2025 College Football Thread: Coach previously left at airport sparking bidding war amongst states with lowest SAT scores (27 Viewers)

[General Malaise]

GM's Top 20 - Nov. 17, 2025 - Down The Stretch They Come

1. Ohio State - Taking care of business in front of the Big Game vs Michigan.
2. Indiana - They didn't have any trouble with Wisconsin. In their backyard, even.
3. Texas A&M - I missed this game entirely, but was flabbergasted when I saw the score was 31-3 at one point. Dropping them a spot even though they won.
4. Georgia - Probably the chalk of the SEC even with A&M undefeated.
5. Texas Tech - Just crushing teams as we roll to a close.
6. Ole Miss - Felt like Florida was hanging in there until they weren't.
7. Oregon - Much better all-around performance against a team that didn't offer much resistance. Minnesota fans travel well; that was a fun game to be a part of.
8. Notre Dame - Thought Pitt might be a tougher out for The Irish but they wrecked 'em.
9. Oklahoma - Jumps Bama and Texas with an enormous program win over the Tide. Hats off.
10 Alabama - Think this is the right spot for them now.
11. BYU - I don't know who else to put here. Big recovery win over TCU.
12. Georgia Tech - Feels like a 9-1 team should be ranked higher than 2 loss teams.
13. Vanderbilt - I think they could beat a few other 2 loss teams, but probably not the ones ahead of them currently.
14. Miami - Just don't trust that Mario won't slip up once more. Do you guys trust Miami?
15. Utah - Their two losses were to better teams than Miami's two but I think they would lose to the Canes so....
16. USC - Cannot wait for this game on Saturday. Leaving the house at 6am with one very excited little 10 year old.
17. Michigan - Gutting the games out in November, can they put up a fight against mighty Ohio State? The world sure hopes so.
18. Virginia - Quality victory over Duke. Needed this one.
19. Tennessee - I think they are the best of the 3 loss teams.
20. Texas - I would have dropped them out of the top 20 altogether but Louisville, Pitt, Iowa, South Florida and Cincy all pooped the bed so I guess 20 is fine for Texas. Fans don't seem happy.


Can't really make a case for any other teams right now and I don't have anybody falling out completely, even though I think Texas is done for.

 

[Moe.]

@bigbottom I agree with what you are saying in general but wouldn't Michigan be in the title game in your scenario above? USC beating Oregon puts everyone in the conference at 2 losses or more save OSU, Indiana, and Michigan. Michigan over Ohio State is the only h2h in that group and that's the first tiebreaker. It gets more complicated if Oregon is at 1 conference loss as well, not sure who gets the three-way tiebreaker in that scenario.

I don't see a world in which Michigan gets left out after beating OSU to end the year - they'd be in over ND in that scenario in my mind, whether they make the Big 10 title game or not. But there are some really murky scenarios where A LOT of SEC and Big 10 teams end up with 2 losses, and the committee will have to make some really tough calls.

edit: USC only has the one conference loss in his scenario. Not sure who gets the tiebreaker there between SC/OSU/Michigan - I guess USC due to h2h record amongst the 3. I am pretty sure Michigan needs IU to lose to Purdue (in addition to SC over Oregon) to make the Big 10 Championship game. In terms of the CFP I think that's actually better for Michigan, they don't want the conference championship game.

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

If Michigan wins out with one of the wins over the #1 team in the country I don't see how they can be kept out. Two losses both on the road to Oklahoma and USC doesn't look so bad and a win over oSU would be a very very big one.

Not a bad season for the youngest team in the Big 10 regardless if they get in or not, not bad at all.

 

[urbanhack]

If Michigan wins out with one of the wins over the #1 team in the country I don't see how they can be kept out. Two losses both on the road to Oklahoma and USC doesn't look so bad and a win over oSU would be a very very big one.

Not a bad season for the youngest team in the Big 10 regardless if they get in or not, not bad at all.

