What will happen to remaining Big 12 and Big East teams?

With Syracuse and Pittsburgh departing the Big East and Oklahoma and Texas likely to leave the Big 12, there's talk of a possible merger of the two conferences as they fight for survival. Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss that possibility and others as teams try to keep up with realignment in college football.

Check back throughout the day for more responses and feel free to join the discussion with a comment of your own.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

Think "blended family." You know, like "The Brady Bunch."

If Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech leave the Big 12 for the Pac 16, look for the depleted Big East to join the depleted Big 12 to form The Leftovers. Should Rutgers and Connecticut eventually join Pittsburgh and Syracuse in the ACC, the geographic edge goes to the Big 12.

Assume Missouri becomes the SEC's 14th team. The "Mid" East might be Baylor, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, Louisville, Cincinnati, South Florida, West Virginia, Texas Christian. Then bulk up by adding Boise State, SMU, Houston. Or maybe add some Rice if you're thinking academics.

This patchwork life raft might hold until the next big expansion wave. Or not.

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