Who's The Devil in The Room - Conference Realignment.

The University of Texas is the obvious answer.   They are the "Johnny" from Karate Kid, and ever other good versus evil movie.   This isn't the first time they have broken up a conference.   They were also responsible for the deterioration of The Southwestern Conference, in 1996, and inevitable demise of The Big 12.    The University of Texas has the biggest athletic budget in the College Football, and the only thing bigger and more ugly in Texas is the Texas size ego and arrogance that goes along with being a Longhorn fan.   

There is also Greg Sankey, the Commissioner of the SEC (Southeastern Conference).   Sankey sat on the Expansion Committee, all while knowing his conference was in covert discussions with Oklahoma and Texas.   Sankey knew this would favorably benefit his conference and his member schools.  The SEC becomes the ultimate Big Kid on The Block and all the TV revenue that comes with it. 

But the Biggest Jack in the Box of all is ESPN.   It is rumored that ESPN brokered the discussion between OU, Texas, and The SEC.  ESPN currently owns the TV rights to the SEC and The College Football playoff.  After OU and Texas leave The Big 12, the plan was to offer up the remaining 8 schools to The American Athletic Conference, which ESPN also owns the TV rights for The AAC.  Which all sounds good except, The Big 12 currently distributed $38.5 million per school and The AAC distributed $7.47 million per member school.   The expanded playoff proposal has been valued at $1 Billion.   So, where do think ESPN's motivation comes from.   It certainly isn't for the greater good of College Football.     What happens if ESPN decides to pay an exit for a college like, oh let's say Clemson, Florida State, etc., to allow them to move to the SEC and the Supreme Super Conference ???

#conference Realignment #collegefootball #big12 #NCAAFootball

What about Basketball and Realignment- You say?

Gravestone ???

Why isn't there more interest in The Kansas Basketball program and the value it brings to  conference realignment?  I ran a across of listing of revenue and expense valuations of the top NCAA Basketball institutions.   The state of Kentucky rules the basketball revenue pot.   Kansas comes in at number 5, and generates $32.2 million on average per year.  Interestingly enough the Top 15 NCAA Basketball programs all average over $20 million per year, but it quickly drops off after that.   Still curious why Kansas is still out in the cold with the remaining Big 8?  The formula that has been published widely is roughly 80% of revenue for athletic budgets comes from football.   Only 20% come from the round ball court.   This is true at Kansas too.   They have roughly $100 million athletic budget, so in Kansas' case it is 70% football and 30% basketball. 

Most Valuable College Basketball Programs

The UCONN Huskies have won 4 NCAA National Basketball Tournament Championships (1999, 2004, 2011, and 2014), which puts the program at sixth-most all-time.  UConn has arguably done more in basketball the last 20 years than Kansas.  Kansas' last National Championship was in 2008.  However, UConn was left out in the cold during the last realignment in the Big East which no longer sponsors football.   In 2019 The UConn Huskies, were forced to go independent to support their football program.   What about Basketball I ask you (they still play B-ball in The Big East) ?

P.S. The Baylor Bears Won the NCAA National Basketball Championship in 2021.   But, for some
reason no conferences seems interested.   Baylor is a Baptist Private University and that could be the weight dragging them down.   But, I still think it demonstrates this realignment is about football and basketball has little bearing on any conference restructuring. 

Iowa State First Team All Americans (3)

Mike Rose - 2020 Big 12
Defensive Player of Year

Iowa State has 3 First Team All Americans.      

Breece Hall (28)- RB *unanimous selection  (Junior)            Charlie Kolar (88) - TE  (Red Shirt Senior)                             Mike Rose (23) at LB  (Senior)                                                                                                                                                                  This is a great year to be getting great press concerning multiple Iowa State football players. 

Preseason All American Selections

Kollar 2020
Mackey Finalist  

There are only three unanimous All-America selections this preseason with Iowa State running back Breece Hall, Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. receiving first-team votes from all participants. Hall is also one of three players back as a first-team selection from the 2020 postseason team. Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett and Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph are the others.  Hall is considered a long odds Heisman Trophy Candidate. 

