Assume schools can get out of GOR or simply just waiting for them to expire. Also assume you can convince NCAA to allow rule changes like conference tournaments.

I'm in favor of larger conferences so I would add 4 or more as long as they were all good fits.

I'm in favor of smaller more regional conferences, and since I don't have to go by any type of realism. I would grab Arkansas, LSU, A&M, and the old Big 12 south. I would brand it the new SWC.

(01-09-2017 06:35 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  I'm in favor of smaller more regional conferences, and since I don't have to go by any type of realism. I would grab Arkansas, LSU, A&M, and the old Big 12 south. I would brand it the new SWC.

Rebuild a SWC? Ok, here's my shot:
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
LSU
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State

You wanted smaller and more regional, so this will work. 3 largest Texas public as the base. LSU and Ole Miss are regional and offer great support traditions and fans. Arkansas is an original SWC member and adding the Oklahoma schools rounds out the northern region nicely.

Other considerations, Mizzou and Kansas. Possibly, Colorado but they are kind of out there.

(01-09-2017 12:45 PM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(01-09-2017 06:35 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  I'm in favor of smaller more regional conferences, and since I don't have to go by any type of realism. I would grab Arkansas, LSU, A&M, and the old Big 12 south. I would brand it the new SWC.

Rebuild a SWC? Ok, here's my shot:
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
LSU
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State

You wanted smaller and more regional, so this will work. 3 largest Texas public as the base. LSU and Ole Miss are regional and offer great support traditions and fans. Arkansas is an original SWC member and adding the Oklahoma schools rounds out the northern region nicely.

Other considerations, Mizzou and Kansas. Possibly, Colorado but they are kind of out there.

I love that as a new SEC West Division. Now let us pick up Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, N.C. State & Virginia Tech and have three divisions of 8!

I'll try it, building on the idea of rebuilding the SWC as well.

SEC
SWD- Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TT

WD- A&M, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas

CD- Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Miss State

ED- WV, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Iowa State

The new ACC would be:
North- ND, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, BC, Miami

Central - FSU, Louisville, GT, VT, NC State

South- Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, WF

East- Clemson, SC, NC, Duke, Virginia

#nevergonnahappen

Assuming ACC schools are untouchable and that the Big 12 is where the wealth of schools would come from...I like going to 20. Long many years ago, I suggested we merge with the Big 12. Not gonna happen, but I think the 24 number has several perks, not the least of which is consolidating content and holding greater leverage in negotiations with networks. 20 is not too different from 24 as long as we target the right members.

Add BYU, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa State, and West Virginia

More football, more basketball, more markets...

Divisions:

West: BYU, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa State

Central: Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Missouri

South: Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

East: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia


This is more in the form of a national conference as we've now expanded into multiple regions.

Personally, I'd rather go for 16, 20, or 24 so the divisional alignments are even. I think it would be a little sticky to try to figure up a system for a wildcard to enter the conference semis. We could do it, but I think a 4 division system is better.

I'd play 10 conference games. That's 5 home and 5 away. You play your 4 division mates along with 1 permanent rival from the other divisions and 1 rotating rival from each of the other divisions. That way, you play every school at least once every 4 years.