The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Surfah]

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1256918

Notre Dame would top the Big 12 wish list, according to sources. BYU is also a strong candidate, sources say. But don't be surprised to hear Pittsburgh start to surface as a potential candidate for the Big 12.

Sources said they expect Texas A&M to make a move this week to submit its application for membership to the SEC. Saturday's call between the Big 12 presidents was a step in the direction of A&M clarifying what its exit strategy will be before reaching out to the SEC, sources said.

Estimates for the Aggies' exit fees, according to Big 12 sources, are between $28 million and $30 million. But no one expects the Aggies to pay that much.

Nebraska and Colorado were supposed to pay between $15 million and $20 million. But Nebraska paid $9 million, and Colorado paid $6 million.

[Surfah]

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1256918

Another interesting tidbit from Chip's latest that has the Longhorns in an uproar:

Sources close to the situation continue to say Texas would not have an interest in playing Texas A&M in football if the Aggies were to bolt the Big 12 for the SEC.

But there is speculation among those in the Texas Legislature that a bill could be filed during the 2013 session that could force the two schools to keep playing each other if they were in separate conferences.

[OrangeUte]

How are all of you coug fans doing? I remember going nuts for the week or so before utah's invite. All of the back and forth and speculation is consuming. I hope you're all doing well. It's probably not as bad as it could be bc the independence thing is a good fall back. Thank heavens you are out of the mwc.

[Surfah]

How are all of you coug fans doing? I remember going nuts for the week or so before utah's invite. All of the back and forth and speculation is consuming. I hope you're all doing well. It's probably not as bad as it could be bc the independence thing is a good fall back. Thank heavens you are out of the mwc.

To be honest independence and simply being out of the MWC has tempered my enthusiasm. Don't get me wrong I will be over the moon if/when it's official. But not being tied to that terrible TV deal and conference makes it easier to breathe until we're a BCS team.

[Portland Ute]

Another interesting tidbit from Chip's latest that has the Longhorns in an uproar:

I think politicians need to stay out of sports.

[TripletDaddy]

I'm hanging in there, orangeute. Thank you for asking.

[Surfah]

I think politicians need to stay out of sports.

I could actually ole Orinn trying to legislate some sort of mandatory meeting between BYU and Utah every year.

[TripletDaddy]

I think politicians need to stay out of sports.

No kidding, sheesh. State legislature mandating football games between teams?

Of course, it was basically a governmental act to get Baylor into the conference, as well, so I guess this is par for the course for Texas.

[Viking]

Byu has an offer in hand

[GrizzledVeteran]

[LiveCoug]

Byu has an offer in hand

Any more info? Thanks...

[Uncle Ted]

Byu has an offer in hand

Yes, BYU does have an ESPN contract in hand.

[Uncle Ted]

No kidding, sheesh. State legislature mandating football games between teams?

Of course, it was basically a governmental act to get Baylor into the conference, as well, so I guess this is par for the course for Texas.

That was when one of the few times a democrat was in control of governor's office. Texans have learned since then and she never got even a second term.

It's Florida that has laws dictating that college football teams play each other. Maybe the folks up in Utah should push for a similar law to get USU and Utah playing again.


Edit: "There's politics, there's dirty politics and then there's the Texas Legislature." - Sam Rayburn

[LiveCoug]

I'm a twitter idiot, but I believe Andy Staples is saying that 99% chance that BYU joins the big 12

http://twitter.com/#!/Andy_Staples

"Educated guess: 1 %. 99%. RT @macarson02: percent chance on ND or BYU joining Big 12?"

[Viking]

Yes, BYU does have an ESPN contract in hand.

No a big 12 offer