Conference Realignment

[CEB]

UNC and UVA are big state schools in territory that the SEC and Big 10 cannot currently claim. That's the main reason they are attractive. Plus they are fairly good at other sports (both won men's basketball championships recently), great academically, AAU members, etc. They are attractive expansion candidates. Miami is an interesting candidate as well. Unfortunately, they are being overshadowed a bit by FSU. I think we are still somewhat attractive to the Big 10. I fear we missed that boat though. I don't think the rest are all that attractive to the P2 honestly.

This I agree with.
I would be very surprised if anyone outside of UNC, FSU, UVA, Miami, ND and POSSIBLY GT or Clem land in one of the P2. Several of those may only get partial shares as well. A couple of schools may throw themselves at the feet of the P2, but I don’t think any other than the ones above move the needle.

ND probably still holds out, and I can’t see either P2 conf taking more than two teams (especially if ND isn’t one of them)…so when the dust settles, I still think you’ve got 12-13 team full ACC members, plus ND.

I don’t see the B12 throwing out full shares to anyone left, so the next ACC deal would have to be a real stinker for any others to make that jump.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

Yes, but they have to generate media $$$ equal to or exceeding what they would be being paid. That's the issue. Those 8 ACC schools I named are all in the same ballpark as far as total media $$$ generation. UNC, because of basketball, is probably ahead, but not conspicuously so. If all those ACC teams are that close to the SEC/B1G media $$$ generation, then the ACC media contract wouldn't be so far behind those two.

There's a legitimate argument to be made that if the ACC as it stands now were able to negotiate a new TV contract, we'd be still south of the SEC/B1G figures but not nearly as far back as we are now. Our TV deal (now 8 years old) still pays out more money per school than the deal the Big-12 signed not even 2 years ago.

 

[Vespidae]

I'm saying that UNC, UVA, NCSU, GT, Pitt, etc. are all fairly close to each other - not close to SEC/B1G. Otherwise we would have the big media contract and none of this would be happening.

I agree with that. But I would add that the ACC viewership is mediocre by comparison. And why there’s a variation in media rights.

 

[stinger78]

This I agree with.
I would be very surprised if anyone outside of UNC, FSU, UVA, Miami, ND and POSSIBLY GT or Clem land in one of the P2. Several of those may only get partial shares as well. A couple of schools may throw themselves at the feet of the P2, but I don’t think any other than the ones above move the needle.

ND probably still holds out, and I can’t see either P2 conf taking more than two teams (especially if ND isn’t one of them)…so when the dust settles, I still think you’ve got 12-13 team full ACC members, plus ND.

I don’t see the B12 throwing out full shares to anyone left, so the next ACC deal would have to be a real stinker for any others to make that jump.

But who knows what the SEC/B1G next contract "full share" will look like? It may actually be near the same or maybe less? There's a lot changing in college football that could affect viewership.

 

[stinger78]

There's a legitimate argument to be made that if the ACC as it stands now were able to negotiate a new TV contract, we'd be still south of the SEC/B1G figures but not nearly as far back as we are now. Our TV deal (now 8 years old) still pays out more money per school than the deal the Big-12 signed not even 2 years ago.

You may be right. If so, why then the supposed exodus from the ACC? It's all funny money.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

You may be right. If so, why then the supposed exodus from the ACC? It's all funny money.

Because we are locked into a deal for another 12 years while the major schools we are competing against are not so slowly pulling further away from us financially.

 

[RonJohn]

Because we are locked into a deal for another 12 years while the major schools we are competing against are not so slowly pulling further away from us financially.

And the contracts for those conferences end before the ACC's does. The Big10 will be the highest paid conference in 2029, and they negotiate a new contract in 2030. I don't think the FSU people are particularly concerned with what Ohio State will be making, but they are very upset that UF will be getting more media money than they will.

 

[stinger78]

Because we are locked into a deal for another 12 years while the major schools we are competing against are not so slowly pulling further away from us financially.

Do we know that there isn’t a look-in for the option year? I’d be shocked if not. If they truly signed a 9 year extension at the same rates then F$U has a legit beef.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

Do we know that there isn’t a look-in for the option year? I’d be shocked if not. If they truly signed a 9 year extension at the same rates then F$U has a legit beef.

We do not know, as the contract is sealed. FSU still doesn't have much of a beef since they signed the GOR.

FWIW, I tend to think there might indeed be a look-in but I doubt that look-in will get us anywhere close to what a true negotiation would garner if we had the option to leave ESPN.

