If the Big 12 tabs us and Cincinnati (if BYU plays hardball), what would be the domino effect (s) on the G5?
Personally, I actually think the American could be severely damaged by us and Cincinnati leaving, so much so brand-wise that the MW could come calling to get into Texas and steal Houston and SMU, and this could result in Navy going back to being independent because the big draw for them in the American was recruiting in Texas (hence why they're in the Western division). That would leave the American with 7.
The conference would then have to expand to 12 or 14 (probably the latter to match the MW). So who would they go with? If seven, I would think Rice, Marshall, Ohio, Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, and Northern Illinois.
That would leave the MAC with 10, C-USA with 9, and the Sun Belt with 10 (as rumors are they won't renew Idaho or New Mexico St.).
C-USA probably still has the most sway here so they would likely add five schools: Appalachian St., Louisiana Lafayette, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, and Coastal Carolina.
At this point, the AAC, MW, and C-USA all have 14, the MAC has 10, and the Sun Belt would only have 5 members (therefore not making it a conference anymore). I could see the Sun Belt folding, but what would happen to their schools? Would they drop down to FCS? What about UMass?
Finally, this plan would be good for the G4s as the money would be split 4 ways instead of 5.