College Football Conferences Realigned
By Tyler Smith 7/23/2020
I have seen a lot of realignment posts recently on social media. A lot of them are moved towards mega conferences which I just can't get on board with.
So I got bored and decided to does some realignment of my own.
What turned into a simple move here and there, ended up being massive moves.
LETS GET TO IT!
So I got bored and decided to does some realignment of my own.
What turned into a simple move here and there, ended up being massive moves.
LETS GET TO IT!
College Football Realigned
AAC
North
Syracuse* ACC
Boston College* ACC
Temple
Army* Independent
Rutgers* Big Ten
Buffalo* MAC
South
James Madison* FCS
Maryland* Big Ten
West Virginia* Big 12
Marshall* CUSA
Pittsburgh* ACC
Navy
I made a lot of moves to the American. 10 moves to be exact. Seven different conference affiliations in the mix now too.
I went with a regional play here. I have also added a good portion of teams that fans don't believe belong in their conference as well. This conference with the Northeast vibe gives them a home.
What I love about the South is mixing Pitt, Marshall, and West Virginia. Marshall and WVU playing every year would be fantastic. That rivalry runs deep in that state.
The North looks very competitive and would develop nice rivalries with time. Maybe, a new conference will get Rutgers in order? Probably not.
Plus we get Amry and Navy in the same conference. We still keep it as the final CFB game of the year. Don't worry.
Syracuse* ACC
Boston College* ACC
Temple
Army* Independent
Rutgers* Big Ten
Buffalo* MAC
South
James Madison* FCS
Maryland* Big Ten
West Virginia* Big 12
Marshall* CUSA
Pittsburgh* ACC
Navy
I made a lot of moves to the American. 10 moves to be exact. Seven different conference affiliations in the mix now too.
I went with a regional play here. I have also added a good portion of teams that fans don't believe belong in their conference as well. This conference with the Northeast vibe gives them a home.
What I love about the South is mixing Pitt, Marshall, and West Virginia. Marshall and WVU playing every year would be fantastic. That rivalry runs deep in that state.
The North looks very competitive and would develop nice rivalries with time. Maybe, a new conference will get Rutgers in order? Probably not.
Plus we get Amry and Navy in the same conference. We still keep it as the final CFB game of the year. Don't worry.
AAC Realigned
ACC
Atlantic
Clemson
South Carolina* SEC
Miami* ACC Coastal
FSU
UCF* AAC
Kentucky* SEC
Louisville
Coastal
Virginia
Virginia Tech
App State* Sun Belt
Wake Forest* ACC Atlantic
North Carolina
Duke
NC State* ACC Atlantic
The revamped ACC! How much better does this look? Additions of UCF, South Carolina, App State, and Kentucky.
Moved around the divisions to make them more rival centric. The divisions in the ACC have never made sense to me.
The Coastal division is now filled with teams from North Carolina and Virginia only. App State would be a great fit, and they are already very competitive with these teams.
The Atlantic is loaded! Who wouldn't want to see what Kentucky, UCF, and SC could do in a different conference?
Plus, we get natural rivalries back in the conference with UK-Louisville, UCF-FSU-Miami, SC-Clemson. FANTASTIC.
Clemson
South Carolina* SEC
Miami* ACC Coastal
FSU
UCF* AAC
Kentucky* SEC
Louisville
Coastal
Virginia
Virginia Tech
App State* Sun Belt
Wake Forest* ACC Atlantic
North Carolina
Duke
NC State* ACC Atlantic
The revamped ACC! How much better does this look? Additions of UCF, South Carolina, App State, and Kentucky.
Moved around the divisions to make them more rival centric. The divisions in the ACC have never made sense to me.
The Coastal division is now filled with teams from North Carolina and Virginia only. App State would be a great fit, and they are already very competitive with these teams.
The Atlantic is loaded! Who wouldn't want to see what Kentucky, UCF, and SC could do in a different conference?
Plus, we get natural rivalries back in the conference with UK-Louisville, UCF-FSU-Miami, SC-Clemson. FANTASTIC.
ACC realigned
Big 12
BYU* Independent
Baylor
Texas
Utah* PAC 12
Kansas State
Nebraska* Big Ten
TCU
Texas Tech
Kansas
Missouri* SEC
This is where I will get some push back. Where is Oklahoma? We can't separate them from Texas! Why not? Make the rivalry a non-conference game, and that is solved.
Four new additions, two old foes into the Big 12. BYU, Utah, Missouri, and Nebraska are added. These are solid replacements to Iowa State, OK State, Oklahoma, and WVU.
Nebraska and Missouri bring back old rivalry games, Utah and BYU bring a sense of fresh air to the conference.
Baylor
Texas
Utah* PAC 12
Kansas State
Nebraska* Big Ten
TCU
Texas Tech
Kansas
Missouri* SEC
This is where I will get some push back. Where is Oklahoma? We can't separate them from Texas! Why not? Make the rivalry a non-conference game, and that is solved.
