Conference realignment is again a hot topic with the announcement of Maryland and Rutgers moving to the Big Ten.
I thought this conference realignment stuff was on hold for a time, but the Big Ten move shocked me. Now, the league will expand to 14 members and qualify for the “super” conference tag.
This action obviously has a ripple effect on other conferences and schools. The so called quiet time in collegiate athletics has become the nervous time again. What will happen to the Big East and ACC? Will more conferences raid their schools?
One conference that should take action is the Big 12. The league needs two more teams to return to the magic number of 12. This will enable the league to host a conference football championship again. The Big 12 is currently the only major conference without a championship game.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby stated this past summer that he was comfortable with the 10-team league, but the realignment game has changed again. Unfortunately, the game is either pick your new members or be in danger of having your members picked. The Big 12 needs to use the pick strategy.
Showing posts with label conference realignment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conference realignment. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Mighty Have Fallen
Place the Notre Dame Fighting Irish into the category of “Oh how the mighty have fallen.”
Notre Dame will join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in all sports except football and hockey. The Irish will escape a crippled Big East Conference. The news was announced Wednesday
On another news day, say 5-10 years ago, Notre Dame and conference realignment would pose big news. But not anymore. The Irish is just another college sports program.
Notre Dame lost its larger than life status already a number of years ago. It’s once mighty football program that won national championships is now mediocre at best. We all know that Notre Dame will probably never return to its glory days. Like most college sports programs, the Irish feed off their football program.
Putting it all in perspective, Notre Dame football and its athletic programs are yesterday’s news.
The Irish cut the best deal they could with the ACC. They will keep their football independence but be required to play several ACC opponents each season. I sense it will only become a matter of time however before Notre Dame becomes a full-fledged football member of the ACC.
Notre Dame and the ACC can spin it anyway in the press they wish, this marriage isn’t that special. If it was special, it would not be happening.
Notre Dame’s cookie is crumbling and the ACC is just picking up the crumbs.
Notre Dame will join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in all sports except football and hockey. The Irish will escape a crippled Big East Conference. The news was announced Wednesday
On another news day, say 5-10 years ago, Notre Dame and conference realignment would pose big news. But not anymore. The Irish is just another college sports program.
Notre Dame lost its larger than life status already a number of years ago. It’s once mighty football program that won national championships is now mediocre at best. We all know that Notre Dame will probably never return to its glory days. Like most college sports programs, the Irish feed off their football program.
Putting it all in perspective, Notre Dame football and its athletic programs are yesterday’s news.
The Irish cut the best deal they could with the ACC. They will keep their football independence but be required to play several ACC opponents each season. I sense it will only become a matter of time however before Notre Dame becomes a full-fledged football member of the ACC.
Notre Dame and the ACC can spin it anyway in the press they wish, this marriage isn’t that special. If it was special, it would not be happening.
Notre Dame’s cookie is crumbling and the ACC is just picking up the crumbs.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
More Conference Realignment
The conference realignment talk was taking a serious break until yesterday when the Mountain West and Conference USA decided to form a love affair.
Officials are not calling it a merger but an association. Whatever! It sounds like a good ‘ole merger to me.
There are 16 teams that have declared their love for each other. Hawaii only wants part of the love in joining for football only.
The Big East was the first conference to feature 16 teams. Now with some teams leaving it, this new association should be the biggest league in the college ranks. The Mountain West/Conference USA folks could begin as early as 2013-14.
The old saying, “You cannot tell the players without a score card ,” could hold true for this new conference and the other conferences’ comings and goings.
One thing is sure: college realignment is alive and well. The Mountain West/Conference USA folks didn’t want to be left out of the party.
BTW, Happy Valentine’s Day. I can assure you I didn’t use the above love themes on purpose.
Officials are not calling it a merger but an association. Whatever! It sounds like a good ‘ole merger to me.
There are 16 teams that have declared their love for each other. Hawaii only wants part of the love in joining for football only.
The Big East was the first conference to feature 16 teams. Now with some teams leaving it, this new association should be the biggest league in the college ranks. The Mountain West/Conference USA folks could begin as early as 2013-14.
The old saying, “You cannot tell the players without a score card ,” could hold true for this new conference and the other conferences’ comings and goings.
One thing is sure: college realignment is alive and well. The Mountain West/Conference USA folks didn’t want to be left out of the party.
BTW, Happy Valentine’s Day. I can assure you I didn’t use the above love themes on purpose.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
What is it with the Big 12 Conference?
Only in the Big 12 Conference do you have teams wanting to leave and then delay the process. Other conferences have teams actually leave in a relatively short time and life goes on. But then there is the Big 12.
The process drags on and on. First it was Texas A&M and now it’s Missouri’s turn. What are the Tigers thinking anyway?
They had the perfect opportunity yesterday at a Big 12 Conference meeting. All Missouri had to say is “Fellas we are leaving the conference. Thanks for your time.” But no, Missouri remained silent. It even voted on a potential Big 12 TV network. Wow.
Missouri claims there is a lengthy process to leave the Big 12 and join the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers say they want to be deliberate. Go ahead boys, step out on the water and make your move. The Big 12 knows you want a divorce. So go sign the papers.
Someone should write a book or teach a class on conference realignment. They have a perfect example on what not to do. It’s called the Big 12 Conference.
The process drags on and on. First it was Texas A&M and now it’s Missouri’s turn. What are the Tigers thinking anyway?
They had the perfect opportunity yesterday at a Big 12 Conference meeting. All Missouri had to say is “Fellas we are leaving the conference. Thanks for your time.” But no, Missouri remained silent. It even voted on a potential Big 12 TV network. Wow.
Missouri claims there is a lengthy process to leave the Big 12 and join the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers say they want to be deliberate. Go ahead boys, step out on the water and make your move. The Big 12 knows you want a divorce. So go sign the papers.
Someone should write a book or teach a class on conference realignment. They have a perfect example on what not to do. It’s called the Big 12 Conference.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)