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Sunday, 14 August 2011 00:30

Written by Bob Smizik

The winds of conference expansion are whipping through the power schools of the NCAA and then may soon turn into hurricanes of major change that might -- when they simmer down again -- have an effect of Pitt and West Virginia.

Texas A&M is, according to multiple reports, all but gone to the 12-member Southeastern Conference as early as this week. The Texas A&M regents are meeting tomorrow afternoon with ``conference alignment’’ on the agenda.

The SEC, whose conference presidents are scheduled to meet today, would not stop at 13 member and could add one of three more.

ESPN is reporting that Florida State, Clemson, both members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Missouri, of the Big 12, also might bolt to the SEC. The New York Times suggested Virginia Tech, also of the ACC, could be in consideration for SEC membership.

This is just another example of the fact that money rules college sports and even university presidents have no control.

Pete Thamel of the New York Times wrote:

``The same forces that drove expansion in 2010 —  ego and money —  have re-emerged this summer. Only in this era of college sports could a university like Texas A&M prompt potential seismic changes in the landscape. Consider that the Aggies’ last Big 12 title in football was in 1998 and their lone bowl victory since 1995 came in the Galleryfurniture.com Bowl.’’

The Texas A&M move could be the result of, as Thamel wrote, ego. The Aggies are second dog in their home state behind Texas, one of the true giants of the college sports world. A slot in the SEC, the power football conference, would remove the Aggies from some of the Texas shadow.

Texas A&M is attractive to the SEC not so much for its average football program but for the entre it gives the league into the populous state of Texas.

Should teams bolt the ACC, which is geographically adjacent to the Big East, that would immediately put Pitt and West Virginia in play.

If the ACC loses members, it currently stands at 12, it will be quickly be looking for replacements. It was the ACC that raided the Big East, taking Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College, so that it could get up to 12 members. It would not likely remain below that number for long.

Not that Pitt and West Virginia would necessarily be the first choice of the ACC. Syracuse and Rutgers would be under consideration, as well as Connecticut as a partner in New England for Boston College.

But with little power and less clout the Big East and its members can't do much but sit around and wait for this latest storm of realignment to abate -- and hope they are included.

* * *

Pat Forde, ESPN.com: Realignment rumors again rampant

Stewart Mandel, SI.com: What makes sense for the SEC

Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: NCAA's lost mission

Comments (32)

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written by rosss1001, August 14, 2011 - 01:17 AM

With no FSU or Virginia Tech, the ACC is as powerless as they come. The ACC actually is dead in the water without those two, end of story. The Big East would be in the drivers seat. The ACC, not the Big East, will be over. It will shake up everything, and the Big East is well positioned for a better TV contract - WITH MORE money per school than the ACC and the Big 12. This all shakes out, and mark my words Maryland and Boston College are as good as a done deal to the Big East. I'd be very, very nervous if I were the ACC right now. The Big East will likely pull in Kansas and Kansas St. as well. In this era, having a ton of basketball schools isn't the end of the world, especially if one is Kansas. The Big East - already king of college basketball by a mile - would be like the NBA of college basketball with the rest looking like of the NCAA Div. II. It would be a basketball world of it's own.

Football would be strong as any. Yes, the SEC is king of college football and this just strengthens it. But, you don't have to be king to be highly profitable. You just need a lot of good markets and good teams. The Big East - bet the house - will end up having that and more. It's so logical how this will play out, and Miami will be left out. ahhhh the irony!

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written by cptantilles, August 14, 2011 - 01:54 AM

I, too, think the ACC is the big loser in this game. Considering that it was their greed that started all this garbage with their raid on the Big East, it looks like the chickens are coming home to roost!

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written by a guest, August 14, 2011 - 01:56 AM

I agree with Bob and disagree with rosss1001. The ACC is the more desirable conference compared against the Big East. The Big East does not have enough football history. They have fewer powerhouse schools, where by powerhouse, I am talking sports powerhouse and not necessarily academic powerhouse. The ACC will decide who they want from the Big East, and the Big East school will jump with open arms.

Yes, it is highly possible that the Big East will receive a bigger tv contract, but that is only in the short term. It is the result of fortuitous timing and not of conference prestige or revenue potential.

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written by Scooter, August 14, 2011 - 02:22 AM

Agree with a guest.

Football is the driver here, not basketball. Geographically, the Atlantic Coast south of the Mason-Dixon Line is gaining population; the Rust Belt is dying.

The ACC is darn near as good as the Big East in basketball, and UNC and Duke are ahead of any Big East program in terms of marquee.

Nah, the Big East will be the loser. Maybe the Big East can get Central Michigan, Miami (O.) and Toledo to bolt the MAC.

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written by Burgher in California, August 14, 2011 - 03:23 AM

I'm really tired of all this instability. You'd think there would be a way to divvy up the various teams into various conferences and divisions and keep them there.

That said, seeing the ACC take it on the chin is kind of nice. They started all this a few years ago by grabbing teams from the Big East.

