School Convention Enlargement, Realignment Situations. What Every League Ought to Do, What Will Occur?

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Actually? You need to make sense of all of the growth and realignment in faculty sports activities?

Good luck with that.

Even essentially the most linked of faculty soccer insiders are attempting to place collectively the shredded papers to create a transparent image as all of the rumors, experiences, and tidbits fly round. So learn this at your individual threat – there’s a stable likelihood this all blows up 5 minutes from now.

I’m ready for all the things beneath to quickly look completely ridiculous as a result of nothing seems to be off the desk.

The Massive 12 getting Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF was apparent, however significantly, Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC? Final summer season that appeared insane, after which it hit like a ton of bricks. That was nothing in comparison with the failure of creativeness – and the shock – of USC and UCLA to the Massive Ten.

And the way in regards to the Solar Belt being essentially the most proactive league of the bunch with Marshall, Outdated Dominion, and Southern Miss being snagged from Convention USA?

So be warned, whereas all the things beneath is rooted in actuality to some extent … nah. It’s all altering by the second.

With all that stated, what’s happening in realignment? What are the perfect and worst case situations for all of the convention growth choices, what’s a loopy thought which may work for each, and what’s about to occur – perhaps?

Let’s do that.

– Contact/Observe @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

ACC Enlargement

What’s Going On? Nothing for the time being, however the rumors are flying. The SEC is supposedly , and the Massive Ten isn’t saying something – however would LOVE North Carolina. Even so, all the things seems to be fantastic … for now.

Finest Case State of affairs: The ACC vastly improves its long-term media deal, ends its mates with advantages relationship with Notre Dame and places a hoop on it, and provides some thought to West Virginia becoming a member of the enjoyable.

Worst Case State of affairs: ESPN – or some artful lawyer – figures out find out how to blow up the horrible grant of rights deal that locks the colleges into their soccer media deal till 2036, and the SEC and Massive Ten have have an epic battle to see who can get North Carolina, and Clemson, Florida State, and Miami.

– 10 Most Engaging Group of 5 College for Enlargement

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … READ … THE … ROOM. What did the Massive Ten simply do? It raided the Pac-12 to go coast-to-coast with its footprint. Who could be on the market proper now for the taking? Cal and Stanford.

Once more, it’s loopy, however academically these two are rock stars, they make it very, very engaging for Notre Dame to affix the enjoyable, and although faculty soccer curiosity is, nicely, fickle within the Bay Space, it’s nonetheless a monster market to completely personal.

What Will Most likely Occur: The ACC will keep in place as is, however that gained’t preserve everybody from making an attempt to determine find out how to steal the star faculties.

It’ll be in discussions with the Massive 12 and Pac-12 to attempt forming an alliance to fight the Massive Ten and SEC menaces. Within the meantime, it’ll look to enhance the present media deal and gained’t simply sit by and look ahead to the inevitable defections from faculties determined to go away for extra income.

American Athletic Convention Enlargement NEXT

American Athletic Convention Enlargement

What’s Going On? The convention is dropping Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF to the Massive 12 subsequent yr, and it’s bringing aboard Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA from Convention USA in 2023.

Finest Case State of affairs: The remaining sturdy members – Memphis, SMU, and USF – are locked in for long run offers, and it retains on including elements by going to the Mountain West, or wherever else. Extra on that in a second.

Worst Case State of affairs: The Massive 12 decides it desires to maintain on going and steal Memphis and SMU, and somebody figures out that USF is an enormous college in an enormous media market.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Go push the footprint by going after the Mountain West. A minimum of give it a shot with Colorado State, Air Pressure, and Boise State.

What Will Most likely Occur: The growth speak doubtless stalls for a bit and the convention needs to be okay for now. Temple, Tulane, and USF make sense in a slew of how – good-sized faculties in good media markets – for different leagues, however the Energy 5 goes after the larger fish.

Massive Ten Enlargement NEXT

Massive Ten Enlargement

What’s Going On? The Massive Ten will add USC and UCLA in 2024. There’s a robust wind blowing that Oregon and Washington are in play, however the Massive Ten says it’s not seeking to do anything for the time being. Notre Dame is within the dialogue, however that’s more durable than it may appear.

