College Football: A Greg Sankey and Kevin Warren phone call

There is a sudden national zeal over how the SEC and the Big Ten are going to carve up college football. No doubt the SEC’s Greg Sankey and the Big Ten’s Kevin Warren are making and receiving lots of calls.

The realignment of college football will not be simple, but it could be. It would only take one phone call to put into motion plans for the two conferences to grow to 20-24 teams.

Greg Sankey should make the call to Kevin Warren. Let’s imagine how the call might and probably should go, after brief pleasantries.

Disclaimer: The phone call documented below is fictional – I think. 

Greg Sankey: Kevin I think it behooves both of us and our current members to have a joint expansion plan.

Kevin Warren: Hold on Greg. You need to know most of our ADs and school Presidents see the SEC  as the Evil Empire. But I respect your toughness, so tell me more.

Greg Sankey: If we were to agree a certain number is optimal for expansion in each conference, we could alternate choosing what programs we want.

Kevin Warren: If that is possible, it would certainly streamline the process. But how would we avoid going head-to-head for certain programs?

Greg Sankey: Well, this may sound crazy, but it could be as simple as choosing pickup teams on a playground. I am prepared to offer you the first pick, knowing it will be Notre Dame. In return, the SEC will take the next two and we’ll alternate after that.

Kevin Warren: If we can add Notre Dame, we might be content to stop at 20 teams. How many is the SEC willing to accept?

Greg Sankey: We don’t have a magic number. For us, it is somewhere between 18 and 24. You and I can begin with a plan for both conferences to grow to 20 teams, including drafting a list of 12 potential teams.

Kevin Warren: More than 12 will want in.

Greg Sankey: Yes, but that does not mean you and I want them. Anyway, the list can be expanded later if necessary.

Kevin Warren: What about the CFB Playoff?

Greg Sankey: There’s time to work that out later. Once our two conferences are a combined 40 or so teams, the rest of college football will fall in line. If they don’t, you and I will stage the grandest and most lucrative CFB Playoff ever.

Kevin Warren: Greg, I like the way you think. I see no reason we can’t work together. How much exposure should we give this arrangement if we agree to move forward?

Greg Sankey: I think less is more in this case. Maybe just state that after thoughtful discussions, we have decided to not compete with each other for teams. Something formal, like announcing an ‘alliance’ is not my recommendation.

Kevin Warren: That word has been removed from the Big Ten vocabulary. One more thought Greg – after we add the Irish, and you add Clemson and Miami, I would be open to giving the SEC an extra pick if you have any interest in Rutgers or Maryland.

Greg Sankey: Nice try Kevin, but we’ll respectfully pass. Do you want to talk about a list now or get back to me?

Kevin Warren: Let’s do this.

And that college football fans is how easy it could, but won’t be.