they've been donating to the BCS bowls all these years. (Although they would never cop to that publicly.) At a minimum, with other locations making big pushes for annual bowl games (notably Cowboy Stadium and Atlanta), the split of revenue is about to change drastically.

Oh, and I don't think you need 4x16 to get there. I think that's the big myth that the media has propagated, and frankly I think all of this has shown that it's a bit of a stretch to get to 16 for most conferences (just look at what the PAC 12 had to do to get to 12...I wouldn't exactly put Colorado and Utah in the upper echelon of anything). I could see it just as easily being 52-56 teams. I do think we'll see all 4 at 12 schools minimum though. In addition to the extra money for a conference championship for each conference, I think the conferences want each conference champion to have to travel a similar path -- i.e., win a neutral site conference championship game.

If I'm ND I'm just as worried as the BCS bowls. Fact is that they'll always have a bowl to play in because they travel and watch so well. But I think they've lost a ton of respect on the field and in the board-room. This train is leaving the station without them and -- for the first time in a long while -- without a seat for them unless they buy a ticket (i.e., join a conference).

[xudash]

Neinas said the Big XII and SEC "may create their own, new bowl" (or words to that effect). If I'm a BCS Bowl I'm worried. I think this is the *beginning* of the conferences taking back all the money they've been donating to the BCS bowls all these years. (Although they would never cop to that publicly.) At a minimum, with other locations making big pushes for annual bowl games (notably Cowboy Stadium and Atlanta), the split of revenue is about to change drastically.

Oh, and I don't think you need 4x16 to get there. I think that's the big myth that the media has propagated, and frankly I think all of this has shown that it's a bit of a stretch to get to 16 for most conferences (just look at what the PAC 12 had to do to get to 12...I wouldn't exactly put Colorado and Utah in the upper echelon of anything). I could see it just as easily being 52-56 teams. I do think we'll see all 4 at 12 schools minimum though. In addition to the extra money for a conference championship for each conference, I think the conferences want each conference champion to have to travel a similar path -- i.e., win a neutral site conference championship game.

If I'm ND I'm just as worried as the BCS bowls. Fact is that they'll always have a bowl to play in because they travel and watch so well. But I think they've lost a ton of respect on the field and in the board-room. This train is leaving the station without them and -- for the first time in a long while -- without a seat for them unless they buy a ticket (i.e., join a conference).

I believe you are onto something here. The current BCS structure is comprised of six major conferences having over 60 teams. The current efforts could very well be a push for reducing the number of Premier teams in collegiate football. Think about it from Ohio State's or Alabama's or Texas's point of view: there is no way they regard Rutgers, UC, or many of the ACC teams as being at their same level.

The four power conferences are positioning themselves with memberships that will provide optimal television contracts and conference stability. Now they are putting distance between themselves and the ACC and Big East. In play now is what you mentioned about wrestling some of the economics away from the bowls.

Personally, I have reacted too quickly at times when reading various articles about what these conferences are up to and where they're headed. As an example, I took the Texas AD's word at face value when he mentioned that the big 12 is content at staying with 10 members. That may or may not be the case, given these new developments.

The point is that more change is most likely coming, and I think I'll just sit back and watch it happen. It certainly is going to be interesting from here to see how all of this shakes out.

[paulxu]

Dash, I think you can update your signature line. In 2012, XU was the only school from outside the Big 6 football conferences on Forbes' Top 20 list.

[SM#24]

Oh, and I don't think you need 4x16 to get there. I think that's the big myth that the media has propagated, and frankly I think all of this has shown that it's a bit of a stretch to get to 16 for most conferences (just look at what the PAC 12 had to do to get to 12...I wouldn't exactly put Colorado and Utah in the upper echelon of anything). I could see it just as easily being 52-56 teams. I do think we'll see all 4 at 12 schools minimum though. In addition to the extra money for a conference championship for each conference, I think the conferences want each conference champion to have to travel a similar path -- i.e., win a neutral site conference championship game.

I agree, I also think it wll be less than 64. Right now, the Big 4 are at 48. The only real "plums" out there for the four to grab are Fla St, Miami and ND. After that, you're looking at Va Tech, Clemson, maybe Louisville, BYU, Ga Tech. I just don't see how any of the Big 4 have interest in any other school outside of those seven.

[waggy]

NC State, Maryland and North Carolina would be attractive for various reasons. I think the A10 should put feelers out to Duke and Wake.

[muskienick]

NC State, Maryland and North Carolina would be attractive for various reasons. I think the A10 should put feelers out to Duke and Wake.

Is that a rock you got caught in your eye, or are you just winking, Waggy?

[xudash]

Dash, I think you can update your signature line. In 2012, XU was the only school from outside the Big 6 football conferences on Forbes' Top 20 list.

Thanks Paul. Haven't paid attention to that recently. We're also 17th now, not 15th.

[paulxu]

I agree, I also think it wll be less than 64. Right now, the Big 4 are at 48. The only real "plums" out there for the four to grab are Fla St, Miami and ND. After that, you're looking at Va Tech, Clemson, maybe Louisville, BYU, Ga Tech. I just don't see how any of the Big 4 have interest in any other school outside of those seven.