They barely beat Purdue at home. That has to count for something.

 

[Moe.]

@QuizGuy66 do you do college football? I need some conference championship tiebreaker breakdowns

 

[The Longtime Lurker]

If Michigan wins out with one of the wins over the #1 team in the country I don't see how they can be kept out. Two losses both on the road to Oklahoma and USC doesn't look so bad and a win over oSU would be a very very big one.

Not a bad season for the youngest team in the Big 10 regardless if they get in or not, not bad at all.

They barely beat Purdue at home. That has to count for something.

Wins a win. Only bad losses count. This is college football after all.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Saw this chart elsewhere, I think it's a good snapshot of where we're at now. I would personally move Michigan up a tier and Texas down one

Controls Own Destiny
ACC Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia
Big 12 Texas Tech, BYU
Big Ten Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
SEC Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia

Needs a little help
American UNT, Tulane, Navy
ACC SMU
Big 12 Utah, Arizona State, Houston, Cincinnati
Big Ten USC, Michigan
Independent Notre Dame
SEC Oklahoma, Vandy, Texas
Sub Belt James Madison

Needs a lot of help
American USF, ECU
ACC Miami, Duke
Big Ten Illinois, Nebraska, Washington
MWC San Diego State, Hawaii, UNLV

I think USC controls their own destiny too

No way it happens, but let’s say USC wins out and Michigan wins out. Which Big 10 teams make it in? You have undefeated Indiana and one loss OSU facing off in the championship game and let’s say OSU beats Indiana.

You’d have OSU and Indiana each with one loss making the playoffs. And then you’d have Oregon, USC and Michigan, each with two losses. No way five Big 10 teams make it, right? If not, who gets left out?

This is why I don’t necessarily think that USC and Michigan control their own destiny.

If Michigan wins out, it won't be OSU and Indiana. It will be Michigan and Indiana. Indiana undefeated, Michigan with same record in conference as OSU with a win over OSU. Michigan controls their own destiny.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

If Michigan wins out with one of the wins over the #1 team in the country I don't see how they can be kept out. Two losses both on the road to Oklahoma and USC doesn't look so bad and a win over oSU would be a very very big one.

Not a bad season for the youngest team in the Big 10 regardless if they get in or not, not bad at all.

They barely beat Purdue at home. That has to count for something.

Wins a win. Only bad losses count. This is college football after all.

Thanks for illustrating my point above GB

 

[Yo Mama]

Saw this chart elsewhere, I think it's a good snapshot of where we're at now. I would personally move Michigan up a tier and Texas down one

Controls Own Destiny
ACC Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia
Big 12 Texas Tech, BYU
Big Ten Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
SEC Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia

Needs a little help
American UNT, Tulane, Navy
ACC SMU
Big 12 Utah, Arizona State, Houston, Cincinnati
Big Ten USC, Michigan
Independent Notre Dame
SEC Oklahoma, Vandy, Texas
Sub Belt James Madison

Needs a lot of help
American USF, ECU
ACC Miami, Duke
Big Ten Illinois, Nebraska, Washington
MWC San Diego State, Hawaii, UNLV

I think USC controls their own destiny too

No way it happens, but let’s say USC wins out and Michigan wins out. Which Big 10 teams make it in? You have undefeated Indiana and one loss OSU facing off in the championship game and let’s say OSU beats Indiana.

You’d have OSU and Indiana each with one loss making the playoffs. And then you’d have Oregon, USC and Michigan, each with two losses. No way five Big 10 teams make it, right? If not, who gets left out?

This is why I don’t necessarily think that USC and Michigan control their own destiny.

If Michigan wins out, it won't be OSU and Indiana. It will be Michigan and Indiana. Indiana undefeated, Michigan with same record in conference as OSU with a win over OSU. Michigan controls their own destiny.

If USC also wins out, they have the head to head tiebreaker over Michigan.

