[flamesfan30]

The B1G should change their division names to The Plains and The Rust Belt!

haha yes!

[badger74]

As we wait to hear if the rumors of Maryland & Rutgers to the B1G come to fruition, I thought perhaps maybe I was overdue for another of my ramblings on realignment possibilities. So buckle yourself in and I will postulate on some possibilities from my perch in Texas.

If the rumored moves of Maryland & Rutgers do occur, here are how the lineups for the three impacted would likely look as a result:

B1G - 14 for Football & Hoops

• Legends Division
  
  Iowa
  Michigan
  Michigan State
  Minnesota
  Nebraska
  Northwestern
  Wisconsin
  
  Leaders Division
  
  Illinois
  Indiana
  Maryland
  Ohio State
  Penn State
  Purdue
  Rutgers

ACC - 13 for Football & 14 for Hoops Starting 2015

• Atlantic Division
  
  Boston College
  Clemson
  Florida State
  North Carolina State
  Syracuse
  Wake Forest
  
  Coastal Division
  
  Duke
  Georgia Tech
  Miami
  North Carolina
  Pittsburgh
  Virginia
  Virginia Tech
  
  Notre Dame* (Non-Football Starting 2015)

Big East - 12 for Football & 16 for Hoops

• Central Florida
  Cincinnati
  Connecticut
  DePaul*
  Georgetown*
  Houston
  Louisville
  Marquette*
  Memphis
  Providence*
  St. John's*
  SMU
  South Florida
  Seton Hall*
  Temple
  Villanova*
  
  Football Associates
  
  Boise State
  Navy
  San Diego State

_______________________________

Now let's look at what that would likely mean for each of the leagues as they move forward ...

First off, the B1G would be standing at a number of 14 that as we have seen from the SEC can be a little disjointed. With the Rust Belt declining in population, Jim Delaney is obviously looking to the Eastern Time Zone to boost the league's appeal to television executives. With Maryland & Rutgers, the league would make some nice gets with two of the top ten markets in DC & NYC. My hunch is that the league would once again go fishing in ACC waters hoping to land a pair of big fish that would bring significant TV markets while maintaining the academic reputation in which they pride themselves. Academic scandal withstanding, North Carolina is an obvious target along (would bring in 3 Top-50 markets) with Georgia Tech (ATL is currently market #9). Otherwise they either take another stab at Texas & Oklahoma or settle for random ACC/Big East leftovers. They really missed out on Missouri. Theoretically they could just stand at 14 and hope that Notre Dame changes its mind.

As for the ACC, the rumor that most take as an assumption is that if the Terps bolt then the league immediately invites UConn. It makes sense in that it would even out the football numbers and give the new northern contingent another regional rival. I agree that the league really needs to focus on another football addition. Adding Georgetown may help with the losing the DC market in hoops, but football is driving these efforts. The same goes for St. John's in hoops. Having Duke & UNC playing conference games in MSG would be huge. But again, football trumps all. Is it possible that Swofford makes the trip up to Morgantown with hat in hand to invite the 'Eers? I doubt it but anything is possible. I think the UConn option is probably more attractive unless they choose to stand firm.

The Big East is getting much more interesting. They wouldn't have to do anything. They could stand pat and dump the divisional alignment for football and play a round-robin. Hoops would remain a swollen mess. The rumors are already circulating once again that the seven non-football members of the league would like to split off and bring on other non-football powerhouses like Butler. But it doesn't make financial sense right now. The most likely scenario has them dipping down into C-USA for a full member so that they could keep their nice round divisional splits in football & hoops. The C-USA cupboard is pretty bare but East Carolina & ODU look like easy additions.

Unfortunately all these scenarios don't automatically open up room at the bottom of the FBS hierarchy for a school like us. We really need a couple more schools in the top tier on the move to really get the dominoes falling. But it wouldn't take much more movement to make it possible.

Very impressive. But you have the the Leaders too weak and Wisconsin will remain there as the UW coaches like the east coast exposure as does the admin--many UW students come from the NY/NJ/Ct region plus DC/MD. Move over one of the I schools.

[Sly Fox]

I was purely guessing, badger74. U-Dub made the most sense geographically with the two east coasters coming in. But Illinois would make sense as well.

[Innocent Bystander]

To me, what makes the most sense for the ACC to do to replace Maryland is to add Navy for football only. At that point, Notre Dame and Navy basically share the 14th spot in the conference and the ACC retains a presence in the DC media market.

[Sly Fox]

Not a bad idea, Bystander. But I don't believe Navy brings enough to the table in today's realignment world the way guys like Swofford view life in 2012.

[Kolzilla41]

And it's official. Maryland is going to the Big Ten. I cannot explain how I feel right now.

[Sly Fox]

Once you get over the shock, you will find the Big Ten to be an entertaining league to follow. Just expect everything to be covered in rust.

[LUconn]

I think Maryland is way better off in the Big 10. Big 10 is 100% stable and will always be one of the top conferences. Or at least viewed that way. Which is what is important.

[Kolzilla41]

I think Maryland is way better off in the Big 10. Big 10 is 100% stable and will always be one of the top conferences. Or at least viewed that way. Which is what is important.

It depends on which sport you look at. Maryland pretty much owns lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer right now. Basketball is on the quick rise and football would've won the ACC in the next two years. Not sure how this is a good thing yet. Like Sly said, maybe once the shock wears off but I do not see this as a good thing.

[4everfsu]

I think Maryland is way better off in the Big 10. Big 10 is 100% stable and will always be one of the top conferences. Or at least viewed that way. Which is what is important.

It depends on which sport you look at. Maryland pretty much owns lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer right now. Basketball is on the quick rise and football would've won the ACC in the next two years. Not sure how this is a good thing yet. Like Sly said, maybe once the shock wears off but I do not see this as a good thing.

