College Fooball SMQ: 5 best realignment moves in modern college football history
By Zach Bigalke
Realignment has been far more beneficial for some teams than others. Here are the five greatest realignment moves in modern college football.
Over the past several weeks, we have spent a great deal of time here thinking about realignment. We looked at each of the Power Five conferences over the first week, and then followed up with some thoughts about the AAC and the possibility of consolidating the mid-majors.
In recent years, realignment seems to strike every five to seven years. Sometimes it is the result of some conferences going out of existence. Other times, it is merely a matter of opportunism pushing over the first domino. No matter the initial catalyst, though, realignment always has a major ripple effect that reverberates through the sport for years after.
Waking up this morning, realignment once again was on the brain. This Sunday Morning Quarterback can’t help but ponder the best realignment moves that have transpired in the modern era.
So… what constitutes “modern” in terms of looking at realignment?
The modern era of the sport falls roughly around 1992. In that year, the SEC expanded to 12 teams and set off the conference arms race that continues to this day. To get to a dozen teams, the SEC poached away Arkansas from the SWC and coaxed South Carolina to give up its independence.
It was a great move for both teams and for the league. The SEC started the first conference championship game in the 1992 season. After beating Florida for the conference title, Alabama went on to upset top-ranked Miami 34-13 in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship.
Meanwhile, both the Razorbacks and the Gamecocks have played for the conference crown since joining the league. Neither has yet won the elusive SEC title, but both has benefitted from the association. Increased revenue and exposure has been the byproduct of the merger.
One of these two teams makes our list of the five best realignment moves in college football history. But which is it? Keep reading to find out as we detail each of the most beneficial shifts of conference affiliation since the SEC lit the powder keg in 1992 in this week’s Sunday Morning Quarterback.