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For college football fans still feeling the after effects of the conference expansion collapse:
If Texas A&M decided to go with Texas to the Pac-10, we might have had complete upheaval and the beginning of massive college realignment, resulting in four, 16-team mega conferences. As it stands now, realignment appears to have been averted for at least the next seven years (until the ABC/ESPN contract expires).
For a complete rundown of how the Big 12-Pac 10 deal, along with the SEC involvement, emerged and submerged, largely in a matter of days, along with a list of the winners and losers, visit Orangebloods.
University of Louisville fans must remain curious, however, about the reported conference call for Big East presidents and athletic directors later this week. Serious issues still needing attention.
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Realignment is not over for the next seven years. The Big Ten has merely stopped for the moment as Delaney put it. They are going back to their original timetable and won’t be rushed into the next decision, which will likely come at this time next year. That’s when the Big East and UofL need to start worrying again because that’s when a decision to extend invitations to some combination of Syracuse, Rutgers and Pitt, or all three, will be extended to force Notre Dame to accept its standing invitation to join. ND won’t move as long as the Big East is viable but once it’s not, then it too will join the Big Ten. Let’s hope Jurich spends the next year finding UofL a new home – ACC anyone?
It has to about a split or adding one to four new all-sports football teams, or the Big 12 is courting Louisville and Cincinnati.