 

[RonJohn]

Do we know that there isn’t a look-in for the option year? I’d be shocked if not. If they truly signed a 9 year extension at the same rates then F$U has a legit beef.

The rates escalate, at least according to all of the information that has been published. It isn't the same rate from now until 2036. The complaint that FSU has is that other conferences have been able to negotiate higher rates with new contracts. The ACC was on par with the SEC and Big10 just after the 2016 contract. Started falling behind, but it has only been in the last couple of years, and most impactfully after the new Big10 and SEC contracts that the ACC is falling far behind. From the projections that have been made, the ACC is the third highest paid conference. The Big12 just signed a new contract, but isn't making as much as the ACC. However, the Big10 and SEC are well ahead, and will be close to double by 2030.

 

[orientalnc]

These are the Nielsen ratings for the top 32 college football teams (2 million or more viewers per game):

1. Alabama 7.12 (SEC)
2. Ohio State 6.05 (Big Ten)
3. Colorado 6.00 (Pac-12)
4. Georgia 5.90 (SEC)
5. Michigan 5.61 (Big Ten)
6. Tennessee 4.57 (SEC)
7. Oregon 4.43 (Pac-12)
8. Texas 4.26 (Big 12)
9. Florida State 4.16 (ACC)
10. Notre Dame 4.15 (Independent)
11. Washington 4.14 (Pac-12)
12. LSU 3.79 (SEC)
13. USC 3.77 (Pac-12)
14. Penn State 3.66 (Big Ten)
15. Auburn 3.55 (SEC)
16. Missouri 3.25 (SEC)
17. Florida 3.17 (SEC)
18. Ole Miss 2.93 (SEC)
19. Clemson 2.90 (ACC)
20. Texas A&M 2.74 (SEC)
21. Iowa 2.68 (Big Ten)
22. Miami 2.65 (ACC)
23. Duke 2.639 (ACC)
24. Nebraska 2.637 (Big Ten)
25. Utah 2.616 (Pac-12)
26. Oklahoma 2.6153 (Big 12)
27. Navy 2.6152 (AAC)
28. Oregon State 2.44 (Pac-12)
29. Louisville 2.37 (ACC)
30. Washington State 2.15 (Pac-12)
31. Kentucky 2.07 (SEC)
32. Mississippi State 2.01 (SEC)

Conference championship games are included, but not the CFP. Where are the supposedly darlings of the B1G and SEC, UNC and UVA???

Here are the 2023 TV ratings for every P5 team:

ACC: Florida State 4.16, Clemson 2.90, Miami 2.65, Duke 2.63, Louisville 2.37, North Carolina 1.93, Georgia Tech 1.83, Boston College 1.48, Pitt 1.37, Syracuse 1.20, NC State 1.13, Virginia Tech 1.02. Others: Virginia, Wake Forest.

Big 12: Texas 4.26, Oklahoma 2.61, Oklahoma State 1.96, TCU 1.70, Kansas 1.48, West Virginia 1.45, Iowa State 1.37, BYU 1.31, Kansas State 1.30, Texas Tech 1.30, Baylor 1.09. Others: Cincinnati, Houston, UCF.

Big Ten: Ohio State 6.05, Michigan 5.61, Penn State 3.66, Iowa 2.68, Nebraska 2.63, Michigan State 1.65, Wisconsin 1.61, Maryland 1.55, Minnesota 1.44, Indiana 1.26, Rutgers 1.14. Others: Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue.

Pac-12: Colorado 6.00, Oregon 4.43, Washington 4.14, USC 3.77, Utah 2.61, Oregon State 2.44, Washington State 2.15, UCLA 1.67, Stanford 1.64, Arizona 1.30, Arizona State 1.20, Cal 1.08.

SEC: Alabama 7.12, Georgia 5.90, Tennessee 4.57, LSU 3.79, Auburn 3.55, Missouri 3.25, Florida 3.17, Ole Miss 2.93, Texas A&M 2.74, South Carolina 2.69, Vanderbilt 2.46, Kentucky 2.07, Mississippi State 2.01, Arkansas 1.93.

Independent: Notre Dame 4.15.

A few things to note. Arkansas is the only SEC team not in the top 32. We're in the top half of the ACC. The ACC is a lot more attractive than the B12. Stanford and Cal are not bringing many viewers to the ACC. SMU did not have enough Neilson rated games to be listed. Except for Michigan and tOSU, the B1G looks a lot like the ACC. The biggest surprise on this list is Duke. Next is Colorado.

