Any Truth to the BYU/Big-12 Rumors?

[Eddie]

The CEO's son is a QB at Memphis. He wants him to play against better teams than whoever the hell's in C-USA.

He wants them to play BETTER teams? Why? Going 2-10 isn't good enough? Is he shooting for 0-12?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

This will be interesting. Will any conference demonstrate that it truly is about the money and nothing else by accecpting a 2-10 Memphis that came in last in CUSA?

I don't think any conference would be willing to do this. It would look really bad. It's really just straight up bribery.

Our good friend, Chip Brown, the king of throwing out interference for Texas, is now reporting that multiple sources have indicated that Arkansas is sending feelers out to the Big 12.

Chip Brown has established himself as getting the big picture right (someconference expansion/realignment is about to happen) while getting most of the details wrong. A week ago, the Pac 16 was a done deal according to good ol'Chip.

Arkansas sending out feelers to the Big 12 is probably bad info being intentionally fed to Chip. Remember when Missouri came out and said they'd like to join the Big 10? That came back to really bite Missouri in the ass. Whoever is feeding the info to Chip is hoping to put Arkansas on the same island. First step, report that Arkansas is in contact with Big 12 schools. Second step, acrimony is created between Arkansas and SEC. Third step, reports come out that the SEC is looking to expand but is also pissed at Arkansas. Fourth step, Arkansas packs up their bags and heads to the Big 12.

I simply don't buy that Arkansas could possibly be interested in the Big 12. Why leave the second most stable conference in the country for the Big 12 where you'll just be Texas's you-know-what all the time? The only angle I can think of is Arkansas feels it would have a better shot in the Big 12 North at becoming a football power than the loaded SEC West. Playing in the Big 12 would also allow Arkansas access to Texas recruits. There are some advantages, but I just can't see Arkansas leaving the SEC.

Also, Chip's stuff about Notre Dame ever even considering the Big 12 is a load of bullshit. I believe there is some truth to a conference lifting the academic boats of its member universities. The Big 10 is really tough to beat in this regard and there's no effing way that Notre Dame would turn down the Big 10 and then go to the Big 12. Even with the independence the Big 12 offers to its members, it's a drop in the bucket compared to what an association with the Big 10 could bring Notre Dame in the long run.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1095242

BYU could end up being a big disappointment like Utah is to the Pac 10 if it really gets circulated around that Notre Dame is a real possibility for the Big XII.

Dream on Chip. Dream on Texas. Dream on Big 12. If Notre Dame was capable of weathering last week's storm, it's not going to seriously consider the Big 12. A few million dollars in excess of what the Big 10 can provide will not sway Notre Dame.

[USUC]

The push begins for the expansion of the Big-12. Jerry loves Arkansas and Notre Dame:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/ju...sas-come-down/

Now two law makers in Texas are pushing for Houston:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/7058391.html

The Big-12 is BYU's last shot at staying relevant. I sure the hell hope BYU is actively working to be at least a part of the discussion.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Jerry is smoking some bad weed. No way on God's green earth is ND joining the Big 12. Especially not with big bad Texas in the mix.

[Jacob]

I don't think any conference would be willing to do this. It would look really bad. It's really just straight up bribery.

Our good friend, Chip Brown, the king of throwing out interference for Texas, is now reporting that multiple sources have indicated that Arkansas is sending feelers out to the Big 12.

Chip Brown has established himself as getting the big picture right (someconference expansion/realignment is about to happen) while getting most of the details wrong. A week ago, the Pac 16 was a done deal according to good ol'Chip.

Arkansas sending out feelers to the Big 12 is probably bad info being intentionally fed to Chip. Remember when Missouri came out and said they'd like to join the Big 10? That came back to really bite Missouri in the ass. Whoever is feeding the info to Chip is hoping to put Arkansas on the same island. First step, report that Arkansas is in contact with Big 12 schools. Second step, acrimony is created between Arkansas and SEC. Third step, reports come out that the SEC is looking to expand but is also pissed at Arkansas. Fourth step, Arkansas packs up their bags and heads to the Big 12.