Breece Hall - 2021/2022 Heisman Trophy Candidate

Breece Hall 2020 Doak Walker Finalist

Coming off a mesmerizing 23-touchdown sophomore season, Breece Hall is poised to win the Doak Walker Award this fall as one of the leaders within a veteran-laden offense for the Cyclones. The top draft prospect at the position depending on who you ask, Hall does not have a weakness in his game and Hall is Iowa State's first-ever unanimous All-American in program history. Hall was the leading rusher in the FBS during the 2020 season, racking up 1,572 yards on the ground and became the first running back since LaDainian Tomlinson to rush for 100-plus yards with a rushing touchdown in seven consecutive games to start a season. Hall also notched 23 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns.  In 2020 Breece had a season to remember leading the FBS in rushing (1,572) as he rushed for 100 or more yards nine times.   He also was second in rushing touchdowns (21) only behind Alabama's Najee Harris.   But, perhaps the most impressive stat was his 935 yards after contact (Akin to David Montgomery), which led the nation. 

ISU Commissioner - Back From Hiatus. Conference Realignment Again.

 

I'm Back 

I'm sure by now you have heard the news about Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12 Conference.  I have to say it has been a consuming soap opera for me.   This story has more wrinkles than Grandma coming out of the tub after a long soak.  Therefore, I had to come out of hiatus, as Commissioner to share a few of my thoughts on the subject.                                                                                                                  I'm an Iowa State Homer, but I try to be objective with this conference realignment issue.   My current position is there are many more middle class schools outside of The Big 12 that should be just as worried.

. We aren't the only schools worried about OU and UT to the SEC

  Let me share some numbers.   Based on a report from USA Today 2018-2019 budget year.   (I choose this report because it was the first one that popped up in my Google Search, and most current I found.   https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Based on Athletic Budgets The SEC currently has 5 of the Top 10 Revenue producing Schools - 50%.   The Big Ten has 3, and currently The Big 12 has 2.   When OU and Texas leave for the SEC that raises The SEC to 7 out of the Top 10 and 12 out of the Top 20 - 60%.   The SEC Conference will expand to 16 teams, which means 75%, 12 of the 16 SEC member schools are in the Top 20 in Athletic Budgets.   Do you think  any of the other conferences are concerned?   The Big Ten will have 6 out of the Top 20 - 30%,  half of what the SEC will have.   The ACC has: One, 1, Uno, in the Top 20 and the name is not Clemson.  We can credit Florida State.   The PAC 12 has no one in the Top 20.   Do you think there is a revenue gap, between schools and conferences?  There is real fear of a Super League led by The SEC.  Who could be the next school to get wooed? 

This report doesn't include private schools such as Notre Dame, USC (So. Cal), Baylor, Northwestern, and TCU.      

Power 5 Conference Payouts: 

1. The Big Ten Paid out $55.6 million per school * Rutgers and Maryland received less    
2. The SEC Paid out $45.5 million per school
3. The Big 12 Paid out $38.2 million 
4. The ACC Paid out $34 million per school   
5. The PAC 12 Paid out 32.2 million per school 

The Big Ten is going from the Number 1 revenue producing conference to now Number 2. The new SEC/ESPN TV contract for 2025 is estimated to be worth $68-$70 Million per school.  That is over a $20 million more per school in The SEC over the Big Ten.  The PAC 12 and the ACC will be receiving nearly 50% less than SEC Member School.   So, this week The Big Ten announced an alliance with the PAC 12, and the ACC.   This announcement is not great for  The Big 12.  However, I think it signals the fear the other conferences have of the SEC and a Football Monopoly.   This alliance will address voting over rules governance, playoff expansion, and allow for flexible scheduling within the 3 alliance partners.   Putting higher profile games on TV weekly, that could bolster TV Ratings for BIG 10, ACC, and PAC 12. 

I've included an Interview with Bob Stoops, Former OU Head Football Coach.  I think he extremely forthright in his explanation of why OU is making the move to SEC.  His best line is at the 10:45 mark.  His justification and explanation is hard to argue.   