I think in a normal good year for their team, Clemson and Miami would have higher ratings. And, if we get off to a better start in 2024 we could move above 2 million viewers.

These are only the Nielson rated games. Some of the lists you might see online show non-Nielson games as having zero viewers. These lists do not include those games.

Another curious note: Washington, USC and Miami are the only teams on the top 32 list that are located in a city with an NFL team.

 

[Vespidae]

The rates escalate, at least according to all of the information that has been published. It isn't the same rate from now until 2036. The complaint that FSU has is that other conferences have been able to negotiate higher rates with new contracts. The ACC was on par with the SEC and Big10 just after the 2016 contract. Started falling behind, but it has only been in the last couple of years, and most impactfully after the new Big10 and SEC contracts that the ACC is falling far behind. From the projections that have been made, the ACC is the third highest paid conference. The Big12 just signed a new contract, but isn't making as much as the ACC. However, the Big10 and SEC are well ahead, and will be close to double by 2030.

I don't see how FSU can make a claim about being "underpaid" when the conference as a whole does not have great viewership compared to its perceived peers. Want better media rights? Put out a product more people want to watch.

 

[Vespidae]

These are the Nielsen ratings for the top 32 college football teams (2 million or more viewers per game):

1. Alabama 7.12 (SEC)
2. Ohio State 6.05 (Big Ten)
3. Colorado 6.00 (Pac-12)
4. Georgia 5.90 (SEC)
5. Michigan 5.61 (Big Ten)
6. Tennessee 4.57 (SEC)
7. Oregon 4.43 (Pac-12)
8. Texas 4.26 (Big 12)
9. Florida State 4.16 (ACC)
10. Notre Dame 4.15 (Independent)
11. Washington 4.14 (Pac-12)
12. LSU 3.79 (SEC)
13. USC 3.77 (Pac-12)
14. Penn State 3.66 (Big Ten)
15. Auburn 3.55 (SEC)
16. Missouri 3.25 (SEC)
17. Florida 3.17 (SEC)
18. Ole Miss 2.93 (SEC)
19. Clemson 2.90 (ACC)
20. Texas A&M 2.74 (SEC)
21. Iowa 2.68 (Big Ten)
22. Miami 2.65 (ACC)
23. Duke 2.639 (ACC)
24. Nebraska 2.637 (Big Ten)
25. Utah 2.616 (Pac-12)
26. Oklahoma 2.6153 (Big 12)
27. Navy 2.6152 (AAC)
28. Oregon State 2.44 (Pac-12)
29. Louisville 2.37 (ACC)
30. Washington State 2.15 (Pac-12)
31. Kentucky 2.07 (SEC)
32. Mississippi State 2.01 (SEC)

Conference championship games are included, but not the CFP. Where are the supposedly darlings of the B1G and SEC, UNC and UVA???

Here are the 2023 TV ratings for every P5 team:

ACC: Florida State 4.16, Clemson 2.90, Miami 2.65, Duke 2.63, Louisville 2.37, North Carolina 1.93, Georgia Tech 1.83, Boston College 1.48, Pitt 1.37, Syracuse 1.20, NC State 1.13, Virginia Tech 1.02. Others: Virginia, Wake Forest.

Big 12: Texas 4.26, Oklahoma 2.61, Oklahoma State 1.96, TCU 1.70, Kansas 1.48, West Virginia 1.45, Iowa State 1.37, BYU 1.31, Kansas State 1.30, Texas Tech 1.30, Baylor 1.09. Others: Cincinnati, Houston, UCF.

Big Ten: Ohio State 6.05, Michigan 5.61, Penn State 3.66, Iowa 2.68, Nebraska 2.63, Michigan State 1.65, Wisconsin 1.61, Maryland 1.55, Minnesota 1.44, Indiana 1.26, Rutgers 1.14. Others: Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue.

Pac-12: Colorado 6.00, Oregon 4.43, Washington 4.14, USC 3.77, Utah 2.61, Oregon State 2.44, Washington State 2.15, UCLA 1.67, Stanford 1.64, Arizona 1.30, Arizona State 1.20, Cal 1.08.

SEC: Alabama 7.12, Georgia 5.90, Tennessee 4.57, LSU 3.79, Auburn 3.55, Missouri 3.25, Florida 3.17, Ole Miss 2.93, Texas A&M 2.74, South Carolina 2.69, Vanderbilt 2.46, Kentucky 2.07, Mississippi State 2.01, Arkansas 1.93.