 

[Yo Mama]

Fun Big Ten scenario I saw online - Michigan and USC win out, Indiana loses to Purdue. That leaves a 4-way tie at 8-1. Michigan and USC both go to the championship game based on common opponent records.

ETA - this guy for the Sporting News has good articles laying out all the tiebreaker scenarios for the big conferences.

Big Ten standings, explained: Updated 2025 tiebreakers for Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, USC and Michigan | Sporting News

There are still five teams battling for a spot in Indianapolis in the Big Ten.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[bigbottom]

Saw this chart elsewhere, I think it's a good snapshot of where we're at now. I would personally move Michigan up a tier and Texas down one

Controls Own Destiny
ACC Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia
Big 12 Texas Tech, BYU
Big Ten Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
SEC Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia

Needs a little help
American UNT, Tulane, Navy
ACC SMU
Big 12 Utah, Arizona State, Houston, Cincinnati
Big Ten USC, Michigan
Independent Notre Dame
SEC Oklahoma, Vandy, Texas
Sub Belt James Madison

Needs a lot of help
American USF, ECU
ACC Miami, Duke
Big Ten Illinois, Nebraska, Washington
MWC San Diego State, Hawaii, UNLV

I think USC controls their own destiny too

No way it happens, but let’s say USC wins out and Michigan wins out. Which Big 10 teams make it in? You have undefeated Indiana and one loss OSU facing off in the championship game and let’s say OSU beats Indiana.

You’d have OSU and Indiana each with one loss making the playoffs. And then you’d have Oregon, USC and Michigan, each with two losses. No way five Big 10 teams make it, right? If not, who gets left out?

This is why I don’t necessarily think that USC and Michigan control their own destiny.

If Michigan wins out, it won't be OSU and Indiana. It will be Michigan and Indiana. Indiana undefeated, Michigan with same record in conference as OSU with a win over OSU. Michigan controls their own destiny.

Why would Michigan get in over a one-loss USC? If head to head is the first tie-breaker, doesn’t Michigan need USC to lose to Oregon or UCLA?

Edit: Would probably be better for USC not to make the championship game in this hypothetical.

Edit No. 2: Doesn’t matter - Trojans are going to get stomped by the Ducks.

 

[Chadstroma]

Franklin to Virginia Tech

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Saw this chart elsewhere, I think it's a good snapshot of where we're at now. I would personally move Michigan up a tier and Texas down one

Controls Own Destiny
ACC Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia
Big 12 Texas Tech, BYU
Big Ten Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
SEC Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia

Needs a little help
American UNT, Tulane, Navy
ACC SMU
Big 12 Utah, Arizona State, Houston, Cincinnati
Big Ten USC, Michigan
Independent Notre Dame
SEC Oklahoma, Vandy, Texas
Sub Belt James Madison

Needs a lot of help
American USF, ECU
ACC Miami, Duke
Big Ten Illinois, Nebraska, Washington
MWC San Diego State, Hawaii, UNLV

I think USC controls their own destiny too

No way it happens, but let’s say USC wins out and Michigan wins out. Which Big 10 teams make it in? You have undefeated Indiana and one loss OSU facing off in the championship game and let’s say OSU beats Indiana.

You’d have OSU and Indiana each with one loss making the playoffs. And then you’d have Oregon, USC and Michigan, each with two losses. No way five Big 10 teams make it, right? If not, who gets left out?

This is why I don’t necessarily think that USC and Michigan control their own destiny.

If Michigan wins out, it won't be OSU and Indiana. It will be Michigan and Indiana. Indiana undefeated, Michigan with same record in conference as OSU with a win over OSU. Michigan controls their own destiny.

Why would Michigan get in over a one-loss USC? If head to head is the first tie-breaker, doesn’t Michigan need USC to lose to Oregon or UCLA?

Edit: Would probably be better for USC not to make the championship game in this hypothetical.

Doesn’t matter - Trojans are going to get stomped by the Ducks.

