The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[USUC]

Big-XII priority really should be the Arizona schools. Utah will sit tight because it's entire post 2010 identity is the Pac-12. They'll want to stay in the Pac-10. And also, they are putting together their pitch to the B1G in case Oregon and UW go. A snowball's chance is still a chance.

But the Arizona schools have no shot at the B1G and what do they get for sticking around the Pac-10 just to have it reduced when the B1G calls some of the others. Blow it up now.

[Omaha 680]

Big-XII priority really should be the Arizona schools. Utah will sit tight because it's entire post 2010 identity is the Pac-12. They'll want to stay in the Pac-10. And also, they are putting together their pitch to the B1G in case Oregon and UW go. A snowball's chance is still a chance.

But the Arizona schools have no shot at the B1G and what do they get for sticking around the Pac-10 just to have it reduced when the B1G calls some of the others. Blow it up now.

Exactly. JL basically said this in a previous post but the Big 12 has to kill the PAC now while they are on the ropes. By all means try to get Oregon and Washington but also make it clear that Arizona and Arizona State are coming regardless. The PAC has done the Big 12 no favors since the beginning of the realignment era. Now that the shoe is on the other foot it's time to act decisively.

Edit: Some funny chatter I have seen from Ute fans is "oh I bet the Big 12 has so much buyer's remorse adding those four crappy programs now that there are so many better options on the table." They fail to see that the stability the Big 12 bought by adding good programs who want to be there is the very reason they will survive and the PAC likely will not.

[Green Monstah]

I actually think U of A has an outside shot at the Big 10. Solid academics. Great basketball tradition. Sure, football is what it is, but B10 invited Rutgers, so……. The downside for Big10 is eyeballs/TV sets.

[jadesroom]

Isn't the Pac-10 a still a pretty good conference. If they don't panic and stay pat, The Arizonas, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Stanford form a solid, six-team nucleus.

[Uncle Ted]

Exactly. JL basically said this in a previous post but the Big 12 has to kill the PAC now while they are on the ropes. By all means try to get Oregon and Washington but also make it clear that Arizona and Arizona State are coming regardless. The PAC has done the Big 12 no favors since the beginning of the realignment era. Now that the shoe is on the other foot it's time to act decisively.

Edit: Some funny chatter I have seen from Ute fans is "oh I bet the Big 12 has so much buyer's remorse adding those four crappy programs now that there are so many better options on the table." They fail to see that the stability the Big 12 bought by adding good programs who want to be there is the very reason they will survive and the PAC likely will not.

Yeah, the PAC 12 should have killed the Big 12 when they had the chance. It’s kill or be killed. Let’s finish them off now!

[Applejack]

This is so simple: if OU and UW bolt, make a run for Lubbock/Ames; if UO and UW stick around, best to be in the conference of champions.

The Big XII is smart and they are trying to kill the Pac while they have the chance. But, anyone who knows Arizona knows that Arizonans see themselves as Californians, not Texans. I'd be surprised if Arizona(2x) takes the plunge without having a good sense of which way the Ducks/Huskies are leaning.

[jay santos]

All this conference change nonsense over the last 20 years makes me wish the NCAA was a more powerful entity that could make moves to keep everyone happy enough to maintain consistency.

[USUC]

This is so simple: if OU and UW bolt, make a run for Lubbock/Ames; if UO and UW stick around, best to be in the conference of champions.

The Big XII is smart and they are trying to kill the Pac while they have the chance. But, anyone who knows Arizona knows that Arizonans see themselves as Californians, not Texans. I'd be surprised if Arizona(2x) takes the plunge without having a good sense of which way the Ducks/Huskies are leaning.

Doesn't the threat of OU and UW leaving at any time cause concern here? Payouts will take that into account I'm sure.

[Jeff Lebowski]

All this conference change nonsense over the last 20 years makes me wish the NCAA was a more powerful entity that could make moves to keep everyone happy enough to maintain consistency.

You are a unicorn. A fan longing for a more powerful NCAA.

[Applejack]

Doesn't the threat of OU and UW leaving at any time cause concern here? Payouts will take that into account I'm sure.

I think that the (only) thing that will keep OU/UW around is the fact that the BIGX has not invited them. If the Arizona schools are convinced that there is no imminent invite coming, why jump? The BigXII will always be there...

[USUC]

I think that the (only) thing that will keep OU/UW around is the fact that the BIGX has not invited them. If the Arizona schools are convinced that there is no imminent invite coming, why jump? The BigXII will always be there...

Will the Big-XII always be there though? If the ACC gets raided and the Big-XII picks up those leftovers, there may not be any more spots.

[beefytee]

I don't see the Pac-10 surviving in its current form. They can't compete financially and will struggle to ever be in the black. There just isn't the interest in football or other sports on the West coast. They either get picked apart or they go the Ivy league route and go non-scholarship. OSU and WSU don't survive the non-scholarship route.

I do think it is best for the Arizona schools to be proactive now with the B12. They have some options now. If UW and OU bolt, they will be out of options and likely get less appealing B12 terms.

[Applejack]

I don't see the Pac-10 surviving in its current form. They can't compete financially and will struggle to ever be in the black. There just isn't the interest in football or other sports on the West coast. They either get picked apart or they go the Ivy league route and go non-scholarship. OSU and WSU don't survive the non-scholarship route.

I do think it is best for the Arizona schools to be proactive now with the B12. They have some options now. If UW and OU bolt, they will be out of options and likely get less appealing B12 terms.

Is the BIGXII (minus two big draws) a better financial place to be? It seems like sixes to me. Plus we don't have to step foot in Houston

[falafel]

Is the BIGXII (minus two big draws) a better financial place to be? It seems like sixes to me. Plus we don't have to step foot in Houston

Well, at least the fanbases in the Big 12 appear to like college football. Easier product to sell to TV, tickets, etc.

[Art Vandelay]

Well, at least the fanbases in the Big 12 appear to like college football. Easier product to sell to TV, tickets, etc.

You bring up a point that I haven't seen mentioned. Losing SC eliminates one of the 3 biggest home draws for most teams. Granted they've been mediocre of late, but they are trending upward. I would guess for most schools the most desired tickets are

1) Rival . Everyone knows how hard it is to get into RES when the Buffs are in town
2) Oregon
3) SC

#2 and # 3 are under the assumption both are decent to great that specific year.