I think you will see 3 conferences break off, similar to the 1a 1aa split.

Think about this, Oregon State was 10-3 last year and just got "relegated" American-style. I mean, boardroom execs decided they weren't good enough to be in the club. So they are gone. And the relegation is for all intents and purposes, permanent. It is anti-competitive and gross, and a massive turnoff to fans, especially Oregon State and historic Pac-6-8-10-12 fans. The process of relegating Oregon State made a few "Conference Realignment" Youtubers some money, who capitalized on a small cult following like us who follow the boardroom action. But most college football fans aren't following this. Real relegation (English-style) is done on the field for all to see. Massive ratings. Massive interest. No tanking, like American pro sports. No dead weight of teams perpetually finishing at the bottom of a conference with no consequences--they just cash the check. I'm looking at you Northwestern: (1-8 in the Big Ten and 1-11 overall). The EFL game for the last promotion spot from Tier 2 to Tier 1 to get into the Premier League was 85k at a neutral site game at a packed Wembley Stadium in London. Can't imagine a Quick Lane Bowl involving 6-6 teams drawing that sort of interest. For years, I wanted to return to the days of small Round Robin conferences. And I still would. But I think the modern sport doesn't want to go back to that sadly. So in terms of money and TV, which has taken over the sport, a relegation and promotion system satisfies everyone's appetite. The big dogs in the sport get their money, and far more than they are getting now--if they stay competitive. The fans get what I think they want: to see things settled on the field, rather than in boardrooms. And TV execs make even more money. Look. I hated soccer out of the womb. But I changed my tune when I saw how most of these world club leagues handle relegation and promotion. It is true competition worthy of watching. I watch far more Premier League/EFL games than I do any American pro league--and I grew up on the 4 major sports leagues. If you think that some people watch Notre Dame games because they hate them....just think how many people would tune in if Notre Dame was playing to stave off relegation. It would be huge. And once relegated, a team's loyal following doesn't stop following. Remember this. And lastly, relegation isn't forever. If you do what's right, you can get promoted back up the very next year. But for Oregon State, how long do you think it will take to impress Fox, ESPN and college presidents to get into a better league? And what exactly is the criteria for advancement? No one knows.

Just like the ACC handed over rights to the GOR contract. I also think the new lower division will revert to fairly tightly knit regional conferences because with the "big" money gone, they will be more efficient and better for the non revs and a little revs alike. Other possibilities are that this is the level that streaming really provides the $. Maybe even with the ACCN doing everything onsite .

Let all keep their postseason money, and organize the "association" into regional "conferences". Sometimes the answer for the future is found in the past.