Sorry. Missed the entirety of your scenario. I just saw Michigan win out and OSU playing Indiana and knew that wouldn't happen. If USC wins out and Michigan wins out, USC is playing Indiana. It would be comedic gold if both USC and Michigan won all their games left. OSU would have no real claims as they fit the ND status IMO in that they pass the eye test, but their schedule has been terrible and they haven't really been tested at all.

ETA: I should say, I have NOT looked up the tiebreakers. They may have changed them.

 

[General Malaise]

Franklin to Virginia Tech

Seems like a logical fit. He's a good coach. Probably about as good as VTech is going to get after striking out post-Beamer.

 

[Moe.]

The first tiebreaker is H2H amongst the tied teams. In this scenario OSU is 0-1, Michigan is 1-1, and USC is 1-0. USC would be in the Big 10 title game.

 

[Moe.]

So having said all that - I think the original chart is accurate in saying SC and Michigan need a little bit of help.

It’ll get real nuts if Ga Tech beats UGA but doesn’t win the ACC, or if Texas Tech loses in the conference championship game. The bubble teams are actually rooting for chalk instead of chaos, just like March Madness and the small conference tourneys.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Saw this chart elsewhere, I think it's a good snapshot of where we're at now. I would personally move Michigan up a tier and Texas down one

Controls Own Destiny
ACC Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia
Big 12 Texas Tech, BYU
Big Ten Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
SEC Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia

Needs a little help
American UNT, Tulane, Navy
ACC SMU
Big 12 Utah, Arizona State, Houston, Cincinnati
Big Ten USC, Michigan
Independent Notre Dame
SEC Oklahoma, Vandy, Texas
Sub Belt James Madison

Needs a lot of help
American USF, ECU
ACC Miami, Duke
Big Ten Illinois, Nebraska, Washington
MWC San Diego State, Hawaii, UNLV

Oklahoma controls their own desitny, IMO

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

So having said all that - I think the original chart is accurate in saying SC and Michigan need a little bit of help.

It’ll get real nuts if Ga Tech beats UGA but doesn’t win the ACC, or if Texas Tech loses in the conference championship game. The bubble teams are actually rooting for chalk instead of chaos, just like March Madness and the small conference tourneys.

GT would have to jump a decent amount of teams after beating UGA to be considered an at-large if they lost the ACCCG.

 

[whoknew]

Franklin to Virginia Tech

Great hire for them.

 

[QuizGuy66]

@QuizGuy66 do you do college football? I need some conference championship tiebreaker breakdowns

Sometimes I have poked my head into the B1G scenarios. I do recall that the Big XII had like something like 7 or 8 teams that could have made their title game a year or two back. I don't specialize in it but what's up?

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Saw this chart elsewhere, I think it's a good snapshot of where we're at now. I would personally move Michigan up a tier and Texas down one

Controls Own Destiny
ACC Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia
Big 12 Texas Tech, BYU
Big Ten Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon
SEC Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia

Needs a little help
American UNT, Tulane, Navy
ACC SMU
Big 12 Utah, Arizona State, Houston, Cincinnati
Big Ten USC, Michigan
Independent Notre Dame
SEC Oklahoma, Vandy, Texas
Sub Belt James Madison

Needs a lot of help
American USF, ECU
ACC Miami, Duke
Big Ten Illinois, Nebraska, Washington
MWC San Diego State, Hawaii, UNLV

Oklahoma controls their own desitny, IMO

Happy that my Illini are on this chart. Assuming a meteor strike or three is part of our playoffs scenario tbh.

-QG

 

[urbanhack]

Fun Big Ten scenario I saw online - Michigan and USC win out, Indiana loses to Purdue. That leaves a 4-way tie at 8-1. Michigan and USC both go to the championship game based on common opponent records.

ETA - this guy for the Sporting News has good articles laying out all the tiebreaker scenarios for the big conferences.

