I've long believed that conferences are far too big these days. Baylor's Big 12 championships are a huge point of pride for me and represent tangible pillars of the program's success. But as conferences balloon to 16, 18, and potentially 20 teams, the math shows conference trophies will be much harder to earn. Heck, OU might not sniff one for another 20 years.

That belief, combined with the fact that I was waiting all day for a conference game against a non-rival to kick off at 9:30 p.m., led me to take a crack at fixing the structure of major college football.

I started with a few core beliefs that I think would lead to a better, long-term college football environment:

• Smaller, traditional conferences
• Competitively balanced conferences
• Promotion and relegation
• Revamped scheduling model
• 16-team playoff
• More games that fans care about = better attendance, viewership, investment

Of course, this isn't perfect or realistic, as there's no perfect solution. Namely, the SEC and Big 10 would have to relinquish hoarding the majority of the assets and advantages that they currently possess. There will also be several programs that would never accept this without a fight (SMU, Houston, Purdue, Rutgers, Vandy, Wake). I would tell them that if you belong in the top league, you should only be in the lower league for a single season before promotion.

I truly think that this structure, along with some common-sense regulations around the salary cap and transfer rules, would create a more sustainable and valuable product over the long term that ends up benefiting everyone involved.

Right now, I think the powers that be are cashing in a lot of their goodwill checks with their fanbases, and that it will run out sooner rather than later. At the end of the day, the fans are the customers, and this would give the fans the product they are willing to pay for the most.

I had fun putting this together and would love any feedback or questions.

I hope you don't think I was implying that you are forced to discuss this

Nobody would ever agree to any promotion and relegation so you can just throw out that idea. The idea that makes the most sense is just take the top 72 teams and then align them by region. That way you can play traditional rivals and then 3 other out of region teams per year. Forget conference championships you just filter it down to the 24 team playoff. Thats all you need to do right there.

Please do not burden college football with a requirement that it be rational

muddybrazos said:

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Nobody would ever agree to any promotion and relegation so you can just throw out that idea. The idea that makes the most sense is just take the top 72 teams and then align them by region. That way you can play traditional rivals and then 3 other out of region teams per year. Forget conference championships you just filter it down to the 24 team playoff. Thats all you need to do right there.

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There would be huge stakes for the games deciding promotion and relegation. Huge stakes = viewers. Viewers = money

GeorgesBigO said:

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muddybrazos said:

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Nobody would ever agree to any promotion and relegation so you can just throw out that idea. The idea that makes the most sense is just take the top 72 teams and then align them by region. That way you can play traditional rivals and then 3 other out of region teams per year. Forget conference championships you just filter it down to the 24 team playoff. Thats all you need to do right there.

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There would be huge stakes for the games deciding promotion and relegation. Huge stakes = viewers. Viewers = money

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Well, again nobody thats already in the upper tier would ever agree to losing their spot. Its never going to happen.

And yet you continue to reply. I mentioned in the OP that it's not realistic, but a fun exercise

I think this is a solid framework in a world where I honestly don't think the decision makers know where to start.

This is a relatively easy sell for the teams below the relegation line as well as it provides a clear pathway to national relevance.

You may also consider proposing a new governing office, like the NFL Commissioner has, that can set rules that everyone agrees to in terms of NIL, free agency (transfer portal), and the like - to enforce these new rules. You break the rules, you are fined or relegated. Give them some teeth.

I would encourage you to send your proposal to the following and see what kind of response you get.

Doug
All Conference Offices
All TV Networks
Reputable Podcaster (Joel Klatt, etc)
ESPN talking head shows (Feinbaum, Pat McAfee)

The more you have people considering/talking about an idea, the better.

BigBoyz said:

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I would encourage you to send your proposal to the following and see what kind of response you get.

Doug
All Conference Offices
All TV Networks
Reputable Podcaster (Joel Klatt, etc)
ESPN talking head shows (Feinbaum, Pat McAfee)
.

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Response… crickets chirping.
Networks & 2 Bigs NADA!

GeorgesBigO said:

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I hope you don't think I was implying that you are forced to discuss this

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Obviously, no. But you said you'd "love any feedback." My feedback was, this is nowhere remotely close to (realistically) possible.

