Conference Realignment Primer

All of the changes in the NCAA are starting to become confusing, so I analyzed where we stand right now.  This will, of course, look different in a week.

Big Ten
Gained Nebraska

Big 12
Lost Nebraska, Texas A&M, Missouri, Colorado
Gained TCU, WVU

Big East
Lost Pitt, Syracuse, WVU

Pac 10
Gained Utah, Colorado

ACC
Gained Pitt, Syracuse

SEC
Gained Texas A&M, Missouri

Winners
ACC - It seemed that only one of the two "lesser" BCS conferences would make it through this thing in good shape.  They became that conference by stealing two strong basketball programs from the Big East.  Pitt and Syracuse have been successful in football before, so they have the potential to gain success again. 
Big Ten - One move to add a top tier program that made sense geographically and philosophically.  Throughout the transitions, there has NEVER been any doubt that they would lose a team.  Comes off as very prestigious by not overreacting and courting any team out there.  Having the Big 10 Championship game on Fox will bring in a TON of money to a conference that has a printing press in the Big Ten Network.
TCU - Even if they suck vs. premier competition, they are going to earn much more money and attention for their school by being on TV every week.
Big 12 - They've lost more than any other conference to this point, but strong negotiations from their leadership kept the conference in tact and that seems pretty miraculous.  Kept the top two programs, added two other Top 25 teams.  Most importantly: they have the 10 teams they needed to keep the 13 year, $1.17 Billion tv contract they signed with Fox in April intact.
Fans That Want a Playoff - Realignment throws the "tradition" argument for keeping the bowls out of the window.  If the Big East remains intact, there will be strong questions as to whether or not they should remain in the BCS by the other conferences.  Kicking them out will be tough, so a playoff system is on the horizon.

Losers
Pac10 - The early leader out of the clubhouse ended up with two bottom feeders (Utah is 3-4 and Colorado is 1-7 this year.  Both are a combined 0-8 in conference play).  Courted Texas and lost.  It was subtraction by addition.
SEC - The top conference in the nation didn't do much for its credibility by adding the number 4 & 8 teams from the Big 12.
WVU - Goes from the big kid on the block to the number 3 program in the league.  Closest opponent is 870 miles away.  Have fun with the expenses of sending your volleyball team to Ames, Iowa.
Big East - Has lost each of the founding members except for Rutgers.  The biggest casualty of the transition is going to affect their basketball conference the most.  Losing three of the top basketball programs means a lot of lost revenue (if they even remain intact).  Does their prestigious Big East Tournament keep as valuable of a sponsorship?  Do they get to continue to hold games at MSG?  Not if their added teams are Boise St, Navy, Houston, Air Force....

Why The NBA Is In Trouble

Rank these sports in order of your current viewing preference:
NHL
College Hockey
NBA
College Basketball
MLB
NFL
College Football
Any others (tennis? golf?)