Published May 21, 2012 - 11:32am
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The idea of college football super conferences is nothing new. The concept came about around two summers ago when all this expansion talk really started to heat up.
One thing is clear – even though we have had some shuffling of teams within conferences, college football is on a collision course with four 16-team super conferences, with the Big Four being the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12.
Now, since the SEC and the Big 12 have agreed to have an annual ‘Rose Bowl Game’, the super conferences once again shows their faces. And how can we forget all of the talk about FSU and Notre Dame joining the Big 12.
In fact, in an article in Dallas Morning News, a particular Big 12 source says 16-team super conferences is exactly where college football is headed.
“I really can’t believe I’m saying this,” one Big 12 school source said. “We might be moving to four superconferences — and the Big 12 would be one of those.”
All of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 have distanced themselves from the rest of the conferences, namely the ACC and Big East. So, we can conceive all four having 16 teams some day. And while I thought this time would be another 10 years or so, it’s moving much more rapidly than that – quicker than most people thought it would.
In order for this to happen, there is one tall task still left to do: break away from the NCAA.
At this time last year, all the questions surrounded the Big 12 and exactly when it would fall apart. This year, all eyes are on the ACC and Big East. The idea of both conferences is seemingly no more.
But just don’t think the SEC is going to standby and let the Big 12 raid the ACC and get the pick of the litter. We are obviously not there yet, but we’re moving ever so close to that time.
If and when the Big 12 does decide to expand, all the dominos will start falling once more.
But since the landscape of college football is changing very rapidly, maybe next week will bring a different outlook.
So who would be the pick of the litter for the SEC to add? Clemson (S.Carolina would object), Georgia Tech (UGA would object although GT was at least once part of the SEC), FSU (UF would object)……So that leaves UNC, NC State, Maryland, Wake Forest, Duke???
Virginia Tech..
My ideal picks would be FSU and Clemson
VaTech and NCState. Two enormous untapped TV markets for the SEC. Look at Texas and Missouri as the most recent example.
I agree with TagZilla here. It will ultimate be VT and another team…likely a NC team in NC State.
As a fan you should want Miami and West Virginia/Virginia Tech
The conference power heads will take Virginia Tech (DC market) and maybe even UNC/Maryland
I can see West Virginia coming to the SEC soon, & would like to see a North Carolina school (preferably NC State) or Va. Tech also come aboard, although I wouldn’t think they’d leave the ACC now. Navy is a possibility…
I don’t want Miami, of all people.UNC or GT would be fine, but do they want to leave the basketball conference? FSU needs their own identity away from UF. Time will tell.
WVU just joined the Big 12. They aren’t going anywhere.