Despite the sport being just about as popular as ever, we are entering a crossroads of sorts in college football.
With conference realignment changing the entire landscape, let alone the dramatic effects of NIL and the transfer portal, there are many who believe the end of the NCAA as we know it could be near.
Is it time for college football to divorce itself from the NCAA?@dandakich and @KirkHerbstreit discuss pic.twitter.com/CmwhDD07Ch
— OutKick (@Outkick) March 2, 2024
It’s no secret that the SEC and Big Ten are the two big-boys in college football. That’s not to say there aren’t influential conferences and programs elsewhere, but the SEC and Big Ten wield the vast majority of the power.
SEC & Big Ten know their demands are absurd. It’s all about being able to say two words before they make their real move…
“We tried” pic.twitter.com/pJkHReo5Ez
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) March 1, 2024
There is more and more talk that we’re inevitably heading towards a landscape consisting of two very large “Super Conferences.”
According to On3’s Andy Staples, the notion of a 48-team “Super League” is not just a pipe dream but a plausible future scenario.
In his visionary proposal, Staples sees the SEC and Big Ten expanding their ranks to accommodate 24 teams each, effectively cementing their status as the powerhouses of college football.
College Football Super League via @Andy_Staples🚨
A hypothetical look at what could happen if the SEC & Big Ten parted ways with the NCAA👀https://t.co/irEVODJJvt pic.twitter.com/Wtg3E8hTjC
— On3 (@On3sports) March 4, 2024
Staples’ hypothetical Super League sees the Big Ten making strategic acquisitions from the ACC, including Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia, and Pitt, while also enticing Notre Dame to join and adding Utah from the Big 12.
On the other hand, the SEC is projected to absorb Clemson, NC State, Virginia Tech, and Miami from the ACC, along with Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, and West Virginia from the Big 12.
Me seeing @Andy_Staples proposed 48 team super league. pic.twitter.com/0e2aMvVlhG
— High Noon Hypnotoad (@hnhypnotoad) March 4, 2024
“As for who made the cut and who didn’t, I sincerely apologize if your team isn’t listed,” Staples wrote.
“I can’t imagine major college football without N.C. State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Kansas State and Utah. So I found places for those teams. But in the real world one or two of those might get bumped for Arizona, Arizona State or both.”
“I also went with public school politics winning the day in Texas and added Texas Tech to the SEC, but history tells us that Baylor and TCU (and SMU) have a lot of friends in the state house in Austin. Perhaps one of those might find their way in,” he added.
College Football's SUPER LEAGUE? WHO gets in?
ESPN's @ColeCubelic joins @Andy_Staples to talk about which teams outside of the SEC and Big Ten would be in the "Super League" pic.twitter.com/rz5npE65YS
— On3 VIDEO (@On3Video) March 4, 2024
Staples’ full projected breakdown is as follows…
*** BIG TEN ***
(Atlantic)
-Penn State
-Florida State
-North Carolina
-Virginia
-Pittsburgh
-Maryland
(East-ish / Midwest)
-Michigan
-Michigan State
-Notre Dame
-Indiana
-Purdue
-Rutgers
(West-ish / Midwest)
-Ohio State
-Wisconsin
-Northwestern
-Illinois
-Iowa
-Minnesota
(West)
-UCLA
-USC
-Oregon
-Washington
-Utah
-Nebraska
*** SEC ***
(Atlantic)
-Florida
-Georgia
-Clemson
-NC State
-South Carolina
-Miami
(Moonshine)
-Alabama
-Auburn
-Tennessee
-Kentucky
-West Virginia
-Virginia Tech
(Mid-South)
-Arkansas
-Ole Miss
-Mississippi State
-Missouri
-LSU
-Vanderbilt
(Southwest)
-Texas
-Texas A&M
-Texas Tech
-Oklahoma
-Oklahoma State
-Kansas State
Here is my response to Andy Staples Super League segment earlier today. I tend to think a P3 is more likely than a super 2. The PACC is in limbo between the P3 and Go5. What do you think? Is this the future? Do you love it or hate it? pic.twitter.com/K83sPzaG76
— CFB+ (@CFBN_Plus) March 5, 2024
What are your thoughts on Staples’ suggestion/project?
What changes, if any, would you make?
Is something like this indeed what college football is heading towards???