Conference Shake Up 2.0

[SubGod22]

Some intersting rumors on message boards. First, the MAC has come out and said they're considering expansion. Three Valley schools have been mentioned at least as possibilities by some. ISU, UNI and MSU. Then there was apparently a tweet from the UNI AD responding to a tweet from a fan about moving up. His response was "stay tuned". Some MSU fan said that he's heard rumors about the MVFC trying to maybe move up as a conference. Not sure if that's allowed or what kind of negotiating would be involved with the NCAA. UNI has a solid program but finances have always been a concern. ISU wants to move in the near future. MSU has had financial issues but if they got an invite they'd jump. Maybe the MVFC could be trying to make a case for taking over the spot that will be vacated by the WAC. If there's any truth to these rumors, it would be a lot easier to get to FBS status if we were to bring back football. Could Bardo be in on some of this and that's why he's talked about looking into it? It's also possible that there's nothing to any of this. But it's been brought up and is something to consider. Say it were true, and we'd have easy access to FBS status, it'd be easier to prove ourselves at that level in order to find a better conference. Or if by some miracle, the MVC moves in that direction and starts having success, we could make better additions. The only problem with all of this is I believe the MVC would have to offer full membership to most, if not all, of the current MVFC only members (Western Illinois, NDSU, YSU, USD and SDUS). I suppose they could then invite NMSU to make 16 total for basketball. Or, if this were the direction they were headed, we could come out and say that we're bringing back football and would be number 16. If any team chose not to move up or join another conference, then we could look at other FBS members like NMSU.

I know, a lot of ifs in this, but it's something to think about.


Also, the Colonial is considering expansion. The question is will they look at 12, 14 or 16.

[ShockTalk]

Some intersting rumors on message boards. First, the MAC has come out and said they're considering expansion. Three Valley schools have been mentioned at least as possibilities by some. ISU, UNI and MSU. Then there was apparently a tweet from the UNI AD responding to a tweet from a fan about moving up. His response was "stay tuned". Some MSU fan said that he's heard rumors about the MVFC trying to maybe move up as a conference. Not sure if that's allowed or what kind of negotiating would be involved with the NCAA. UNI has a solid program but finances have always been a concern. ISU wants to move in the near future. MSU has had financial issues but if they got an invite they'd jump. Maybe the MVFC could be trying to make a case for taking over the spot that will be vacated by the WAC. If there's any truth to these rumors, it would be a lot easier to get to FBS status if we were to bring back football. Could Bardo be in on some of this and that's why he's talked about looking into it? It's also possible that there's nothing to any of this. But it's been brought up and is something to consider. Say it were true, and we'd have easy access to FBS status, it'd be easier to prove ourselves at that level in order to find a better conference. Or if by some miracle, the MVC moves in that direction and starts having success, we could make better additions. The only problem with all of this is I believe the MVC would have to offer full membership to most, if not all, of the current MVFC only members (Western Illinois, NDSU, YSU, USD and SDUS). I suppose they could then invite NMSU to make 16 total for basketball. Or, if this were the direction they were headed, we could come out and say that we're bringing back football and would be number 16. If any team chose not to move up or join another conference, then we could look at other FBS members like NMSU.

I know, a lot of ifs in this, but it's something to think about.


Also, the Colonial is considering expansion. The question is will they look at 12, 14 or 16.

So, if I understand what you're saying in the first part of your post, is that UNI, ISU (red), and MSU, (plus CU), all have other potential options to protect themselves if the second part of your post doesn't happen and the Valley were to lose a member or 2 or 4. As I've said before, WSU seems like a remote island out here by our lonesome.

[SubGod22]

So, if I understand what you're saying in the first part of your post, is that UNI, ISU (red), and MSU, (plus CU), all have other potential options to protect themselves if the second part of your post doesn't happen and the Valley were to lose a member or 2 or 4. As I've said before, WSU seems like a remote island out here by our lonesome.

Pretty much. I went over to the UNI board to see what they were saying about the tweet. I haven't gotten very far, but they're torn. But they make it sound like the MVFC may not be very stable and could fall apart if a couple of teams move elsewhere and there is potential for them to make such a move. Their feasability study a few years back said moving up was better financially then dropping down or dropping football all together. We'll see. I'll read more after lunch.

