A four-conference future; no Big East or Big 12?

Now conference realignment is getting scary. So much for where UTEP might wind up. Because, if you listen to the breezes, maybe even the NCAA may not rule college sports as it has because four big conferences would be in command?

This is just sporting's version of a "Big Bang" theory.

It appears a four-conference power group is aligning, slaying the Big 12 and Big East.

The ACC announced it has taken Pitt and Syracuse away from the Big East. And as of today, there was talk that Texas and Oklahoma could bolt the Big 12 for the ACC, too. Or they could go to the SEC.

That means the only strong conferences in the land would be:
ACC
SEC
Big Ten
Pac-12.

The Big East, as of now, will be reduced to six teams, with only West Virginia having a big football name. Others still remaining are: U-Conn, Rutgers, South Florida, Louisville and Cincinnati.

If Texas and Oklahoma bolt the Big 12 for one of the new "bigs," that conference is down to:  Oklahoma St., Kansas, Kansas St., Texas Tech, Iowa St. and Baylor. That's not "elite," anymore.

The Big 12 has already lost Nebraska and Missouri to the Big Ten and Texas A&M is a goner to the SEC.

I'm guessing that the remainder of the Big 12 might take Houston, but after that the pickings are not on the "big" level.

Case in point: UConn is already saying it won't be happy (basketball) in what's left of the Big East.

Bottom line: If this is not the "Big Bang," it's a fact that there have already been some little bangs, and chances are more bangs are coming.

As most of us know, this is about getting bigger "big" conferences, splitting into two divisions (like SEC already does and others are following) and going toward a national playoff in football.

What if the perceived Big Four left the NCAA and took all the TV football money?

Comments

[miner maniac]

"The NCAA may not rule college sports as it has because four big conferences would be in command"

Where have you been Joe? What do you think the BCS is? It was created by the six self-proclaimed power conferences, with each guaranteed a spot in one of the BCS bowl games. Oh sure, a non-automatic qualifier like Boise State, Utah, and TCU will make it into a BCS bowl game every now and then, but you'll never see them play in the National Championship Game.

The likely scenario is four super conferences - Pac-16, Big-16, SEC, and ACC. Perhaps a fifth with a merger between the Big-12 and the Big East. These super conferences could mean the end of the BCS and bring forth a true playoff tournament for college football's national champion.

Of course, the ones left behind are the "little sisters of the poor" - the WAC, Mountain West, Conference USA, et al. Perhaps it's time for the "little sisters of the poor" to join together, withdraw their affiliation from the corrupt NCAA, and form their own association.

[brownfield]

Time to retire Joe. Nebraska and Colorado left the Big 12. Mizzu is still in the league. No talk at all of Oklahoma going with TU to ACC or SEC. The talk is the Pac 10/12. The only way the Big 12 survives is if TU arrogance keeps them in the league to save it's Bonghorn network. TU has talked about the ACC. TU is afraid of the SEC. Oklahoma wants to remain with Ok State, Pac 10/12 is willing to take both. SEC only wants OU. Do some friggin research!

[John C]

Most think that OK State and Texas Tech will go to PAC 12 along with UT & OKLA.

Maybe not----Sec is looking for one maybe three others to make 14 or 16. It could be OKLA.

Has anyone thought that TCU may not honor their original choice of leaving MWC and heading to the Big East. Could they replace TA&M in Big 12-3.

Heck, the remaining in the Big 12-3 may think that the original name of BIG 8 is more appropriate!!

Houston to Big 12-3 anyone??

Baylor, Kansas, Kansas St, Missou, and Iowa St should be worried----the loss of revenue sharing from the big schools in Big 12-3 that may go away.

Boy it seems that we had all of these same comments this time last year!!

[little fat sow]

Hey, "Fat Sow" Joe, please comment on where UTEP may fall in this whole mess. Any predictions?

[JZ]

This is what its looking like for UTEP right now IMO

USF, TCU, Louisville, Cincinnati, -Big East will merge w/ Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State of the remaining Big 12

At this point, IMO, the Big east/Big 12 will go after SMU,Memphis, Central Florida, and Houston to roundout 12 Teams from the Big East/Big 12. Basketball I think it will work out to an 18 team conference.

