SEC is potentially setting up the catalyst of no more conferences if they expel LSU

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If LSU goes independent and makes it work

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If frogs had wings, they wouldn't bump their arse when they jumped.

The issue is not whether or not the LSU brand would work on an independent national basis. It certainly could.

The issue though is TV contracts, and opponent scheduling. Mainly the former. LSU does not own its TV contractual rights. Those contracts are with the SEC. That's the kind of complicating detail that many folks in this discussion don't really understand.

The SEC separation is not going to occur.
But hypothetically, if it did, LSU would almost certainly enter the ACC. ESPN covers both the SEC and the ACC, and would likely shift conference payments internally to account for the LSU swap.

LSU in the ACC, as opposed to the SEC, would lose annual revenue to the tune of $10-$20 million per year. LSU would concomitantly sue the SEC, with an eventual settlement that could run into the 10 digit range.

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We are different than Notre dame.

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Estimated athletic/program value

LSU
~$1.2B–$1.3B
Notre Dame
~$1.4B

It's much closer than you think. And the argument could be easily made that ND has the larger brand because they are independent.

Conferences sprang into being to help universities have consistent opportunities to schedule competition and develop or enhance organic, preferably good-natured, rivalries (which always better the sport).

They have morphed into organizations designed to help monetize the sport through various means, including negotiating TV contracts. If you had 40 brands negotiating independently with TV stations for games that looked as often like LSU vs La Tech as LSU vs Alabama, that bargaining power gets diluted significantly.

LSU's value and bargaining power are enhanced by being in the SEC, whether we like it or not. Yes, the SEC's bargaining power is enhanced by LSU as well. But not only by LSU, but also by the fact that if LSU's power wanes for a bit, another team's will likely wax. That provides the networks with less risk in terms of an entertaining product.

That is why I don't think LSU wants to be independent and why a bunch of schools going independent is not likely. I personally do not want LSU out of the SEC; I just want them to wreak havoc on the field of play now

I could see LSU joining a league for every Conference but Football and work out their own TV deal with CBS or Netflix to cover all revenue lost by leaving the SEC. Not sure how likely but there would definitely be interest.

SEC would also have to renegotiate with ESPN/ABC. I have heard a lot of speculation about Miami and/or FSU joining and that would lead to Florida either leaving as well or having an entire legal mess. Florida always mandated that FSU and Miami could not join the SEC. South Carolina has a similar stance on Clemson but South Carolina doesn't have the pull. Clemson is far more likely than Miami or FSU. Now if Florida decides they are fine with adding FSU and/or Miami then they can join the Conference but Florida has always held that line. Kicking us out is far more complicated than Greg would like to let on.

If I am LSU though I try to get Allies with FSU, Miami, and other institutions to either join another Conference and prevent those programs from joining the SEC to keep the other conferences in tact. But LSU has always been looked down on so doubt any of that happens either.

This whole thing is stupid.

The problem is the conferences own the playoffs