Hear me out— with the alliance continuing to snub the Big12, and keeping our seat at the P5 table the most important thing, why not form our own alliance with.. the SEC?

The SEC is going to want to schedule at least some P5 teams OOC moving forward, and if the Alliance stops that from happening, it would be in their best interest to play Big12 teams.

This would force the Mouse and the powers that be to have to talk about the Big12 in more reverent tones as we would be an important part of the continued success of their southeastern darling conference.

I know in this scenario we would essentially be the henchman to the evil villain, but… survive and thrive, ya know?

I know fan boards like the ones on this site have claimed that the Alliance is snubbing the Big XII, but has anyone in authority actually said that? I'm thinking you may see plenty of ACC vs Big XII OOC games in the future.

(12-10-2021 09:56 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I know fan boards like the ones on this site have claimed that the Alliance is snubbing the Big XII, but has anyone in authority actually said that? I'm thinking you may see plenty of ACC vs Big XII OOC games in the future.

The issue is the ACC, Pac12, and Big10 intend to prioritize and commit to play a number of OOC games against one another. It’s less of a snub and more of a logistical issue. Those conferences only have so many OOC games available. If they increase the number of games they play against one another, then they mathematically have fewer openings for SEC and Big12 teams. That logistical fact should mean the Big12 will naturally end up with more OOC games with the SEC whether there is an official “alliance” or not. One more logistical fact to keep in mind—-there are 16 SEC teams and only a dozen Big12 teams.

I’m sure the SEC has offered ooc games and bowl tie ins in exchange for Texas and Oklahoma leaving early.

Jackson

(12-11-2021 07:05 AM)Jackson1011 Wrote:  I’m sure the SEC has offered ooc games and bowl tie ins in exchange for Texas and Oklahoma leaving early.

Jackson

that is conjecture, not a know fact. We don't have any idea what is or is not happening behind the scenes.

(12-11-2021 04:16 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-10-2021 09:56 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I know fan boards like the ones on this site have claimed that the Alliance is snubbing the Big XII, but has anyone in authority actually said that? I'm thinking you may see plenty of ACC vs Big XII OOC games in the future.

The issue is the ACC, Pac12, and Big10 intend to prioritize and commit to play a number of OOC games against one another. It’s less of a snub and more of a logistical issue. Those conferences only have so many OOC games available. If they increase the number of games they play against one another, then they mathematically have fewer openings for SEC and Big12 teams. That logistical fact should mean the Big12 will naturally end up with more OOC games with the SEC whether there is an official “alliance” or not. One more logistical fact to keep in mind—-there are 16 SEC teams and only a dozen Big12 teams.

I think this point is a logical one. There may indeed be no direct animosity involved, but given a finite supply of OOC inventory and a stated prioritization among alliance members, the Big XII has little choice but to consider alternative options to scheduling against alliance members.

Do we maximize in-conference scheduling? I think few would want to go full round-robin, so the typical 5+3 divisional setup is the most likely unless we innovate with scheduling.
Do we work toward some sort of alliance with the SEC? This may be easier said than done. We may both value football highly, but they already have some P5 OOC games they’d be loathe to give up, and agree or not with their perception that they’re super strong top-to-bottom, but they probably want to keep some G5 games to balance their conference schedule.
Do we find a G5 conference or two with whom to form an alliance? If so, which one? The AAC may not want to help us get closer to any of their members. The MAC is the “cradle of coaches” in good recruiting area, but the B1G is astride that footprint. The MW has some good markets and could be a “AAA” league for us, but we may not want to shift focus further West.

(12-12-2021 12:47 AM)BewareThePhog Wrote:  

(12-11-2021 04:16 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-10-2021 09:56 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I know fan boards like the ones on this site have claimed that the Alliance is snubbing the Big XII, but has anyone in authority actually said that? I'm thinking you may see plenty of ACC vs Big XII OOC games in the future.

The issue is the ACC, Pac12, and Big10 intend to prioritize and commit to play a number of OOC games against one another. It’s less of a snub and more of a logistical issue. Those conferences only have so many OOC games available. If they increase the number of games they play against one another, then they mathematically have fewer openings for SEC and Big12 teams. That logistical fact should mean the Big12 will naturally end up with more OOC games with the SEC whether there is an official “alliance” or not. One more logistical fact to keep in mind—-there are 16 SEC teams and only a dozen Big12 teams.

I think this point is a logical one. There may indeed be no direct animosity involved, but given a finite supply of OOC inventory and a stated prioritization among alliance members, the Big XII has little choice but to consider alternative options to scheduling against alliance members.

Do we maximize in-conference scheduling? I think few would want to go full round-robin, so the typical 5+3 divisional setup is the most likely unless we innovate with scheduling.
Do we work toward some sort of alliance with the SEC? This may be easier said than done. We may both value football highly, but they already have some P5 OOC games they’d be loathe to give up, and agree or not with their perception that they’re super strong top-to-bottom, but they probably want to keep some G5 games to balance their conference schedule.
Do we find a G5 conference or two with whom to form an alliance? If so, which one? The AAC may not want to help us get closer to any of their members. The MAC is the “cradle of coaches” in good recruiting area, but the B1G is astride that footprint. The MW has some good markets and could be a “AAA” league for us, but we may not want to shift focus further West.

I also don’t think we should do any formal scheduling agreements with G5 leagues, as we should break any association with them, or else we could potentially be lumped in with them.

(12-12-2021 11:32 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

(12-12-2021 12:47 AM)BewareThePhog Wrote:  

(12-11-2021 04:16 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-10-2021 09:56 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  I know fan boards like the ones on this site have claimed that the Alliance is snubbing the Big XII, but has anyone in authority actually said that? I'm thinking you may see plenty of ACC vs Big XII OOC games in the future.

The issue is the ACC, Pac12, and Big10 intend to prioritize and commit to play a number of OOC games against one another. It’s less of a snub and more of a logistical issue. Those conferences only have so many OOC games available. If they increase the number of games they play against one another, then they mathematically have fewer openings for SEC and Big12 teams. That logistical fact should mean the Big12 will naturally end up with more OOC games with the SEC whether there is an official “alliance” or not. One more logistical fact to keep in mind—-there are 16 SEC teams and only a dozen Big12 teams.

I think this point is a logical one. There may indeed be no direct animosity involved, but given a finite supply of OOC inventory and a stated prioritization among alliance members, the Big XII has little choice but to consider alternative options to scheduling against alliance members.

Do we maximize in-conference scheduling? I think few would want to go full round-robin, so the typical 5+3 divisional setup is the most likely unless we innovate with scheduling.
Do we work toward some sort of alliance with the SEC? This may be easier said than done. We may both value football highly, but they already have some P5 OOC games they’d be loathe to give up, and agree or not with their perception that they’re super strong top-to-bottom, but they probably want to keep some G5 games to balance their conference schedule.
Do we find a G5 conference or two with whom to form an alliance? If so, which one? The AAC may not want to help us get closer to any of their members. The MAC is the “cradle of coaches” in good recruiting area, but the B1G is astride that footprint. The MW has some good markets and could be a “AAA” league for us, but we may not want to shift focus further West.

I also don’t think we should do any formal scheduling agreements with G5 leagues, as we should break any association with them, or else we could potentially be lumped in with them.

I definitely appreciate that opinion. There is definitely a perception perspective to consider. I don’t know the best answer, and it’s also true that a “prioritization” isn’t the same as a formal structured commitment. Alliance member schools may well still value Big XII schools as OOC opponents in specific instances.

Too early to say how much or if any scheduling problems will be scheduling problems. My guess is we will find what we need to find.