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College football fans, media react to report that B1G is in talks to form alliance with Pac-12, ACC
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The Athletic dropped the latest bombshell in the world of college football realignment on Friday night.
Per their report, The Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC are considering an “alliance” that would allow them to form a voting block and out-number the SEC on important issues such as College Football Playoff expansion.
This is in response to the SEC adding Texas and Oklahoma prior to the 2025 season (or perhaps earlier).
Soon after the report dropped, more information started to flow in. ESPN’s David Hale confirmed the negotiations, but said they were at an early stage.
Can confirm conversation have occurred. Told by an ACC source that few details have been discussed beyond big picture ideas. Wouldn’t likely have much financial impact but would provide some political clout against a strong SEC. https://t.co/H0Lofys552
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) August 14, 2021
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg says there’s been several in-person meetings about this topic in recent days.
Can confirm report from @max_olson that Pac-12, ACC, Big Ten have engaged in preliminary talks about an alliance, likely centered on scheduling. Sources say still plenty to work out, but there have been several in-person meetings in recent weeks.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 14, 2021
There was another prevailing sentiment: This is bad news for the what’s left of the Big 12. According to The Athletic’s report, the remaining eight teams in the Big 12 have not been included in these discussions.
Other reactions — and hot takes — from the college football world have started to rise to the surface as well.
Here’s some of the best reaction from Twitter to this potential partnership:
This is awesome news. Punch back at the SEC. https://t.co/RY2ac7oqbz
— Andy Johnson (@TheDirtJohnson) August 14, 2021
Have to think timing of CFP expansion is a big part of this. If B10 and P12 want Fox to have a chance to bid on rights — and they should, to prevent further consolidation of the sport around ESPN — that only happens if new format delayed until 2026. https://t.co/D8CbH13gra
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) August 14, 2021
Have to think this would be the final nail in the coffin for the Leftover Eight https://t.co/hEXHulM14L
— Nick (@grobot05) August 14, 2021
Well this isn’t great for the Big 12. If Bowlsby can’t even get into these discussions he’s failed as a commissioner, and importantly the conference is screwed even if it expanded.
What this means is Tech should be on the phone with every PAC president. https://t.co/yH1hd6n9SB
— @vivamatadoresSBN (@CCCFFSN) August 14, 2021
If the Big Ten ever asks you to be in something secret, you respond with… https://t.co/B6wFJilkkt pic.twitter.com/wZYP2QCXAA
— Derrick Sloboda (@DerrickSloboda) August 14, 2021
This is like the world’s dumbest game of Risk. https://t.co/cDp64CHzDB
— Brandon Rifkin (@brandonrifkin) August 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/dieter/status/1426338573184225280?s=20
Not good for Big 12 schools. Not good at all! https://t.co/XjzaFh8q9m
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) August 14, 2021
OH SNAP https://t.co/EVsynFyiTE
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 14, 2021
Tired: 4-16 team conferences
Wired: 1-32 team Conference https://t.co/mJmqzEEoAN
— Jarred (@J_Gib) August 14, 2021
They can try as hard as they want. They still ain't touching the SEC. https://t.co/5E1HPDHSkR
— GatorsCenter (@GatorsCenter) August 14, 2021
Is it time to panic? I feel like I should panic. https://t.co/xWfmWneOOd
— West Texas is Best Texas 🌵🔋 (@wreckemtime) August 14, 2021
https://t.co/MtIfIbv0U8 pic.twitter.com/CgkVvkYV3d
— Allan Bell (@AllanGBell) August 14, 2021
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.