Big Ten standings, explained: Updated 2025 tiebreakers for Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, USC and Michigan | Sporting News

There are still five teams battling for a spot in Indianapolis in the Big Ten.

www.sportingnews.com

Let's be clear about one thing....Indiana is not beating Purdue.

 

[GregR]

Virginia Tech hires James Franklin. Who negotiated a reduced payout with Penn State, down from $49mil to $9mil.

 

[bagger]

This whole B1G versus USC and Michigan is getting really interesting. Really glad USC is saying no to this ********.

 

[Chadstroma]

Virginia Tech hires James Franklin. Who negotiated a reduced payout with Penn State, down from $49mil to $9mil.

Huge win for Penn St

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

Franklin to Virginia Tech

What do you think @Brunell4MVP

Seems like a great hire for VATech. Perhaps a sign that they are going to open their checkbooks in the NIL??

 

[bigbottom]

This whole B1G versus USC and Michigan is getting really interesting. Really glad USC is saying no to this ********.

What I can’t figure out is why Oregon appears to be willing to go along with this. Agreeing to be a Tier 2 school in the conference, making less money than Penn State until 2046. Heck, at this point, why would Indiana agree to be a Tier 3 school in the Big 10???

 

[bagger]

This whole B1G versus USC and Michigan is getting really interesting. Really glad USC is saying no to this ********.

What I can’t figure out is why Oregon appears to be willing to go along with this. Agreeing to be a Tier 2 school in the conference, making less money than Penn State until 2046. Heck, at this point, why would Indiana agree to be a Tier 3 school in the Big 10???

Makes no sense. I would have reservations letting in private equity into your conference in any scenario, but arbitrarily tiering schools that will be locked in for the next 20 years is insane.

I don’t know if this Indiana thing is a flash in the pan or real but that was the same question of Oregon who arose out of complete historic mediocrity into a perennial powerhouse. Why would Indiana say yes to a tier 3 status if they could be one of the best schools in the conference the next 10 years? If you’re going to do it it should be equitable and everyone get the same amount.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

This whole B1G versus USC and Michigan is getting really interesting. Really glad USC is saying no to this ********.

What I can’t figure out is why Oregon appears to be willing to go along with this. Agreeing to be a Tier 2 school in the conference, making less money than Penn State until 2046. Heck, at this point, why would Indiana agree to be a Tier 3 school in the Big 10???

Makes no sense. I would have reservations letting in private equity into your conference in any scenario, but arbitrarily tiering schools that will be locked in for the next 20 years is insane.

I don’t know if this Indiana thing is a flash in the pan or real but that was the same question of Oregon who arose out of complete historic mediocrity into a perennial powerhouse. Why would Indiana say yes to a tier 3 status if they could be one of the best schools in the conference the next 10 years? If you’re going to do it it should be equitable and everyone get the same amount.

I assume the schools have been arguing over share allocation over the past year or so and schools like Indiana and the other Tier 3 schools are all now on board. The point of Big Ten Enterprises is to consolidate media, marketing, sponsorship assets of all the schools and package it together to add value and attract outside capital. Some schools' brands are more valuable than others so it makes sense to have different tiers based on what each school brings to the table. Under the current proposal (which is on hold until everyone is on board), the University of California employee fund would invest $2.4 billion up front for a 20 year 10% stake in that revenue stream. Tier 1 schools (Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State) would receive approximately $190 million, Tier 2 (USC and Oregon) would get roughly $150 million, and the remaining 13 schools would receive about $110 million each. I don't think we really know what Michigan and USC's issues are, but it likely revolves around the money. I'm sure every athletic conference in the country has been having these same internal debates for at least the past year and we're going to see these deals rolling out across the board in the coming 12 months or so.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Franklin to Virginia Tech

What do you think @Brunell4MVP

Seems like a great hire for VATech. Perhaps a sign that they are going to open their checkbooks in the NIL??

It's a good hire. It will help recruiting and get the fan base back into Lane Stadium. Franklin had recruited from VA very well for PSU. There should be some connections with HS coaches in Norfolk, where most of the talent is in the state.

