What IF… a new Breakaway Scenario?

It’s the off-season. With no football everyday, crazy talk flows. Here’s one speculative scenario around college realignment in 2030.

What IF… a group of schools breaks away from their conference(s) or independence to form a new ...

SUPER 12 conference?

Selection Factors:

We believe that for such a SUPER 12 conference to be competitively and financially successful, there are five critical success factors, five critical success factors,

Name Brand: Name recognition is very important for the viewership audience. A schools should have at least one national or conference championship in football and/or basketball.

Competitive Balance: Each school should be competitive in both football and basketball.

Viewership Numbers: A school should be among the top 25 schools in viewers in football games over the past three years.

Market Size: A school should be among the top25 TV markets in the United tates

Game Attendance: A school should have an average game attendance of 90% of stadium capacity.

We feel the following schools might seriously consider joining such a SUPER 12 Conference. Why are each a prime candidate?

Notre Dame: Everything starts with the Irish. They are the key to this scenario. Last season, Notre Dame was left out of the CFP. Scheduling is getting more difficult for the Irish as an independent. They are close to the attractive Chicago market. It may be time for the Irish to give up their independence.

UConn: The Huskies have wanted membership in a power conference for years. They bring an elite basketball program and located in the highly populated northeast corridor.

Florida State: It’s clear the Noles want out of the ACC after the court battles. And there doesn’t appear to be a locked in landing spot for them. FSU was one of eight schools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC.

Clemson: Like FSU, Clemson will leave the ACC at the first opportunity. The Tigers were one of seight schools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC.

Miami: The Canes were one of eight schools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC. As a private school, Miami needs to drive more revenue to remain competitive on the field. They are located in the top 25 market of Miami.

USC: It’s been reported the Trojans are not pleased with membership in the Big Ten and may be looking for a future home. They are located in the attractive top 3 market and bring a rich football tradition.

UCLA: Like USC, they may be looking for a home and money for the future. They are located in the attractive top 3 market and would pay very well with USC.

Nebraska: It’s been rumored they want out of the Big Ten. They bring a passionate fanbase and rich legacy in football.

Georgia Tech: The Yellow jackets were one of eight schools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC. They are located in the top ten market of Atlanta

Duke: The Blue Devils were one of eight schools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC. They also bring an elite baseball program and a rising football program.

Louisville: The Cardinals were one of eightschools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC. They sit in a strategic midwest market near the Irish. They have a rich basketball legacy and a rising football program.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels were one of eight schools ready to vote for disbandment of the ACC. They bring a fervent fanbase and rivalry (Duke) in a rising market.

Other to consider: SMU, TCU, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Maryland

SELECTION MATRIX:

Brand Balance Viewership Market Attendance

Notre Dame HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH

Miami HIGH HIGH MID MID MID

Florida State HIGH MID HIGH LOW MID

Clemson HIGH MID HIGH LOW HIGH

USC HIGH MID HIGH HIGH HIGH

UCLA MID MID MID HIGH LOW

Nebraska HIGH MID LOW LOW HIGH

Georgia Tech MID MID MID HIGH MID

UConn MID MID LOW MID LOW

Duke HIGH MID LOW MID LOW

Louisville MID MID MID MID HIGH

North Carolina HIGH MID MID MID HIGH

SUPER 12 Conference: (alphabetical)

Clemson

Connecticut

Duke

Florida State

Georgia Tech

Louisville

Miami

Nebraska

North Carolina

Notre Dame

UCLA

USC

BOTTOM LINE:

While highly unlikely, this SUPER 12 Conference would command an extremely high media rights contract and provide college fans with outstanding matchups in both football and basketball.

GO CANES!