Personally, I think the whole situation with 5 Conferences and 4 Slots for the playoffs is completely unstable. I don't think this can last.

So, My guess is that the next round of Conference Realignment is going to be related to "consolidation" or contraction in some way. I personally think that the money has more or less maxed out. ESPN isn't growing anymore, and is either shrinking or at best staying stable..... so they can't pay out LARGER contracts next time. Cable in general is going down as more people cut the cord, so even conference networks like SEC network or BigTen networks are probably not going to be getting LARGER payouts.

SO, if you are the BIG BOYS, Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, USC, tOSU, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.... how do you increase your payouts when the total money isn't growing as fast as you want your revenue to increase ... you have have cut out a few other teams!!!! Dump Vanderbilt, Indiana, Rutgers, Iowa State, Oregon State, Washington State, Colorado, etc.

SO I think, the next round, will see a consolidation into 4 Conferences .... and dumping a few teams....