I am not happy with the contract though. Seems like VT could have made PSU pay more of the dead money in Franklin's contract.

ETA - one of the unfortunate things for the VT level schools in the NIL world is the better players will move up to SEC and B10 schools. VT doesn't have the coin even if they up their NIL commitment. Our alum are not random with their funds like the LSU car dealership owners. And the lesser players will stick with the team for whatever they can get. The cycle is not a good one for mid-tier programs. The only way to survive it is to have such good academics that the good players not heading to the NFL want to stay for the degree, and that is more easily achieved for schools like UVA, GT, and Duke within our region.

I think we get one shot to make this happen. And Franklin does have the name and ability to deliver. Hoepfully he does.

 

[Moe.]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

 

[Moe.]

They could do a scheduling agreement with the Big 12 to get two of the former Pac 12 schools on the schedule plus a central time zone school or two. UCLA, Stanford, Cal would probably play them every year regardless of conference affiliation. Fresno St or San Diego St, ND and that's a pretty solid schedule.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Franklin had recruited from VA very well for PSU. There should be some connections with HS coaches in Norfolk, where most of the talent is in the state.

He was also an assistant at Maryland. So, he knows the area well.

He was the "coach in waiting" under Fridge, until the school screwed it up and Franklin escaped to Vandy.

 

[GregR]

It's a good hire. It will help recruiting and get the fan base back into Lane Stadium. Franklin had recruited from VA very well for PSU. There should be some connections with HS coaches in Norfolk, where most of the talent is in the state.

I am not happy with the contract though. Seems like VT could have made PSU pay more of the dead money in Franklin's contract.

I was trying to get my head around the details there. Still not quite sure whether I'd say it was a good or bad deal for any of the three.

tldr: I think it's probably a wash mostly.

From what I've seen, PSU owed Franklin $49m, minus whatever he might make from a next job over the next 6 years. And Franklin was required to try to find a coaching job by his contract terms. Which he wanted to do anyway.

VT's last coach had a $27.5m, 6 year contract, given in 2021 (IIRC from last night).

From PSU's side, they don't want to pay that $49m and get a lot of it repaid over the next 6 years. They want to be able to use that money now.

From Virginia Tech's side, they'd rather pay Franklin as little as possible and basically let PSU subsidize the rest of the contract. If he would agree to $1m a year for the next 6 years, then that's $43m that PSU is contributing. Would Franklin even do that? Could he, even?

But, I don't know, maybe Franklin's PSU contract which stated he has to look for another job to mitigate the buyout, also has some clause that would reduce the buyout if he's not paid a market value? No way of knowing, but I mean, I'd think you'd want that in there as a school writing the contract.

In any event, minus some shenanigans like that, presumably VT was going to pay him somewhere above the $4.5m-ish that the last coach got, and below the $8.5m a year that PSU paid Franklin. So call it $6.5m over 6 years, that's $39m just for some numbers to talk about. That would have resulted in a PSU paying Franklin $10m when it was all done.

So honestly I suspect things are about a wash in the long run. Penn State probably didn't save much money, but avoided $40m being tied up before becoming available again. Unless Franklin would have accepted $1m a year to screw PSU, I don't know that VT was likely to get much better out of the deal either.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

I'm not sure how a school could just leave a conference and form its own private media deals for all its sports. That seems like a massive undertaking with contractual / legal roadblocks. But even assuming that is possible and they could make a go of it, they would almost certainly have to expect a massive drop in revenue. Big Ten schools are expected to get about $75m each in 2025 depending on which source you trust, other than Oregon and Washington who get reduced shares during a phasing-in period.

 

[Chadstroma]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

 

[Instinctive]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

 

[GregR]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

I'm not sure how a school could just leave a conference and form its own private media deals for all its sports. That seems like a massive undertaking with contractual / legal roadblocks. But even assuming that is possible and they could make a go of it, they would almost certainly have to expect a massive drop in revenue. Big Ten schools are expected to get about $75m each in 2025 depending on which source you trust, other than Oregon and Washington who get reduced shares during a phasing-in period.

