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Conference Realignment, Playoff "Insider" Updates

SemiNo.1e

Ultimate Seminole Insider
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Jan 23, 2003
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This is from The Big Mountain Podcast today. These guys have solid insiders inside the B1G. I've listened for months and they are as solid as it gets as far as getting good intel. Here's what they're saying:

  • ESPN is driving ACC/SEC realignment disussions.
  • The SEC wants UNC badly. They're willing to take NC State due to the politics.
  • The Belichick factor could be a catalyst to speed things up. See the Deion factor for bigger ratings.
  • Then, the next two the SEC wants is FSU and Clemson.
  • It could be ESPN pushes UNC and NC State at first, with FSU & Clemson in the wings.
  • We are an ESPN property so ESPN will drive where we go.
  • The ACC has unnamed approved teams lined up to take the 2 or 4 slots the ACC will be losing.
  • The B1G wants ND, FSU and Miami. They want to be in Florida badly, but are having to wait to take teams SEC does not take due to ESPN contracts.
  • The B1G and the SEC are working closely with each other in negotiations, more like partners than rivals.
  • Miami, GT and Virginia are the wild cards.
  • The ACC will survive. Replacements are USF, Memphis & Tulane, then reaching, could be ECU, App State and JMU.
  • They want both to have same number of teams and standardize schedules likely 8 with playing 2 crossovers. Labor Day weekend is a target weekend for a crossover.
  • Both conferences want to start one week earlier. So basically Week 0 will become Week 1.
  • B1G and SEC will be demanding a minimum of 4 slots each in the playoffs. Not next year as it's too soon but the year after.
  • The playoffs may expand from 12 to 14 (or 16), with the SEC and B1G dictating if they do and to how many.
  • The driver is ratings. Both networks who are both driving this want big games for inventory.

Personally speaking, this is great news. Both conferences want FSU, and ratings are a main driver, all good for us. The line between the haves and have nots will be greater than ever and its great to know progress is being made and we're in great shape to land a spot at one of the two big boy and big money tables.
 
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