The PAC 10 expansion groundswell

[myboynoah]

I did a quick check on the latest local media reporting on this issue. Here you go:

Is Pac-16 still a possibility for Utah?

ESPN's Joe Schad and the Kansas City Star are reporting that Utah may be the top choice to fill out the Pac-16 if Texas A&M decides not to join fellow Big 12 members Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech in making the move in the near future. Colorado jumped ship last week.

"Hearing if A&M passes on Pac-10, Utah has edge on Kansas as potential 16th member," read a Twitter that Schad sent out Saturday.

The Kansas City Star reported that "a source close to the situation said Utah would likely be targeted by the Pac-10 before the Jayhawks."

Some other outlets, however, say otherwise.

Stay tuned.

Reports say A&M has votes needed to go to SEC

Orangebloods.com is reporting Texas A&M regents have the votes needed to move to the SEC, with Utah likely bound for the Pac-10.

Other reports say the Utes aren't the favored team for the Pac-10, so believe who you want. From what I've been told Utah likely is ahead in the game for the final spot in the Pac-10 despite Kansas' push to join the league.

However, this realignment picture is changing so fast, it's very hard to put a lot of stock into any one theory.

There is no word yet from the Utes, but keep in mind the Pac-10 would have to make the first move, which might not come for a couple of days given the setting of Tuesday's meetings.

Several media outlets have reported SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station today meeting with school officials.

Or maybe A&M doesn't have the votes

According to this report in SI, Texas A&M hasn't polled its regents, at least not Gene Stallings. Take your pick of which report you want to believe.

"This realignment picture is changing so fast, it's very hard to put a lot of stock into any one theory." Great advice.

[Uncle Ted]

I knew this would happen. No way Utah gets in before Kansas. Mark it down.

If Texas and friends go to the Pac-10+6 but A&M, for some reason, goes to the SEC then Texas will be deciding who will be coming with them. Personally, I think Texas is still pissed at Utah for standing them up and dropping them off their 2008 football schedule. What is ironic is Utah might have been playing Florida for the national title if they had kept Texas on their schedule. Maybe that decision is going to bite them in the *ss again.

[myboynoah]

The above referenced SI report:

More moves seem likely as Pac-10 officials meet with Big 12 targets

As of now, the only Big 12 South school with a potential invitation to the Pac-10 that hasn't scheduled a meeting of its regents for next week is Texas A&M, and that's telling. The Aggies are trying to decide whether they should join the Pac-10 or the SEC, and they're genuinely conflicted. Despite some reports that a decision had been made, a source at an SEC school told SI.com late Saturday that Texas A&M regents remain on the fence. Texas A&M regent Gene Stallings told SI.com he isn't sure how the board would vote. "No one has polled me," said Stallings, who played for Bear Bryant at Texas A&M, then coached the Aggies and later led Alabama to a national title.

That informal poll could come soon, and a meeting for an official vote could be set this week. Texas state law requires three days' notice for such a meeting. Saturday, Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne sent an e-mail to fans asking for patience.

"Please let us continue to go through a thorough and thoughtful process," Byrne wrote. "Like you, we understand that this decision will impact us for decades. Let's not rush.

How can anything happen with Utah on Monday? This could well drag into next weekend.

This is freaky weird.

Meanwhile, CBSSports.com reported some fascinating news from Memphis, Tenn. The site quoted "multiple sources close to the Memphis program" as saying FedEx CEO Fred Smith has contacted several BCS conferences and offered $10 million a year if a league will take Memphis out of Conference USA and into the promised land. FedEx recently withdrew its title sponsorship of the Orange Bowl.

[Uncle Ted]

The above referenced SI report:

More moves seem likely as Pac-10 officials meet with Big 12 targets

How can anything happen with Utah on Monday? This could well drag into next weekend.

This is likely to drag on for a while given is seems the texas government is now getting involved and calling hearings.

This is freaky weird. [FedEx CEO offering $10M/yr to a BCS conference to take Memphis.]

Hmm... Maybe the Big 12 should take BYU and Memphis, collect $10M each from NU and CU, and call it a day.

[myboynoah]

Hmm... Maybe the Big 12 should take BYU and Memphis, collect $10M each from NU and CU, and call it a day.

The Church should get behind BYU Athletics' missionary efforts and put up its own $10 million for a BCS invite.

[Viking]

I still think that the Big 12 adds BYU and TCU; Utah to the Pac 12.

[Uncle Ted]

The Church should get behind BYU Athletics' missionary efforts and put up its own $10 million for a BCS invite.

Add "BYU BCS Fund" to the tithing slips... lol.

[Uncle Ted]

I still think that the Big 12 adds BYU and TCU; Utah to the Pac 12.

TCU and Baylor still pretty much hate each other and would most likely lobby to block the other team from moving into their conference. Although it would be nice to have Big 12 games in cowtown.

[SeattleUte]

Some day these mega conferences will be looked at like we do astroturf, indoor baseball, and all purpose domed athletic venues. Sometimes the current generations think they're so smart but they're really totally full of crap compared to the past.

[All-American]

Some day these mega conferences will be looked at like we do astroturf, indoor baseball, and all purpose domed athletic venues.

I agree. They will look at this as the evolutionary step that led to the current state of the art.

We look at Astroturf as a silly thing, but it gave rise to Fieldturf, which is becoming increasingly common and popular. I know you don't watch many Utah football games, so it may interest you to know that Utah actually plays on a fieldturf surface.

This megaconference thing will be another step in the direction things have been going for a while now.

[myboynoah]

Some day these mega conferences will be looked at like we do astroturf, indoor baseball, and all purpose domed athletic venues. Sometimes the current generations think they're so smart but they're really totally full of crap compared to the past.

Preach it brother, preach it.

[Viking]

Mark my words: The Great Republic of Texas will not let its most important assets in the most important past time hitch their wagons to a bunch of left coast sissies.

Forget the PAC16. It's going to be the Pac12 with Utah/Colorado (good riddance to both) and BYU/TCU in the Big 12.

Baylor's had a near death experience and isn't going to complain one bit about their fellow thumpers from fort worth.

Holy cow, the Big 12 will be God's Conference: Mormons, Baptists and Pentacostals in one league. Now that's a story.

[Hot Lunch]

Some day these mega conferences will be looked at like we do astroturf, indoor baseball, and all purpose domed athletic venues. Sometimes the current generations think they're so smart but they're really totally full of crap compared to the past.

The mega conferences are the worst thing that can happen to college football.

[CJF]

Some day these mega conferences will be looked at like we do astroturf, indoor baseball, and all purpose domed athletic venues. Sometimes the current generations think they're so smart but they're really totally full of crap compared to the past.

Aren't you the one who suggested that the PAC should go to 18 or 20 to include Utah?

[SeattleUte]

Aren't you the one who suggested that the PAC should go to 18 or 20 to include Utah?

If Gotterdammerung must occur, I want the Utes on the summit.