This newest spherical of convention realignment has become a battle for School Soccer Playoff entry primacy. The present Mountain West is considered the perfect of the Group of 5 convention and its champion would probably earn an automated CFP bid in most years underneath the present format. 

That was earlier than the Mountain West was raided by the Pac-12 earlier this month. What’s at stake sooner or later is basically the fifth automated bid to the brand new 12-team School Soccer Playoff. 

The present CFP format will award the highest five-ranked convention champions an automated bid with the 4 highest-ranked convention champs incomes a first-round bye. Most years, these byes will go to the champions of the SEC, Large Ten, ACC and Large 12.

The reinvention of the Pac-12 has made it a mad scramble for that fifth spot as a result of nobody beneath it’s assured something. 

That is to not say the opposite Group of 5 conferences will likely be excluded from the CFP. There are, in any case, seven at-large bids. However the Large Ten and SEC are anticipated to overwhelmingly dominate entry to these 12 spots yearly within the playoff primarily based on earlier seasons, in response to CBS Sports activities analysis. 

CBS Sports activities plugged within the groups over the previous 10 years as if a 12-team bracket had been in place. A median of seven.73 groups every season mixed would have come from the Large Ten and SEC. 

That primarily leaves 4 spots for round 100 remaining FBS colleges after the Large Ten and SEC get their share. 

Following final week’s raid of the Mountain West, the brand new Pac-12 and American Athletic Convention are mainly at a standoff in realignment to see who comes out because the fifth league champion to obtain a berth to the CFP every season. 

At this level, it is Benefit: Pac-12. Faculties focused by the Pac-12  had been not too long ago proven a slide deck that spelled the benefits of the league that grew to 6 with the addition of Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Boise State starting in 2026. 

For now, these 4 applications signify the 4 greatest soccer manufacturers obtainable to affix Oregon State and Washington State within the Pac-12. The league plans to not solely capitalize on its historical past and brand, but additionally a trove of know-how residing in storage in San Ramon, Calif.

It’s there laying the remnants of the Pac-12 Community. For one college lured to the Pac-12, what has been referred to as “Pac-12 Enterprises” was the main promoting level.

That’s the broadcast manufacturing arm of the league. Sure, the league shrunk to 2 groups however all of the tech from the previous Pac-12 might be used to supply video games and lower prices in a future media rights deal. 

What we find out about realignment proper now 

• There was chatter over the weekend that the Mountain West was urging its members to signal a grant of rights. CBS Sports activities couldn’t verify that info, and there was skepticism about such a transfer amongst business sources as a result of the present Mountain West contract runs out July 1, 2026. On condition that, sources questioned the purpose of signing a grant of rights for 21 months.
  “If I had been a college within the league I would not signal it,” stated a kind of business sources. “They do not want a grant of rights proper now. I would not signal a grant of rights till I do know who’s going to be within the league.”
  In case you have forgotten, a grant of rights binds a college’s TV rights to a contract for the time period of a media rights deal. It is that GOR that Florida State and Clemson have attacked in attempting to get out of the ACC. Right here is the genesis of the ACC GOR that was borrowed from the Large 12. 

• Memphis and Tulane are weighing their choices of becoming a member of the Pac-12 or remaining within the American. Relying on who AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti can purchase, staying of their present convention may be the most suitable choice for the Tigers and/or the Inexperienced Wave.
  Pernetti is understood to want UNLV and Air Drive from what’s left of the Mountain West. If the Falcons and Rebels soar to the AAC as a substitute of the Pac-12 then all of the sudden the AAC may look extra fascinating for Memphis and Tulane to remain put. 
  Each Memphis and Tulane are desired by the Pac-12 for his or her consistency and up to date success in soccer. Each are primarily high 50 TV markets, however Memphis brings a file of success in basketball and Tulane is enticing as a result of it is in New Orleans. (Do not suppose that presidents and ADs have not considered enjoyable weekends in N’awlins whereas watching their groups play.)

• The quantity of media income being talked about for Pac-12 colleges is $10 million to $15 million per yr. These media rights numbers must be thought-about preliminary as a result of the Pac-12 would not have a TV deal but.
  The quantity of potential income is greater than the $4 million to $5 million Mountain West colleges obtain and about on par with what colleges obtain within the American.
  There was speak over the summer time of merging the Mountain West and American, to create a Group of 5 “superconference.” That might solidify CFP entry for groups in these conferences and shore up their place in FBS.
  The concept was just like one floated by former Boise State senior affiliate AD Michael Walsh final yr.

• If the Mountain West stays collectively it must add members from the underside of FBS (New Mexico State, UTEP) and probably higher tiers of FCS (Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, South Dakota). The Energy 4 conferences cannot be happy if FBS (at present with 134 colleges) continues to develop. 
  Final yr the NCAA modified the membership charge to maneuver up from FCS to FBS from $5,000 to $5 million. Faculties should sponsor 90% of the allowed scholarships in a minimal of 16 sports activities. The Energy 4 proceed to name for their very own governance apart from the remainder of FBS.  
  CBS Sports activities was capable of verify UTEP and New Mexico State haven’t been contacted by the Mountain West as of Saturday. 
  FCS colleges contemplating shifting as much as the FBS have an enormous choice to make – Ought to they compete for championships in FCS or battle towards mighty odds to snag one of many 12 CFP spots obtainable in FBS. 

• Groups within the American are being instructed to not act too rapidly and that they need to think about the way forward for the ACC earlier than making a call. 
  If the ACC is altered by the lack of Florida State and Clemson, it’ll be on the lookout for replacements. The newest information appears to point FSU and Clemson will accept a weighted share of the media rights reasonably than proceed to interact legally.

• One Mountain West supply stated a convention containing 10 Pac-12 groups “might be life like.” That might give the Pac-12 a possibility to create extra premium stock for its media companions. In a real round-robin soccer schedule with 10 groups, the brand new Pac-12 could be taking part in 9 convention video games.
  We instructed you final week why eight Pac-12 convention video games wouldn’t be perfect. 

• UNLV is valued by three conferences – the Mountain West (the place it at present resides), the Pac-12 and the American.
  Nonetheless, journey have to be weighed in any UNLV choice. Six of the American’s groups are positioned within the East making journey for convention video games costly for colleges and time-consuming for gamers.  
  “You may be capable of make the identical sum of money [in the American]. However now you are speaking about extra journey,” UNLV AD Erick Harper stated.  “In case you make the identical quantity or somewhat bit extra, how a lot of that may be eaten up in journey? In some instances you are going to must have an additional night time in a lodge.”

• The Mountain West is utilizing Endeavor as its media guide. Amongst its huge variety of school shoppers is the Large 12. Most not too long ago Endeavor helped the convention in its enlargement to the “4 Corners” colleges – Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. 
  

  A guess of the place groups will likely be 

  As issues stand now, that is one guess for what the American, Pac-12 and Mountain West will seem like starting in 2026. 

  Pac-12

  • Oregon State
  • Washington State
  • Boise State
  • Fresno State
  • San Diego State
  • Colorado State
  • UNLV
  •  Utah State
  • Tulane
  • Memphis 

  American Athletic Convention

  Mountain West 

  If it stays collectively