Texas A&M's Influence on Conference Realignment.

How has Texas A&M possibly influenced College Football Realignment you ask?  The Texas aTm  money machine even has ATM in their name. A&M left the Big 12 in 2010 for greener and more profitable pastures. How has that worked out for them ???  

I found this report published in 2012 reporting on  NCAA Athletic budgets for fiscal year 2010-2011.   2010 was the year Texas A&M left the Big 12 conference.   

https://businessofcollegesports.com/finance/top-50-highest-athletics-department-revenues/ 

In 2010 when Texas A&M, left for the SEC A&M, was listed as the 27th largest athletic budget valued at $74,944,301.   As of my latest search based on a 2018-2019 report, Texas A&M is now listed as the 2nd largest athletic budget valued at $212,748,002.  That is a 286% increase in less than 10 years.   Do you think The University of Texas and Oklahoma University were aware of this increase by Texas aTm after joining the SEC???   How long before Clemson, Penn State, USC, Miami, Michigan, Florida State, Washington, etc. figure out the potential revenue windfall of joining the SEC???  

https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

This doesn't take into account wins and losses.   Yet, Texas A&M stunned the college football world Dec. 4, 2017, when it announced Jimbo Fisher had agreed to a 10-year, $75 million deal, after recruiting Fisher away from Florida State. Since 2018 Texas A&M has become a consistent Top 10 football program.   It is amazing how many more options you have when almost tripling your revenue annually.   

Kansas State versus Iowa State 100th Meeting

A little about the Game.   Iowa State and Kansas State will be meeting for the 100th time this Saturday.   Iowa State LEADS the Series 49-46-4.   However, Kansas State has owned the last 8 meetings.  But let's take a closer look at the last 8 losses.   Kansas State has won by an 8.75 margin in the last 8 games.   But there is an outlier 3 years ago when ISU lost in Manhattan 41-7.   Throw that game out and the margin of defeat drops to 5.14.   The last two games have been lost by 3 points last year and 4 points 2 years ago in Ames.   Both of those games ISU folded in the 4th quarter - something we have experienced this year. 

This game will be a battle of Old versus new.   Bill Snyder from the Hayden Fry coaching tree is 77 and Head coach of Kansas State.   You know they say that 70 is the new 80 if you live in Manhattan Kansas.   Matt Campbell is 36 and one of the youngest NCAA Division I coaches.   This makes me think of one of my old posts: Stiffler's Mom or Nadia.   Only replace Stiffler's Mom with Bill Snyder and Nadia with Matt Campbell.  

http://isucommissioner.blogspot.com/2011/10/do-you-prefer-stifflers-mom-or-nadia.html  

I will go on record and say two things.   First, I think this will be a close game.   Secondly, it doesn't really matter that much if we win or lose this year.   It would be great if we win - but we are building toward the future of a strong football program.  Yet, I think this is one of the games on the remaining schedule that we could steal.  

Not Ready To Throw Out Prohm - Just Yet.

I know it is sacrilege to say anything negative about Fred Hoiberg. I've been told I'm occasionally negative when it comes to the Cyclones.   I believe that I try to come with an objective view.  Fred is the Mayor and more beloved than Johnny Orr.  I was as hurt as any Cardinal and Gold loving cyclone Fan when Fred left.  Fred was a good coach and re-energized the program.   But let's not forget Fred cut his teeth on coaching with the Cyclones.  Fred never got passed the Sweet 16, and had another embarrassing first round exit last year in the big dance.  So, let's take a closer look at some numbers.   I didn't do this research but some enterprising soul has on our behalf.   The numbers show that we are better than we have been in the past 2 years.


http://iowastate.247sports.com/Bolt/Comparing-Iowa-State-basketball-over-the-past-three-seasons-43923910

Steve Prohm's legacy will be cemented in the post season and in the next couple years.   It isn't time to throw him out just yet.  We'll see how he does with recruiting.   We aren't deep or tall (who's to blame for the that), so I'm not expecting a deep run - but would gladly take a Sweet 16 finish this year.