MT_Bear said:

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GeorgesBigO said:

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I hope you don't think I was implying that you are forced to discuss this

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Obviously, no. But you said you'd "love any feedback." My feedback was, this is nowhere remotely close to (realistically) possible.

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I also acknowledged that it wasn't realistic in the OP. If you don't want to discuss, then don't. Unless you feel obligated to prevent others from discussing as well

GeorgesBigO said:

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MT_Bear said:

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GeorgesBigO said:

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I hope you don't think I was implying that you are forced to discuss this

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Obviously, no. But you said you'd "love any feedback." My feedback was, this is nowhere remotely close to (realistically) possible.

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I also acknowledged that it wasn't realistic in the OP. If you don't want to discuss, then don't. Unless you feel obligated to prevent others from discussing as well

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I'm not discussing it. I clarified my last post, since you seemed confused. You're coming across as defensive and I'm not sure why.

GeorgesBigO said:

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I've long believed that conferences are far too big these days. Baylor's Big 12 championships are a huge point of pride for me and represent tangible pillars of the program's success. But as conferences balloon to 16, 18, and potentially 20 teams, the math shows conference trophies will be much harder to earn. Heck, OU might not sniff one for another 20 years.

That belief, combined with the fact that I was waiting all day for a conference game against a non-rival to kick off at 9:30 p.m., led me to take a crack at fixing the structure of major college football.

I started with a few core beliefs that I think would lead to a better, long-term college football environment:

• Smaller, traditional conferences
• Competitively balanced conferences
• Promotion and relegation
• Revamped scheduling model
• 16-team playoff
• More games that fans care about = better attendance, viewership, investment

Of course, this isn't perfect or realistic, as there's no perfect solution. Namely, the SEC and Big 10 would have to relinquish hoarding the majority of the assets and advantages that they currently possess. There will also be several programs that would never accept this without a fight (SMU, Houston, Purdue, Rutgers, Vandy, Wake). I would tell them that if you belong in the top league, you should only be in the lower league for a single season before promotion.

I truly think that this structure, along with some common-sense regulations around the salary cap and transfer rules, would create a more sustainable and valuable product over the long term that ends up benefiting everyone involved.

Right now, I think the powers that be are cashing in a lot of their goodwill checks with their fanbases, and that it will run out sooner rather than later. At the end of the day, the fans are the customers, and this would give the fans the product they are willing to pay for the most.

I had fun putting this together and would love any feedback or questions.

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This makes so much sense

Love the idea. Praying that one day it's more than a dream

MT_Bear said:

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GeorgesBigO said:

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MT_Bear said:

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GeorgesBigO said:

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I hope you don't think I was implying that you are forced to discuss this

---

Obviously, no. But you said you'd "love any feedback." My feedback was, this is nowhere remotely close to (realistically) possible.

---

I also acknowledged that it wasn't realistic in the OP. If you don't want to discuss, then don't. Unless you feel obligated to prevent others from discussing as well

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I'm not discussing it. I clarified my last post, since you seemed confused. You're coming across as defensive and I'm not sure why.

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Because it bugs me when people try to dictate what should and shouldn't be discussed on a message board

MT_Bear said:

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GeorgesBigO said:

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I hope you don't think I was implying that you are forced to discuss this

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Obviously, no. But you said you'd "love any feedback." My feedback was, this is nowhere remotely close to (realistically) possible.

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C'mon man, it's 10 days til the next game. We've got to talk about Something. So what if it probably won't happen, it makes sense. That's the point. Relax.

I like it a lot - I am clear on how you get relegated up - not clear on how you get relegated down?

I would do away with regulation and add a sixth conference. With championship games it sets up nicely for a six-team playoff.

Last place gets relegated each year. So this year it would be TCU

BigBoyz said:

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I would encourage you to send your proposal to the following and see what kind of response you get.

Doug
All Conference Offices
All TV Networks
Reputable Podcaster (Joel Klatt, etc)
ESPN talking head shows (Feinbaum, Pat McAfee)

The more you have people considering/talking about an idea, the better.

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Get ready for their laughter.

TCU - perfect

I would rather have Vanderbilt in the SEC than Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech had their chance and threw it away years ago. Vanderbilt has at least equal athletic programs and are currently in the SEC.

Personally, I would want an 8 team play off.