And I am astounded how ignorant even prominent writers like Bruce Feldman are. The economics of realignment are so simple. A reasonably intelligent person could spend a day researching the topic and have a functional understanding of the principles that guide the process. Basically a ripoff of Bonfire, but here it is again:
-Football makes the money
-A big, stable, and supportive fanbase is the biggest key to longterm success
-Stadium capacity is a quick-n-dirty measure: 80k or more = solid, 60-80k = probably good enough
-Population of the program's state is currently a big factor for cable revenue, it will change eventually
-Recruiting in the program's state is also a factor
Other, lesser, non-football factors can include:
-academic prestige, AAU membership is the quick-n-dirty measuring stick
-Basketball success
By those factors:
-sips will have options (if they drop the LHN)
-ou will probably have options (if they can cut okie lite loose)
-kansas might be able to make a play
-iowa state could possibly make a play, especially if it bundles with one of the above three
-everyone else is reprobate