When I first read the link above this afternoon, I was agog with chills. The Pac-10 couldn't be the first one to act in the realignment dance, could they? Well unless Stanford exercises it's super veto, the left coasters are about to adopt a Texas twang. The report from Orangebloods.com says that Colorado, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech will be invited to join the Pac-10 as early as this weekend, possibly to trump the Mountain West's move to invite the Boise State Fighting Smurfs for 2011.
The move will force the Big Ten to respond in kind. Since Nebraska and Missouri are rumored to be close to accepting Jim Delany's affections, could Kansas also be on the radar(Don't snicker, KU will help secure the Kansas City market and it's hoops program would immediately bolster the Big Ten's hoop rep). For the east, look for Rutgers and Syracuse to be included, with Notre Dame and Pittsburgh left out. And of course the SEC will respond as well, but they won't take the likes of Clemson or Georgia Tech or even Miami. The SEC will want to rip the heart out of the ACC by inviting Duke and North Carolina, plus Virginia and Florida State. The ACC is then forced to merge with what's left of the Big East.
Far-fetched? Perhaps, but time will tell if the move goes through or not.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Supersize Me: The College Conference Edition
When I was thinking about making a post about the impending expansion of the Big Ten Conference, I had several titles in mind: 20 is the new 16, War of the College Conferences, Conference Roulette, The Axis of College Athletic Superiority, The Same Ole' Order(but in new packaging), and so on. But when I decided to pay homage to Morgan Spurlock's homage to American decadence by McNuggets, the title of this post made sense.
Now that it appears that the Big Televen is on the verge of becoming the Big Ten-Six, who's to say the conference landscape, with respect to the Division I-FBS level, won't stop at 16? Will 20 teams be the new level of dominance? Well, I got to thinking about it, and folks, it's not pretty.
The initial salvo
The Big Ten, as it has been speculated, is expected to open the proceedings in the next few weeks to formally announce it will add from 1 to 5 teams to it's harem. If it only one, particularly if it's only Notre Dame, the next move could be the Big East fortifying it's ranks by adding Memphis, East Carolina, Central Florida and either Buffalo or Temple. Conference USA would then add Louisiana Tech, Georgia State(Football newbie) and Florida Atlantic. If it's either Missouri or Nebraska, the Big 12 welcomes Texas Christian to the group. If it's Rutgers, the Big East finally convinces Notre Dame to surrender it's football independence (which would be detrimental to the success of the Big Ten).
An alternate route
Should the Big Ten go to 14, the shake out could end up like this:
-Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers to the Big Ten
-Colorado State and TCU to the Big 12
-Buffalo, Central Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, and Temple to the Big East
-Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada, and Utah State to the Mountain West
-Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, and New Mexico State to Conference USA
-Marshall to the MAC(again)
-Sun Belt reorganizes with Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Louisana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, UTSA, Troy, Western Kentucky
-Idaho and San Jose State leave the FBS to join the FCS(The Vandals to the Big Sky, the Spartans to the Great West)
Response and counter-response
If the Big Ten gets to the ultimate goal of 16 teams, the consequences could virtually render the scene unrecognizable:
Let's say the Big Ten gets Notre Dame to finally say yes to membership, it still leaves one spot open. With Missouri, Nebraska, and Rutgers already on board, Jim Delany offers membership to Syracuse(a compliment to Rutgers in the New York City market), completing the expansion with a collection of markets and research dollars far superior to the other conferences out there. However, Mike Slive and the SEC decide they need to "UP THE ANTE" by announcing that they will pursue 20 teams(in essence, Zillioning Down on their growth). To do so, they expel Mississippi State(no offense Bulldog Fans, it's a hypothetical expulsion) and proceed to go Rumsfeld on the Big 12 and the ACC. From the East; Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia and Duke are invited(thereby pumping up the SEC's weak academic resume). From the West; Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State join in, thereby killing off the Big 12 in the process. In response, the Big Ten adds Iowa State and Kansas from what's left of the Big 12, also adding Pittsburgh from the comatose Big East and Maryland from the comatose ACC. Out West, the Pac-10, tired of Stanford's Supermega Veto, secretly vote to change the rules to require only 7 votes to expand, then they proceed to invite Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor and Texas Tech to the league. But to cement it's status as the Big Kahunas out West, they get BYU, New Mexico, UNLV, Utah, and Colorado State from the Mountain West, as well as Boise State of the WAC to become the Pac-20.
