(02-06-2024 03:10 PM)cubucks Wrote: IF the ACC is in fact going to implode, the state of Florida should be priority number1. I personally believe that FSU is more valuable than Notre Dame due to delivering a state full of ☆☆☆☆☆ recruits. Notre Dame doesn't want a conference so let that rest. I'd be fine with a scheduling agreement between the BIG and ND of some sort.
FSU, Miami, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Kansas and Utah would be a solid 6 if going to 24.
I would make a call to Texas A&M first before an invite to Utah. Just to see if their marriage is still solid.
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I think we're making a mistake counting to 24 for the Big10.
Looking at the SEC, and based upon their criteria, I can see them stopping at 24.
But the Big10 has a lot more options.
And that's even if we only include AAU schools.
Starting west and moving east:
Arizona and
Arizona State. Phoenix and Tuscon markers. And AZ is a basketball school. And knowing that USC fought to get them added to the PAC, lends credence to them being possibles for the Big10. Interestingly, pundits seemed to favor AZ over State, before State made AAU. And besides that, adding both makes a western pod of 6 schools. Which should help out travel.
Utah - Geography works against them. They could get added, but I think others are added first. They could have a shot at being an SEC target.
Colorado - Big8 rival. For travel, links well between the plains schools and the pacific schools. Current hype due to new coach.
Kansas - Big8 rival. Basketball school. Should be added to prevent the SEC from adding.
Missouri and
Texas A&M - should check to see how happy they are about Texas joining. But likely to stay in the SEC.
Pittsburgh - Unlikely due to Penn State, but, like Utah, is possible.
Virginia - Maryland rival. Is a real possibility, due to Maryland and Pitt wanting local rivals adding to balance west coast additions.
North Carolina - A real question mark. Doesn't have the money concerns some schools have. So they could be content in their own conference. But rumors suggest that they are more in "opportunist" mode. Could go either way. But I think they tilt towards the SEC.
Duke - Basketball power. Lack of football strength makes them an unlikely add to the SEC, though possible. Like Kansas, the Big10 should add them to prevent the SEC from adding.
Georgia Tech - mostly SEC rivalries. But, like Duke, not considered a football school. Would be a good addition to add the Atlanta market, and to link to Florida.
Miami - Florida. (Did I mention Florida? lol) Big10 alumni region. I don't think them getting AAU recently was a coincidence.
USF - Florida (again). Tampa market. As I said about Miami, I don't think it's a coincidence that they were added to AAU. And travel is easier than FSU.
Florida - possible, but I think unlikely, unless Georgia moves too.
I skipped Buffalo, Tulane, and Rice. They could get added, but unlikely. And I don't think Vanderbilt is leaving the SEC as things currently stand.
Syracuse and Iowa State, being former AAU, could get invite, but only if the Big10 was going
really big.
So looking at the above, I think 28 is likely closer to the Big10's eventual number.
That means adding 10 schools.
And one of them could be non-AAU Florida State.
I think it'll be these 9 to the Big10:
AZ, AZ State, Colorado, Kansas, Virginia, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, and USF or FSU
Plus one of the others above for 10. Could it be Utah or NC or Pitt? Of those 3, I think NC could be the most likely, if the SEC doesn't add them.
I guess we'll see.