What Pitt & Syracuse potentially going to the ACC means to Texas & the Big 12...

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 8:24 AM CDT

First of all, here is the article - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/sports/ncaafootball/syracuse-and-pitt-in-talks-with-acc.html

Second, IF Pitt & Syracuse go to the ACC, I think that means the ACC extends an offer to Texas and to Missouri & the Big 12 finally dies after a long, painful year-long struggle.

Third, why? The Geographical divisional split would look like this -

NORTH: Pitt, Syracuse, Missouri, Wake Forest, BC, Virginia Tech, Maryland, & UVA

SOUTH: Texas, FSU, Clemson, Duke, NC, NC State, Miami, & GT

When doing the geographical splits (forget some 4-team pods as some have suggested), North Carolina and it's three schools are the issue as you can't really split them up. Adding two northern schools would suggest the ACC (IF they want to go to 16 as well as invite Texas) would need to add another northern school. Mizzou is an attractive program academically & athletically and aren't too far from the majority of northern ACC schools (all things considered). Kansas could be an option, but I think Mizzou jumps at the ACC offer since the SEC appears to be content with 13 members for the time-being.

Finally, the conference shuffle:

The PAC-12 would add OU & OSU and stop at 14 (sorry Tech!)

The Big East reeling from the loss of Syracuse & Pitt go after Texas Tech, KU, KSU, & Baylor w/ maybe ISU getting considered if they can find another school to pick from a lower conference to go to 14, but I think they hold at 12 & rename theirselves the Big East/North/South conference.

ACC gets national pub from being the first 16-team superconference & not looking too shabby on the academic & athletic fronts.

The SEC looks odd at 13 w/ no apparent 14th dance partner to choose from because I am sure the re-shaped ACC, Big East, & PAC-14 conferences will now include huge penalties for jumping ship in the future

Conference USA circles around any dead carcasses left to rot (ISU) and adds where they can

And travel agencies across the country rejoice while somewhere in a lonely office in Las Colinas admist taped up cardboard boxes stacked on top of each other, Dan Beebe weeps...

As always, in my ever so humble opinion....

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

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Don't see it

I don’t see how the SEC simply stays on the sidelines while the ACC broadens itself geographically and adds some star-power along with the PAC 12. The SEC made it’s move first and I think it is publicly saying that 13 is fine because they do not want to appear to be driving the realignment chain reaction (no one wants the be seen that way). OU and OSU are going the be the next schools to make their choice unless the Big 12 can somehow rebuild (something I don’t see happening). Once those two go west as it is assumed they will, I expect to see Mizzou go to either the Big 10 or SEC because those two are in states bordering Mizzou.

For what it’s worth, I think Texas to the PAC or Big 10 is more plausible than the ACC because it is perceived as a weak football conference and primarily a BBall conference. I think Texas is using the ACC’s willingness to accept the LHN as a ploy to the other two conferences to get a better a deal. Ultimately, being in a poor football conference and losing our geographic rivals will erode our brand and possibly the quality of our recruiting.

by BMG on Sep 17, 2011 8:47 AM CDT reply actions

completely agree....

i think all this ACC talk from Texas is a semi bluff in order to get a better deal from Pac or Big 10

by silky51 on Sep 17, 2011 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I think that's the most likely situation

Although I’m probably one of the few who think that Texas might somehow magically save the Big 12 again.

QB Garrett Gilbert was the Beavis & Butthead episode of the 2010 college football season. Even when things were going well there was always one bad decision that meant he wasn’t going to score.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1070636.html

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I expect to see Mizzou go to either the Big 10 or SEC because those two are in states bordering Mizzou.

This is the least important factor in any of the conference expansion debates in the year 2011.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Sep 17, 2011 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Come Monday...

we’ll be alright…

All of this was food for thought. When I saw Syracuse & Pitt leaning ACC & all of the Texas talk still afoot, things just seem to line up that direction. And if you add those schools plus Mizzou & Texas, the ACC is no different that the PAC-14 in terms of BCS-quality schools & history.

If Texas goes PAC-14, then it will be with the LHN & it’s $300 million non-existent. With a $200+ million athletic department debt, I think we don’t realize how much the LHN is potentially steering the boat.

I think the SEC is holding at 13 because from what I read their TV contract doesn’t allow for additional restructuring so thus the money gets further split up.

The Big 10+2 won’t add Mizzou w/o adding a 14th & Notre Dame seems to be holding out.