[Aargh]

If the MAC expands and gobbles up some MVC tems, and the pattern of the entire history of the MVC holds true, Elgin will sit and watch it happen. Then he'll invite UMKC, SEMO and some school transitioing from D2 status. Then he'll commit to another 10 years of Bracket Busters in order to get the new schools some TV time, which they would be totally unable to do on theri own.

[SubGod22]

If the MAC expands and gobbles up some MVC tems, and the pattern of the entire history of the MVC holds true, Elgin will sit and watch it happen. Then he'll invite UMKC, SEMO and some school transitioing from D2 status. Then he'll commit to another 10 years of Bracket Busters in order to get the new schools some TV time, which they would be totally unable to do on theri own.

You kid, but that may not be far off. If we lost 2 or 3 Elgin would probably add those two schools and Little Rock or add another Illinois school and bring in SIU-E. OR he'd invite NDSU, SDSU and USD and try to pull them in as full members for both basketball and football. Either way, it wouldn't be good.

He'd argue that UMKC gives us KC, SIU-E gives us a precence in STL and I don't know what SEMO would give us. Maybe that's why he'd go with Little Rock.

[ABC]

I realize that going from Div IAA to Div I isn't like WSU starting football, but I just don't see any of the MVC schools moving up to Div 1. Outside of football, the MAC is a half-step down from the MVC in my view.

If WSU has trepidation being a Div I football program, how would UNI et al be able to afford it?

[Aargh]

I realize that going from Div IAA to Div I isn't like WSU starting football, but I just don't see any of the MVC schools moving up to Div 1. Outside of football, the MAC is a half-step down from the MVC in my view.

If WSU has trepidation being a Div I football program, how would UNI et al be able to afford it?

It would require the MAC to get a TV contract. With the number of sports channels there are on cable and dish by now, the MAC could get a TV contract that might be enough to support a bottom-feeder FBS school.

The TV contract is the true barrier to going FBS. It's virtually impossible to spend the money required for FBS without a decent TV contract. It's really tough to get a good TV contract unless you're already FBS. It's a situation where it's very difficult to get there unless you're already there. Doc's estimate of $100 mill is pretty dead on accurate. It's going to take that much to build a program to the point where TV contrcts begin supplementing the budget.

[SubGod22]

I've read numerous rumors the last few days of Notre Dame taking their olympic sports and moving them to the ACC. There was a tweet from Dickie V about it and I'm seeing reports that Mike & Mike are talking about it. Don't know what they've said exactly, just a recent post on a message board. Word was the ACC wanted 5 or 6 football games every year to make this work and that seems a little high for Notre Dame to give into. But maybe they really want out of the BE? I would think ND might go for 4 at most. We'll see if this rumor has any legs.

[SubGod22]

After reading another thread with some ND posters in it, and one that seems pretty on top of things from past experience, ND to the ACC sounds like it really is going to happen. Not watch me catch up on another page or two and see something has changed. But this is the first time that this poster has said anything to the affirmative of ND leaving the BE.

Now the question will be, what does the BE do? Do they replace ND with a nonfootball member? Would Xavier be at the top of the list? If that happens, what does the A10 do? Do they go back after George Mason or would this open the door for the possibility of Creighton to go?

And if Creighton was the choice, what would the MVC do? I'd hope they'd go after New Mexico State but I doubt that they'd stretch the footprint.

Then again, it may not even matter.

[SubGod22]

According to a number of tweets it's for real. ND will play 5 games a year against ACC schools. Looks like it will be for everything but football and hockey.

I guess the BE is up next on what to do. Although I've seen some wonder if the ACC will add a 16th member for olympic sports and if they do, Georgetown could be the target.

[DoubleJayAlum]

After reading another thread with some ND posters in it, and one that seems pretty on top of things from past experience, ND to the ACC sounds like it really is going to happen. Not watch me catch up on another page or two and see something has changed. But this is the first time that this poster has said anything to the affirmative of ND leaving the BE.