I simply don't buy that Arkansas could possibly be interested in the Big 12. Why leave the second most stable conference in the country for the Big 12 where you'll just be Texas's you-know-what all the time? The only angle I can think of is Arkansas feels it would have a better shot in the Big 12 North at becoming a football power than the loaded SEC West. Playing in the Big 12 would also allow Arkansas access to Texas recruits. There are some advantages, but I just can't see Arkansas leaving the SEC.

Also, Chip's stuff about Notre Dame ever even considering the Big 12 is a load of bullshit. I believe there is some truth to a conference lifting the academic boats of its member universities. The Big 10 is really tough to beat in this regard and there's no effing way that Notre Dame would turn down the Big 10 and then go to the Big 12. Even with the independence the Big 12 offers to its members, it's a drop in the bucket compared to what an association with the Big 10 could bring Notre Dame in the long run.

I'm not clear where Chip Brown has been wrong. He has been ahead of ESPN and everybody else every step of the way. Also, I don't see him talking about Notre Dame to the Big 12 being a strong possibility. He has been the best source on all this B12 breaking news and to discount whatever he comes out with next wouldn't make much sense.

[Jacob]

I'd be surprised if the SEC were too disappointed if it lost Arkansas there are several schools it could add. Arkansas population = Utah population, for example and their median household income is at the bottom of the country while Utah's is closer to the top. Georgia Tech, FSU, Miami would all seem to be a wash, at worst for SEC replacements. But what do I know? Admittedly, not much.

[SloanHater]

I would love to see BYU get invited to the Big 12 and dumped in the A&M, Iowa St, K state, TT, and Mizzou division.

Enjoy those road trips in November Cougs!

[DrumNFeather]

Interesting action from/for Houston:

"Houston legislators have taken matters into their own hands, drafting a letter that will be sent to Big 12 presidents, the league office and Gov. Rick Perry, among others, asking that the Cougars be considered for a spot in the Big 12. Of course, given everything detailed below and commissioner Dan Beebe's statement from earlier in the week that the conference would not add teams from within its five-state footprint, expect the letter to fall upon deaf ears. (Doesn't anyone have the same juice that former Gov. Ann Richards had re: Baylor?)"

[DU Ute]

Interesting action from/for Houston:

"Houston legislators have taken matters into their own hands, drafting a letter that will be sent to Big 12 presidents, the league office and Gov. Rick Perry, among others, asking that the Cougars be considered for a spot in the Big 12. Of course, given everything detailed below and commissioner Dan Beebe's statement from earlier in the week that the conference would not add teams from within its five-state footprint, expect the letter to fall upon deaf ears. (Doesn't anyone have the same juice that former Gov. Ann Richards had re: Baylor?)"

Where did you find that?

[DrumNFeather]

Where did you find that?

ESPN CFB rumors.

[beelzebabette]

I would love to see BYU get invited to the Big 12 and dumped in the A&M, Iowa St, K state, TT, and Mizzou division.

Enjoy those road trips in November Cougs!

If they lead to sunny destinations in January, they'd totally be worth it.

EDIT: This comment should in no way be misconstrued as being sucked into the BYU->Big 12 hype.

[kccougar]

You can't have a conference realignment rumor that doesn't start with Notre Dame initially.

[SloanHater]

If they lead to sunny destinations in January, they'd totally be worth it.

EDIT: This comment should in no way be misconstrued as being sucked into the BYU->Big 12 hype.

I'm not so sure the New Era Pinstripe Bowl is sunny that time of year.

[Coach McGuirk]

Arkansas not interested,

Arkansas Razorbacks have 'no interest' in leaving SEC - ESPN

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long says the school has "no interest" in joining another conference amid speculation that the Razorbacks could be a candidate to move to the Big 12.
Long said Wednesday that Arkansas is happy in the Southeastern Conference. The Big 12 recently lost Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10, leaving it with 10 members.
Arkansas left the Southwest Conference and joined the SEC in 1991. Some of its old rivals from the Southwest Conference -- such as Texas and Texas A&M -- now play in the Big 12.