Official Conference Expansion prediction thread.

[jay santos]

The Big 12 just seems too unstable right now when Texas has a great option in the Pac 16 to leave. The schedule won't change that much. They'll take the division they were playing 80% of their games with over to the Pac. The presidents will like being part of the snooty research thing the Pac has going for them. The finances will work out well. The Pac 16 will be the new sexy conference.

What really is Nebraska and Mizzou going to promise by the Friday? We won't leave this week? This summer? For five years? 10 years? How do they make that promise? A signed contract with penalties attached? How valid would it be? Do all the Big 12 schools have to sign it or just Nebraska and Mizzou? Not gonna happen.

Big 12 is gone.

[SeattleUte]

The Big 12 just seems too unstable right now when Texas has a great option in the Pac 16 to leave. The schedule won't change that much. They'll take the division they were playing 80% of their games with over to the Pac. The presidents will like being part of the snooty research thing the Pac has going for them. The finances will work out well. The Pac 16 will be the new sexy conference.

What really is Nebraska and Mizzou going to promise by the Friday? We won't leave this week? This summer? For five years? 10 years? How do they make that promise? A signed contract with penalties attached? How valid would it be? Do all the Big 12 schools have to sign it or just Nebraska and Mizzou? Not gonna happen.

Big 12 is gone.

The SEC, seemingly asleep, will "wake up" and "chomp," with one suprisingly quick motion for such a big heavy beast, gobble the Big 12 South, like you see happen on those nature shows.

[jay santos]

The SEC, seemingly asleep, will "wake up" and "chomp," with one suprisingly quick motion for such a big heavy beast, gobble the Big 12 South, like you see happen on those nature shows.

Pac 10 has Larry Scott. He's a mover and a shaker. Keep your eyes on that guy. He's got the Pac 10 presidents eating out of his hand. SEC won't be able to move quick enough.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

The SEC, seemingly asleep, will "wake up" and "chomp," with one suprisingly quick motion for such a big heavy beast, gobble the Big 12 South, like you see happen on those nature shows.

As usual SU, you're full of shit. Contrary to your opinion, I think academics would enter into the picture and the folks at Texas would rather be associated with the research-oriented and academically superior Pac 10.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

As usual SU, you're full of shit. Contrary to your opinion, I think academics would enter into the picture and the folks at Texas would rather be associated with the research-oriented and academically superior Pac 10.

LOL

[myboynoah]

The SEC, seemingly asleep, will "wake up" and "chomp," with one suprisingly quick motion for such a big heavy beast, gobble the Big 12 South, like you see happen on those nature shows.

Great imagery.

[LA Ute]

A Tale of Two States: The PAC10 and Texas

Someone sent this to me and it seemed oddly appropriate in light of the recent conference expansion drama. (Yeah, I know California is not the PAC10, but the California schools do dominate that conference.)

*****

A Governor is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out, attacks the dog, and bites the Governor.

California:

1. Governor starts to intervene, reflects upon the movie 'Bambi' and then realizes he should stop; the coyote is only doing what is natural.

2. He calls animal control. Animal control captures coyote and spends $200 testing it for diseases and $500 upon relocating it.

3. He calls veterinarian. Vet collects dead dog and spends $200 testing it for diseases.

4. Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting bite wound bandaged.

5. Running trail gets shut down for 6 months while wildlife services conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is clear of dangerous animals.

6. Governor spends $50,000 of state funds implementing a "coyote awareness" program for residents of the area.

7. State legislature spends $2 million investigating how to better handle rabies and how to possibly eradicate the disease.

8. Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack and for letting the Governor intervene.

9. Cost: $75,000 to train new security agent.

10. PETA protests the coyote relocation and files suit against the state.

--------
Texas:

1. Governor shoots coyote and keeps jogging. Governor has spent $0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge. Buzzards eat dead coyote.

*****

Kinda describes the difference in the two approaches we are seeing.

[Uncle Ted]

There are some details missing...

Someone sent this to me and it seemed oddly appropriate in light of the recent conference expansion drama. (Yeah, I know California is not the PAC10, but the California schools do dominate that conference.)

*****

A Governor is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out, attacks the dog, and bites the Governor.

California:

1. Governor starts to intervene, reflects upon the movie 'Bambi' and then realizes he should stop; the coyote is only doing what is natural.

2. He calls animal control. Animal control captures coyote and spends $200 testing it for diseases and $500 upon relocating it.

3. He calls veterinarian. Vet collects dead dog and spends $200 testing it for diseases.

4. Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting bite wound bandaged.

5. Running trail gets shut down for 6 months while wildlife services conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is clear of dangerous animals.