Independent: Notre Dame 4.15.

A few things to note. Arkansas is the only SEC team not in the top 32. We're in the top half of the ACC. The ACC is a lot more attractive than the B12. Stanford and Cal are not bringing many viewers to the ACC. SMU did not have enough Neilson rated games to be listed. Except for Michigan and tOSU, the B1G looks a lot like the ACC. The biggest surprise on this list is Duke. Next is Colorado.

I think in a normal good year for their team, Clemson and Miami would have higher ratings. And, if we get off to a better start in 2024 we could move above 2 million viewers.

These are only the Nielson rated games. Some of the lists you might see online show non-Nielson games as having zero viewers. These lists do not include those games.

Another curious note: Washington, USC and Miami are the only teams on the top 32 list that are located in a city with an NFL team.

Strategically, you can shape the environment to your liking or you can take it head on. The ACC has no chance, zero, of taking on B1G and the SEC.

It's inevitable that the NCAA is going to lose - it doesn't take action fast enough and has built a patchwork collection of rules that are under enormous pressure.

I am increasingly of the opinion that the ACC should let the B1G and SEC do their thing and dominate (for the time being) CFB. And, also ... rename the ACC the "National Association of College Athletics" and invite ALL remaining non-B1G and non-SEC schools to join. Hire a Commissioner for each sport, build a professional media operation. In other words, outmaneuver them. A "NACA" could create its own Premier League operation and simply layout out its own calendar for determining a champion. Auction off media rights (the way the NFL does) and form a new distribution model unencumbered by legacy conference affiliations.

It's long past due. But as long as the ACC tries to operate by existing structures, they will lose. They don't have enough firepower to do so, so ... rethink how the game is organized. A NACA could form tomorrow with the ACC, Mountain, Sunbelt and others who want to be part of a national structure. As it is, the new B1G-SEC is to be left to donate seats to who they see fit. Form your own structure and challenge it.

Sometimes, you have to be a renegade to do the conservative thing.

 

[orientalnc]

Just looking at the teams moving to a new conference:

Texas brings nice numbers to the SEC and Oklahoma fits in nicely.
Washington, Oregon and USC are good for the B1G; UCLA not so much.
Stanford and Cal are not going to help help the ACC; Since they were a G5 team, SMU is still a question mark.
The B12 got Colorado (whose ratings were sky high because of the novelty of Sanders being there) is a question mark for 2024; Utah will help, but the two AZ schools will not.

 

[MidtownJacket]

The whole process is like waiting for someone to call "Uncle" between FSU and the ACC.

The whole thing is damaging for both parties (and us included).

 

[UgaBlows]

These are the Nielsen ratings for the top 32 college football teams (2 million or more viewers per game):

1. Alabama 7.12 (SEC)
2. Ohio State 6.05 (Big Ten)
3. Colorado 6.00 (Pac-12)
4. Georgia 5.90 (SEC)
5. Michigan 5.61 (Big Ten)
6. Tennessee 4.57 (SEC)
7. Oregon 4.43 (Pac-12)
8. Texas 4.26 (Big 12)
9. Florida State 4.16 (ACC)
10. Notre Dame 4.15 (Independent)
11. Washington 4.14 (Pac-12)
12. LSU 3.79 (SEC)
13. USC 3.77 (Pac-12)
14. Penn State 3.66 (Big Ten)
15. Auburn 3.55 (SEC)
16. Missouri 3.25 (SEC)
17. Florida 3.17 (SEC)
18. Ole Miss 2.93 (SEC)
19. Clemson 2.90 (ACC)
20. Texas A&M 2.74 (SEC)
21. Iowa 2.68 (Big Ten)
22. Miami 2.65 (ACC)
23. Duke 2.639 (ACC)
24. Nebraska 2.637 (Big Ten)
25. Utah 2.616 (Pac-12)
26. Oklahoma 2.6153 (Big 12)
27. Navy 2.6152 (AAC)
28. Oregon State 2.44 (Pac-12)
29. Louisville 2.37 (ACC)
30. Washington State 2.15 (Pac-12)
31. Kentucky 2.07 (SEC)
32. Mississippi State 2.01 (SEC)

Conference championship games are included, but not the CFP. Where are the supposedly darlings of the B1G and SEC, UNC and UVA???

