Your comment got me to thinking. First let me say I have not read the posts for the past week or so. It’s possible someone has already mentioned this. If so I apologize for repeating it.
A 32 team super league is intriguing. Who would be in it? Your list of teams that will NOT be including it what really sparked my curiosity.
I looked at the final AP top 25 for the past 5 seasons. There are 16 teams that finished on the list at least 3 of the past 5 years. More than likely these teams a re a lock to be in the super league.
Alabama
Clemson
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
LSU
Michigan
Northwestern
NC State
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Oregon
Penn State
Texas
The teams I am not sure about are Boise State, Cincinnati and UCF. I am sure their records would be slightly worse if they played a B1G and SEC schedule.
There are 14 more teams that were in the top 25 twice.
Auburn
Baylor
BYU
Kentucky
Louisiana
Memphis
Miami
Michigan State
Texas A&M
Wisconsin
USC
Utah
Utah State
Washington
That’s 33 teams so obviously someone would be left out. Memphis, Louisiana, Utah and Utah State.
There are 26 teams that have been ranked once in the past 5 seasons.
Air Force
Appalachian State
Arkansas
Army
Coastal Carolina
Fresno State
Houston
Indiana
Iowa State
Minnesota
Mississippi (Ole)
Mississippi State
Navy
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
San Diego State
San José State
South Florida
Stanford
Syracuse
TCU
Tulsa
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest
Washington State
West Virginia
There will be some interest in the service academies Army, Navy and to a lesser extent, Air Force as they have national appeal. Arkansas, North Carolina, Pitt, Stanford, Syracuse and West Virginia will be in the discussion as well.
Others who have not been mentioned include:
Florida State, (It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago when they were a team that was mentioned every year. Where have you gone Bobby Bowden?)
Arizona
Arizona State
Cal
Missouri
Virginia
UCLA
For the most part, I am ignoring Conference USA, Mid-American and Sun Belt.
In a power league were money talks my guess is:
Alabama
Auburn
Baylor
Clemson
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Kentucky
LSU
Miami
Michigan
Michigan State
Missouri
Northwestern
North Carolina
NC State
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Oregon
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Stanford
Syracuse
Texas
Texas A&M
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
UCLA
USC
If the league is going to take shape 10 years from now, Illinois would have a lot of work to do to get on to the list. It’s possible for them to push past a of the few teams on the list but they must start now. They can’t wait and begin 5 years from now.
I suppose what prompted this exercise is, if Northwestern, MSU, Iowa, Mizzou and Pitt don't make your super league, who is a more likely candidate? I have UCLA not because of their record but because of the huge market the represent. While Chicago is a large market, too many other teams already share that market so the Illini can't bring it to the table as a bargaining chip.