Meanwhile, the leftovers of the Big East(UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville, West Virginia and South Florida) and the ACC(Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest) come together with other misfits(Army, Navy, Temple, Memphis, East Carolina, South Florida, UAB, Georgia State and Missisippi State) to become the Eastern 20.
The End Result
Big 20:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin
Eastern 20:
UAB, Army, Boston College, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, East Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Mississippi State, Navy, North Carolina State, South Florida, Temple, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia
Pacific-20:
Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Boise State, Brigham Young, California, UCLA, Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, UNLV, New Mexico, Oregon, Oregon State, Southern California, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah, Washington, Washington State
SEC:
Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana State, Miami(FL), Ole Miss, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Virginia
The Left Behinds
Those not included in the new power structure are forced to drop down to the FCS level.
Note: This is all hypothetical, if it does turn out the way it does, feel free to call me a prophet.
Now that it appears that the Big Televen is on the verge of becoming the Big Ten-Six, who's to say the conference landscape, with respect to the Division I-FBS level, won't stop at 16? Will 20 teams be the new level of dominance? Well, I got to thinking about it, and folks, it's not pretty.
The initial salvo
The Big Ten, as it has been speculated, is expected to open the proceedings in the next few weeks to formally announce it will add from 1 to 5 teams to it's harem. If it only one, particularly if it's only Notre Dame, the next move could be the Big East fortifying it's ranks by adding Memphis, East Carolina, Central Florida and either Buffalo or Temple. Conference USA would then add Louisiana Tech, Georgia State(Football newbie) and Florida Atlantic. If it's either Missouri or Nebraska, the Big 12 welcomes Texas Christian to the group. If it's Rutgers, the Big East finally convinces Notre Dame to surrender it's football independence (which would be detrimental to the success of the Big Ten).
An alternate route
Should the Big Ten go to 14, the shake out could end up like this:
-Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers to the Big Ten
-Colorado State and TCU to the Big 12
-Buffalo, Central Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, and Temple to the Big East
-Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada, and Utah State to the Mountain West
-Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, and New Mexico State to Conference USA
-Marshall to the MAC(again)
-Sun Belt reorganizes with Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Louisana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, UTSA, Troy, Western Kentucky
-Idaho and San Jose State leave the FBS to join the FCS(The Vandals to the Big Sky, the Spartans to the Great West)
Response and counter-response
If the Big Ten gets to the ultimate goal of 16 teams, the consequences could virtually render the scene unrecognizable:
Let's say the Big Ten gets Notre Dame to finally say yes to membership, it still leaves one spot open. With Missouri, Nebraska, and Rutgers already on board, Jim Delany offers membership to Syracuse(a compliment to Rutgers in the New York City market), completing the expansion with a collection of markets and research dollars far superior to the other conferences out there. However, Mike Slive and the SEC decide they need to "UP THE ANTE" by announcing that they will pursue 20 teams(in essence, Zillioning Down on their growth). To do so, they expel Mississippi State(no offense Bulldog Fans, it's a hypothetical expulsion) and proceed to go Rumsfeld on the Big 12 and the ACC. From the East; Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia and Duke are invited(thereby pumping up the SEC's weak academic resume). From the West; Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State join in, thereby killing off the Big 12 in the process. In response, the Big Ten adds Iowa State and Kansas from what's left of the Big 12, also adding Pittsburgh from the comatose Big East and Maryland from the comatose ACC. Out West, the Pac-10, tired of Stanford's Supermega Veto, secretly vote to change the rules to require only 7 votes to expand, then they proceed to invite Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor and Texas Tech to the league. But to cement it's status as the Big Kahunas out West, they get BYU, New Mexico, UNLV, Utah, and Colorado State from the Mountain West, as well as Boise State of the WAC to become the Pac-20.
