Even more conference expansion....ugh.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Well what started to be rumors started by WVU bloggers is somehow coming to fruition. Florida State BOT's seem to be very much interested in at least exploring the idea of joining the Big 12. To aid the rumors of FSU looking elsewhere, Clemson has been tied to them basically because they are another lower academic/Football powerhouse(at least Clemson fans think they are) that would fit the Big 12 criteria. First off, I don't read too far into the rumors and the gripes. But my understanding is that the ACC-ESPN deal is not that of what it was supposed to be. FSU athletics have not exactly been raking in the money as you would think. The recent struggles the past few seasons, and by struggles I mean just being average and the weak home schedules the Seminoles are playing. The Noles open with two straight yawn filled home games, Murray State and Savannah State. Florida and Clemson are the only home games that will be sell outs. So they are struggling, and their BOT's believe the ACC leaders have a more Basketball driven mind. I find it hard to believe the conference leaders would be that interested in Basketball. There is virtually no money in the whole scheme of things. So I believe more will unfold as the summer goes on, and things will take place. I really don't know how things will go as we have seen these things are basically unpredictable. Some people are calling for complete chaos and VT and NC State make the SEC go to 16. FSU,Clemson,Miami,and possibly Pitt come to Big 12 to make it a 14 team league. That seems really out in Left Field.

From my Pitt perspective....
Pitt is better off in the ACC. As the league stands now, Pitt can see home games with VT and Miami(which were big draws back when they were in the Big East) They also can see some natural rivalries with Maryland and UVA. And of course games with FSU,Ga Tech, and UNC should draw more than USF,Cincy, and UConn. Pitt has strong alumni bases in ACC territories and the fan base has the possibility to grow. Pitt also maintains their prowess of being a National player in Basketball in what will now be the best league in that department. And of course the $$$. ACC means more cash for Pitt. It is a good research conference as well, as most of the schools are some of the best in the BCS. Pitt could have joined the Big 12 before, they were named as the first candidate before WVU was even thought of. Its my understanding Texas would like to have some academic research minded schools with them in the Big 12, so I think that made them think of Pitt before WVU and Louisville. Pitt waited out the Big East until it left them an ultimatum, the Big 12 came calling first, yet Pitt chose to be in the ACC.

My guess is that FSU ultimately will leave unless they get maybe some leadership changes in the ACC. That would be the league's 11th team, and they will certainly want another partner in that. Every name under the sun will be thrown as candidates....Notre Dame, Clemson,Miami,BYU,Pitt,Louisville ect...

All I know is Pitt is leaving the Big East, and I am very, very happy with that. But will this league expansion thing ever end?

[Crimson's Ghost]

http://www.pittblather.com/2012/05/14/e ... s-the-acc/

Another Pitt guy's take..

[Crimson's Ghost]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... y/19044164

From the FSU President. Financially the move seems lateral even a step back. Bloggers (WVU Bloggers so they can have the mindset they one upped Pitt) seem to think this is a simple no brainer idea for FSU to leave, it doesn't make all that much sense. Time will tell.

[KirkHerbstreit]

After yesterday, the writing is on the wall....get in the SEC, PAC12, BIG10, or BIG12 or watch the national title game on TV. Yesterdays announcement of the SEC playing the BIG 12 rep cleared the way for this. In the next few years, you will have the champs for the PAC12 playing the champs from the Big10 in the Rose Bowl. The SEC Champions will play the Big 12 champs, leaving other conferences on the outside looking in. Eventually, the winners of those games will play in the Championship. Expect poaching to happen soon from the ACC. I think FSU and Clemson will be as good as gone now.

Basically you will have an 8 team playoff for the national title.

Conference championship games
Big 10 Vs. Pac 10
SEC vs. Big 12
National Title game.

It could potentially balloon to a 9 team playoff, if Pitt fans get their wish. The winner of the national title game will play the 1976 Pitt Panthers and their 1976 fans!

[El-Moldo]

The only way you will get a TRUE National Champ in this scenario is, if you drop divisional play in each conference. THEN, you can pit the BEST two teams in each conference against each other, NOT the best team in each division of each conference against each other. For example, take the Big Ten. Let's say in the Legends division, you end up with 3 teams with an 11-1 record at the end of the regular season (Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska). Then let's say in the Leaders division the best record is 8-4 (Wisconsin). Under the present set up, Wisconsin, who is 8-4, would play for the Big Ten Championship against one of the teams (based on a tie-breaker) that is 11-1, and the other two 11-1 teams miss out on the conference championship. Is this fair in determining the eventual National Champion? Now if you pit the BEST TWO Big Ten teams against each other, Wisconsin (who doesn't deserve a shot at the Natinal Championship based on overall record and a lower Top 25 ranking) is eliminated from contention, and only ONE of the 11-1 teams misses out. This, of course is more fair. After all, do you really want an 8-4 team getting into the quarter-finals of the playoffs while 10-15 other teams in the nation with better records are left out of contention????? Keep it the way it is. What's a little controversy. At least in basketball, a team has to win about 6 games to be National Champ. In football, 3 games (quarters, semis, finals) just ain't enough. Even I-AA has 16 teams in the playoffs.