The pros and cons of joining the Pac-12 for football only

[Hoophound]

The AAC was a good football conference but our brand was too big for that conference. You can already see the chatter about our football coming back. You won't hear that about an AAC school, no one cares. Even Memphis, the biggest brand in the AAC, doesn't get any air time nationally on talk shows when they are good in football. UConn and Jim Mora immediately became interesting with a decent season to their credit.

We've got to remember that perception is reality and a good Indy UConn football team winning and beating P4 schools while the basketball teams rule the Big East, will be a much better look than winning in the AAC. I can't really explain it, but I think our brand is big enough to pull it off. You might even see us become a bit of a media darling again, as we've been in the past when our football was a feel good story. There really isn't any sense discussing anything other than a P4 invite. I just don't think it is in the cards unless there is some strong turn of events.

 

[Hoophound]

we paid to leave the AAC and that is a sunk cost. We did it to save basketball, but for football, it was a very good conference. it is irrelevant to what UConn does going forward. It remains to be seen if football independence is a long-term solution. I'm not sure if the Big 12 is interested anymore but I don't think anyone thinks the status quo is the solution. Therefore, I'm open to all options.

There are two remaining issues:
1. Football conference affiliation
2. Basketball is getting shaken down in the BE

Not that the rankings are the end all, but here are the number of basketball programs ranked. This is a problem for the Big East:

9 - SEC
5 - Big 12
5 - Big 10
3 - ACC
2 - Big East
1 - AAC

For now, I'm willing to call the rankings an aberration. Without Liam injured, we'd still be ranked, PC would probably have a chance at a ranking with Hopkins and Creighton is a good team and plays at a Top 25 level most nights. Its a down year, but it isn't that down. The SEC should scare everyone.

 

[Kolumbo]

For now, I'm willing to call the rankings an aberration. Without Liam injured, we'd still be ranked, PC would probably have a chance at a ranking with Hopkins and Creighton is a good team and plays at a Top 25 level most nights. Its a down year, but it isn't that down. The SEC should scare everyone.

Every team has injury issues. Big East and SEC number of ranked teams. Seems consistent for the BE. The SEC, whoa Nellie. I don't think it will finish with 9 but we know the P2 will have an advantage.

2025 - 2
2024 - 3
2023 - 3
2022 - 3
2021 - 2

SEC
2025 - 9
2024 - 5
2023 - 4
2022 - 4
2021 - 2

The AAC was a good football conference but our brand was too big for that conference. You can already see the chatter about our football coming back. You won't hear that about an AAC school, no one cares. Even Memphis, the biggest brand in the AAC, doesn't get any air time nationally on talk shows when they are good in football. UConn and Jim Mora immediately became interesting with a decent season to their credit.

We've got to remember that perception is reality and a good Indy UConn football team winning and beating P4 schools while the basketball teams rule the Big East, will be a much better look than winning in the AAC. I can't really explain it, but I think our brand is big enough to pull it off. You might even see us become a bit of a media darling again, as we've been in the past when our football was a feel good story. There really isn't any sense discussing anything other than a P4 invite. I just don't think it is in the cards unless there is some strong turn of events.

I agree with most of this but I also believe our perception is very different than the rest of the country's. Many message boards discuss Memphis, Tulane, USF, even the Texas programs. I don't think a P4 invite is in the cards unless something major happens to the ACC and forces the Big 12's hand. I'm not seeing it.

 

[Patman]

My simple computer model has 8 of the current top 10 from the SEC. Basketball has changed and changed forever. It's unreal. If I were home I could tell you how many is in the top 50... but if it was 14 I wouldn't be shocked

 

[Hoophound]

Every team has injury issues. Big East and SEC number of ranked teams. Seems consistent for the BE. The SEC, whoa Nellie. I don't think it will finish with 9 but we know the P2 will have an advantage.

2025 - 2
2024 - 3
2023 - 3
2022 - 3
2021 - 2

SEC
2025 - 9
2024 - 5
2023 - 4
2022 - 4
2021 - 2


I agree with most of this but I also believe our perception is very different than the rest of the country's. Many message boards discuss Memphis, Tulane, USF, even the Texas programs. I don't think a P4 invite is in the cards unless something major happens to the ACC and forces the Big 12's hand. I'm not seeing it.

I know what the message boards discuss, but they are misinformed. We are worth more than those schools and none of them expected us to make a football comeback, but it’s happening. The B12 wasn’t courting any of those schools, they know we are the option. Now that bball in the B12 is coming back down to earth, we are needed even more. Plus, they desperately need exposure in the Northeast.

 

[ScottVib]

SDSU AD commenting on their anticipated media deal (end of next month) and its impacts on expansion:

“At the end of next month, we will have the (memorandum of understanding) done for our television deal,” Wicker said. “So we will know what our TV deal is going to be, who our partners are going to be. I will say this, they’re entities you are familiar with, that you would recognize. We’re going to get great exposure, and the really good thing is we’re going to get more exposure. It’s not just going to be football and men’s basketball, but … all of our sports are going to have the opportunity for this increased exposure. It’s going to be increased revenue, which is a big thing for us.

