Brave New World: Conference Realignments A Go

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Happy Realignment Day.

The reformation of college football’s landscape has been anticipated for over a year, yet had a surreality to it. Now, everything is finalized and there is no going back. Welcome to the Brave New World that is the Bowl Subdivision. Today’s movement, I speculate, is just the first rumbling in what should ultimately be a colossal seismic shift. Transitions for 2012 are already set, and are actually of less significance than this year’s — Hawaii, Fresno State and Nevada move to the Mountain West and TCU out of it, essentially rendering Boise State’s transfer a precursor to the MWC becoming New WAC. But as the Big East seeks more football-playing members and the futures of the Big 12 and WAC float in uncertainty, 2013 should bring a large scale event.

In the meantime, this is all speculation. Let’s talk those already moved, shall we?


BOISE STATE

    Background

The timeline of Boise State’s Mountain West merger is interesting, because the Broncos went from the most exciting of the moves, to the least in a relatively short period. BSU finalized the MWC paperwork on June 11, 2010. With Utah, BSU, TCU and BYU all on board there was seemingly no way the BCS could ignore the Mountain West. But eliminate two from that equation in a matter of days, and status quo was retained. TCU packed its bags in the fall.

The presences of New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado State, Air Force and San Diego State already gives the MWC an old WAC feel; the additions of BSU and soon UH, Fresno State and UNR combine that element with the 21st century WAC. For the foreseeable future, BSU is in a similar position to what it left.

What To Expect

TCU and BSU met in two outstanding postseason clashes in both the end of the 2008 and 2009 seasons. This season marks the rubber match, with each team’s BCS hopes likely on the line. The MWC’s decision to move this game from DFW to Boise after TCU joined the Big East adds an extra level of intrigue. Realistically, that’s BSU’s most serious challenge to its first MWC crown — and when the first comes, many are sure to follow. The more things change, the more they stay the same.


BYU

    Background

Feeling the Mountain West had slighted its athletic department repeatedly and in need of a new television contract, Brigham Young said au revoir to a conference and Vive le independence! SaturdayBlitz.com has a more thorough take on BYU’s move, but in summation it’s the right one. Exposure on ESPN and the opportunity to play marquee games gives BYU football a rejuvenation it hasn’t had in years.

What To Expect

BYU’s initial independent schedule turned out impressively, and sets a solid foundation for the independent era. Expect more big time games like its series with Texas in the coming years. The only question mark is its non-ESPN broadcasts. BYU Network will air games, but I question the traction football can get on a religiously-affiliated network.


COLORADO

    Background

A staple of the former Big 8, Colorado’s fall on hard times nearly coincided with the move to 12. The Big 12 brass doesn’t seem to have much plan beyond placating Texas in the short term, a strategy I suspect will ultimately backfire when UT becomes an independent (bank on it). CU made a jump at the right time, getting on board with a conference that has charted out an ambitious and lucrative long term plan and not waiting for the Big 12 to steer away from the iceberg.

What To Expect

The Pac and Big 12 are conferences with similar strengths as far as member programs, and CU will continue to struggle. However, the move injects some much needed vigor into a program that desperately needs something positive. Expect its Pac membership to open a healthier recruiting pipeline into California


NEBRASKA

    Background

Similarly to Colorado, Nebraska boarded a lifeboat from the Big 12 at the most opprotune time. Nebraska’s presence elevates the already vaunted Big Ten to even greater heights. The Big Ten evens out its numbers and gets that ever-lucrative championship game, and Nebraska gets a stable future with a plethora of outstanding new rivalries. The ultimate win-win.

What To Expect

Nebraska fits so seamlessly into the Big Ten landscape immediately, it’s almost a wonder this marriage wasn’t consummated sooner. Big Red is known for smashmouth defense and a run-based offense, much like…well, virtually every Big Ten member. The Cornhuskers will instantly become a Big Ten staple.


UTAH

    Background

Utah is a clear example of why the BCS sucks. Now, I don’t back a traditional playoff format; I love bowl games and believe tampering with them compromises the vast and important tradition of college football. However, a Plus-One system is needed desperately, and twice UU would have been the beneficiary. Its home state legislature and district attorney are seeking legal recourse against the BCS, but UU took matters into its own hands by joining a conference wherein going unbeaten would provide a championship opportunity.

What To Expect

Utah has performed well against Pac competition and already recruits in Pac-dominated areas. These set strong precedents for Utah’s Pac-12 future, as its reach into California expands and it adds a few new markets to present itself. UU is a program that has been on the upper echelon of college football about seven years, and it will finally command national attention with this move.