I think that there will either be a conference realignment 2022/2023 where conferences expand and some are collapsed and teams are redistributed (Big 12) or everyone stays the same. So lets look at what has the best chance of happening. The only conferences that has teams that would add multi sport value to any conference are the Big 12 and the AAC unless the Pac12 shuts down and I dont think we are there yet. So back to the Big 12 and the AAC
Big 12 teams that the BIG can choose from and who they may target and are better than Rutgers
Tier 1
1. Texas-obvious reasons
1A. Oklahoma -Obvious reasons
Tier 2
Texas Tech- solid program with a footprint in Texas. Not texas but best next choice. Big state school
Oklahoma State-another solid program , will never be Oklahoma but would compete in the BIG West
Both Schools add something to the table
West Virginia- Actually a natural fit for for the BIG. If the BIG can swallow the academics could be a great addition. Would be a natural rival for PSU, MD and Rutgers
Tier 3
Kansas- great basketball program football blows and small state with no population growth. Academics are solid but really does not add to the BIG
Kansas State- Better overall athletic program but still is in the same state as Kansas
The rest
Baylor, TCU, Iowa St Adds nothing
AAC Very few fits the academic "Standard" but several teams would add athletic value and are better than Rutgers
Tier 1
Navy-Academics as good as anyone in the BIG and solid in several sports and adds a national following
Temple- already plays like a BIG team not terrible academics and has solid sports other than football. But the BIG has a PA team already
Central Florida- Huge university, very solid athletic programs, increasing academics and Florida footprint. Could be a problem for teams in the BIG especially if they end up in a Power 5 conference
Houston- Another huge state school with tons of talent in a large TV area.
Tier 2
Memphis- not too far from many of the BIG schools and has fantastic football and basketball. Pretty solid TV market and is near tons of football talent Academics would need to improve
East Carolina- Big state school , academics have gotten better the past decade, located in a growing state. School supports athletics. Possibly one of the best venues for football in NC with access to some of the best talent in the state. This could get the BIG into NC
Cincinnati - good school with good athletics would fit but Ohio State will not let this happen
UCONN- really just its location but other than that ugh terrible
the rest
SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, South Florida- South Florida is about the best from this lot but lags behind CFlorida so these schools do very little
Thing is if there is an expansion the SEC and ACC will be looking at the same schools for expansion
Big 12 teams that the BIG can choose from and who they may target and are better than Rutgers
Tier 1
1. Texas-obvious reasons
1A. Oklahoma -Obvious reasons
Tier 2
Texas Tech- solid program with a footprint in Texas. Not texas but best next choice. Big state school
Oklahoma State-another solid program , will never be Oklahoma but would compete in the BIG West
Both Schools add something to the table
West Virginia- Actually a natural fit for for the BIG. If the BIG can swallow the academics could be a great addition. Would be a natural rival for PSU, MD and Rutgers
Tier 3
Kansas- great basketball program football blows and small state with no population growth. Academics are solid but really does not add to the BIG
Kansas State- Better overall athletic program but still is in the same state as Kansas
The rest
Baylor, TCU, Iowa St Adds nothing
AAC Very few fits the academic "Standard" but several teams would add athletic value and are better than Rutgers
Tier 1
Navy-Academics as good as anyone in the BIG and solid in several sports and adds a national following
Temple- already plays like a BIG team not terrible academics and has solid sports other than football. But the BIG has a PA team already
Central Florida- Huge university, very solid athletic programs, increasing academics and Florida footprint. Could be a problem for teams in the BIG especially if they end up in a Power 5 conference
Houston- Another huge state school with tons of talent in a large TV area.
Tier 2
Memphis- not too far from many of the BIG schools and has fantastic football and basketball. Pretty solid TV market and is near tons of football talent Academics would need to improve
East Carolina- Big state school , academics have gotten better the past decade, located in a growing state. School supports athletics. Possibly one of the best venues for football in NC with access to some of the best talent in the state. This could get the BIG into NC
Cincinnati - good school with good athletics would fit but Ohio State will not let this happen
UCONN- really just its location but other than that ugh terrible
the rest
SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, South Florida- South Florida is about the best from this lot but lags behind CFlorida so these schools do very little
Thing is if there is an expansion the SEC and ACC will be looking at the same schools for expansion
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