Finest Case State of affairs: The Massive Ten flexes its muscle mass and retains on going. Oregon and Washington are in, Notre Dame joins the enjoyable, and the convention pays no matter it takes to get North Carolina.

Worst Case State of affairs: The SEC will get to the prime ACC powerhouses earlier than the Massive Ten, and if that doesn’t work, it wakes up in time to comprehend they’ll and will make Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Arizona State one thing they’ll’t refuse.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Go make Texas notice it’s actually a Massive Ten college and that life within the SEC gained’t be any enjoyable.

Now that the Massive Ten has USC and UCLA, not touchdown Texas appears much more of a misfire than it did when the SEC introduced it landed the richest program in faculty sports activities. The Massive Ten may be very persuasive.

What Will Most likely Occur: The Massive Ten will say it’s not increasing and is simply fantastic at 16, after which it would simply carry on two Pac-12 faculties to make all the things just a bit simpler on USC and UCLA.

Keep in mind, the Massive Ten is all about large faculties, large markets, world-class universities, and increasing areas for the Massive Ten Community. Arizona State, Colorado, Missouri – there’s nothing off the desk at this level.

Massive 12 Enlargement NEXT

Massive 12 Enlargement

What’s Going On? It’s nonetheless alive. Rumors of the Massive 12’s demise after the lack of Texas and Oklahoma had been untimely. Now it’s bringing aboard BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF to associate with – probably – Texas and Oklahoma for yet one more season earlier than they depart for the SEC to create a 14-team convention in 2023.

Finest Case State of affairs: It finds a option to take over Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah from the Pac-12, and it wakes up and realizes USF locks down an enormous Florida market to associate with UCF.

Worst Case State of affairs: The Pac-12 will get its sh-tuff collectively and goes and will get Kansas, Oklahoma State, and takes on BYU earlier than the enjoyable will get began. The ACC decides it really desires Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF and makes a final ditch pitch.

– Massive 12 Predictions For Each Recreation

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Make Texas and Oklahoma notice they’re already dwelling. Make the convention stronger with among the Pac-12 applications, and sweeten all the things as much as preserve the 2 anchor tenants within the mall. No matter it takes, discover a option to preserve these two.

What Will Most likely Occur: The Massive 12 may need to get able to play extra protection than it thinks. For all of the speak about buying Pac-12 faculties, there’s simply as large a chance that the reverse occurs – and/or the Massive Ten decides Kansas works.

It is a ruthless state of affairs, however the Massive 12 will attempt to create a tie with the Pac-12 and/or ACC – all whereas fascinated about making an attempt to determine find out how to increase with a few of their faculties.

Convention USA Enlargement NEXT

Convention USA Enlargement

What’s Going On? It’s dropping Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA to the American Athletic Convention subsequent yr, and it misplaced the combat to maintain Marshall, Outdated Dominion, Southern Miss – all three bolted for the Solar Belt for this season.

For 2023, Convention USA is including Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State, and Sam Houston State.

Finest Case State of affairs: Convention USA is one way or the other capable of kind a partnership with the Solar Belt or the MAC, it doesn’t lose any extra faculties, and the brand new applications coming in carry an enormous college vitality that makes all the things enjoyable.

Worst Case State of affairs: Convention USA loses FIU, Louisiana Tech, Center Tennessee and WKU to the Solar Belt or the MAC within the close to future, and/or the opposite conferences draw back and get so sturdy that that is the brand new WAC.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Align with the Mountain West. It appears too apparent that the highest Mountain West faculties will get picked off, and developing with a nationwide convention product – you already know, like a convention for the USA – that goes from Miami to Hawaii can be fascinating.

What Will Most likely Occur: It’s going to be a tough run. It’s only a query of time earlier than different conferences – be careful for the MAC – are capable of provide the highest remaining faculties one thing sturdy, and Convention USA will wrestle to make a splash.

Independents Enlargement NEXT

Independents Enlargement

What’s Going On? BYU is off to the Massive 12 subsequent yr, Liberty and New Mexico State will go to Convention USA, and Notre Dame goes to … that’s the massive query.