Now the question will be, what does the BE do? Do they replace ND with a nonfootball member? Would Xavier be at the top of the list? If that happens, what does the A10 do? Do they go back after George Mason or would this open the door for the possibility of Creighton to go?

And if Creighton was the choice, what would the MVC do? I'd hope they'd go after New Mexico State but I doubt that they'd stretch the footprint.

Then again, it may not even matter.

First of all, it is a matter of when Notre Dame leaves, not if. Further, if they want to move, I expect the Big 10 and the Big 12 would do everything to lure them as well. Despite their futility of late o the gridiron, ND is a meter mover.

Secondly, as much as I would love a move to the A10, I don't see Creighton going anywhere in the near future. The A10 has its version of the MVC sisters of the poor. Unfortunately for CU (and perhaps even WSU), those poor programs are all left coast schools that can't afford more travel (and may have the typical eastern "were too good for midwesterners" issues as well). The positive is that those programs are weak, getting weaker daily and at some point the LaSalles, Duquesnes, and Fordhams may lose their power. I do firmly believe that if the A10 was dominated/controlled by the Xavier's, Daytons, and SLUs, CU would have had an invite by now, although I'm not sure how CU would swing the extra travel for olympic sports.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Here's a story by ESPN confirming the Notre Dame deal: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/st...e-football-acc

Ultimately, since ND didn't play FB in the Big East, I wouldn't be completely surprised if they did nothing after this move.

[SubGod22]

Here's a story by ESPN confirming the Notre Dame deal: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/st...e-football-acc

Ultimately, since ND didn't play FB in the Big East, I wouldn't be completely surprised if they did nothing after this move.

I could see that, but I think there will be pressure from the basketball schools to replace them as they haven't been all that thrilled with some of the other moves the conference has been making and haven't enjoyed the major shift in focus from basketball to football. And if the ACC goes after G'town to make it 16, would the BE still just stay where they're at? That would be the loss of two very good basketball schools and they're losing ground in football anyway. If G'town does leave, the BE could be on shakier ground. Then what if the XII decides to expand and take L'ville and someone else (Cincy/UConn/Rutgers)?

Personally, I'd love to see the BE fall apart and see what happened from there. The basketball schools would stick together and look to poach some A10 schools. The football schools would probably try and stick it out but I think they'd lose Boise and SDSU and maybe the Texas schools which could be a way to boost the MWC and possibly the Belt and CUSA is already pretty big. Then again, maybe none of this happens.

And I know Creighton is a bit of travel for those schools and you deal with much of the same issues that we do there. But you still have a better shot than we do and the money may be better with the tournament bids that they'll be getting.

[rrshock]

I sure didn't see this one coming. How did they keep it quiet this whole time? And you can forget and ACC schools leaving. They are upping the exit fee to $50M. That's alot of cash to give up.

Here goes another round of shakeups...

[SubGod22]

I sure didn't see this one coming. How did they keep it quiet this whole time? And you can forget and ACC schools leaving. They are upping the exit fee to $50M. That's alot of cash to give up.

Here goes another round of shakeups...

There'd been lots of rumors about the ACC/XII but everything from ND said it wasn't happening. This did kind of sneak up on everyone though. I also heard that the vote for the exit fees was 12-2. I'm guessing that FSU and Clemson are pissed. That's a lot of cash and I'm not sure anyone could afford it.

Some seem to think that the ACC will get ND for football as well within the decade. I don't see that happening so number 16 in the ACC is interesting. If they think ND football is possible, they could add another FB school (Rutgers/UConn/L'Ville) which would make the BE react. If they don't think that, G'town makes a lot of sense.

Personally, I'd like to see the ACC grab G'town then see the XII go get L'ville and UConn/Cincy to move to 12 and give WV some east coast support.

Then I'd like to see Boise and SDSU back out and try to get back in with the MWC or if they've burned that bridge, they could help revive the WAC into a FB conference again. A resurrected WAC anchored by Boise could lure some schools away from the MWC or even convince a few of the Big Sky schools to make the jump and maybe even get a Texas State to leave the Belt and head west.

All this would create a lot of chaos and probably won't happen. But I can dream.