Smoke your cigars and enjoy the band while you can....

[Panjandrum]

So, I'm doing more research on all of this for a series of posts I'd like to write on our blog, and I found this to be very interesting.

Despite spending the fewest dollars per student-athlete of any school in the ACC, Maryland’s athletic department is on course to lose $4.7 million in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2012. Its budget deficit is projected to escalate substantially over the next five years, ballooning to $17.6 million in June 2017 unless the department significantly increases revenue, slashes spending or both.

Put Maryland on the list since it sounds like GT isn't interested at all.

My guess is that we end up expanding to 14 teams by 2014.  FSU and GT will join in all sports for 2013 after this summer, and Louisville and Maryland will join for 2014.

Sorry, steve dave.

 

I'm tired.  Edited.

[oneeyedwillie]

Big XII introductory press conference for Bob Bowlsby.

http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=875746&db_oem_id=10410

Has there been any mention that Bob Bowlsby is the most hated AD in Iowa history??

[Skipper44]

'cause of the Stoops thing?

[GoodForAnother]

Big XII introductory press conference for Bob Bowlsby.

http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=875746&db_oem_id=10410

Has there been any mention that Bob Bowlsby is the most hated AD in Iowa history??

if morons from iowa hate him, he's probably an awesome dude

[CyberToothCat]

The more I think about it, the more unlikely it seems that ACC schools will join the Big 12.

The Tobacco Road  mafia (UNC, Duke, Wake, NCSt) are completely committed to the ACC and have no interest in leaving.  UVA is a charter member of the ACC with strong ties to the Carolina four and have no interest in leaving.  UVA and the state of Virginia used strong-arm tactics to force Va Tech's inclusion in the ACC several years ago.  Va Tech will simply not be allowed to leave as a result.  Boston College and Syracuse are not at all attractive to the Big 12 and would not be considered even if they wanted to come.  Georgia Tech appears completely happy in the ACC, rubbing elbows with the academic elite in North Carolina and Virginia.  Miami's football program is squarely in the NCAA's bullseye and deserves the death penalty (though it will probably be a little less than that, they are going to be punished severly).

Who does that leave? Maryland, Clemson, Florida State and Pitt. 
 - Pitt had the chance to join the Big 12 last year when they were in discussions with us, but chose the ACC instead. 
 - Despite Maryland's budget issues, I have a hard time imaging them leaving.  Like UVA, they are a charter member of the ACC.  Their rivalries are in the ACC.  Their identity is based on the east coast.  If they were to entertain the idea of leaving the ACC, I think the only conf they'd go to would be the big 10, and that is only because the big 10 is academically elite like the ACC.
 - Supposedly Clemson will not make the first move, but would be interested if Florida State made the move (see Chip Brown's info).

That brings us to Florida State.  The Big 12's chances of luring in the Noles rests on what the Noles believe. 
 - Do they believe that ND is considering ACC membership? I think the answer is yes, they do believe this. I don't necessarily think they believe it's a strong chance, but I think they believe the ACC's chances are far better than the Big 12's chances of bringing in the Irish.
 - Do they believe that they can continue to compete financially with Florida, even if the ACC's contract is only $18 mil/yr while the SEC's is $25 mil/yr?  Keep in mind that FSU already has a deficit compared to UF based on the current ACC contract ($12.9 mil/yr) compared to the current SEC contract ($17 mil/yr) so there's not going to be a whole lot of change in that area.
 - Do they believe that several eastern teams will join the Big 12 along with them if they decide to go?  At best, I think Clemson would be likely but not guaranteed, and Maryland would likely say no but might be willing to listen.  Would anyone else they care about say Yes or even get an invite?
 - And if it looks like the Big 12 is only expanding to 12, would FSU think it is worth their while to join a league based halfway across the country composed almost entirely of schools with whom FSU has nothing in common?  The revenue differences would have to be astronomical, and I just don't think ESPN values the Big 12 THAT much more than they value the ACC.