Meanwhile, the leftovers of the Big East(UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville, West Virginia and South Florida) and the ACC(Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest) come together with other misfits(Army, Navy, Temple, Memphis, East Carolina, South Florida, UAB, Georgia State and Missisippi State) to become the Eastern 20.
The End Result
Big 20:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin
Eastern 20:
UAB, Army, Boston College, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, East Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Mississippi State, Navy, North Carolina State, South Florida, Temple, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia
Pacific-20:
Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Boise State, Brigham Young, California, UCLA, Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, UNLV, New Mexico, Oregon, Oregon State, Southern California, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah, Washington, Washington State
SEC:
Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana State, Miami(FL), Ole Miss, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Virginia
The Left Behinds
Those not included in the new power structure are forced to drop down to the FCS level.
Note: This is all hypothetical, if it does turn out the way it does, feel free to call me a prophet.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Winners and Losers
If you've been living under a rock, paying attention to the NFL Annual Selection Meeting way too much, or just don't care for the past 24 hours, you've missed a huge sigh of relief from many in the sports world. The NCAA decided NOT to expand the Division I Men's Basketball Tournament to an ungodly 96 teams, but rather to 68, and it also signed a 14-year, 11 billion dollar agreement with CBS and Turner Broadcasting to carry it.
There are plenty of winners and losers in this deal, first the winners...
CBS
Back in the early 90's, Black Rock suffered a series of stinging losses and it looked possible that it could do so again starting with this event. But coming off ratings that were the highest in several years, it was able to gain leverage during negotiations that allowed it to continue to remain the primary partner until 2016, when it will begin alternating the Final Fourwith...
Turner
Lauded for it's presentation of NASCAR Sprint Cup races, the NBA and MLB, the TimeWarner division has been able to demonstrate that it produces high quality productions for the sports it carries. Now it gets a very high profile annual event it can effectively promote across many platforms and it helps lift the profile of TruTV, one of the new carriers alongside TNT and TBS, from that of a reoriented CourtTV into a channel of it's own.
Coaches...eh sort of
Much of the push for expansion came from a number of coaches, particularly from the likes of Jim Boeheim, who has always been an advocate of a larger field. The downside is that these coaches will be under even greater pressure to perform to ensure one of the new bids.
Advocates against a 96-team field
Many in the media were dreading a possible expansion to 96, but with the new deal in place, a lot have voiced their approval that it won't happen right away. In fact, if the new format proves successful, you'll might see public sentiment start to shift back to pursuring a 96-team option once again. But it's my belief that won't happen for awhile.
The NIT
Had there been a 96-team field been implemented, this venerable tournament would have gone the way of dodo. As it is, future fields will still be weaker as those that would have been 35-37th on the at-large list will now move up to the "Senior prom". Nonetheless, Madison Square Garden will still be rocking in the days before the Final Four.
ESPN
Why would I put the World Wide Monopolizer in the winners category, well it's for several reasons:
1) The money not spent on locking up the Final Four will now likely be used for pursing an even bigger event(The details of which I will spell out below momentarily);
2) It will still have far more games to air the regular season as well as it's popular Championship Week coverage; and
3) It still has the rights to the Women's Final Four and other NCAA tournaments(not to mention the BCS).
The losers in the aftermath are...
NBC Comcast and News Corporation
The immediate fallout of the new NCAA deal with CBS/Turner means that ESPN now has the cash on hand to make a serious run for future rights to the Olympic Games. Which means these companies(NBC Comcast in particular) will have to put up a lot more money to gain the lucrative U.S. rights.
DirecTV
Say goodbye to MegaMarchMadness as all games will now be available on a national basis for the 1st time. Now DirecTV could still create a mix channel that would show all channels on a single screen, but we'll have to wait and see what the NCAA does with the scheduling.
