The Fall of the House of the Big XII

It feels like it was a hundred years ago, but it was just last year that Nebraska left the Big XII for a spot in the Big Ten, and Colorado left the Bi XII for a place in the newly re-named PAC-12 (see, Big Ten, you can change your name to accurately reflect the number of teams in your conference). Now, Texas A&M wants to join the SEC, and the SEC has said "sure, come on over." Baylor, Iowa State, and a couple of others are not happy. Let's face it, the Big XII is on the verge of collapse.

When the Big XII finally does breathe its last, there is a high probability that Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas State lose out on seats at the big boys table. Why? Because we are rushing headlong toward four 16-team Super-Conferences: the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and what-will-be-called the PAC-16.

Let's start with the PAC-16. The current PAC-12, with new members Utah and Colorado, are thinking that they will reap the windfall of a collapsing Big XII. The Prevailing thought is that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State will head west. Logistically speaking, simply moving Utah and Colorado into the north makes great room for the four new teams, but having UT, OU, OK State, and USC in the same division might be a little over-powered.

PAC-16 North:

Stanford, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Colorado, Utah

PAC-16 South:

UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Of course, the inappropriately named Big Ten will respond. The Big Ten is a football conference, but they have some pretty good basketball teams as well, so they might make a play for Kansas, and bring along K-State, too. Then look east. Notre Dame is a prime candidate, because let's face it, independents will struggle in our new college world.

Big Ten Legends:

Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Cincinnati

Big Ten Leaders:

Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Kansas State

As you can see, the Big East is being plundered as well. Sure, the Big East is talking to the remainder of the Big XII about a merger, but Syracuse, Pitt, and potentially UConn and Rutgers are ACC-bound, giving us a superconference with the following potential alignment. I think the ACC will lose a couple of teams (NC State and Virginia Tech) in this arms race, but they'll also add South Florida and Lousiville. The ACC will be the premier basketball conference when all is said and done.

ACC Atlantic Division:

Wake Forest, Clemson, Maryland, Florida State, Boston College, Louisville, Pitt, Rutgers

ACC Coastal:

Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, UConn, Syracuse, South Florida

So potentially, there won't be much of a Big East left to merge with Baylor and Iowa State.

But let's not forget the 800-pound gorilla that is the Southeastern Conference. The SEC is already adding Texas A&M, and will possibly add Missouri to make an 8-team West division. Then the focus shifts East. There are two rather big states in which the SEC has no presence, but that will come to and end. The SEC will drive into North Carolina and Virginia and walk away with a pretty good prize, especially if/when they capture Blacksburg. Beamer-ball comes to the SEC. (I hope.)

SEC WEST:

Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, LSU, Texas A&M, Missouri

SEC EAST:

Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, NC State

Obviously, there are several things that have to happen for this to play out, but I think it's inevitable that the Super Conference takes power.

NOTE: All the comments above are the rambling musings of a mad man with a laptop. Please do not take it seriously...