Let them leave, let them sink their own ship.

Then take the rest of the country and build a league that keeps that relationship with the community, with alumni and build what would start as a secondary brand to the SEC. Widen the tent stakes so that the Montana's of the world can turn into Cinderella teams during a true post season playoff. Probably need to change a few rules just to differentiate the brand enough.

IN a few years, the new league will at least compete with the 'other' league which begins to suffer for national viewership and from the same teams in the national championship year after year. Pundits will start wondering whether the Georgia team that won their 'national championship could compete with the Oklahoma State or BYU team that went undefeated on the way to THEIR national championship game. Fast forward a few years, you'll have an AFL and NFC-like merger with a true college Superbowl game.

and that's how you make college football great again.