I think FSU's best case scenario would be to stay in the ACC.  The ACC would sign a competitive TV contract, the ACC schools would improve their football programs and FSU could be one of the major players in an eastern league that is considered one of the Big Boys in college football.  Failing that, I think FSU's fall back position would be to join the SEC.  The SEC is already the premiere conference in the country and is paid accordingly.  And that would put FSU in a southeastern league with a bunch of regional schools to continue or resume rivalries with.  Only if both of those options fall through, would FSU consider the Big 12.  And even then, I think they might choose to stay in the ACC anyway.

My opinion, if it starts to look like FSU is seriously considering the Big 12, the SEC would swoop in with an offer and the Noles would take it.  The SEC would still have one opening, so they could still try to pry loose a school in VA or NC if they wanted, or they could consider Miami, or they could even change their minds on WVU or maybe try again for one of the Oklahoma schools or look at SMU in Dallas.  Most likely, the SEC and ACC will each stay at 14 teams.  The Big 12 will stay at 10 or add Louisville and ??? (USF? BYU? Rutgers? UConn?) to expand to 12, and then the realignment craze will die down for a few years.

[SkinnyBenny]

The more I think about it, the more unlikely it seems that ACC schools will join the Big 12.

The Tobacco Road  mafia (UNC, Duke, Wake, NCSt) are completely committed to the ACC and have no interest in leaving.  UVA is a charter member of the ACC with strong ties to the Carolina four and have no interest in leaving.  UVA and the state of Virginia used strong-arm tactics to force Va Tech's inclusion in the ACC several years ago.  Va Tech will simply not be allowed to leave as a result.  Boston College and Syracuse are not at all attractive to the Big 12 and would not be considered even if they wanted to come.  Georgia Tech appears completely happy in the ACC, rubbing elbows with the academic elite in North Carolina and Virginia.  Miami's football program is squarely in the NCAA's bullseye and deserves the death penalty (though it will probably be a little less than that, they are going to be punished severly).

Who does that leave? Maryland, Clemson, Florida State and Pitt. 
 - Pitt had the chance to join the Big 12 last year when they were in discussions with us, but chose the ACC instead. 
 - Despite Maryland's budget issues, I have a hard time imaging them leaving.  Like UVA, they are a charter member of the ACC.  Their rivalries are in the ACC.  Their identity is based on the east coast.  If they were to entertain the idea of leaving the ACC, I think the only conf they'd go to would be the big 10, and that is only because the big 10 is academically elite like the ACC.
 - Supposedly Clemson will not make the first move, but would be interested if Florida State made the move (see Chip Brown's info).

That brings us to Florida State.  The Big 12's chances of luring in the Noles rests on what the Noles believe. 
 - Do they believe that ND is considering ACC membership? I think the answer is yes, they do believe this. I don't necessarily think they believe it's a strong chance, but I think they believe the ACC's chances are far better than the Big 12's chances of bringing in the Irish.
 - Do they believe that they can continue to compete financially with Florida, even if the ACC's contract is only $18 mil/yr while the SEC's is $25 mil/yr?  Keep in mind that FSU already has a deficit compared to UF based on the current ACC contract ($12.9 mil/yr) compared to the current SEC contract ($17 mil/yr) so there's not going to be a whole lot of change in that area.
 - Do they believe that several eastern teams will join the Big 12 along with them if they decide to go?  At best, I think Clemson would be likely but not guaranteed, and Maryland would likely say no but might be willing to listen.  Would anyone else they care about say Yes or even get an invite?
 - And if it looks like the Big 12 is only expanding to 12, would FSU think it is worth their while to join a league based halfway across the country composed almost entirely of schools with whom FSU has nothing in common?  The revenue differences would have to be astronomical, and I just don't think ESPN values the Big 12 THAT much more than they value the ACC.