Advocates for a 96-team field
They believed that it would happen, but with the field now at 68, the dream of a 96-team field will be left to wonder whom screwed who? And why were they screwed?
The jury's still out on...
Those not in the BCS 6
With three additional bids now available, one would hope that those not apart of the BCS 6 would have greater access, but since every year is different, we'll look back next year and judge whether or not it will be a benefit, or will the BCS 6 will still dominate the selections.
There are plenty of winners and losers in this deal, first the winners...
CBS
Back in the early 90's, Black Rock suffered a series of stinging losses and it looked possible that it could do so again starting with this event. But coming off ratings that were the highest in several years, it was able to gain leverage during negotiations that allowed it to continue to remain the primary partner until 2016, when it will begin alternating the Final Fourwith...
Turner
Lauded for it's presentation of NASCAR Sprint Cup races, the NBA and MLB, the TimeWarner division has been able to demonstrate that it produces high quality productions for the sports it carries. Now it gets a very high profile annual event it can effectively promote across many platforms and it helps lift the profile of TruTV, one of the new carriers alongside TNT and TBS, from that of a reoriented CourtTV into a channel of it's own.
Coaches...eh sort of
Much of the push for expansion came from a number of coaches, particularly from the likes of Jim Boeheim, who has always been an advocate of a larger field. The downside is that these coaches will be under even greater pressure to perform to ensure one of the new bids.
Advocates against a 96-team field
Many in the media were dreading a possible expansion to 96, but with the new deal in place, a lot have voiced their approval that it won't happen right away. In fact, if the new format proves successful, you'll might see public sentiment start to shift back to pursuring a 96-team option once again. But it's my belief that won't happen for awhile.
The NIT
Had there been a 96-team field been implemented, this venerable tournament would have gone the way of dodo. As it is, future fields will still be weaker as those that would have been 35-37th on the at-large list will now move up to the "Senior prom". Nonetheless, Madison Square Garden will still be rocking in the days before the Final Four.
ESPN
Why would I put the World Wide Monopolizer in the winners category, well it's for several reasons:
1) The money not spent on locking up the Final Four will now likely be used for pursing an even bigger event(The details of which I will spell out below momentarily);
2) It will still have far more games to air the regular season as well as it's popular Championship Week coverage; and
3) It still has the rights to the Women's Final Four and other NCAA tournaments(not to mention the BCS).
The losers in the aftermath are...
NBC Comcast and News Corporation
The immediate fallout of the new NCAA deal with CBS/Turner means that ESPN now has the cash on hand to make a serious run for future rights to the Olympic Games. Which means these companies(NBC Comcast in particular) will have to put up a lot more money to gain the lucrative U.S. rights.
DirecTV
Say goodbye to MegaMarchMadness as all games will now be available on a national basis for the 1st time. Now DirecTV could still create a mix channel that would show all channels on a single screen, but we'll have to wait and see what the NCAA does with the scheduling.
Advocates for a 96-team field
They believed that it would happen, but with the field now at 68, the dream of a 96-team field will be left to wonder whom screwed who? And why were they screwed?
The jury's still out on...
Those not in the BCS 6
With three additional bids now available, one would hope that those not apart of the BCS 6 would have greater access, but since every year is different, we'll look back next year and judge whether or not it will be a benefit, or will the BCS 6 will still dominate the selections.
Friday, April 16, 2010
OT: Guess the Minnesota Viking schedule
I'm inviting my readers to a challenge. Make out the Minnesota Vikings 2010 schedule, before it's released Tuesday Night.
