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re: Why Not Fly Solo?
Posted on 12/11/13 at 10:46 am to Dlab2013
Posted on 12/11/13 at 10:46 am to Dlab2013
To the OP- big schools won't be moving. You might see some consolidation, but none of the marquees will leave.
But- coaches, on the other hand; that's a different question. If this 4 team playoff ends up being the 4 most prominent conference champs (and/or Notre Dame with a good record), suddenly, spreading out and staking your territory makes sense. We laughed about Urban Meyer not handling the SEC heat at Fla, but all of a sudden, he's in prime position to be in one of those 4 slots every season. All he has to do is beat out a couple down programs (Michigan, Penn St, Nebraska) and some good/not great teams in Mich St and Wisconsin.
The current Saban situation- if it turns out you need to win your conference to get a shot, then he doesn't get in with the 2011 and 2013 teams, despite their being tremendously good. But the same record at Texas in the Big 12, and he's there every year, as long as he beats Oklahoma (I don't count Baylor and Oklahoma St, because they're just not at a level to withstand a top Saban-coached team the way LSU and Auburn have, and occasionally still win).
Suddenly, the SEC is too good for it's own good, if you have to actually win the conference. Sure, the SEC champ will usu be the favorite most seasons (and you might have a couple other teams worthy of being in the mix), but if you really only get one team in, it's a lot riskier place to play. In a decade's time, LSU, Fla, Bama and Auburn might each go 2-3 times, while Ohio St and Florida St might go 7-8 times. Who knows, Saban might think Texas could be like that too. I know he won't coach that long; but the principle is there.
But- coaches, on the other hand; that's a different question. If this 4 team playoff ends up being the 4 most prominent conference champs (and/or Notre Dame with a good record), suddenly, spreading out and staking your territory makes sense. We laughed about Urban Meyer not handling the SEC heat at Fla, but all of a sudden, he's in prime position to be in one of those 4 slots every season. All he has to do is beat out a couple down programs (Michigan, Penn St, Nebraska) and some good/not great teams in Mich St and Wisconsin.
The current Saban situation- if it turns out you need to win your conference to get a shot, then he doesn't get in with the 2011 and 2013 teams, despite their being tremendously good. But the same record at Texas in the Big 12, and he's there every year, as long as he beats Oklahoma (I don't count Baylor and Oklahoma St, because they're just not at a level to withstand a top Saban-coached team the way LSU and Auburn have, and occasionally still win).
Suddenly, the SEC is too good for it's own good, if you have to actually win the conference. Sure, the SEC champ will usu be the favorite most seasons (and you might have a couple other teams worthy of being in the mix), but if you really only get one team in, it's a lot riskier place to play. In a decade's time, LSU, Fla, Bama and Auburn might each go 2-3 times, while Ohio St and Florida St might go 7-8 times. Who knows, Saban might think Texas could be like that too. I know he won't coach that long; but the principle is there.
0
Posted on 12/11/13 at 11:59 am to Dlab2013
Because going Independent is not a viable business plan for a university.
My brother is very connected to the Navy athletic department. They are going through this exact problem right now. Because they are an Independent, they don't have a set schedule beyond their yearly games against Army, Air Force and Notre Dame. Those games won't go away due to the history, but the rest of their season is spent playing the Hawai'i's an South Alabama's of the world. Nobody has more difficulty coming up with a schedule than Navy. And that's with a solo TV deal with CBS Sports Network to televise all of their home games nationally.
They had a deal set up to go to the Big East, but then the Catholic basketball schools (Georgetown, Villanova, St Johns, etc.) figured out that the football invitees (Tulane & South Florida) were diluting their product. As the Big East disintegrated, Navy got left holding the bag.
Now, they do compete in the Patriot league in other sports, but they don't play football either. And, again due to their history, they don't want to drop down into FCS level. And since they have been to bowls in 8 of the last 9 seasons, why should they?
Now, obviously, LSU and Navy are in completely different situations. But Notre Dame can get away with it because an over-air network pays them big, and they have enough of a following to make that pay off for NBC. And, OBTW, they had to sign into a very odd arrangement with the ACC to take care of their other sports. And if you think that LSU has that kind of following that ND has, you are dreaming.
Yeah, we get screwed by the SEC on occasion, but we are a lot better off with it than without it.
GEAUX TIGERS
My brother is very connected to the Navy athletic department. They are going through this exact problem right now. Because they are an Independent, they don't have a set schedule beyond their yearly games against Army, Air Force and Notre Dame. Those games won't go away due to the history, but the rest of their season is spent playing the Hawai'i's an South Alabama's of the world. Nobody has more difficulty coming up with a schedule than Navy. And that's with a solo TV deal with CBS Sports Network to televise all of their home games nationally.
They had a deal set up to go to the Big East, but then the Catholic basketball schools (Georgetown, Villanova, St Johns, etc.) figured out that the football invitees (Tulane & South Florida) were diluting their product. As the Big East disintegrated, Navy got left holding the bag.
Now, they do compete in the Patriot league in other sports, but they don't play football either. And, again due to their history, they don't want to drop down into FCS level. And since they have been to bowls in 8 of the last 9 seasons, why should they?
Now, obviously, LSU and Navy are in completely different situations. But Notre Dame can get away with it because an over-air network pays them big, and they have enough of a following to make that pay off for NBC. And, OBTW, they had to sign into a very odd arrangement with the ACC to take care of their other sports. And if you think that LSU has that kind of following that ND has, you are dreaming.
Yeah, we get screwed by the SEC on occasion, but we are a lot better off with it than without it.
GEAUX TIGERS
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