I think FSU's best case scenario would be to stay in the ACC.  The ACC would sign a competitive TV contract, the ACC schools would improve their football programs and FSU could be one of the major players in an eastern league that is considered one of the Big Boys in college football.  Failing that, I think FSU's fall back position would be to join the SEC.  The SEC is already the premiere conference in the country and is paid accordingly.  And that would put FSU in a southeastern league with a bunch of regional schools to continue or resume rivalries with.  Only if both of those options fall through, would FSU consider the Big 12.  And even then, I think they might choose to stay in the ACC anyway.

My opinion, if it starts to look like FSU is seriously considering the Big 12, the SEC would swoop in with an offer and the Noles would take it.  The SEC would still have one opening, so they could still try to pry loose a school in VA or NC if they wanted, or they could consider Miami, or they could even change their minds on WVU or maybe try again for one of the Oklahoma schools or look at SMU in Dallas.  Most likely, the SEC and ACC will each stay at 14 teams.  The Big 12 will stay at 10 or add Louisville and ??? (USF? BYU? Rutgers? UConn?) to expand to 12, and then the realignment craze will die down for a few years.

stfu

[wetwillie]

The more I think about it, the more unlikely it seems that ACC schools will join the Big 12.

The Tobacco Road  mafia (UNC, Duke, Wake, NCSt) are completely committed to the ACC and have no interest in leaving.  UVA is a charter member of the ACC with strong ties to the Carolina four and have no interest in leaving.  UVA and the state of Virginia used strong-arm tactics to force Va Tech's inclusion in the ACC several years ago.  Va Tech will simply not be allowed to leave as a result.  Boston College and Syracuse are not at all attractive to the Big 12 and would not be considered even if they wanted to come.  Georgia Tech appears completely happy in the ACC, rubbing elbows with the academic elite in North Carolina and Virginia.  Miami's football program is squarely in the NCAA's bullseye and deserves the death penalty (though it will probably be a little less than that, they are going to be punished severly).

Who does that leave? Maryland, Clemson, Florida State and Pitt. 
 - Pitt had the chance to join the Big 12 last year when they were in discussions with us, but chose the ACC instead. 
 - Despite Maryland's budget issues, I have a hard time imaging them leaving.  Like UVA, they are a charter member of the ACC.  Their rivalries are in the ACC.  Their identity is based on the east coast.  If they were to entertain the idea of leaving the ACC, I think the only conf they'd go to would be the big 10, and that is only because the big 10 is academically elite like the ACC.
 - Supposedly Clemson will not make the first move, but would be interested if Florida State made the move (see Chip Brown's info).

That brings us to Florida State.  The Big 12's chances of luring in the Noles rests on what the Noles believe. 
 - Do they believe that ND is considering ACC membership? I think the answer is yes, they do believe this. I don't necessarily think they believe it's a strong chance, but I think they believe the ACC's chances are far better than the Big 12's chances of bringing in the Irish.
 - Do they believe that they can continue to compete financially with Florida, even if the ACC's contract is only $18 mil/yr while the SEC's is $25 mil/yr?  Keep in mind that FSU already has a deficit compared to UF based on the current ACC contract ($12.9 mil/yr) compared to the current SEC contract ($17 mil/yr) so there's not going to be a whole lot of change in that area.
 - Do they believe that several eastern teams will join the Big 12 along with them if they decide to go?  At best, I think Clemson would be likely but not guaranteed, and Maryland would likely say no but might be willing to listen.  Would anyone else they care about say Yes or even get an invite?
 - And if it looks like the Big 12 is only expanding to 12, would FSU think it is worth their while to join a league based halfway across the country composed almost entirely of schools with whom FSU has nothing in common?  The revenue differences would have to be astronomical, and I just don't think ESPN values the Big 12 THAT much more than they value the ACC.

