Because the Call Doesn’t Always Come
There’s a belief in college sports that if you invest smart, win steadily, and show up with the right mix of loyalty and resources, the opportunity will come. That belief was quietly buried when the Big 12 passed on Memphis — again — despite a proposal built to impress on every front.
At some point, Group of 5 programs have to stop chasing approval and start studying the system.
Not every school can buy its way into the Power 4. Some never get a serious look, no matter how much they win. But that doesn’t mean there’s no path forward.
I see three. None of them are easy. But they’re real.
Earn the Call
The Power 4 doesn’t operate on merit. It operates on moments.
Cincinnati made the jump not because it had a strong five-year stretch, but because it hit the peak at exactly the right time: an undefeated season, a top-five finish, a CFP berth — all while expansion conversations were back on the table. The program didn’t just earn respect. It earned attention.
That’s the key.
If you want a shot, you have to make noise when the lights are on. That means:
- Winning big in nationally televised games
- Showing up ranked when you beat a P4 opponent
- Playing with visibility in mind, not just scheduling
The window won’t always be open. But when it is, programs have to be more than good — they have to be undeniable.
Build with Purpose
Power 4 conferences don’t just want winners. They want stories. Identity sells — and schools like UCF and BYU had brands that were clear, distinct, and already packaged for television.
What separates those who get the call from those who don’t often comes down to memorability. Not gimmicks, not theatrics — just clarity. A sense of what a program is and why it matters to the broader landscape.
For schools still outside the Power 4, that starts with:
- Owning a unique point of view, region, or culture
- Building a scheduling identity that rewards ambition
- Avoiding the trap of being generic but consistent
Memphis has the bones — geography, history, and institutional backing. What it needs next is edge. Something that breaks through when fans — or networks — are skimming the menu.
Bet on Chaos
Even perfect timing and perfect branding might not be enough in a stable market. But college football isn’t stable. And it won’t be for long.
The next wave of realignment won’t be driven by expansion — it’ll be driven by collapse. Whether that’s the ACC unraveling, another Big Ten raid, or the Pac-12’s final breath, there will be movement. And when that happens, the most prepared G5 programs won’t have to sell themselves. They’ll already be in the room.
That means staying flexible. Staying present. And staying competitive even when the call doesn’t come.
Realignment isn’t about fairness. It’s about fit. And fit changes when chaos hits.
From Auditioning to Positioning
There’s no single formula that gets a Group of 5 program into the next tier. That’s part of the point. The system isn’t designed to reward hard work in linear ways.
But if there’s one takeaway from Memphis’ rejection, it’s this: the Power 4 isn’t casting roles based on performance. It’s casting based on profile. So instead of waiting to be discovered, G5 schools have to build roles that can’t be ignored.
The call might never come. But when it does, the next Memphis won’t be the one shouting for attention. It’ll be the one that’s already ready to step in — fully formed, easily packaged, and impossible to overlook.
Because in this system, the opportunity goes to the school that’s already watchable. Not the one hoping to be seen.
Read Part 1 in this series: The Boldest Offer College Football Ever Rejected
Read Part 2 in this series: Realignment Is a TV Show — and Memphis Isn’t in the Script
Reach high-intent sports + business readers?
Sponsor a link or post — Email us here for curated placements, contextual exposure, and brand visibility.
—
About the Author of “The Blueprint for the Next Memphis”:
Tiffany Stewart is a U.S. Navy veteran and sports industry professional with experience in recruiting, sponsorship analysis, and football operations. She holds a Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Analytics at Texas A&M. A lover of all things football, Tiffany brings passion and perspective to every conversation and article. Follow her on X @SportySailor.
More content like “The Blueprint for the Next Memphis”
The Memphis Big 12 Rejection Series: Part Three — The Blueprint for the Next Memphis
Because the Call Doesn’t Always Come
There’s a belief in college sports that if you invest smart, win steadily, and show up with the right mix of loyalty and resources, the opportunity will come. That belief was quietly buried when the Big 12 passed on Memphis — again — despite a proposal built to impress on every front.
At some point, Group of 5 programs have to stop chasing approval and start studying the system.
Not every school can buy its way into the Power 4. Some never get a serious look, no matter how much they win. But that doesn’t mean there’s no path forward.
I see three. None of them are easy. But they’re real.
Earn the Call
The Power 4 doesn’t operate on merit. It operates on moments.
Cincinnati made the jump not because it had a strong five-year stretch, but because it hit the peak at exactly the right time: an undefeated season, a top-five finish, a CFP berth — all while expansion conversations were back on the table. The program didn’t just earn respect. It earned attention.
That’s the key.
If you want a shot, you have to make noise when the lights are on. That means:
The window won’t always be open. But when it is, programs have to be more than good — they have to be undeniable.
Build with Purpose
Power 4 conferences don’t just want winners. They want stories. Identity sells — and schools like UCF and BYU had brands that were clear, distinct, and already packaged for television.
What separates those who get the call from those who don’t often comes down to memorability. Not gimmicks, not theatrics — just clarity. A sense of what a program is and why it matters to the broader landscape.
For schools still outside the Power 4, that starts with:
Memphis has the bones — geography, history, and institutional backing. What it needs next is edge. Something that breaks through when fans — or networks — are skimming the menu.
Bet on Chaos
Even perfect timing and perfect branding might not be enough in a stable market. But college football isn’t stable. And it won’t be for long.
The next wave of realignment won’t be driven by expansion — it’ll be driven by collapse. Whether that’s the ACC unraveling, another Big Ten raid, or the Pac-12’s final breath, there will be movement. And when that happens, the most prepared G5 programs won’t have to sell themselves. They’ll already be in the room.
That means staying flexible. Staying present. And staying competitive even when the call doesn’t come.
Realignment isn’t about fairness. It’s about fit. And fit changes when chaos hits.
From Auditioning to Positioning
There’s no single formula that gets a Group of 5 program into the next tier. That’s part of the point. The system isn’t designed to reward hard work in linear ways.
But if there’s one takeaway from Memphis’ rejection, it’s this: the Power 4 isn’t casting roles based on performance. It’s casting based on profile. So instead of waiting to be discovered, G5 schools have to build roles that can’t be ignored.
The call might never come. But when it does, the next Memphis won’t be the one shouting for attention. It’ll be the one that’s already ready to step in — fully formed, easily packaged, and impossible to overlook.
Because in this system, the opportunity goes to the school that’s already watchable. Not the one hoping to be seen.
Read Part 1 in this series: The Boldest Offer College Football Ever Rejected
Read Part 2 in this series: Realignment Is a TV Show — and Memphis Isn’t in the Script
Reach high-intent sports + business readers?
Sponsor a link or post — Email us here for curated placements, contextual exposure, and brand visibility.
—
About the Author of “The Blueprint for the Next Memphis”:
Tiffany Stewart is a U.S. Navy veteran and sports industry professional with experience in recruiting, sponsorship analysis, and football operations. She holds a Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Analytics at Texas A&M. A lover of all things football, Tiffany brings passion and perspective to every conversation and article. Follow her on X @SportySailor.
More content like “The Blueprint for the Next Memphis”