For the sake of reference, here's the detailed breakdown of whom the Vikings are playing this upcoming season:
Home
Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, New York Giants, Buffalo, Miami, Arizona
Road
Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, New York Jets, New Orleans
In case you were wondering, here's my attempt at it(all times Central):
Week 1: @ New Orleans(NBC; 7:30 Thursday 9-9)
Week 2: @ Washington(Fox; Noon)
Week 3: Chicago(Fox; Noon)
Week 4: @ Detroit(Fox; Noon)
Week 5: New York Giants(NBC; 7:20)
Week 6: Green Bay(Fox; 3:15)
Week 7: Miami(CBS; Noon)
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: @ Philadelphia(Fox; 3:15)
Week 10: @ New England(NBC; 7:20)
Week 11: Dallas(Fox; 3:15)*
Week 12: Arizona(Fox; Noon)*
Week 13: @ New York Jets(ESPN MNF; 7:30)
Week 14: @ Green Bay(Fox; Noon)*
Week 15: Buffalo(CBS; 3:15)*
Week 16: @ Chicago(Fox; Noon)*
Week 17: Detroit(Fox; Noon)*
*Subject to flexing
For the sake of reference, here's the detailed breakdown of whom the Vikings are playing this upcoming season:
Home
Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, New York Giants, Buffalo, Miami, Arizona
Road
Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, New York Jets, New Orleans
In case you were wondering, here's my attempt at it(all times Central):
Week 1: @ New Orleans(NBC; 7:30 Thursday 9-9)
Week 2: @ Washington(Fox; Noon)
Week 3: Chicago(Fox; Noon)
Week 4: @ Detroit(Fox; Noon)
Week 5: New York Giants(NBC; 7:20)
Week 6: Green Bay(Fox; 3:15)
Week 7: Miami(CBS; Noon)
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: @ Philadelphia(Fox; 3:15)
Week 10: @ New England(NBC; 7:20)
Week 11: Dallas(Fox; 3:15)*
Week 12: Arizona(Fox; Noon)*
Week 13: @ New York Jets(ESPN MNF; 7:30)
Week 14: @ Green Bay(Fox; Noon)*
Week 15: Buffalo(CBS; 3:15)*
Week 16: @ Chicago(Fox; Noon)*
Week 17: Detroit(Fox; Noon)*
*Subject to flexing
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Who's bidding for March Madness in 2014-2016
With anticipation that the NCAA will award early-round hosting duties for 2014-2016 as early as this fall, here are the cities that have thus far made their intentions known(* Indicates that venue is guaranteed a regional the year before it hosts Final Four):
Buffalo at HSBC Arena(Canisius College, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Niagara University)
Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena(Drake University)
Houston at Reliant Stadium(Big 12 Conference)*
Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium(Butler University, IUPUI and Horizon League)*
Jacksonville, FL at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena(Jacksonville University)
Milwaukee at Bradley Center(Marquette University)
St. Louis at either Edward Jones Dome or Scottrade Center(Missouri Valley Conference)
San Jose at HP Pavillion(Unknown host school and/or conference)
Wichita at InTrustBank Arena(Wichita State University)
School planning to bid, but unknown location:
University of Minnesota(Metrodome, Target Center, Xcel Energy Center or proposed Minnesota Vikings Stadium)
Not bidding:
Madison, WI at Kohl Center(scheduling conflicts with state high school tournaments)
This list will grow over the next several months, so if you have information as to who will bid, please post it in the comments section.
Buffalo at HSBC Arena(Canisius College, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Niagara University)
Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena(Drake University)
Houston at Reliant Stadium(Big 12 Conference)*
Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium(Butler University, IUPUI and Horizon League)*
Jacksonville, FL at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena(Jacksonville University)
Milwaukee at Bradley Center(Marquette University)
St. Louis at either Edward Jones Dome or Scottrade Center(Missouri Valley Conference)
San Jose at HP Pavillion(Unknown host school and/or conference)
Wichita at InTrustBank Arena(Wichita State University)
School planning to bid, but unknown location:
University of Minnesota(Metrodome, Target Center, Xcel Energy Center or proposed Minnesota Vikings Stadium)
Not bidding:
Madison, WI at Kohl Center(scheduling conflicts with state high school tournaments)
This list will grow over the next several months, so if you have information as to who will bid, please post it in the comments section.
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