I think FSU's best case scenario would be to stay in the ACC.  The ACC would sign a competitive TV contract, the ACC schools would improve their football programs and FSU could be one of the major players in an eastern league that is considered one of the Big Boys in college football.  Failing that, I think FSU's fall back position would be to join the SEC.  The SEC is already the premiere conference in the country and is paid accordingly.  And that would put FSU in a southeastern league with a bunch of regional schools to continue or resume rivalries with.  Only if both of those options fall through, would FSU consider the Big 12.  And even then, I think they might choose to stay in the ACC anyway.

My opinion, if it starts to look like FSU is seriously considering the Big 12, the SEC would swoop in with an offer and the Noles would take it.  The SEC would still have one opening, so they could still try to pry loose a school in VA or NC if they wanted, or they could consider Miami, or they could even change their minds on WVU or maybe try again for one of the Oklahoma schools or look at SMU in Dallas.  Most likely, the SEC and ACC will each stay at 14 teams.  The Big 12 will stay at 10 or add Louisville and ??? (USF? BYU? Rutgers? UConn?) to expand to 12, and then the realignment craze will die down for a few years.

stfu

No crap, unless your name is panj you can kindly keep your dumbass long winded bullshit out of this thread

[oneeyedwillie]

Big XII introductory press conference for Bob Bowlsby.

http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=875746&db_oem_id=10410

Has there been any mention that Bob Bowlsby is the most hated AD in Iowa history??

if morons from iowa hate him, he's probably an awesome dude

If morons from iowa hate him, morons from kansas think he's awesome dude?

[Panjandrum]

I think FSU's best case scenario would be to stay in the ACC.  The ACC would sign a competitive TV contract, the ACC schools would improve their football programs and FSU could be one of the major players in an eastern league that is considered one of the Big Boys in college football.  Failing that, I think FSU's fall back position would be to join the SEC.  The SEC is already the premiere conference in the country and is paid accordingly.  And that would put FSU in a southeastern league with a bunch of regional schools to continue or resume rivalries with.  Only if both of those options fall through, would FSU consider the Big 12.  And even then, I think they might choose to stay in the ACC anyway.

Your premise is flawed because this isn't going to happen.  Even after the additions of Pitt and Syracuse, ESPN said that the payout for each school is capped at $15 million.  Maximum.  Which is $4 million, annually, less that what our ten members will get after renegotiations.

My opinion, if it starts to look like FSU is seriously considering the Big 12, the SEC would swoop in with an offer and the Noles would take it.  The SEC would still have one opening, so they could still try to pry loose a school in VA or NC if they wanted, or they could consider Miami, or they could even change their minds on WVU or maybe try again for one of the Oklahoma schools or look at SMU in Dallas.  Most likely, the SEC and ACC will each stay at 14 teams.  The Big 12 will stay at 10 or add Louisville and ??? (USF? BYU? Rutgers? UConn?) to expand to 12, and then the realignment craze will die down for a few years.

No, the SEC won't ever invite FSU.  They have no reason to invite FSU.  They bring them nothing.  They already have the most popular program in the state of Florida anchoring their conference.  If the ACC were to start crumbling, and people were looking for lifeboats, and the SEC wanted to go to 16 (which they don't), VT and NC State are getting the invites.  FSU is down on the list because Slive wants to get into Virginia and North Carolina footprints.

[Panjandrum]

Oh, and it's pretty clear that this conference has no intention of inviting Louisville unless they need a round number and can't get anyone better.  We aren't going to invite Louisville and then go get USF, Rutgers, or UConn.  Dodds would walk around the room and personally slap everyone in the face who even suggested the idea.

[sonofdaxjones]

I am with Panj (mainly because I want to see that happen).

The ACC "bluebloods" have always looked down their noses at FSU, because FSU was like an SEC team in the ACC, Clemson and VT aren't that far behind.   Those 3 schools have a very different feel about them in regards to football.   NC State sort of fits that mold as well, but not as much as FSU, Clem and VT.   