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written by fried003, August 14, 2011 - 06:50 AM

VA Tech would be a good pick-up for the SEC as they're solid in football & would deliver a lot of the Washington DC market + smaller markets such as the Tidewater area, Richmond & Roanoake. Adding Clemson would be like the Big 10 adding Pitt; a non-factor in terms of TV markets. FSU also doesn't bring anything to that table.

IF VA Tech would go, the ACC is weakened as that has been their consistently best football program (though not biggest name). The Big East would be wise to try & lure a few ACC schools such as UMD, BC & GA Tech - then ditch the basketball only members.

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written by Retire#21, August 14, 2011 - 07:27 AM

The SEC may get stronger by gaining some access to the Texas recruiting grounds, but they certainly gain nothing by adding Texas A&M as a team in their conference. A&M is a mediocre program in a league which is top heavy. Once they go to the SEC, they'll be fortunate to average 6-7 wins a year.

As for other Big East teams bolting for the ACC, the last wave left because the money was so much greater. That won't be the case this time.

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written by Joe D, August 14, 2011 - 07:36 AM

ACC
ACC
ACC
ACC.... lets go to the ACC..

Pitt needs to be proactive in making the move and go to the ACC. The Big East will fall apart or become a basketball only league!!! Time to move to ACC and all sports will be relevant. ACC is a better football league than Big East...

I see Pitt, Rutgers, UConn going to ACC!!! Think media markets and education. It's not going to be WVU.

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written by kevin morris, August 14, 2011 - 08:11 AM

ACC teams will flock to the Big East around the time Playboy bunnies fight for the chance to throw themselves at me.
ACC teams get over $18 million a year in football TV money, Big East teams about $4 million. Nothing else matters, but the ACC is a classy conference with some great academic institutions, and the basketball is right there with the Big East. Every team in the Big East would join the ACC if invited.

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written by csf, August 14, 2011 - 08:13 AM

two years ago, we went thru countless scenarios on this blog, yet the one scenario never considered was the B10 taking only Nebraska.

Yes, this looks like the start of something big .. but then again, maybe it's not

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written by alagon, August 14, 2011 - 08:17 AM

All of this is speculation at this point. Texas A&M is the only sure bet to move, so let's see where the initial dust settles first before jumping conclusions. If you recall, at this point of the last realignment round, the Big East was doomed and yet emerged with TCU and irons in the fire at several other schools.

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written by kevin morris, August 14, 2011 - 08:27 AM

Is there any chance the SEC will be throwing someone out? Expanding beyond 12 doesn't really make economic sense.

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written by PantherMan, August 14, 2011 - 08:36 AM

Please... let this be the death of this amalgamation called the Big East - a conference being run by Providence College.

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written by moonunit, August 14, 2011 - 09:32 AM

The absurdity of college athletics is in its hypocrisy. You can't chase TV revenue and championship games for the sole purpose of money AND still say this about educating students & student athletes.

Once John Swofford, commish of the ACC, announced his quest for $$$, the entire endeavor changed. Finally, it was up front & known - its ABOUT $$$.

That said, now be totally honest and recognize the $$$ comes from viewers wanting to see the talent. THUS PAY THE TALENT.

They want their cake & eat it too. And don't tell me about the free education & meals BS, that's value is at a retail perceived value. There are few actual dollars in play for a university to free ride athletes.

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written by heartbeatsings, August 14, 2011 - 09:39 AM

Why not Pitt to the SEC? Pittsburgh is South of New York and East of Los Angelos. Plus, the university leading the nation lsat year in players who have a criminal record should be appealing to the SEC. And they'd be another win on the schedule for most of the SEC football teams.

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written by snoel, August 14, 2011 - 09:53 AM

If I were the Big East commish, I'd be adding Navy, and really putting the squeeze on Maryland to bolt the ACC. The Big East "southern division" of Pitt, Louisville, S. Florida, Navy and Maryland would be interesting.

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written by snoel, August 14, 2011 - 09:54 AM

and WVU of course.

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written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 10:09 AM

"and hope they are included." You crack me up sometimes. I think the Big East commissioner has made it abundantly clear, on numerous occasions, that they are proactive and interested in staying together as a conference. I think they just added TCU to prove as much. I think the ACC is a weaker conference than the Big East, especially when both major sports are taken into consideration. And I think some people need to let it rest. Sone day you maybe right, and the Big East may break apart. And you'll be celebrating, toasting champagne and saying, "I told you so." Even if that day doesn't come for another 20 years. lol

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written by a guest, August 14, 2011 - 10:11 AM

Leaving the Big East for the ACC without Florida St, Clemson, and possibly VT would not be an upgrade at all over the Big East. Pitt should stay put and the Big East should try to lure teams like NC, NC State, and Miami.

