(01-17-2022 01:46 AM)AllTideUp Wrote: Now that is a fresh approach if I've ever heard one.
It would be interesting theater if nothing else.
I wrote a lengthy post a couple of days ago, and got to the end and lost it. That
has happened a few times. It is physical at times, not carelessness.
ATU, you made a good point that does needs emphasized. What the SEC and Sankey do on the expansion front does impact all in the higher levels of college athletics. Of course the SEC adding Texas and OU, which was a huge matter, would generate reactions of resentment, a measure of panic, and efforts at saving face. Sankey, ESPN, OU/TX, and other strategic players knew this prior to embarking on the initiative.
The "Alliance" is rather vague in purpose and the artificial unification will soon fall to the wayside. Really, it is saying to the SEC, "please don't add any ACC schools or do further expansion that impacts the interests of the BIG, PAC12, and the ACC".
They decided to do scheduling agreements with each other as an outcome? Wonderful, they could have done that long before the SEC expanded. Years ago, USC & Stanford sabotaged a PAC/BIG scheduling agreement because of their love for scheduling Notre Dame. An individual school's perceived self-interest prevailed over a conference's goal. If Virginia Tech wants to schedule Oregon State, or Nebraska schedules Boston College, let's clap. The SEC has an abundance of OOC scheduling options, and they can increase the number of conference games as desired.
They will all come to the table on the playoffs after the posturing wanes. Too much money is on the line not to do so. I believe they all, including the SEC, need to realize that ESPN interests may not be identical to the missions, needs, and the sustainability of each conference and individual schools.
Sankey and company need to synthesize OU and TX into the SEC as soon as reasonably attainable, plan future scheduling and groupings, focus on the broadcasting elements and enhancing revenue, and press for a cooperative and lucrative playoff format. Right now, I would not be itching to see more SEC expansion. If two grade A+ schools suddenly fall before the SEC knees, and they would be glorious "fits", OK, don't dismiss it.
The SEC is in great shape.