[GoodForAnother]

Big XII introductory press conference for Bob Bowlsby.

http://www.big12sports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=875746&db_oem_id=10410

Has there been any mention that Bob Bowlsby is the most hated AD in Iowa history??

if morons from iowa hate him, he's probably an awesome dude

If morons from iowa hate him, morons from kansas think he's awesome dude?

what

[Skipper44]

Pan, why do think the SEC does not want to go to 16?  I think they are just waiting for somebody else to be the aggressor so they can get VT and a NC school.  14 is such an awkward number.

[Stevesie60]

I find it funny that NC St is more attractive than UNC or Duke. KU should probably take note.

[michigancat]

I find it funny that NC St is more attractive than UNC or Duke. KU should probably take note.

I think it's just more logical that they'd leave. They got the shaft when the ACC expanded.

[Skipper44]

UNC is $live's Notre Dame but I don't think he can corner them unless the big 12 totally destroys the Acc by taking 6 teams and UNC is faced with a choice to join the yanks(big 10) stick with thier rebel brethren or try to stay as the big dog the state while in a hoops centric league and NCSU gets rich in the SEC. 

I think UNC boosters have to look at what has happened with VT and ask themselves if they want to be more like UVa or Uk.

[wabash909]

FSU or Clemson do nothing to expand the SEC's TV footprint and are both going to be blackballed by their in-state SEC counterparts.  V-Tech will more be likely at the top of their list, should CU of FSU jump to the Big XII.

[SkinnyBenny]

FSU or Clemson do nothing to expand the SEC's TV footprint and are both going to be blackballed by their in-state SEC counterparts.  V-Tech will more be likely at the top of their list, should CU of FSU jump to the Big XII.

I guess that's true, and I understand the expanding your footprint/get more TV dollars thing...but if it came down to being between a top-tier program like FSU and getting, like, NCST, wouldn't the SEC at least have to THINK about how much more prestige and national interest on a weekly basis FSU would bring than NCST?  Wouldn't that at least be something to consider?  I mean even though they already have TV sets in the state of Florida, couldn't they also crank up the value of contracts and advertising deals even more if they had a dope-ass team like FSU than with some crap team in Raleigh?

[CyberToothCat]

I think FSU's best case scenario would be to stay in the ACC.  The ACC would sign a competitive TV contract, the ACC schools would improve their football programs and FSU could be one of the major players in an eastern league that is considered one of the Big Boys in college football.  Failing that, I think FSU's fall back position would be to join the SEC.  The SEC is already the premiere conference in the country and is paid accordingly.  And that would put FSU in a southeastern league with a bunch of regional schools to continue or resume rivalries with.  Only if both of those options fall through, would FSU consider the Big 12.  And even then, I think they might choose to stay in the ACC anyway.

Your premise is flawed because this isn't going to happen.  Even after the additions of Pitt and Syracuse, ESPN said that the payout for each school is capped at $15 million.  Maximum.  Which is $4 million, annually, less that what our ten members will get after renegotiations.

My opinion, if it starts to look like FSU is seriously considering the Big 12, the SEC would swoop in with an offer and the Noles would take it.  The SEC would still have one opening, so they could still try to pry loose a school in VA or NC if they wanted, or they could consider Miami, or they could even change their minds on WVU or maybe try again for one of the Oklahoma schools or look at SMU in Dallas.  Most likely, the SEC and ACC will each stay at 14 teams.  The Big 12 will stay at 10 or add Louisville and ??? (USF? BYU? Rutgers? UConn?) to expand to 12, and then the realignment craze will die down for a few years.

No, the SEC won't ever invite FSU.  They have no reason to invite FSU.  They bring them nothing.  They already have the most popular program in the state of Florida anchoring their conference.  If the ACC were to start crumbling, and people were looking for lifeboats, and the SEC wanted to go to 16 (which they don't), VT and NC State are getting the invites.  FSU is down on the list because Slive wants to get into Virginia and North Carolina footprints.

It's not my premise in that it's not what I think will happen.  That is just what I think FSU is hoping for as their best case scearnio.