“That’s really the next big piece. Once we know that, then we can go recruit that eighth football-playing member. … And then after that, we’ll figure out if we’re adding one, two or three more schools, and whether they’re coming in in all of their sports. They might be coming in in some of their sports.”

 

[ZooCougar]

Well. We’re a football school now.

Time to pull that trigger?

 

[UConnTrumbull]

This was posted in the soccer forum but needs to be seen. This is the future if we don’t get into a power conference. Notice the 2 PAC12 schools that are getting grandfathered into the soccer breakaway. Might be time to suck it up and just join the PAC12.

 

[Kolumbo]

This was posted in the soccer forum but needs to be seen. This is the future if we don’t get into a power conference. Notice the 2 PAC12 schools that are getting grandfathered into the soccer breakaway. Might be time to suck it up and just join the PAC12.

This would be extremely sad. Here are championship games which include teams not on that map. A lot more than I expected so I stopped at 1977. And this doesn't even include the semi-finals. Heck, the "other tournament" which excludes the Power conference programs would probably be better.

DI Men's Soccer Championship History | NCAA.com

The complete list of NCAA Men's Soccer DI champions from the first season to today.

www.ncaa.com

2024 UVM over Akron
2020 Marshall over Indiana
2019 Georgetown over UVA
2018 Maryland over Akron
2012 Indiana over Georgetown
2010 Akron over Louisville
2009 UVA over Akron
2006 UC Santa Barbara over UCLA
2005 Maryland over New Mexico
2004 Indiana over UC Santa Barbara
2003 Indiana over St. John's
2000 UConn over Creighton
1999 Indiana over Santa Clara
1996 St. John's over FIU
1992 UVA over San Diego
1991 UVA over Santa Clara
1989 Santa Clara over Rutgers
1988 Indiana over Howard
1987 Clemson over San Diego State
1986 Duke over Akron
1985 UCLA over American
1983 Indiana over Columbia
1981 UConn over Alabama A&M
1980 San Francisco over Indiana
1979 SIU Edwardsville over Clemson
1978 San Francisco over Indiana
1977 Hartwick over San Francisco
.......

 

[king conn]

This would be extremely sad. Here are championship games which include teams not on that map. A lot more than I expected so I stopped at 1977. And this doesn't even include the semi-finals. Heck, the "other tournament" which excludes the Power conference programs would probably be better.

DI Men's Soccer Championship History | NCAA.com

The complete list of NCAA Men's Soccer DI champions from the first season to today.

www.ncaa.com

2024 UVM over Akron
2020 Marshall over Indiana
2019 Georgetown over UVA
2018 Maryland over Akron
2012 Indiana over Georgetown
2010 Akron over Louisville
2009 UVA over Akron
2006 UC Santa Barbara over UCLA
2005 Maryland over New Mexico
2004 Indiana over UC Santa Barbara
2003 Indiana over St. John's
2000 UConn over Creighton
1999 Indiana over Santa Clara
1996 St. John's over FIU
1992 UVA over San Diego
1991 UVA over Santa Clara
1989 Santa Clara over Rutgers
1988 Indiana over Howard
1987 Clemson over San Diego State
1986 Duke over Akron
1985 UCLA over American
1983 Indiana over Columbia
1981 UConn over Alabama A&M
1980 San Francisco over Indiana
1979 SIU Edwardsville over Clemson
1978 San Francisco over Indiana
1977 Hartwick over San Francisco
.......

If you can't beat em, get rid of them

 

[Ha Who]

Guys it is Reddit. The West Virginia whacks have more credibility

 

[huskymedic]

Guys it is Reddit. The West Virginia whacks have more credibility

Can U.S. Soccer’s Support Kick Year-Round College Model Into Gear?

U.S. Soccer, the Big Ten and ACC are exploring the idea of launching a 32-team pilot program for two-semester men's college soccer.

www.sportico.com

-> Since mid-2024, the two power conferences have held regular talks with soccer’s national governing body about initially inviting 32 schools to participate in a two-semester trial run, seeking to bypass the traditional NCAA legislative process that has halted previous attempts to put the year-round model into play. <-

->In the summer of 2024, there was a push to see if the pilot program could get off the ground for the 2025-26 academic year, timed to coincide with the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America. As part of this initiative, a document obtained by Sportico presented a 32-team, four-region structure that included all 15 men’s soccer programs from the ACC, all 11 from the Big Ten, as well as West Virginia, Oregon State, San Diego State, South Carolina, Kentucky and UCF.