LMAO

[4everfsu]

Are Maryland and Rugter AAU universities?

[Kolzilla41]

I think Maryland is way better off in the Big 10. Big 10 is 100% stable and will always be one of the top conferences. Or at least viewed that way. Which is what is important.

It depends on which sport you look at. Maryland pretty much owns lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer right now. Basketball is on the quick rise and football would've won the ACC in the next two years. Not sure how this is a good thing yet. Like Sly said, maybe once the shock wears off but I do not see this as a good thing.

Please show me where I posted a joke? Maryland was in first place 5 weeks ago. They're on the 5th QB and 3rd running back. I have no doubt in my mind that will Diggs, Cj Brown being healthy the next two years and incoming classes, they would be right there.

[bluedevilflame]

Are Maryland and Rugter AAU universities?

Yep, will add to the B1G's academic reputation, so that's good I guess. As a Duke and ACC fan I hate to see a charter member go but at the same time, don't let the door hit ya if you want to go. They have one the worst fan bases in the league and I won't miss them in Greensboro. As far as LU goes, hopefully domino's will fall in the Big East having to take an ECU or a ODU from CUSA and the trickle down goes our way.

[Kricket]

A lot of people are saying that the other major conferences are going to start adding teams to keep up with the B1G and SEC. If this is the case I'd like to see the Sun Belt be proactive and start adding a few teams to be ready for the inevitable, or face possibly going the way of the WAC.

[TDDance234]

This will open the floodgates for Florida State and Clemson to pursue other options as well. The ACC will probably go after UConn and Louisville.

[Kricket]

This will open the floodgates for Florida State and Clemson to pursue other options as well. The ACC will probably go after UConn and Louisville.

Depending on how the exit plays out for Maryland, FSU and Clemson may be as good as gone.

[bballfan84]

Are Maryland and Rugter AAU universities?

Yep, will add to the B1G's academic reputation, so that's good I guess. As a Duke and ACC fan I hate to see a charter member go but at the same time, don't let the door hit ya if you want to go. They have one the worst fan bases in the league and I won't miss them in Greensboro. As far as LU goes, hopefully domino's will fall in the Big East having to take an ECU or a ODU from CUSA and the trickle down goes our way.

They are a little rude but they are VERY supportive..this is a hit for the ACC

[bballfan84]

I think Maryland is way better off in the Big 10. Big 10 is 100% stable and will always be one of the top conferences. Or at least viewed that way. Which is what is important.

It depends on which sport you look at. Maryland pretty much owns lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer right now. Basketball is on the quick rise and football would've won the ACC in the next two years. Not sure how this is a good thing yet. Like Sly said, maybe once the shock wears off but I do not see this as a good thing.

I am a huge terp fan (specifically the basketball program) and I am completely bummed. I think in general big ten sports is relatively boring compared to other conferences. I cant stand watching Big Ten basketball games and am thoroughly disappointed in this move as the Terps were making a big move in the ACC basketball wise. This will have to change our recruiting style which is extremely dispapointing. What a great future ahead of us watching 50 pt games and big country farm boys play basketball...UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[4everfsu]

Randy Edsall, enough said.

[Kolzilla41]

Randy Edsall, enough said.

He has done something no other coach has been able to do: Keep the talent in state. They have a top 40 recruiting class in 2013.

[NotAJerry]

@JFowlerCBS: ACC in talks with UConn, Louisville, South Florida and Cincinnati about 14th team to replace Maryland,source to @CBSSports.

Welcome to the next set of dominoes. FSU and Clemson want out right now due to the low level of ACC football. The $50 million exit fee is going to get challenged in court and there's some thought that it won't hold up.

I think you see FSU and Clemson in the Big 12 soon. The only reason they're not going the SEC route is that there's a voting block (Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida) that do everything they can to keep those states with only 1 SEC team. That's the reason why Louisville and Miami aren't on the SEC radar.

If I'm the SEC, I want FSU and Clemson but would strongly consider poaching UNC and VA Tech to give them a footprint that takes them farther up into the mid-atlantic.

If I'm the ACC, I add UConn, Louisville and Cincinnati in hopes of staying strong enough in basketball that the conference is still attractive for TV deals and trying to negotiate football with basketball.

[LUconn]

Which would basically result in a merger of the old Big East and ACC and you'd have a "new" Big East. Best basketball in the land, pray that you keep your BCS bid.

[SumItUp]

The $50 million exit fee is going to get challenged in court and there's some thought that it won't hold up.

I thought it was a unanimous decision and each member of the ACC signed off on the agreement. I'm not sure how you would challenge a voluntary acceptance of an agreement. Regardless of the legal case, I am sure there is a line of attorneys that would charge and gladly accept the exorbitant fees to attempt it.

[NotAJerry]

Which would basically result in a merger of the old Big East and ACC and you'd have a "new" Big East. Best basketball in the land, pray that you keep your BCS bid.

There is no BCS bid for conferences after this year. The playoff system is apparently going to be the top 4 teams in the BCS rankings.

[NotAJerry]

The $50 million exit fee is going to get challenged in court and there's some thought that it won't hold up.

I thought it was a unanimous decision and each member of the ACC signed off on the agreement. I'm not sure how you would challenge a voluntary acceptance of an agreement. Regardless of the legal case, I am sure there is a line of attorneys that would charge and gladly accept the exorbitant fees to attempt it.

Maryland and FSU voted against it. Pretty much tells you they both had a foot out the door even then.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ources-say

Maryland and Florida State were the only two of the ACC's 12 schools that voted against a $50 million exit fee but lost the vote. Maryland president Wallace Loh was quoted in The Washington Post on Sept. 13 as saying he was against the hike from $20 million to $50 million on "legal and philosophical" grounds.