In the OLD scenario just after Nebbish moved from Big 12 to Big 10, the END GAME looked like 4 conferences of 16 teams (64 total). With the then current P5 & ND schools, there were 65 teams - thus ONE poor team would likely be dropped.
Then, the odds on favorite to be dropped was KSU. KU always figured their BB and academics would eventually get them in the BI6 or PAC (when Boren tried that trick).
NOW, the BI6 has obviously stated that FOOTBALL is the only sport that matters with any others being fine as side-dishes.
IF the BI6 stays at 16 (like the coming SEC), the PAC 10 is the weakest. IF the SEC goes after ACC schools, the ACC will become the weakest, and more PAC schools (and maybe KU) can get into the BI6.
The most FUN scenario is the SEC holding at 16. Then the Big 12 will try to poach PAC schools (both AZ schools, CO and maybe Utah are prime). If that happens, Phil Knight will offer the BI6 almost anything to take Oregon and Washington. Cal and Stanford could be so "woke" that they give up football and Or St and Wa St end in the Mountain West.
It is now entirely possible that the failed conference of the P5 is NOT the Big 12 (even though its commissioner and Univ Presidents tried their best to ruin it).
