(06-26-2019 12:22 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  

(06-26-2019 12:18 PM)Gamecock Wrote:  

(06-26-2019 12:11 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  If The American is serious about remaining a viable conference Aresco needs to have everyone in the conference signing a GOR, contingent on Texas and Oklahoma leaving The Big 12. The GOR would only become valid if The Big 12 lost certain teams. Who would The Big 12 backfill with if American teams were locked up. The Big 12 without Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas isn’t better than The American without UCONN. That’s what Aresco needs to sell his teams.

A conference with TTU, TCU, Baylor, OK State, KSU, ISU, and WVU is still more valuable than the AAC. In your scenario those seven would just add some combo of Cincinnati, Houston, SMU, Memphis, and the Florida schools.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on that point, just don’t see it myself.

I'll admit that it probably would not be viewed as a true "power" conference, but I think it would get a better contract than the current AAC and would get more credence in terms of the polls/bowls. In many ways, it might be similar to the old Big East once Miami/VT left

Realignment is never dead. There will always be moves by schools and athletic programs due to the ever changing landscape of college athletics. Even during so-called "dormant" time periods (like what we have fundamentally had at the major levels of college sports from 2013-2019), there are discussions taking place behind closed doors about how conferences and athletic programs can improve their visibility, reputation and revenues.

I agree with the consensus. Realignment will never end. The chase for more money will continue. If I was to pigeonhole the next stage, it will be the resurgence of Independents led by Texas. Notre Dame looks golden (pardon the pun) but not joining a conference and sticking it out.