And to compare that to Notre Dame, $50m annually from their NBC football contract, and then they get about $21m from their ACC contract with other sports, which is a little less than half of what the ACC schools get.

I don't think USC is going to do anywhere near as well on a dedicated football broadcast deal as ND does, so yeah don't see them equaling the conference payout.

 

[Chadstroma]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

 

[Instinctive]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

 

[General Malaise]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

I'm going to send this post to Dan Lanning's people in case they need extra motivation on Sat.....

 

[Chadstroma]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

Texas has a top 5 fanbase. Might be top 3... I can not remember from what I saw before. Texas A&M I am sure is a top 20 fanbase but Texas is the big dog in Texas.

 

[bigbottom]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

I'm going to send this post to Dan Lanning's people in case they need extra motivation on Sat.....

I heard that Lanning made his two USC transfers captains for this week’s game. If true, that’s some next level trolling.

 

[bigbottom]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

Texas has a top 5 fanbase. Might be top 3... I can not remember from what I saw before. Texas A&M I am sure is a top 20 fanbase but Texas is the big dog in Texas.

I’m not so sure the bolded is true anymore.

 

[Chadstroma]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

I'm going to send this post to Dan Lanning's people in case they need extra motivation on Sat.....

To be fair... it could have changed/be changing. Part of my view is on some older data that I remember looking at and that could have me biased now.

 

[Chadstroma]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

Texas has a top 5 fanbase. Might be top 3... I can not remember from what I saw before. Texas A&M I am sure is a top 20 fanbase but Texas is the big dog in Texas.

I’m not so sure the bolded is true anymore.

You guys are going to make me do a study on this aren't you?

 

[Instinctive]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

Texas has a top 5 fanbase. Might be top 3... I can not remember from what I saw before. Texas A&M I am sure is a top 20 fanbase but Texas is the big dog in Texas.

I suppose it depends on defining biggest and fanbase. As someone who at age 33 has spent over 20 years living in Texas, I can say I encounter more A&M grads regularly. When I was in HS I think A&M enrollment was about 60k, and UT around 45k. Right now I think A&M is around 80k, UT more like 55k.

I'd be willing to bet a fairly large amount of money there are more people who went to A&M than to Texas.

But I suppose that wouldn't necessarily account for walmart fans. Even then...idk how much time you've spent down here.

Maybe it's a money thing. But I think with A&M's engineering prowess, particularly in petroleum vs UT...they probably have more wealth in total too, given their larger alumni network.

But all that could be wrong. How'd you figure the sizes?

 

[bigbottom]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

Texas has a top 5 fanbase. Might be top 3... I can not remember from what I saw before. Texas A&M I am sure is a top 20 fanbase but Texas is the big dog in Texas.

I suppose it depends on defining biggest and fanbase. As someone who at age 33 has spent over 20 years living in Texas, I can say I encounter more A&M grads regularly. When I was in HS I think A&M enrollment was about 60k, and UT around 45k. Right now I think A&M is around 80k, UT more like 55k.

I'd be willing to bet a fairly large amount of money there are more people who went to A&M than to Texas.

But I suppose that wouldn't necessarily account for walmart fans. Even then...idk how much time you've spent down here.

Maybe it's a money thing. But I think with A&M's engineering prowess, particularly in petroleum vs UT...they probably have more wealth in total too, given their larger alumni network.

But all that could be wrong. How'd you figure the sizes?

Nationwide, UT has the bigger fan base. But in Texas? It’s A&M and I don’t think it’s even close.

Anecdotally, my band schedules its gigs and Chance for Hope schedules its events to avoid A&M home games. We hardly bother to check UT’s home schedule.