Here are the 2023 TV ratings for every P5 team:

ACC: Florida State 4.16, Clemson 2.90, Miami 2.65, Duke 2.63, Louisville 2.37, North Carolina 1.93, Georgia Tech 1.83, Boston College 1.48, Pitt 1.37, Syracuse 1.20, NC State 1.13, Virginia Tech 1.02. Others: Virginia, Wake Forest.

Big 12: Texas 4.26, Oklahoma 2.61, Oklahoma State 1.96, TCU 1.70, Kansas 1.48, West Virginia 1.45, Iowa State 1.37, BYU 1.31, Kansas State 1.30, Texas Tech 1.30, Baylor 1.09. Others: Cincinnati, Houston, UCF.

Big Ten: Ohio State 6.05, Michigan 5.61, Penn State 3.66, Iowa 2.68, Nebraska 2.63, Michigan State 1.65, Wisconsin 1.61, Maryland 1.55, Minnesota 1.44, Indiana 1.26, Rutgers 1.14. Others: Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue.

Pac-12: Colorado 6.00, Oregon 4.43, Washington 4.14, USC 3.77, Utah 2.61, Oregon State 2.44, Washington State 2.15, UCLA 1.67, Stanford 1.64, Arizona 1.30, Arizona State 1.20, Cal 1.08.

SEC: Alabama 7.12, Georgia 5.90, Tennessee 4.57, LSU 3.79, Auburn 3.55, Missouri 3.25, Florida 3.17, Ole Miss 2.93, Texas A&M 2.74, South Carolina 2.69, Vanderbilt 2.46, Kentucky 2.07, Mississippi State 2.01, Arkansas 1.93.

Independent: Notre Dame 4.15.

A few things to note. Arkansas is the only SEC team not in the top 32. We're in the top half of the ACC. The ACC is a lot more attractive than the B12. Stanford and Cal are not bringing many viewers to the ACC. SMU did not have enough Neilson rated games to be listed. Except for Michigan and tOSU, the B1G looks a lot like the ACC. The biggest surprise on this list is Duke. Next is Colorado.

I think in a normal good year for their team, Clemson and Miami would have higher ratings. And, if we get off to a better start in 2024 we could move above 2 million viewers.

These are only the Nielson rated games. Some of the lists you might see online show non-Nielson games as having zero viewers. These lists do not include those games.

Another curious note: Washington, USC and Miami are the only teams on the top 32 list that are located in a city with an NFL team.

Iirc those ratings for the ACC don’t include games that were on The CW. Something just doesn’t add up when duke has better ratings than VT. Louisville, and UNC

 

[WreckinGT]

I just looked at the viewership numbers. UNC is at about 850K in average viewership. I’m not sure what the SEC gains but … dilution. Big schools, yes. Big viewing numbers they can leverage? No.

Viewership numbers aren't everything. Especially when looked at in a vacuum. The Big 10 didn't add Rutgers, Maryland, or UCLA because of their incredible TV ratings, nor did the SEC add Missouri for that reason. Adding UNC not only raises the profile in several sports, it plants a conference flag in the state with the 9th highest population in the country. It raises the revenue of your conference network in that state. It gains you a strong academic and research university which is valued by at least one of the P2. UNC will have no problem finding a home if things fall apart. Same is probably true for UVA for similar reasons.

 

[WreckinGT]

Iirc those ratings for the ACC don’t include games that were on The CW. Something just doesn’t add up when duke has better ratings than VT. Louisville, and UNC

It includes the CW but not the ACC Network. For Duke, they were inflated because they played Notre Dame and because of the week one matchup where they pulled what was at the time a stunning upset over Clemson in a timeslot that unopposed.

 

[roadkill]

These are the Nielsen ratings for the top 32 college football teams (2 million or more viewers per game):