Finest Case State of affairs: It doesn’t matter as a result of they’re impartial faculties, however general, it could be a plus for Military if it might make its method into the American Athletic Convention, and UConn and UMass may must play nicely with others within the MAC or Convention USA – although UConn bolted from the AAC a couple of years in the past and UMass left the MAC after 2015.

– Impartial Predictions For Each Recreation

Worst Case State of affairs: There’s a shot the massive conferences go extra to in-league video games and squeeze out the paycheck choices for the smaller independents.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Military makes an enormous push to be part of the Massive 12. The league landed a nationwide model in BYU, and getting Military might create a enjoyable weekly buzz for the convention that’s lacking an entire lot of name identify is sizzle.

What Will Most likely Occur: Exterior of Notre Dame, it’s going to be powerful to stay an impartial. The media offers and alliances – even for the decrease conferences – are going to be too sturdy to beat.

MAC Enlargement NEXT

MAC Enlargement

What’s Going On? An entire lot of nothing, however which may want to vary quickly. There aren’t any manufacturers that make sense for the opposite Group of 5 conferences, so the hope is …

Finest Case State of affairs: All 12 faculties keep in place, the convention is ready to land Military for an enormous identify who’ll carry the eye, and some elements from Convention USA – WKU, Center Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech may work – strengthen the place.

Worst Case State of affairs: The Massive Ten and SEC grow to be too sturdy, and the opposite three Energy 5 conferences determine find out how to mix forces. The MAC doesn’t grow to be the WAC, nevertheless it struggles to remain up within the FCS standing all whereas dropping their desperately wanted paycheck dates.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Create an alliance with the Massive Ten. No, the MAC doesn’t grow to be a minor league farm system – although that’s actually what it could be like in a brand new faculty soccer period – nevertheless it comes up with a deal that its groups are on numerous Massive Ten schedules to gather street recreation paychecks.

What Will Most likely Occur: The MAC needs to be okay for some time. There’s a shot Convention USA or the Solar Belt make a pitch – Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Buffalo are large faculties – however for now all the things appears to be calm.

Mountain West Enlargement NEXT

Mountain West Enlargement

What’s Going On? Welcome to the calm earlier than the storm. There are sufficient faculties in place to maintain the Mountain West going if a couple of of the celebs are gone, however these are shaky occasions for a league that seems ripe for the selecting by a determined Pac-12.

Finest Case State of affairs: The Mountain West figures out a stronger media deal, the dearth of Tier 1 analysis/AAU standing for a lot of the league’s most engaging faculties matter to the Pac-12 and Massive 12, and all the things stays in place. A number of extra additions are made simply in case.

Worst Case State of affairs: Fresno State, San Diego State, and UNLV are off to the Pac-12 in 3 … 2 …

Boise State is within the Massive 12 or the Pac-12 – most likely the Massive 12 – and Colorado State get the massive pitch from the Massive 12, too.

– Mountain West Predictions For Each Recreation

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … If the Massive Ten and Massive 12 steal – let’s say – Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, and Washington, be able to pounce with a horny media deal for Oregon State and Washington State to present them an choice out of the mortally wounded Pac-12.

After all, OSU and Wazzu need the Energy 5 life, but when the Pac-12 is only a shell of its former self, give it a shot.

What Will Most likely Occur: The Mountain West survived after dropping BYU, TCU, and Utah, and it’s going to remain alive it doesn’t matter what’s coming. Nevertheless, it could be tough relying on who shortly the Pac-12 can get its geese in a row.

Pac-12 Enlargement NEXT

Pac-12 Enlargement

What’s Going On? All arms on deck. The loopy half about dropping USC and UCLA to the Massive Ten is that these two haven’t finished an entire lot within the championship race currently – there’s just one Pac-12 soccer championship between them over the past 13 years – however dropping each Los Angeles faculties is clearly devastating.

Now it’s all about determining find out how to put a fence across the remaining faculties whereas buying sufficient respectable new markets to take a bit of of the sting out of what simply occurred.

