(07-19-2017 11:43 AM)lance99 Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 11:28 AM)MplsBison Wrote:  

(07-19-2017 10:17 AM)TerryD Wrote:  Unlikely in that conferences like the SEC and Big Ten (and ACC) will want the chance to place two schools in the playoffs.

Plus the G5 confs, and Notre Dame, own six seats at the executive board of the CFP. Not saying they have equal power ... but I doubt there's any way the G5 get officially, completely shut out of a possible chance (one day) to make the playoff.

This is what people seem to forget. The P5 knows that it would be a Anti-Trust Case that is a guaranteed loser in court for them(not to mention the ultra-bad PR) and an outright breakaway will be blocked by just about every College President of those schools....

Not really. We already have the separation. They just won't formalize it. If we move to a P4 I look for the AAC to be elevated in status to take the place of the Big 12. Then if AAC schools mount a challenge and from time to time gain playoff inclusion the lawsuit potential is eliminated. Most years however it will be the champion of the ACC, SEC, Big 10 and PAC. That way there is a defacto P4, but with just enough inclusion to maintain the status quo.

The networks will get a predominantly "P" schedule and AAC schools will count as a "P" game. This pleases Texas and the Florida schools where each prefers to play more in state than out of state.

The networks get the clustering of brands they want for advertising rates and market stimulation. The P conferences still rake in the cash, and the AAC helps ESPN cover the states of Florida, Texas, and the region of New England.

It also covers the movement of the current Big 12 schools which aren't as appealing to the other conferences. Baylor, Kansas State and any others that don't find another conference home slide into the AAC and by not losing P status it reduces liability.

UConn, Temple, Houston, Memphis, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Central & South Florida along with the rest all gain inclusion and get a bump in revenue and status and since they are the ones most likely to win a challenge in court, that is yet another liability killer of a move.

Once that is done time and state budget cuts increase the distancing between these 5 and the other conferences.

Furthermore, to avoid anti trust suits all that needs to be established is a permeable criteria for inclusion. I would look for this list to include Athletic Endowment size, the requisite number and kinds of sports to be offered, minimum stipends and scholarship requirements, a minimum attendance requirement, facilities requirements, and a minimum Gross Revenue requirement for the ability to enter what will be essentially a new upper division. As long as there are concrete standards for admission, and the ability to move there will be no basis for anti trust suits.

And remember, politics will be involved, but not in the capacity that so many posters tout. Not only do the longer established and larger schools control more voters in each state, but the state will not sanction lawsuits between state schools. Political fallout for attempting this will inevitably affect appropriations.