Again, just an opinion, but I do think money makes the world go round & ESPN might be able to offer more in the ACC vs. what the PAC-14 can offer. Personally, I want the Big 12 to stay intact w/ some revisions, but pretty much everyone on this board has shot that down.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 9:15 AM CDT reply actions

you're not the only one!

…I want a modified Big 12 as well.

Texas Constitution of 1876

SEC. 10. The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, establish, organize and provide for the maintenance, support and direction of a university of the first class, to be located by a vote of the people of this State, and styled "The University of Texas," for the promotion of literature, and the arts and sciences, including an agricultural and mechanical department.

SEC. 13. The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, established by an act of the Legislature, passed April 17, 1871, located in the county of Brazos, is hereby made, and constituted a branch of the University of Texas, for instruction in agriculture, the mechanic arts and the natural sciences connected therewith.

by NavyHorn on Sep 19, 2011 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Well at least Pitt & Syracuse are official...

http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2011/09/ap_syracuse_pittsburgh_apply_t.html

Blog also mentions the ACC just raised their exit fees to $20 million. So I expect to be correct that if the PAC, Big 10, & ACC beat the SEC before it can get its 14th member, that they make it harder for them to add…

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 10:10 AM CDT reply actions

LOL

SEC is over a barrel now. Are there any Big East schools they can try to take? I guess they can go for Memphis, UH etc…

by Silentjay on Sep 17, 2011 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

West Virginia would seem to be the most likely candidate at this point.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Sep 17, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah...that seems likely to me.

by silky51 on Sep 17, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

What If...

UT goes PAC with Zorro. ACC needs to get to 16, so they Get WV and LVille or Cinci.
B1G gets KU, KSU, MIzzou and L-Ville/Cinci
Big East gets ISU, Baylor, Memphis, UH, Rice, SMU, Buffalo,Temple and lets throw in Marshal to make them 14

That makes the SEC have to think hard about their 14th member. LOL

Ah to somehow make the SEC suffer.

by Silentjay on Sep 17, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Would love if this happened

This would immediately be a better football conference than the Big 12 and there’s no comparison in basketball.

the man, the myth, the legend.
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by JYarbs on Sep 17, 2011 10:19 AM CDT reply actions

I think what it means is that something has been decided and it's Pac-16 and ACC

Either Texas is going to the Pac-16 with OU and that’s what the Monday meetings are about or Texas and OU have decided to go their separate ways and it’ll be Texas and Tech going to the ACC. Regardless, Monday begins the superconferences.

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by 40AS on Sep 17, 2011 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

It sounds like you could be right

According to CFT, Iowa State and Baylor have “offered themselves” to the Big East. The Big East might have to take them to stay afloat, as they might be on the brink of losing Syracuse and Pittsburgh, each of whom has reportedly submitted an application for membership to the ACC.

There’s no report on KU, KSU, and Mizzou. I do think KU and Mizzou would be excellent candidates to join Texas in the ACC, but despite my background, I’ve not really been following the politics of KU-KSU realignment issues. Seems like KSU and Tech would be solid addictions to the Big East, as would Houston. All that said, I’m doubtful UT to ACC is anything but really heavy smoke, but it’s certainly red meat for those of us who like the what-if game.

So it could look like this.

ACC adds Texas, KU, Mizzou, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh, whlie losing FSU
SEC adds FSU and aggy
Big East loses Syracuse and Pittsburgh, but survives by merging with Big 12 castoffs Baylor, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Houston, and at least one more team—resulting in a twelve-team conference. That one team could be someone like UCF, ECU, Tulsa, or Memphis, or they could consider adding all those and one more (SMU, Troy, USM?) to get to sixteen.

Love those what-ifs.

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

ACC adds Syr, Pitt, Tex, Tech

SEC takes Mizzou, Aggy, WVU, somebody else (not FSU, they’ve said they won’t go into a state that already has a team), Big Ten raids the Big East, Pac-16 adds OSU, OU, Kansas and one other (BYU?)

That’s my guess based on the evidence.

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by 40AS on Sep 17, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm, hadn't heard anything about Mizzou/KU to SEC

They’d seem like much better fits in the ACC.

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I know everyone says geography doesn't matter, but...

no way Tech AND Texas go to the SEC w/ Pitt & Syracuse joining. The divisional alignment would have one North opening and one South. Obviously Texas would be the South & Mizzou would be the natural North if they were available.

But then again maybe geography really doesn’t matter…

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

You mean ACC, not SEC, right?

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

My bad

ACC. Thanks!

