With COVID-19 altering college football, here’s a concept for conference alignment
The super conference model for college football has long been theorized by pundits and fans alike.
And with the current climate surrounding COVD-19, the respiratory illness strain of the coronavirus causing a global pandemic, modifications to college football this season have already happened.
The Big Ten Conference, for example, has shifted to a conference-only schedule for its members.
So with that in mind, Twitter user Kyle Umlang, who describes himself as a college football stat expert on his profile, posted the potential college football future with super conferences.
Under Umlang’s format, each mega conference gets 16 teams split into two divisions with teams playing seven division games, two rotating conference games and three non-conference games for a 12-game schedule. The non-conference games are one game against each of the other three mega conferences.
The College Football Playoff is expanded to eight teams with conference title games serving as the quarterfinals for the CFP under Umlang’s proposal.
Here’s a look at his mega conference breakdown:
I present the future of #CFB
• 4 16-team Mega Conferences (ACC, B16, PAC16, SEC)
• 7 Division Games + 2 Rotating Conference Games + 3 Out of Conference Games (1 from each Conference)
• 8 Team #CFBPlayoff (The first round would be the Conference Championship Games)
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/d6vMQU7HO6— Kyle Umlang (@kyleumlang) July 18, 2020
The Big 12 would get absorbed by the four mega conferences, which would be the SEC, ACC, Big 16 and Pac-16. Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma would go to the SEC, while Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State move to the new Big 16. And Missouri, a former Big 12 school that’s been in the SEC, transitions to the Big 16 to create a balance across both leagues.
The Florida Gators get Alabama and Auburn joining in the revamped SEC East with the current teams from that division.
In the ACC, Notre Dame joins as a football member with West Virginia, Maryland and UCF. The Knights are placed in the South Division with Miami and Florida State.
In the Pac-16, Texas Tech and TCU move from the Big 12, while Boise State and BYU get moved in as well.
Under Umlang’s format, Boston College and Rutgers are no longer part of the mega conferences nor do any other current Group of Five programs capable of reaching the CFP.