Four new additions, two old foes into the Big 12. BYU, Utah, Missouri, and Nebraska are added. These are solid replacements to Iowa State, OK State, Oklahoma, and WVU.
Nebraska and Missouri bring back old rivalry games, Utah and BYU bring a sense of fresh air to the conference.
Big 12 Realigned
Big Ten
East
Ohio State
Penn State
Michigan
Indiana
Michigan State
Cincinnati* AAC
Purdue* Big Ten West
West
Notre Dame* Independent
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Iowa
Illinois
Iowa State* Big 12
Northwestern
The Big Ten welcomes in 3 new teams Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Cincinnati. Yes, Notre Dame finally makes in. This addition alone would be great. UC being added would be great for the state of Ohio College Football scene. Plus, Ohio State would eventually play a game in Nippert. Iowa State seems like a logical fit, a natural rival with Iowa. Big Ten located.
Purdue gets moved to the east with their best friend, Indiana.
Let's take a look at who these teams replaced Maryland, Nebraska, and Rutgers. The Big Ten gets makes out with a net gain here.
Ohio State
Penn State
Michigan
Indiana
Michigan State
Cincinnati* AAC
Purdue* Big Ten West
West
Notre Dame* Independent
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Iowa
Illinois
Iowa State* Big 12
Northwestern
The Big Ten welcomes in 3 new teams Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Cincinnati. Yes, Notre Dame finally makes in. This addition alone would be great. UC being added would be great for the state of Ohio College Football scene. Plus, Ohio State would eventually play a game in Nippert. Iowa State seems like a logical fit, a natural rival with Iowa. Big Ten located.
Purdue gets moved to the east with their best friend, Indiana.
Let's take a look at who these teams replaced Maryland, Nebraska, and Rutgers. The Big Ten gets makes out with a net gain here.
Big Ten Realigned
Conference USA
CUSA
State Lines
FAU
FIU
USF* AAC
La Tech* CUSA West
Tulane* AAC
Louisiana* Sun Belt
ULM* Sun Belt
Don’t Mess With Texas
Houston* AAC
SMU* AAC
Texas State* Sun Belt
Rice
North Texas
UTSA
UTEP
I love this conference. Not sure how Houston fans will take this move to be honest. The move features just three states, three states that love football Florida, Louisiana and Texas. New additions to the conference are USF, La Tech, Tulane, Louisiana, ULM, Houston and SMU. Hell we have a division that is only Texas teams!
The intrigue in both divisions would be at a high level. I think recruiting would elevate for the current CUSA teams and the Sun Belt additions.
I really would love to see this conference come together.
State Lines
FAU
FIU
USF* AAC
La Tech* CUSA West
Tulane* AAC
Louisiana* Sun Belt
ULM* Sun Belt
Don’t Mess With Texas
Houston* AAC
SMU* AAC
Texas State* Sun Belt
Rice
North Texas
UTSA
UTEP
I love this conference. Not sure how Houston fans will take this move to be honest. The move features just three states, three states that love football Florida, Louisiana and Texas. New additions to the conference are USF, La Tech, Tulane, Louisiana, ULM, Houston and SMU. Hell we have a division that is only Texas teams!
The intrigue in both divisions would be at a high level. I think recruiting would elevate for the current CUSA teams and the Sun Belt additions.
I really would love to see this conference come together.
CUSA Realigned
Independent
Liberty
New Mexico State
UMass-Relegated to FCS
ODU
UConn-Relegated to FCS
Vanderbilt
Yes, I eliminated two teams. UMass just hasn't done much for me and UConn needs to go.
Liberty and New Mexico State remain Independents, just couldn't find an ideal fit for them.
The newest additions are ODU and Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt has the feel of an Independent school. Top tier education, private school. This move might actually make Vanderbilt more competitive or it could be a major fall off for the program.
New Mexico State
UMass-Relegated to FCS
ODU
UConn-Relegated to FCS
Vanderbilt
Yes, I eliminated two teams. UMass just hasn't done much for me and UConn needs to go.
Liberty and New Mexico State remain Independents, just couldn't find an ideal fit for them.
The newest additions are ODU and Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt has the feel of an Independent school. Top tier education, private school. This move might actually make Vanderbilt more competitive or it could be a major fall off for the program.
Independent Realigned
MAC
East
Miami OH
Ohio
Kent State
Toledo* MAC West
Bowling Green
Akron
West
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Ball State
Northern Illinois
Eastern Michigan
Western Kentucky* CUSA
Not a ton of movement here in the MAC. A simple move in conference for Toledo. Just make it simple and make one division all Ohio teams.
The West gets WKU added in. A nice replacement for Buffalo.