This past weekend, I had 30+ friends at the A&M game (some paying $2000 per ticket). Other than my cousin, I don’t know anyone who has attended a UT game this season.

And I know people my age who attended UT. Not a single one of their kids is at UT. Part of this is because it’s nearly impossible to get into UT. But TONS of our friends kids are at A&M. A&M is now an Alma mater and fan base that passes from generation to generation. UT is not that any longer and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.

As for data, check out this article from the Daily Texan:

The fans have spoken: Texas A&M is now more popular than Texas in the state

For quite some time now, Texas has been a Longhorn state. In 2011, a Public Policy Pollings poll showed that 23 percent of the state identified as Longhorn fans compared to just 15 percent identifying as fans of Texas A&M. But, since the era of Johnny Manziel begain those numbers have shifted...

thedailytexan.com

It was published 12 years ago in 2013.

 

[HellToupee]

NC State, Virginia football set to play ACC game in Brazil during 2026 season​

Why?

 

[Instinctive]

Could USC make a go as an Independent? They seem like one of the schools that could actually pull it off. Play that ND game on conference championship weekend.

Outside of ND, I think the following schools could go independent and thrive as well or better than in a conference (ranked in order of ability to thrive)

Ohio St
Texas
Michigan
USC
Alabama

I think it takes a heritage and historical place in CFB with obviously a large and committed fanbase.

A&M?

No, I don't thinks so. I think USC and Alabama are already pushing it. If the Saban era didn't happen then I don't think Alabama would be on that list. The only school not on the list that I think a decent argument could be made for would be Penn St. as I think the fanbase is about the same numbers wise as Michigan.

I think USC could get a good deal being the dominant west coast program and as I touched on above, Alabama's recent success might be able to push it over.

Interesting. I always thought A&M was bigger than UT.

Texas has a top 5 fanbase. Might be top 3... I can not remember from what I saw before. Texas A&M I am sure is a top 20 fanbase but Texas is the big dog in Texas.

I suppose it depends on defining biggest and fanbase. As someone who at age 33 has spent over 20 years living in Texas, I can say I encounter more A&M grads regularly. When I was in HS I think A&M enrollment was about 60k, and UT around 45k. Right now I think A&M is around 80k, UT more like 55k.

I'd be willing to bet a fairly large amount of money there are more people who went to A&M than to Texas.

But I suppose that wouldn't necessarily account for walmart fans. Even then...idk how much time you've spent down here.

Maybe it's a money thing. But I think with A&M's engineering prowess, particularly in petroleum vs UT...they probably have more wealth in total too, given their larger alumni network.

But all that could be wrong. How'd you figure the sizes?

Nationwide, UT has the bigger fan base. But in Texas? It’s A&M and I don’t think it’s even close.

Anecdotally, my band schedules its gigs and Chance for Hope schedules its events to avoid A&M home games. We hardly bother to check UT’s home schedule.

This past weekend, I had 30+ friends at the A&M game (some paying $2000 per ticket). Other than my cousin, I don’t know anyone who has attended a UT game this season.

And I know people my age who attended UT. Not a single one of their kids is at UT. Part of this is because it’s nearly impossible to get into UT. But TONS of our friends kids are at A&M. A&M is now an Alma mater and fan base that passes from generation to generation. UT is not that any longer and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.

As for data, check out this article from the Daily Texan:

The fans have spoken: Texas A&M is now more popular than Texas in the state

For quite some time now, Texas has been a Longhorn state. In 2011, a Public Policy Pollings poll showed that 23 percent of the state identified as Longhorn fans compared to just 15 percent identifying as fans of Texas A&M. But, since the era of Johnny Manziel begain those numbers have shifted...

thedailytexan.com

It was published 12 years ago in 2013.

Everything except the bolded is true to me. The top 8% rule or whatever it's been shrunk to now (was top 10%) means it's pretty easy to have auto admittance to UT. Any motivated kid is capable of being in that percentile if their parents have high standards and provide high support.