Sign up, and you'll be able to vote in polls. Sign up
Jul 31, 2015
8:55:16am
The B12's dilemma:
Currently at 10 - what do they do?

1. Go to 12. Being subject to the laws of diminishing returns pushes towards this option versus a larger and bolder move. There just aren't a lot of good options out there in terms of interest, program quality and market share. However, if the B12 does nothing, there is a greater risk of the conference imploding - If enough teams bolt, the grant of rights is voided. IMO, Going to 12 isn't an option, it is the minimum action. I am with Boren. They need to do something and quick.

2. Go to 14 - the laws of diminishing return risks increase, but the risk of implosion decreases (the number defections to void the grant of rights may be impossible). While it would be a bolder move in terms of geography, it could also backfire if the teams are perceived as unworthy, contributing to the ultimate demise of the conference. A BYU/UCF/Cincinnati/Houston or BSU thrown in there) option might be palatable, but unless some of those teams step up the quality (read wins) of their programs, you could be doing nothing more than adding patsies to your conference, risking its long term feasibility.

3. Go to 16 and a pod system. The boldest of all moves - go immediately to where most believe to be the ultimate end - a 16 team conference and four rotating pods. BYU, UCF, Cinc, Houston, BSU, USF, CSU, AFA are among the candidates. Significant danger of quality dilution and history is littered (figuratively more than literally) with super conference failures for a multitude of reasons. Density can be a good thing, so some of the historical problems might be mitigated by adding density to the geographic pattern instead of adding six new markets (e.g., add two florida schools, two Colorado schools, BYU and BSU (mountain schools) as one example. This model seems to have too many risks and may be an indicator that the B12 is not a viable long term conference. Time will eventually lead to it's demise. On the other hand, if the grant of rights is truly valid and binding, they take the few good teams left and lock them in while they can (I am not seeing a bold move like this paying off) leaving the SDSU's UNLV's, and Wyomings to the PAC...Obviously this scenario would assume that the TV money isn't diluted. The other problem is that it is very likely that there are some Benedict Arnold's in the conference. If they don't like their new status in this option, some may bolt in advance of the new teams approval, unraveling the entire process by voiding the grant of rights.

One question I have - does the B10, SEC or P12 benefit from the implosion of the B12? If the b12 implodes, could there be unintended consequences that could come back to bite them?

I am not sure what I would do if I were the B12, but I think if I was a decision maker I would go to at least 14, and if I had larger cajones, jump straight to 16 and hope that I am right...

If you were the B12, what would you do?
Acorn
Bio page
Acorn
Joined
Nov 25, 2004
Last login
Mar 28, 2024
Total posts
18,362 (2,149 FO)
Messages
Author
Time

Posting on CougarBoard

In order to post, you will need to either sign up or log in.