The problem is that the SEC is already at 14 with Missu and A/M. I tried to spread sheet this on Excel to see who would move where and have it make sense for 14 or 16 team Big 4.
Very difficult. I could see Wake and Duke step aside if the ACC imploded. Pac 12 could add Boise but then would have to reach into Texas to find other schools.

This is going to be a lot of fun to watch. With the BE commissioner bailing, I could see them busting up first and bringing a BB only league back to the table for discussion.

The Big 10 and SEC can expand and have some contiguous states in play. The Big 12 will be leapfrogging to build a 12, 14 or 16 team league. They have to get cracking.

[xudash]

I agree, I also think it wll be less than 64. Right now, the Big 4 are at 48. The only real "plums" out there for the four to grab are Fla St, Miami and ND. After that, you're looking at Va Tech, Clemson, maybe Louisville, BYU, Ga Tech. I just don't see how any of the Big 4 have interest in any other school outside of those seven.

They're about to go on Double Secret Probation, without it being all that secret.

They do not have an on campus facility. They also don't have what I would consider a strong, core, considerable fan base. A lot of success, primarily in the 80's by being dirty about it, but not exactly a well positioned program at this point for what these power players are putting together.

You could counter by saying something like "well, what about a Kansas." I would counter that by saying that Kansas already is inside the fortress walls, and as a land grant school. Miami is in the ACC, which is being marched over the moat bridge to the outside of the walls right about now.

[waggy]

Is that a rock you got caught in your eye, or are you just winking, Waggy?

Yeah I'm joking, but one has to wonder what their conference is going to look like once the other four get done picking it over.

[GoMuskies]

It is kind of funny that programs like Vandy, Northwestern, Indiana, Baylor, Iowa State, Minnesota, Oregon State and Washington State are perfectly safe in all this...and some programs that are much more accomplished and have much bigger fan followings and interest are sweating it all out.

[xudash]

It is kind of funny that programs like Vandy, Northwestern, Indiana, Baylor, Iowa State, Minnesota, Oregon State and Washington State are perfectly safe in all this...and some programs that are much more accomplished and have much bigger fan followings and interest are sweating it all out.

+1

Exactly. Who said life is fair?

[X-band '01]

Carolina and Duke are a perfect example.

A year ago at this time, the Big 12 was on life support. It appeared that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were on their way out to the Pac-10 (now Pac-12). It also showed just how much of a secondary player that college basketball was - we were looking at a program like Kansas being hung out to dry (and this included a program that did win an Orange Bowl in recent years).

Now it's the ACC that's in trouble, even with exit fees now ranging from $20-$25 million. If Florida State and Clemson want out and join the Big 12, they'll do so. I'd be very nervous if I were a fan of Pitt, Syracuse or Louisville right now.

[XUglow]

It is kind of funny that programs like Vandy, Northwestern, Indiana, Baylor, Iowa State, Minnesota, Oregon State and Washington State are perfectly safe in all this...and some programs that are much more accomplished and have much bigger fan followings and interest are sweating it all out.

Vandy is a charter school in the SEC. The only way they leave is if they ask for a release.

It isn't the same with the Big XII. Baylor was getting booted out, but Ann Richards came to their rescue and strong-armed the other schools to allow them to stay. The real irony there is that Baylor is having a great year in football, basketball, and baseball, and a lot of the schools that wanted them out... not so much.

[SM#24]

It is kind of funny that programs like Vandy, Northwestern, Indiana, Baylor, Iowa State, Minnesota, Oregon State and Washington State are perfectly safe in all this...and some programs that are much more accomplished and have much bigger fan followings and interest are sweating it all out.

Spoken like a fan of a possible "left behind". Don't worry, I think Louisville will ultimately settle in something better than the Big Mountain Conference North South East West USA (although I'm not sure of the Big 4).

Nobody's getting kicked out, and we know that feeling first hand. All those schools you mentioned are far more accomplished even football-wise in their respective conferences than Fordham is in the A10.

[SM#24]

I agree, I also think it wll be less than 64. Right now, the Big 4 are at 48. The only real "plums" out there for the four to grab are Fla St, Miami and ND. After that, you're looking at Va Tech, Clemson, maybe Louisville, BYU, Ga Tech. I just don't see how any of the Big 4 have interest in any other school outside of those seven.


They're about to go on Double Secret Probation, without it being all that secret.

They do not have an on campus facility. They also don't have what I would consider a strong, core, considerable fan base. A lot of success, primarily in the 80's by being dirty about it, but not exactly a well positioned program at this point for what these power players are putting together.

You could counter by saying something like "well, what about a Kansas." I would counter that by saying that Kansas already is inside the fortress walls, and as a land grant school. Miami is in the ACC, which is being marched over the moat bridge to the outside of the walls right about now.

I agree that Miami isn't without issues. I would still grab them over a Clemson or Louisville.

[waggy]

That same problem is going to come up when rearranging the basketball schools finally comes about.