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm hearing that ACC doesn't want Tech, so....

that really clouds the ACC as an option for Texas.

by silky51 on Sep 17, 2011 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I am telling you...

everyone thinks Baylor is the Big 12 team to get the screw-job with the conference meltdown, but if you told me that Tech doesn’t get into the PAC-12 OR ACC when they were figured to be shoo-ins with the Texas connection, there might not be a screw-job of this magnitude since Shawn Micheals beat Bret Hart! :)

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

FSU isn't going the SEC...

1) SEC said they wouldn’t add a team from a state they already had a conference member in. I think Kyle is right that West Virginia would be the obvious team left over after Armageddon on Monday IF Mizzou does get grabbed by the ACC.

2) Plus ACC exit fee is now $20 million so I think current ACC members stay

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree

I think 40 is right on.

by GOP Horn on Sep 17, 2011 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

Latest rumor

That I saw was ND and Texas to ACC in all sports except football.

With Big East collapsing, ND would need a conference for their other sports. ND has also traditionally played ACC schools BC, Pitt, and Syracuse.

We’d be indy in football, play ND every year and 3 or 4 ACC schools to go along with some traditional games we’d keep. The $ would be awesome, and basketball/baseball would be amazing.

It’s obviously just a rumor at this point, but it seems like a dream scenario.

by hornshoops on Sep 17, 2011 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

I hope you are right hornshoops.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Sep 17, 2011 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

This is what I think is happening too

We saddle up with the ACC for everything but football and hand over football to ESPN for a brazillion dollars.

by notsofst on Sep 18, 2011 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions

The Big Question

What does the ACC do for Texas Football? We join like the 5th best football conference? In addition, one of the premier programs set a new standard for sleaziness and could well be headed for the death penalty. If we are affiliated with ACC, I certainly hope it is a football independence, and ACC membership in the other sports. That could get me excited. I would love seeing the Longhorns battle Duke, UNC et al on the hardwood.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Sep 17, 2011 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

The ACC is better than 5th

They’ve actually been a strong conference. They don’t have a top team most years, but at any point they have as strong of a middle-50% as any other conference. Adding Texas would only bolster the conference’s football prowess, although joining in a non-football capacity certainly could happen.

I’m not sure Miami has been considered a premier program since the early part of Coker’s tenure.

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

The key is the rivalry with OU

Presuming the schools agree to continue the tradition a la Florida and FSU, we join a superior football conference than the current Big 12 (I’m saying playing OU plus the ACC slate is superior to our current arrangement), and the best basketball and baseball conferences. Plus we keep the LHN. And it’s the finest academic conference that doesn’t feature Harvard

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by 40AS on Sep 17, 2011 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Big 12 is usually second or third in conference strength, at least in the Sagarin conference ratings

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with BOH...

An ACC conference w/ Texas, Mizzou, Pitt & Syracuse is neck and neck w/ the Big 10+2. OU & OSU give the Pac-14 a little more depth than either of those. Clearly SEC is the top dog for now…

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

For ACC splits, here's a map:

Click here to see it full-size: http://stodzthestudsports.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/ncaa_football_acc_team-profiles_2007attendance-map_v.gif

I would think they’d want to keep the four NC schools together, or at least UNC and Duke. Maybe BC, Pitt, UVA, MD, and the four NC schools in one division, and FSU, Miami, Clemson, GT, Texas, Mizzou, KU, and VT in the other?

by burntorangehorn on Sep 17, 2011 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

Great breakdown...

The state of North Carolina really screws up the whole geographical breakdown…

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 1:14 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe TCU is looking for a new dance partner?

http://espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/story/_/id/6937511/tcu-horned-frogs-ad-nervous-due-super-conference-idea

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, & sometime it rains!" ~ Crash Davis

by Robertpz on Sep 17, 2011 1:17 PM CDT reply actions

Disappointing from a basketball standpoint that Pitt/Syr are leaving the Big East

imagine if they stayed and then added KU, KSU, Mizzou, and Baylor. Ridiculous.

by goingforthecorner on Sep 17, 2011 6:18 PM CDT reply actions

Big East

With Pitt and Syracuse leaving, it has already made TCU question the strength of the Big East. ND has to be quickly rethinking their alliance with Big East sports.
While I know football runs the show in realignment, I just don’t like the Big10 idea because it does nothing for our baseball program and I kind of like having a dominate baseball program. All others sports ACC + football independence, in my mind would result in benefits for football, basketball, and baseball, plus the LHN, plus the eastern time zone for tv reasons.