Miami OH
Ohio
Kent State
Toledo* MAC West
Bowling Green
Akron
West
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Ball State
Northern Illinois
Eastern Michigan
Western Kentucky* CUSA
Not a ton of movement here in the MAC. A simple move in conference for Toledo. Just make it simple and make one division all Ohio teams.
The West gets WKU added in. A nice replacement for Buffalo.
MAC Realigned
MWC
Mountain
Colorado* PAC 12
Air force
North Dakota State* FCS
Wyoming
Colorado State
New Mexico
West
Hawaii
Utah State* MWC Mountain
Nevada
San Jose State
Fresno State
UNLV
Out go Boise State and San Diego State, in comes North Dakota State and Colorado.
Colorado fans won't like this move. I get it. But to be honest would the Big 12 want you back? No. Does the PAC 12 even care that you are there? No. You would be king in the MWC. Well, maybe. Add in a lot of regional interest. I like this move.
North Dakota State is an ideal fit in the MWC and really the only conference they regionally make sense to enter at this point.
One in division move, Utah State to the West.
MWC Realigned
PAC 12
PAC 12
North
Oregon
Oregon State
California
Washington
Washington State
Stanford
South
SDSU* MWC
USC
UCLA
Arizona State
Boise State* MWC
Arizona
The Pac 12 has minor changes. Colorado and Utah are out. Utah the only valuable loss, but you gain San Diego State and Boise State. Two of the top programs on the West Coast.
North
Oregon
Oregon State
California
Washington
Washington State
Stanford
South
SDSU* MWC
USC
UCLA
Arizona State
Boise State* MWC
Arizona
The Pac 12 has minor changes. Colorado and Utah are out. Utah the only valuable loss, but you gain San Diego State and Boise State. Two of the top programs on the West Coast.
PAC 12 Realigned
SEC
East
Georgia
Florida
Tennessee
Georgia Tech* ACC
Memphis* AAC
Auburn* SEC West
Alabama* SEC West
West
LSU
Oklahoma State* Big 12
Texas A&M
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
Oklahoma* Big 12
Arkansas
Plenty of changes in the SEC! Let's start in the new-look East. Auburn and Alabama have joined and I would love to see these inner division match-ups every year! Georgia Tech is added back to the SEC which adds a natural rival to Georgia. Tennessee now has an actual in-state rival in Memphis. Memphis also is near to Oxford to continue a rivalry with Ole Miss. Bye-bye, Vanderbilt!
The West has spread its wings into the state of Oklahoma. Both schools will get to compete against former foe Texas A&M. They would also form a regional rivalry with Arkansas. Who is complaining about LSU-Oklahoma every year? Not me.
This would also add new every year cross-division opponents. Which would be a lot of fun to see that unfold.
Georgia
Florida
Tennessee
Georgia Tech* ACC
Memphis* AAC
Auburn* SEC West
Alabama* SEC West
West
LSU
Oklahoma State* Big 12
Texas A&M
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
Oklahoma* Big 12
Arkansas
Plenty of changes in the SEC! Let's start in the new-look East. Auburn and Alabama have joined and I would love to see these inner division match-ups every year! Georgia Tech is added back to the SEC which adds a natural rival to Georgia. Tennessee now has an actual in-state rival in Memphis. Memphis also is near to Oxford to continue a rivalry with Ole Miss. Bye-bye, Vanderbilt!
The West has spread its wings into the state of Oklahoma. Both schools will get to compete against former foe Texas A&M. They would also form a regional rivalry with Arkansas. Who is complaining about LSU-Oklahoma every year? Not me.
This would also add new every year cross-division opponents. Which would be a lot of fun to see that unfold.
SEC Realigned
Sun Belt
East
Charlotte* CUSA
Georgia State
Georgia Southern
MTSU* CUSA
Coastal Carolina
ECU* AAC
West
UAB* CUSA
Arkansas State
Troy
USM* CUSA
South Alabama
Tulsa* AAC
The Sunbelt has a whole new look! They lose several key members but keep Troy, Arkansas State, and Georgia Southern. The East is made up of Carolina schools, and Georgia schools with MTSU added in.
The West welcomes UAB, who has done nothing but dominate since returning to football. Tulsa and USM are programs that have had strong teams in the past as well. Seeing Troy, South Alabama, and UAB in the same division would be intriguing.
Charlotte* CUSA
Georgia State
Georgia Southern
MTSU* CUSA
Coastal Carolina
ECU* AAC
West
UAB* CUSA
Arkansas State
Troy
USM* CUSA
South Alabama
Tulsa* AAC
The Sunbelt has a whole new look! They lose several key members but keep Troy, Arkansas State, and Georgia Southern. The East is made up of Carolina schools, and Georgia schools with MTSU added in.
The West welcomes UAB, who has done nothing but dominate since returning to football. Tulsa and USM are programs that have had strong teams in the past as well. Seeing Troy, South Alabama, and UAB in the same division would be intriguing.
