College Football Realignment: The Power Four Conferences
Latest Conference Realignment Rumors
Recent reports suggest that the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC, now termed the "Power Four", have halted their expansion plans for the time being. The ACC, in particular, had set a deadline of August 15th for teams to switch conferences, indicating stability for the moment. However, discussions are expected to resume next year.
ACC Expansion Rumors 2023
There was significant chatter around Florida State's potential move, with some speculating it was a strategy to secure a larger share of the ACC's revenue. While the ACC seems stable for now, it's essential for them to be proactive to ensure long-term stability.
Big 12 Expansion
With the inclusion of Arizona State from the Pac-12, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, and others, the Big 12 stands strong with 16 teams. Brett Your Mark, who played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Big 12, recently revealed that expansion talks have been postponed. There were discussions about adding Uconn and Gonzaga, primarily for basketball, but these have been shelved for now.
College Football Conferences 2023
The Big Ten Conference, with 18 schools, is currently the largest in Division I. It includes powerhouses like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and others. The SEC, on the other hand, stands at 16, with teams like Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida leading the charge. The general consensus seems to be that a conference needs at least 16 teams to ensure stability.
SEC Expansion News
The SEC, already a dominant force in college sports, could potentially look at adding teams like Florida State and Clemson in the future. The current stability of the SEC, combined with its powerful brand, makes it a top choice for many schools considering realignment.
College Football Realignment News
While expansion talks have been halted for the moment, the landscape of college football is ever-evolving. There's a possibility that the Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC might absorb some ACC schools in the future, leading to a potential "Super Mega 3" scenario. The current power rankings place the SEC at the top, followed by the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC.
Future NCAA Football Conference Realignment
There's a buzz about a potential merger between the PAC and the American Athletic Conference. Oliver Luck has been roped in by the PAC to navigate this potential merger. If successful, this could lead to a significant reshuffling of the college football landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on college football realignment news and rumors as the season progresses.