Which leads me to believe that the Mountain West may absorb UTEP, Rice, and Tulsa which will bring If im not mistaken the total teams to 13.. I don't know who they add to make it a 14th

I also believe that the Big 12/Big East remainders may choose to add four more teams from the C-USA eastern to bring their total to 16. I just don't see them doing that though because of their basketball affiliations to non football playing schools OR they may choose to do SO in football only since Mountain West/Conference USA are discussing a merger in Football Only

[rj]

I have a feeling we're gonna end up back in the WAC. Remember part of us moving to CUSA in the first place was based on our alignment with Houston and SMU to appease the UTEP alums in east Texas, but UH and SMU are now being mentioned for a possible move into a newly formed Big East/12 or MWC. I haven't seen us or Rice mentioned at all. I'd believe Tulsa would try to go into the MWC if Houston and SMU leaves them behind.

That would put the CUSA in shambles and I think they would merger with the Sunbelt. Most of their teams are eastern based anyways.

I know the thought of going back to the WAC is crazy, but keep in mind UTSA and Texas State will become football members next season and that keeps UTEP alums in East Texas still in the mix.

So a new WAC would consist of:
UTEP, Rice, UTSA, NMSU, Texas State, San Jose St., Utah St., La Tech and Idaho.
Not very appealing, but IMO this is the most likely and worst case scenario.

What's unfortunate about all this is basketball really suffers in all this realignment talk, and that's the one thing UTEP has always been able to hang its hat on. But if Pitt and Syracuse can bolt the Big East, then anything can happen.

[Toasted Whitebred]

Except that the BCS wants 6 AQ conferences. Geez Joe, do some research.

[Monchis]

UTEP's goose is cooked no matter where or what happens to conferences! UTEP will be the odd-man out! Maybe UTEP would fare better as an independent. Anywho, these conferences disbanding doesn't bode well for UTEP!
Join the WAC, NEVER!!! This conference is made up of rag-tag wannabes, and losers!
Maybe UTEP should look at the Mountain West and seriously consider admission there! Or hey, just go for broke and ask to join the PAC 12, what can they lose? Nothing, except being turned down!

[TexasForever]

@brownfield time to retire as well, Towson University is not in the Big 12.

[lalo]

Joe has once again slighted UTEP by overlooking the mega- powerful C- USA.

[adrian]

UTEP is going to end up in the MWC.

MWC

UTEP
AF
Boise St.
Colorado St.
UNLV
San Diego
UNM
Wyoming
UNLV

TCU gone...

Would be nice:
*Fresno State
*NNMSU
*Nevada
*Utah St.

[John C]

Has anybody thought of Baylor winding up in CUSA??

[John C]

Speculators (ESPN) have said that once the Big 12-3 settles, then SEC will invite Missouri. This would leave Kansas, Kansas St, Iowa State, & Baylor to fend for themselves.

TCU may not honor their commitment to Big East now and either stay put in MWC or move to replace TA&M if Big 12-3 stays together

[Andrew]

BUT... Pac-12 commissoner doesnt want to expand anymore which means that the Big-12 and and the Big East will have to combine. The only thing to worry about with this is if the ACC or SEC keep coming and taking the few good football teams left with this group of teams. For example; The SEC taking Oklahoma or ACC getting UConn or USF. Either way, the college football world is gonna be very different a few years down the line.

UTEP in the middle of all this will stay put probably. In C-USA the only team that might actually get taken by a bigger conference is Houston due to its growing popularity and that its located in a huge city. SMU isnt going anywhere because everyone knows that all the revenue you can get out of central Texas is going to UT. If SMU was a better football team it would be a different story but did anyone see the Tex A&M game? Talk about a butt-whopping! So in the long run The possible canidates to replace Houston will probably be Texas State or UTSA when they both move up to the big boy league.

At a national perspective... SEC will still rule especially if they can snag Oklahoma or some other big name team to be there 14th member.

[Discout Hermes Sale]

Very, very nicely done!