Conference Marriages

Little more than a week ago the Big 12 and SEC announced their own version of the Rose Bowl with a Big 12/SEC conference champions New Year's bowl game.  This is assuming neither conference has their champion in the four team playoff, which has never happened in the BCS era.  So why are they proposing this game when it will turn out to be the third best teams from conference playing?  Because the third best in the Big 12 and SEC are better than most conference's second place teams and some conference's champions.  But really this is just a power move.  The Big 12 and SEC has been the BCS era's best teams, and they want a television matchup that could rival the Rose Bowl on New Year's day.  That and protecting themselves in the event four power conferences emerge.  The Pac-12 and Big Ten already cemented their places with the "Grand Daddy of Them All".  So with the ACC and the Big East falling behind in competitive play, revenue deals, and now bowl partnerships, the four power conferences would look to be the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.

I've heard several times now that the ACC and Big East Mess should agree to a conference champion bowl game, but here's what the ACC should do to avoid irrelevance - marry Notre Dame.
This is assuming the four team playoff doesn't require a conference championship, allowing Notre Dame to continue their independence in football.  Notre Dame currently has bowl tie ins in association with the Big East Mess.  Bowls currently associated with bowl eligible teams in third through sixth place of the Big East Mess can select Notre Dame over them in any given year, while the Champs Sports bowl (second place Big East Mess team) can select Notre Dame in lieu once every four years.  Let's be honest now, the Big East Mess is mediocre at best.  With the ACC's raid of Cuse' and Pitt, the ACC has now put to rest any question which of the big six is the worst.

Notre Dame, like it or not, will always be relevant.  A Notre Dame/ACC champion bowl game after New Year's day would be a television draw and great revenue boost for both parties.  Notre Dame against Florida State, VT, Clemson, or GT game would be huge for ratings, and far more interesting than either of the ACC's and Notre Dame's current bowls.  This would keep the ACC relevant during the four team playoff and give them an inside into potentially luring Notre Dame to join  the conference.