(05-05-2021 10:29 AM)ken d Wrote: I would favor this four way deal among the ACC, SEC, Notre Dame and ESPN.
The ACC allows Virginia Tech and NC State to move to the SEC without penalty (and they agree to go).
The ACC then adds Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech, effectively removing the Big 12 from the ranks of the P5. They determine their division champs solely by the seven game division round robin. All ACC schools agree to play at least two additional games against either ACC or SEC opponents, none of which count toward determining who participate in the CCG. Instead, they are intended to add greater value to the league's media partner.
Notre Dame agrees to add a sixth game to its commitment to the ACC, with newcomers Oklahoma State and Texas Tech waiving their chance to be in the ND rotation. For its part, ND agrees to play both Oklahoma and Texas every year, and rotate four games among the remaining 12 pre-deal ACC teams, playing each once every three years.
For its part, ESPN tears up its long-term deal with the ACC and signs a new one that recognizes the significant new value added and reduces the length of the new contract to a maximum of six years.
Both the ACC and SEC, along with ESPN, promote an eight team CFP. This tournament would give the P4 champs a guaranteed quarterfinal host spot on their home field. Their opponents would include the highest ranked G6 (which now includes the remnants of the B12) champion and three at large teams (which could include Notre Dame if they earn it). To keep the semifinals on New Year's, Week Zero becomes Week 1 and CCGs are played over Thanksgiving weekend.
This idea has legs, but it will have locomotion if, the SECN and ACCN are bundled, if Texas is required to play A&M, if Wake Forest is gradually reduced to a partial in the same increments that Notre Dame is increased to a full member.
Texas and Oklahoma with confederates double the ACC's value, which takes your value to a little over 4 billion. The SEC's value is 7.7 billion and the Big 10's value is around 5.5 billion. Add Notre Dame in full and keep Wake as a partial and you hit a little over 5 billion in value. Then you have the steam you need to compete financially, because you will have added 3 of the top 8 earners, which is roughly what the Big 10 has most years.
Moreover by bundling the ACC and SEC the SEC gains exposure in the Northeast, though they are presently there by subscription, and the ACC gains wider distribution in the Southeast. ESPN wins while the cable subscription service remains viable and has a concise product to sell as a streaming package when it doesn't.
What is N.D. giving up to be a full member under your division opponent only format? Two games over what they are obligated for now leaving them 5 games to schedule 2 SEC or other ACC opponents (Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia, etc.) and 3 games with which to play Stanford, USC, or Navy or 2 of them or all 3. It puts them approximately in a position where being a full member is little different from being independent, except for revenue sharing on playoff and bowl games.
But perhaps more importantly it leaves the Big 10 and SEC no opportunities to extend the economic gaps because all 3 of the schools that could be used to do it are taken. Nobody else in the current Big 12, or in the PAC, has the value of those 3 or even of the top 3 in the SEC or Big 10.
The move puts the ACC into a virtual dead heat with the Big 10, eliminates the Big 12, and outdistances the PAC 12, while bringing them into direct competition with the SEC for recruits in the region, which by the way is exactly why Notre Dame even agreed to a partial membership. They wanted access to Florida and Georgia for recruiting. So opting in fully over a transitional period with a set up that essentially guarantees the same scheduling the had as an independent is a reasonable position to take if the Irish really want into deep South recruiting in a way that actually gives them games in the region. With ESPN having a strong position with the SEC that leverage is complete. No other conferences have schools in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Georgia which are 4 of the top 6 recruiting hotbeds with the other two being Ohio and California. Sure the AAC has some Texas schools but we are talking top name P5's.