Finest Case State of affairs: The entire remaining faculties within the 2024 model of the Pac-10 keep dwelling. The powers-that-be create a stable new media deal that makes everybody comfortable, there’s an actual alliance with a minimum of one of many different Energy 5 conferences, and some new additions make everybody chill out a wee bit.

Worst Case State of affairs: Oregon and Washington actually are gone to the Massive Ten, Arizona and Arizona State actually are gone to the Massive 12, and Colorado is off to the Massive Ten or Massive 12. The league turns into a tragic shadow of its former self.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … What’s the one nearly literal Hail Mary that would ease the ache of dropping USC and UCLA? Notre Dame.

The connection with the Massive Ten has SO many egos and transferring elements, the ACC hasn’t been capable of get this finished, and the SEC … nah. Notre Dame matches the Pac-12 in an entire lot of how. Make that occur, get a couple of faculties from the Mountain West, and this could be salvaged.

What Will Most likely Occur: How briskly can the Pac-12 transfer to repair this? Crank up the media deal NOW – that’s within the works – attempt turning into besties with the Massive 12 and/or ACC in some type of actual alignment that retains everybody from hitting on one another’s members, and if it could actually chill on the Tier 1 analysis standing, San Diego State and UNLV make sense market-wise, and …

It’s panic time. It’s all in regards to the media deal. Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Arizona State must know they’re not on a leaking raft.

SEC Enlargement NEXT

SEC Enlargement

What’s Going On? The SEC received all this going by surprising the faculty sports activities world touchdown Texas and Oklahoma final yr. These two are supposed to return aboard in 2024, however the league would like to get them earlier. The rumors are flying that Clemson, Florida State, and Miami could be on the desk, however … nah, a minimum of not but.

Finest Case State of affairs: The Massive Ten actually doesn’t have one thing else funky up its sleeve – like Oregon and Washington, and it could actually’t shut Notre Dame – and ESPN is ready to rework the ACC’s media deal. The SEC lands North Carolina and Virginia, and okay, it grabs Clemson, Florida State, and Miami, simply because.

Worst Case State of affairs: There’s no remodeling the ACC media offers, the Massive Ten will get even stronger with extra big acquisitions, and in an odd twist, swiftly Texas and/or Oklahoma begin to get chilly ft and make this a bit bumpy earlier than becoming a member of.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … Oregon and Washington. NOW. If the Massive Ten can go get USC and UCLA, why can’t the SEC increase to get new markets with the 2 large faculties from the Pacific Northwest? And why, can’t Arizona and Arizona State work, and what about Utah, or Colorado, or Kansas?

What Will Most likely Occur: The SEC will preserve engaged on the ACC, nevertheless it’ll be greater than fantastic for now with 16 groups with Texas and Oklahoma becoming a member of the enjoyable. With that stated, there’s no method it’s going to take a seat nonetheless after the Massive Ten simply took over Los Angeles and now completely dominates the nation’s high media markets.

Solar Belt Enlargement NEXT

Solar Belt Enlargement

What’s Going On? One of many greatest movers and shakers within the growth and realignment recreation, the Solar Belt gained an enormous combat to get Marshall, Outdated Dominion, and Southern Miss from Convention USA, and it added James Madison from the FCS.

Finest Case State of affairs: The league will get even stronger with a couple of extra strikes. It pries away FIU, Center Tennessee, and WKU from Convention USA, locks within the present members, and the league’s branding goes up an entire different degree.

Worst Case State of affairs: The Solar Belt needle doesn’t transfer with the brand new acquisitions. Worse but, the American Athletic Convention begins sniffing round and the rumors begin flying {that a} Marshall or Appalachian State or Coastal Carolina or Louisiana may do exactly fantastic.

Loopy Concept That Received’t Work, However … It varieties an alliance with the American Athletic Convention and/or the Mountain West. The MAC could possibly be proper there for the deal, and Convention USA would LOVE to be part of something, however developing with a plan to work with the AAC and Mountain West can be the massive play for much more legitimacy.

What Will Most likely Occur: The Solar Belt will carry on working. The league did a tremendous job of proactively having all the things in place to make an enormous transfer to get an entire lot stronger, and it’s going to maintain pushing.

2022 School Soccer Schedules: All 131 Groups

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