6. Governor spends $50,000 of state funds implementing a "coyote awareness" program for residents of the area.

7. State legislature spends $2 million investigating how to better handle rabies and how to possibly eradicate the disease.

8. Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack and for letting the Governor intervene.

9. Cost: $75,000 to train new security agent.

10. PETA protests the coyote relocation and files suit against the state.

11. Governor is forced to raise tuition on state universities by 32% due to budget deficit cause by, in part, to the new coyote social and pension programs that the PETA lobbyists got the state government to add.

12. State universities in the PAC-10 lobby conference to include Texas so it can demand better TV contracts and state athletic budgets don't have to be cut.

--------
Texas:

1. Governor shoots coyote and keeps jogging. Governor has spent $0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge. Buzzards eat dead coyote.

*****

Kinda describes the difference in the two approaches we are seeing.

2. The manufacturer of the gun used by the governor now sells a version of the same gun emblazoned with "Coyote Special" and "A True Texan" on the sides. Texas gun stores can't keep them in stock.

[Babs]

Great imagery.

but sloppy construction. I think I would have borrowed some Yeats myself.

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
slouches toward the networks to be born.

[pellegrino]

Great imagery.

it has a dreamlike quality to it, don't you think?

[myboynoah]

but sloppy construction. I think I would have borrowed some Yeats myself.

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
slouches toward the networks to be born.

it has a dreamlike quality to it, don't you think?

Wow, you two are much more sophisticated than I am. I watch a lot of Animal Planet. Crocodiles chomping unsuspecting wildebeests and lions devouring springboks are the images that came to my mind.

That we can appreciate the "imagery" in such different ways shows that SU's prose transcends the barriers that exist between peoples. He is a force for peace in the world.

[Top Ute]

The Big 12 just seems too unstable right now when Texas has a great option in the Pac 16 to leave. The schedule won't change that much. They'll take the division they were playing 80% of their games with over to the Pac. The presidents will like being part of the snooty research thing the Pac has going for them. The finances will work out well. The Pac 16 will be the new sexy conference.

What really is Nebraska and Mizzou going to promise by the Friday? We won't leave this week? This summer? For five years? 10 years? How do they make that promise? A signed contract with penalties attached? How valid would it be? Do all the Big 12 schools have to sign it or just Nebraska and Mizzou? Not gonna happen.

Big 12 is gone.

Nine of the Big 12 schools have publicly said they are committed to making the Big 12 work. Several are in the Pac-10 expansion proposal. At least one B12 South AD, Gerald Myers at Texas Tech, has said publicly he would prefer that his school remain in the Big 12. Again, the Pac-10 is not pulling the strings here, but Texas. No way would the Pac-10 sign off unilaterally on inviting schools like Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

This is Texas using its might to leverage the three outliers (Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado) to play by its terms, with Nebraska being the obvious lynchpin. And if the Big 10 had already invited Missouri and Nebraska, Missouri would've been gone yesterday.

Bottom line: Those reports of invitations extended by the Big 10 were only rumors. Incidentally, they came from a KC sports talk radio station. The only thing for certain when it comes to the Big 12 is that Texas communicates its "rumors" more effectively through the media than does Missouri.

A Nebraska commitment to the Big 12, given the Pac-10 deadline for restructuring TV contracts/signing new deals this summer, effectively locks out Texas from being a participant in the new Pac-10 deal, and keeping that lid closed for several years.

[shoganai]

And if the Big 10 had already invited Missouri and Nebraska, Missouri would've been gone yesterday.

I've been led to believe for some time now that Missouri wants in a lot more than they are wanted in.

Not that the Big 10 has any real problems with Mizzou, but their appeal is based much more on the potential of the St. Louis market, and "potential" is not a hot-button item at the bargaining table right now.

I would not be shocked to see Nebraska be invited as the twelfth member and Missouri left out all together.

[Babs]

Wow, you two are much more sophisticated than I am. I watch a lot of Animal Planet. Crocodiles chomping unsuspecting wildebeests and lions devouring springboks are the images that came to my mind.

That we can appreciate the "imagery" in such different ways shows that SU's prose transcends the barriers that exist between peoples. He is a force for peace in the world.

I really enjoyed your comments.

[pellegrino]

Wow, you two are much more sophisticated than I am. I watch a lot of Animal Planet. Crocodiles chomping unsuspecting wildebeests and lions devouring springboks are the images that came to my mind.

That we can appreciate the "imagery" in such different ways shows that SU's prose transcends the barriers that exist between peoples. He is a force for peace in the world.

I appreciated your post.