1. Alabama 7.12 (SEC)
2. Ohio State 6.05 (Big Ten)
3. Colorado 6.00 (Pac-12)
4. Georgia 5.90 (SEC)
5. Michigan 5.61 (Big Ten)
6. Tennessee 4.57 (SEC)
7. Oregon 4.43 (Pac-12)
8. Texas 4.26 (Big 12)
9. Florida State 4.16 (ACC)
10. Notre Dame 4.15 (Independent)
11. Washington 4.14 (Pac-12)
12. LSU 3.79 (SEC)
13. USC 3.77 (Pac-12)
14. Penn State 3.66 (Big Ten)
15. Auburn 3.55 (SEC)
16. Missouri 3.25 (SEC)
17. Florida 3.17 (SEC)
18. Ole Miss 2.93 (SEC)
19. Clemson 2.90 (ACC)
20. Texas A&M 2.74 (SEC)
21. Iowa 2.68 (Big Ten)
22. Miami 2.65 (ACC)
23. Duke 2.639 (ACC)
24. Nebraska 2.637 (Big Ten)
25. Utah 2.616 (Pac-12)
26. Oklahoma 2.6153 (Big 12)
27. Navy 2.6152 (AAC)
28. Oregon State 2.44 (Pac-12)
29. Louisville 2.37 (ACC)
30. Washington State 2.15 (Pac-12)
31. Kentucky 2.07 (SEC)
32. Mississippi State 2.01 (SEC)

Conference championship games are included, but not the CFP. Where are the supposedly darlings of the B1G and SEC, UNC and UVA???

Here are the 2023 TV ratings for every P5 team:

ACC: Florida State 4.16, Clemson 2.90, Miami 2.65, Duke 2.63, Louisville 2.37, North Carolina 1.93, Georgia Tech 1.83, Boston College 1.48, Pitt 1.37, Syracuse 1.20, NC State 1.13, Virginia Tech 1.02. Others: Virginia, Wake Forest.

Big 12: Texas 4.26, Oklahoma 2.61, Oklahoma State 1.96, TCU 1.70, Kansas 1.48, West Virginia 1.45, Iowa State 1.37, BYU 1.31, Kansas State 1.30, Texas Tech 1.30, Baylor 1.09. Others: Cincinnati, Houston, UCF.

Big Ten: Ohio State 6.05, Michigan 5.61, Penn State 3.66, Iowa 2.68, Nebraska 2.63, Michigan State 1.65, Wisconsin 1.61, Maryland 1.55, Minnesota 1.44, Indiana 1.26, Rutgers 1.14. Others: Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue.

Pac-12: Colorado 6.00, Oregon 4.43, Washington 4.14, USC 3.77, Utah 2.61, Oregon State 2.44, Washington State 2.15, UCLA 1.67, Stanford 1.64, Arizona 1.30, Arizona State 1.20, Cal 1.08.

SEC: Alabama 7.12, Georgia 5.90, Tennessee 4.57, LSU 3.79, Auburn 3.55, Missouri 3.25, Florida 3.17, Ole Miss 2.93, Texas A&M 2.74, South Carolina 2.69, Vanderbilt 2.46, Kentucky 2.07, Mississippi State 2.01, Arkansas 1.93.

Independent: Notre Dame 4.15.

A few things to note. Arkansas is the only SEC team not in the top 32. We're in the top half of the ACC. The ACC is a lot more attractive than the B12. Stanford and Cal are not bringing many viewers to the ACC. SMU did not have enough Neilson rated games to be listed. Except for Michigan and tOSU, the B1G looks a lot like the ACC. The biggest surprise on this list is Duke. Next is Colorado.

I think in a normal good year for their team, Clemson and Miami would have higher ratings. And, if we get off to a better start in 2024 we could move above 2 million viewers.

These are only the Nielson rated games. Some of the lists you might see online show non-Nielson games as having zero viewers. These lists do not include those games.

Another curious note: Washington, USC and Miami are the only teams on the top 32 list that are located in a city with an NFL team.

Colorado could be due to the Deion effect, although it's much higher than I would have expected given they kind of crashed and burned after the first 3 games. Duke's numbers make me wonder about the integrity of the data. Perhaps their home games against Clemson and Notre Dame gave their numbers a bump, but I still would expect Duke to be near the bottom of the conference.

 

[Vespidae]

Viewership numbers aren't everything. Especially when looked at in a vacuum. The Big 10 didn't add Rutgers, Maryland, or UCLA because of their incredible TV ratings, nor did the SEC add Missouri for that reason. Adding UNC not only raises the profile in several sports, it plants a conference flag in the state with the 9th highest population in the country. It raises the revenue of your conference network in that state. It gains you a strong academic and research university which is valued by at least one of the P2. UNC will have no problem finding a home if things fall apart. Same is probably true for UVA for similar reasons.

I don't know about Rutgers, Maryland or UCLA but as to the SEC, they regret adding Missouri. I've heard it first-hand. None of these schools need an athletic conference to engage in research. As far as I know, each department negotiates its own collaborations based on the research interests and publications of interest.