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written by bennett8111, August 14, 2011 - 10:22 AM

So, our choice is to stay in the BEast football league, which is a non-equity in the bowls and lose the prestigious basketball conference or go to the ACC, where Duke and NC dominate basketball and then offer little else to the fan. Their football league is essentially all of the Ex-BEast teams, Miami, BC, VT, so maybe we could compete against them? I see it as a choice by administration of who keeps their major focus, basketball or football and in my estimation, I would never give up the bb affiliation as it is the most dominanant conference around. Choose well, Chancellor! I'll stay put for now but the Big Ten, now, that is another question!

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written by a guest, August 14, 2011 - 12:34 PM

If the above-mentioned schools would leave the ACC, the Big East would be in the driver's seat; not the ACC.

The Big East is a better basketball conference.

The ACC is barely above the Big East in football. I am not sure they would even maintain that status if those schools left.

Bring in BC, VA Tech, and Maryland and you have one heckuva football and basketball conference.

Make BC and VA Tech have buy-outs that if they bolt again, it costs them gazillions.

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written by kevin morris, August 14, 2011 - 03:00 PM

18 is more than four times four. Even Big East presidents can do math.

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written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 03:27 PM

But even they can't absorb the brilliance of your prescient min, Kevin. All conferences, and certainly all members of this blog, bow humbly before thee.

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written by Joe Lawrence, August 14, 2011 - 04:36 PM

So if the Aggies bolt and I am the B12, I try to grab TCU. If Im TCU, I say thanks to the BE and take the offer. BE back to 8.

Interesting thought about the SEC dropping a school. In my mind that would be Vandy, which would make an excellent choice for either the B10 or the ACC.

Have to wonder if the B10 revisits expansion to pre-empt a move by the ACC to have its choice of BE schools.

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written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 05:36 PM

Do you seriously think the BE commissioner is incompetent enough to sign TCU up to an agreement that would permit them to just say "No Thanks" to their BE CONTRACT? Nice try, but it's not an offer, dude, it's a contract.

I imagine you and other bloggers salivate each time there's a possible reason for the BE, as it is currently constituted, to fall apart, because you wish to be in other conferences, for whatever misguided reasons. But the fact is that there are boatloads of smarter-than-you folks whose job it is to try and predict these sorts of "sake up" events, and who try, contrary to your desires, to keep Pitt's conference together.

So far, so good, and thank goodness you and your ilk don't pretend to be Pitt fans. What? You do? Well, I guess the BE and it's university members might know a bit more than you about what's best for Pitt, etc.

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written by rico1349, August 14, 2011 - 06:52 PM

Why would any conference consider new membership for someone within their borders? I thought the idea was to add TVs to the network. VaTech, Clemson, FSU and GaTech are all within the SEC area. Texas A&M is not. The more likely Scenario would include Oklahoma and Missouri to the SEC. If A&M causes the demise of the Big 12, it would not surprise me to see Texas go Independant and Baylor and a few others to the MWC. Kansas would be a nice addition to the Big East especially since the Big East is the only conference who hasn't finalized their TV deal (after turning down ESPN). Look for them on NBCSports, formerly Versus.

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written by wee willie wallace, August 14, 2011 - 08:31 PM

written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 05:36 PM

"Do you seriously think the BE commissioner is incompetent enough to sign TCU up to an agreement that would permit them to just say "No Thanks" to their BE CONTRACT? Nice try, but it's not an offer, dude, it's a contract."

Ryan-- I tend to agree with you, but don't forget that BC and VA Tech bolted less than one year after assuring/promising the league that they would not.

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written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 09:03 PM

But BC and VA Tech had been in house got years, in what seemed a comfortable conference. I can easily imagine contractual penalties being lax at that point. The ink is still wet on the TCU agreement, however. I feel certain it wasn't signed without adequate assurances built into it.

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written by kevin morris, August 14, 2011 - 09:19 PM

written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 03:27 PM
"But even they can't absorb the brilliance of your prescient min, Kevin. All conferences, and certainly all members of this blog, bow humbly before thee."
No need to bow, a smart salute will be sufficient. Good to see you finally understand that it's the almighty dollar that determines how these decisions are made.
And by the way, I graduated from Pitt, my wife did, and so did my daughter. I've had Pitt season tickets for longer than most folks on this blog have been alive-long before the Big East even came into existence.

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written by RyanGraham, August 14, 2011 - 09:26 PM

Yet you don't live here, Kevin, which makes you one of the biggest liars on this blog.

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written by kevin morris, August 15, 2011 - 11:01 AM

Ryan, after a short visit to the brain-numbingly boring flatlands of Iowa I am, since last year, back at home in Pittsburgh, actually back in the same house I lived in before my sojourn to the midwest. But technically you are right, I did go a year without my season seats, although the group I went in with continued to get theirs in my absense. I am now once again a proud Pitt season ticket holder.

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written by RyanGraham, August 16, 2011 - 10:13 AM

Very good. Welcome back. Please do your best to enjoy BIG EAST Pitt Football for years to come.

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