And as for the SEC never inviting FSU... isn't that exactly the same thing we used to say about TCU here in the Big 12?  The bring nothing to the table.  They have a tiny fanbase, they are in a media market we already own and they are in recruiting territory we already control.  So why did we add them?  They got the invite to join the Big 12 when we learned that the SEC had asked them out on a date.  We had to defend our territory.  It was better to double up in our media markets than to let the SEC have unfettered access to DFW.  I think the SEC looks at FSU in much the same way.  As long as FSU is in the ACC and the SEC does not view the ACC as a threat, then there's no need to invite them.  But if it looks like OU and UT are suddenly going to have a strong presence in the prime recruiting territory that the SEC owns, they can change their minds just as easily as we did.

I still think that FSU is hoping the ACC can come through for them and they can stay right where they are.  That's their best case scenario.  If that doesn't work out, I think they would want the SEC far more than they would want to be in the Big 12.  They're flirting with the Big 12 just to get the SEC's attention (if indeed, there is any contact between the Big 12 and FSU).  If the ACC option ends up not working, FSU is trying to make sure that their backup option, the SEC, is primed and ready.

[wabash909]

FSU or Clemson do nothing to expand the SEC's TV footprint and are both going to be blackballed by their in-state SEC counterparts.  V-Tech will more be likely at the top of their list, should CU of FSU jump to the Big XII.

I guess that's true, and I understand the expanding your footprint/get more TV dollars thing...but if it came down to being between a top-tier program like FSU and getting, like, NCST, wouldn't the SEC at least have to THINK about how much more prestige and national interest on a weekly basis FSU would bring than NCST?  Wouldn't that at least be something to consider?  I mean even though they already have TV sets in the state of Florida, couldn't they also crank up the value of contracts and advertising deals even more if they had a dope-ass team like FSU than with some crap team in Raleigh?

I think V-Tech/Clemson still seems more plausible to take them to 16.  V-Tech adds the important DC market and Clemson wouldn't bring the resistance form Florida.  FSU's biggest stumbling block is UF.  They carry OU/Texas type clout in the SEC and they'll fight the hell out of their inclusion.  Supposedly this was a big stumbling block the last time around when they settled on MU.

[sonofdaxjones]

I always like to look at this.  Of the 10 largest crowds in Doak Campbell Stadium history only one of them was an ACC team at the time and that was the Chuck "just getting his head coaching legs under him before he took over for Bowden" Amato games.   

FSU only has 2 marquee home game next year and its a non conference game against Florida, the other is Clemson early in the year.  Otherwise its:  Murray State, Savannah State, Wake Forest, Boston College, Duke.      

[CyberToothCat]

Ugh.  You're right about FSU's schedule.

vs Murray State
vs Savannah St
vs Wake Forest
vs Clemson
vs Boston College
vs Duke
vs Florida

(road games at South Florida, NC State, Miami, Va Tech and Maryland)

If they did decide to join the Big 12, their schedule would certainly be a lot more attractive.  Especially since they'll keep Florida as a non-con foe and Clemson would supposedly be coming with them, so the two best games on the schedule would follow them to the Big 12.

[Katpappy]

This might be KatLukeDaddy but...

On Thursday evening Cemetery Hill spoke with sources familiar with the discussion of Big 12 expansion and learned the following information:
 
- Per these sources Clemson and Florida State will likely join the Big 12 in all sports effective in 2013. At this time the Big 12 will only expand by two teams, and possibly look to add additional teams in 2014 or beyond.
 
- The new Big 12 commisioner will be announced on Friday as Bob Bowlsby, who is leaving his post as AD at Stanford. We would not expect Bowlsby or anyone associated with this rumored expansion to acknowledge anything right away.
 
- The new Big 12 TV contract with the two new schools to be added we're told will approach 30 million per team.
 
- Approximately 3.5 million of the 30 million will be derived from the conference championship game.
 
