The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[SoCalCoug]

Is the meeting in SLC? I need to figure where to set up my stakeout.

No worries on the pop-up tent. I will look into that one myself and get back with everyone.

Are the iguanas in that tent?

[MarkGrace]

Meanwhile, BYU could be emerging as a leading candidate to replace Texas A&M in the Big 12, according to three sources close to the situation.

Sources said BYU's close relationship with ESPN, which operates BYU's TV contract as an independent, could play a key role in the Cougars being added to the Big 12, whose Tier 1 TV rights are held by ABC/ESPN.

As an example of ESPN's relationship with BYU, two key sources told Orangebloods.com that if ESPN can not work out an agreement with either Kansas or Kansas State to appear as the second football game on the Longhorn Network this season, it will be BYU.

The Cougars play Texas in Week 2 of the football season - Sept. 10 in Austin - one week after LHN is to air UT's season opener against Rice at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday. Texas fans are getting nervous that there haven't been more announcements about cable providers who will carry the Longhorn Network and show the Texas-Rice game Saturday night.

The thought that UT's first two football games of the season could both be on the Longhorn Network - with potentially very limited distribution - could be a huge turnoff to Texas fans. ESPN officials have been silent this week on any Longhorn Network developments.

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1258387

[Uncle Ted]

You won't be the only one.



Maybe they could simulcast on BYUtv to appease the Texas Fans.

Not a bad idea.

Texas fans are about to kill themselves because of the limited distribution of the LHN. However, there is a lot of talk of the game being streamed on justin.tv by a lot of folks.

[myboynoah]

Not a bad idea.

Texas fans are about to kill themselves because of the limited distribution of the LHN. However, there is a lot of talk of the game being streamed on justin.tv by a lot of folks.

Time to gas up the HD Truck!!!

(WARNING: Beholding the magnificence of this HD TRUCK may cause temporary blindness, sexual arrousal, and/or the appearance of heavenly beings. Behold at your own risk.)

[Uncle Ted]

Proof there is all kinds of misinformation flying around...

SportsBizMiss Kristi Dosh
Spoke with an exec in college athletics today about A&M to SEC. Said it was calculated move intended to set stage for adding bigger target.
9 hours ago

SportsBizMiss Kristi Dosh
Who is bigger target? I thought Oklahoma...they said Texas.
9 hours ago

SportsBizMiss Kristi Dosh
This person didn't see Texas to SEC right now, but in the future.
9 hours ago

SportsBizMiss Kristi Dosh
I asked this person if the SEC would add A&M if it meant no new tv money right now and they said yes bc part of bigger plan to get into TX.

Texas in the SEC.

[Uncle Ted]

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1258387

This is why BYU is most likely joining the Big 12, IMHO....

Sources said BYU's close relationship with ESPN, which operates BYU's TV contract as an independent, could play a key role in the Cougars being added to the Big 12, whose Tier 1 TV rights are held by ABC/ESPN.

Texas has a close ($300M+) relationship with ESPN as well (the LHN). If Texas/ESiPN wants BYU in the Big 12 then it will happen.

[myboynoah]

This is why BYU is most likely joining the Big 12, IMHO....



Texas has a close ($300M+) relationship with ESPN as well (the LHN). If Texas/ESiPN wants BYU in the Big 12 then it will happen.

The question is why would Texas want BYU in the Big 12.

I would think that Texas wants a Big 12 that is as stable as possible. People talk about Texas going Indy, but where would its non-football sports go? Would another BCS leagues accomodate Texas in this respect? If so, which one? I don't think there is any BCS-level option for Texas. And no way would Texas be happy with a MWC or Conf USA. That can work for BYU, but I doubt it can for Texas. Texas needs the Big 12 or something like it. And right now it looks like right now the Big 12 needs BYU.

EDIT: And thinking about it, as a commodity, ESPN needs a Big 12 that is as stable as possible as well. As I see it, there is a lot of motivation on the part of Texas/ESiPN to see this happen.

[myboynoah]

This could be something or it could be nothing at all, but I just saw folks setting up this BYU pop-up tent right across from the Gateway. For those that are unfamiliar with the local geography, this location is also a few mere blocks from the COB. And it is almost 3PM.

Something brewing?

Mystery solved.

[Katy Lied]

I thought the DevilDog's points were pretty well reasoned.

[jay santos]

Mystery solved.

lol

[Surfah]

Mystery solved.

Where can I find one of those deeply discounted tents?

[myboynoah]

I thought the DevilDog's points were pretty well reasoned.

Perhaps, if you don't take into consideration what Bronco said yesterday about the future of the football program.

I agree with the view that independence was a step to get BYU away from the have-nots of the MWC and closer to the "have" status. I think the intention was (and still may be) to try out independence for a while and see where it took the school, but being ever open to the possibilities of conference affiliation if the right situation comes along. aTm leaving the Big-12 now was not expected and BYU may be forced to act without having seen where independence might lead.

Which path will get BYU to where Bronco envisions it going?

[Devildog]

I thought the DevilDog's points were pretty well reasoned.

Thanks Katy. I realize what I'm saying isn't gonna be popular.

Perhaps, if you don't take into consideration what Bronco said yesterday about the future of the football program.

My point wasn't about Bronco... I'd bet the ranch I know what he would want. The point was about the impressions of those at the very top... the ones who will chart the course for the entire university.

As a football fan, I am hoping that BYU does make the jump to the Big 12. I do think they already have, or will get the invitation.

I think the choice will be BYU's to make. It is a big one. BYU is one of a handfull of universities that have the ability to actually make independence work.

[San Juan Sun]

Perhaps, if you don't take into consideration what Bronco said yesterday about the future of the football program.

Which path will get BYU to where Bronco envisions it going?

Good point. Bronco is a self professed football 5th, not-going-to-coach-forever guy. Aside from a few interesting ESPN mediated games (mostly away from LES) what sort of path is an Indy BYU going to trod in a super conference world? Do we really expect a seat at the super conference table 3 years from now, when we spurn a good opportunity today? Will BYU football be an effective tool for the Church (which the powes that be a BYU certainly expect the sports programs to be) if we a playing Idaho State and NMSU regularly, and our big annual rival being Hawaii? If BYU isn't doing everything ethically possible to compete at the highest level, what the justification for a tithing fed school to have a sports program (i.e. Ricks)?

[jay santos]

Is this an appropriate place to interject this comment:

People who quarrel with others on internet message boards about which posters have more or less inside information have got to be the biggest losers of all.

Just take all the information you get, and use the brain God gave you to take it all in, dissect it, and decide for yourself what makes the most sense. Don't get in pissing contests with others about whose inside info is better.

Inside info is potentially suspect for a number of reasons, and not just whether or not the inside contact is legitimate.

I appreciate Bluehair. I appreciate Shoganai. And anyone else providing any info.

That said, I think we can safely dismiss everything deepthroat tweets.