However, by the end of last year, that ambitious timeline had been put on indefinite hold to allow for, among other things, a clearer understanding of the NCAA’s evolving governance structure. <-

 

[ZooCougar]

Guys it is Reddit. The West Virginia whacks have more credibility

No. This is actually somewhat credible.

 

[Blades]

FWIW.....another podcast, this one calling that Texas St (all sports) and St. Mary's as the next 2 additions. Would give the PAC the needed 8 full members (+ 2 hoopsters)... also." Boise State AD Dickey said the Texas market is important to them this week"

 

[cellocgg]

This was posted in the soccer forum but needs to be seen. This is the future if we don’t get into a power conference. Notice the 2 PAC12 schools that are getting grandfathered into the soccer breakaway. Might be time to suck it up and just join the PAC12.

Is College Soccer some moneymaker? I don't get the push for this

 

[Patman]

Is College Soccer some moneymaker? I don't get the push for this

Not yet. But I'm sure they're looking into if they can turn it into one and compete with the USL (who in turn wants to supplant MLS)

 

[WrenchFan69]

FWIW.....another podcast, this one calling that Texas St (all sports) and St. Mary's as the next 2 additions. Would give the PAC the needed 8 full members (+ 2 hoopsters)... also." Boise State AD Dickey said the Texas market is important to them this week"

I don't see the value of St Mary's. They're just a very poor man's Gonzaga.

 

[Patman]

I don't see the value of St Mary's. They're just a very poor man's Gonzaga.

Neither do i... im getting very strong "return of the wac" vibes

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

I don't see the value of St Mary's. They're just a very poor man's Gonzaga.

3,500 capacity gym, <4K students, consequently smallish alumni base, relatively successful basketball (albeit weak WCC competition), hoop brand?, guess the media decision makers directing newby PacX see Gonzaga pal along with Bay Area-ish partner for the other Cali schools

 

[Blades]

I don't see the value of St Mary's. They're just a very poor man's Gonzaga.

Yep, would look like a grab based only on the recent hoops record ( and Bay location ?) . Alot of other things like enrollment, endowment and arena capacity are all at the bottom of the WCC, let alone the new PAC.

West Coast Conference - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Ldandy]

JMO but Larry Scott has to go down as the worst conference commissioner in the history of college sports. The Pac 12 was among the crown jewels of the P5, but with each miscalculation, poor decision, and late reaction by Scott, its membership lost faith in the brand not just the man. What was once "The Conference of Champions" had members begging their way into ill-fitting conferences on the other side of the continent. Truely a remarkable failure.

 

[Kolumbo]

3,500 capacity gym, <4K students, consequently smallish alumni base, relatively successful basketball (albeit weak WCC competition), hoop brand?, guess the media decision makers directing newby PacX see Gonzaga pal along with Bay Area-ish partner for the other Cali schools

St. Mary's and the WCC are more like the Atlantic 10, they would be ideal for each other. 24 member combined conference with 4 publics. 23 and 3 after UMass leaves. They would have a nice 20 member all private conference or just a scheduling alliance. The Atlantic 10 at 15 just seems too large for a mid-major conference which usually only gets 1 bid.

 

[Zissou]

PAC West
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State
Colorado State
Utah State
San Diego State
Fresno State
Air Force

PAC - Big East
Army - Patriot (FB only)
Navy - Patriot (FB only)
UConn - Big East (FB only)
Nova - Big East (FB only)
Temple - Big East (FB only)
UMass - A10 (FB only)
Delaware - A10 (FB only)
USF - Big East (FB only)

Pros

• East/West Conference Championship
• PAC stays at 8 football full members and avoids dilution
• East division is megalopolis eastern TV market centric
• 7 conference games in division allows for outside scheduling, or limited scheduling cross division

Cons
- Lack of vision to get this done

 

[FfldCntyFan]

PAC West
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State
Colorado State
Utah State
San Diego State
Fresno State
Air Force

PAC - Big East
Army - Patriot (FB only)
Navy - Patriot (FB only)
UConn - Big East (FB only)
Nova - Big East (FB only)
Temple - Big East (FB only)
UMass - A10 (FB only)
Delaware - A10 (FB only)
USF - Big East (FB only)

Pros

• East/West Conference Championship
• PAC stays at 8 football full members and avoids dilution
• East division is megalopolis eastern TV market centric
• 7 conference games in division allows for outside scheduling, or limited scheduling cross division

Cons
- Lack of vision to get this done

Zissou,

I imagine that if the PAC would be willing to take on an FCS upgrade they would look at a school that actually wants to upgrade (Sacramento St).

 

[Zissou]

Zissou,

I imagine that if the PAC would be willing to take on an FCS upgrade they would look at a school that actually wants to upgrade (Sacramento St).

Sacramento would not fit well in an East Coast affiliate division, in the DC to Philly to NY to Boston mega market.

The PAC stays to the minimum 8 full football membership. The East Coast affiliate division delivers a conference championship, full schedule options, and increased PAC exposure in the Eastern media.