-The first Big 12 Championship with the two new teams will be played at Cowboy Stadium aka Jerry World.
 
- The Big 12 is expected to contribute 10 million dollars per team to the ACC's buyout of 20 million. This is similar to what the Big 12 did with West Virginia.
 
- Rumors of Clemson and Florida State using the Big 12 as leverage for an invitation to the SEC have been charaterized as pure speculation by sources, who indicated these programs are Big 12 bound. We were also told that a move could be very swift after the BCS meetings in June.
 
From a financial standpoint, it's hard to see how Clemson and Florida State could turn down a deal like this, assuming these numbers are indeed accurate. Furthermore, the spectre of the ACC being left out of the proposed 4 team, RPI driven playoff system, makes a move of this nature almost a requirement if schools like Clemson and Florida State wish to compete for a national title.
 
However, much rumor and speculation has occured in the last few years with respect to conference realignment and expansion, so some degree of caution should be exercised until a formal annoucement is issued. With that said, our sources indicated representatives from Clemson and Florida State have been in Texas for meetings with the Big 12, and it's only a matter of time before a formal invitation is made to join the Big 12.  
Will there be counters by the ACC that make staying put more attractive? Would the SEC intervene to protect their turf and extend an offer to Clemson and FSU or do they pursue only "new SEC media markets" Will the new BCS playoff take away the Orange Bowl and ACC/Big East affiliation? No matter what happens, the next few months will certainly be interesting to watch.

Ripped from Clemson fan board, Cemetery-Hill

[Panjandrum]

Pan, why do think the SEC does not want to go to 16?  I think they are just waiting for somebody else to be the aggressor so they can get VT and a NC school.  14 is such an awkward number.

A couple of reasons that I won't get too in-depth on, but they're thoughts that I'm currently researching/working through.

14 sucks, but if you go with a 9 game conference schedule, it works alright.  And, there is a trend out there where schools are spending much, much more on non-conference games because teams are charging a higher premium to come play at your place for a 'money' game.  Sun Belt and MAC teams are now demanding 2-for-1's.  It's getting much harder to create a cost-efficient non-conference schedule (Tennessee spent 3.1 million last year on non-con opponents) these days, and on top of that, your conference's TV partners want MORE conference games because they control all of that inventory.  The reason we lost teams but made money on Tier 2 rights is because the nine game conference schedule meant more inventory for them to control.

So, there is a trend slowly building where nine game conference schedules will be the norm.  And to have a nine game conference schedule in a 12 team conference, you get some weird schedules (i.e. Pac-12).  The Big Ten is essentially going to have a nine game conference schedule because of their Pac-12 alliance, but that allows them to have a relatively normal conference schedule.

14 allows you to expand your footprint and logically have a nine game schedule that will make your Tier 2 partners happy.  Also, if you want to build a network, it gives you much more content and inventory.  The SEC isn't going to build a network, yet, but they may when Florida's deal with Sun Sports expires.  This was also their golden chance to get a Texas school in the fold, and they weren't going to mess with that.  There's also momentum out there for the SEC to ultimately adopt a nine game conference schedule, so everything I said applies to my argument FOR fourteen above.

16 is just weird because you go back to needing an eight game conference schedule for symmetry, or you get something even more absurd in terms of scheduling.  Also, the WAC was just executed gangster style by the Sun Belt and Conference USA, and the most progressive thing the WAC ever did was go to 16 teams.  So, the model for complete and total failure thus far is 16 teams, so not many people are going to try that.

I could probably go on more and more, but those are the bullet points.

[Panjandrum]

I find it funny that NC St is more attractive than UNC or Duke. KU should probably take note.

I think it's just more logical that they'd leave. They got the shaft when the ACC expanded.

NC State is the sacrificial lamb that UNC and Duke would offer up to the SEC gods (if necessary) so they can keep their hardwood Xanadu.

NC State is also the one that seems to care the most about football, historically.