Now that we have Lovo in place, he will get to deal with realignment whenever that occurs. I like that he has some Texas ties. The more that I think about a potential 2 league CFB powerhouse model, I have grown liking the SEC fit better. I do not see the SEC and B1G merging together to keep everyone out, rather they want to be the biggest boy on the block. Thus, expansion will occur via picking off teams from ACC and B12, then ND will figure out where they want to land. ND may stay independant w/ certain leftovers scrambling into a mini-P3 conference, better than MWC but not a powerhouse.
I think SEC would be better partners for CU, if it is done correctly. SEC has the following advantages: (1) they seem more flexible than B1G; (2) I think it would be better games across the board, hence a better TV contract than the B1G
sans ND; (3) SEC is committed to a more equal revenue share--they have propped up MSU, Vandy, South Carolina, KY, Ole Miss in lean times for many years, thus not afraid of some parity
and they beware of the UT behemoth taking over (TX sort of shot down the old B12); (4) it would be appealing for CU if SEC expanded West, but not to the West Coast--aka less travel and closer region even to Florida; (5) with good division pods less travel and more old school tradition (most of Big8 together); (6) we seem to be getting more players from the South/Tex/FL and (7) FB is "King" there, no if, ands or buts.
Theoretically, SEC and B1G each go to 48 team model, 24 each taking bits out of both ACC and B12. Just spitballing, use 4 divisions of 6 teams. 9 conference games 5 w/i division, and use NFL type scheduling for remaining 4 (i.e. teams with worst prior records, play weaker teams the next year promoting some parity but add in a blue-blood too), 2 OCC games; and 1 end-of-year conference match-up for seeding/best TV games. End of year games could be mini-playoff 1 v. 4 and 2 v. 3 overall then SEC championship. Other schools play each other for bowl bids and/or seeding, also they equal out conference home games, if possible.
| Florida/Coastal | MTN/TX | Southwest | Southeast |
| 1. FSU | 1. Texas | 1. LSU | 1. GA |
| 2. FL | 2. OU | 2. Arky | 2. GA Tech |
| 3. Miami | 3. Missou | 3. Tex A&M | 3. Bama |
| 4. UNC (maybe), no NC State | 4. CU | 4. Ole Miss | 4. Auburn |
| 5. South Carolina | 5. KU (maybe, hoops dep) | 5. Miss St. | 5. TN |
| 6. Clemson | 6. Utah or BYU, not both | 6. Vandy | 6. KY |
| SMU, TCU, Texh, Okie St possible if no KU, Utah or BYU | | |
Mtn/TX could go a number of different ways. I think CU would get nod as an old Big8. CU would pump up SEC academics, but also some schools are close, not like Stinklon CC. KU would have choice (K-State might go B1G), as would UNC in Coastal based on hoops, and just where they want to land. SMU could be most appealing, however TTU, Houston and TCU would make a pitch, so I could see them jumping KU, UU, but Tex, OU, Missou and KU backing CU. Okie State is a maybe, but only if OU/Gov really makes a push. UU
or BYU would be more for time-zone purposes and a CU travel partner. I put A&M in SW since they really hate playing TX, their rival is Arky & LSU. I tried to maintain most of the traditional rivalries. CU would have to expand Folsom to 70-75K seating to fit in the middle of stadium sizes, and SEC teams travel, so it would fill until Nov. Stinklon CC would be very jealous and try to weasel their way back in with the old Big8/B12 teams.
IMO, the B1G seems doomed to be top-heavy in football and the travel is just nuts. Their AD financial balance sheets are not nearly as strong as that SEC above. From a football perspective, unless you are a B1G guy, the football product is less compelling outside of the few top-tier teams. The B1G the brand of football is just less exciting. The SEC is more exciting, like the B12For hoops in the winter, it is one thing for CU/UT to go to Texas and the South, but another for WC teams traveling to the Northeast given the weather and three hour time change. I'm sure USC and UCLA get very excited for their away hoops trips to Maryland, Rutgers, Eastern PA and Stinklon. CU hoops going on an away basketball swing through Florida would mean nice weather and the beach. I think even with expansion the B1G will be a flyover conference in comparison to expanded SEC, however ND landing there would strengthen that league. If CU went B1G, I feel we would just be little brother in that conference, as a flyover too; sort of like the snobby PAC.
In either SEC or B1G, CU has to get used to playing night football games. We have to accept that given our time zone and TV, but if we swing a Mtn/TX division in SEC that is 1 timezone for 5 games. SEC would be cool b/c we could probably get to play CSU or WY as a later OCC game. G-6 has to take scraps now. Conference play would start earlier. I think once the SEC and B1G make their move, there will be only a few games between them.
FWIW. Go New AD Lovo and Go Buffs!
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