The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Surfah]

Could all this Texas/Tech/OU/OKst-to-the-Pac crazy talk be a smoke screen for something else that is really happening? It seemed to work pretty well last time.

I like to believe this. Part of me wonders if the Big 12 will be the first to go to 16 to be honest.

[Joe Public]

What the hell happened? BYU had football series with both Stanford and Cal in within the past decade. I know that doesn't mean they'd want us in their conference, but why the animosity on BYU's part?

Also, don't the ADs (who purportedly love BYU and the attendance BYU brings) schedule, whereas the university presidents (who purportedly are the ones with the anti-BYU bias) vote on athletic conference inclusion?

[Sizzle]

I like to believe this. Part of me wonders if the Big 12 will be the first to go to 16 to be honest.

The problem, IMO, is the lack of TV markets that the Big 12 captures.

If you look at the top 10 TV markets, they would fall into the following conferences:

1) New York (Big East)
2) LA (Pac)
3) Chicago (Big 10)
4) Philly (Big East/Big 10)
5) Dallas (Big 12)
6) San Fran/Oakland (Pac)
7) Boston (ACC)
8) Atlanta (SEC)
9) Washington DC (ACC)
10) Houston (Big 12)

So while the top 10 are fairly balanced, outside of the top 10, the Big 12 doesn't make an appearance again until maybe St. Louis (21) or Kansas City (31) and San Antonio (37). Most other conferences have schools that fall within major metro areas. To have enough TV dollars to make it worthwhile, they would have to add a fairly significant player. That is why I buy either Notre Dame (a piece of Chicago, Illinois and a lot of national interest) as well as Pitt being a possiblity (Pittsburgh is 24, but there are neighboring markets that would get spill) and even BYU with Salt Lake at 32 would make some sense.

I just see it as a bit of an uphill battle given how "top heavy" the Big 12 is with their presence in the two major Texas DMAs. One school gets poached and it is a world of hurt.

[Mormon Red Death]

Also, don't the ADs (who purportedly love BYU and the attendance BYU brings) schedule, whereas the university presidents (who purportedly are the ones with the anti-BYU bias) vote on athletic conference inclusion?

Each member of the Conference shall have one representative on the CEO Group which shall be the President
of the member (“Chief Executive Officer”), except as to the University of California, Berkeley; the University of
California, Los Angeles; and the University of Colorado, Boulder, the respective Chancellor shall be considered
the Chief Executive Officer. (8/85, 6/11)

pac12 bylaws

[Sizzle]

What the hell happened? BYU had football series with both Stanford and Cal in within the past decade. I know that doesn't mean they'd want us in their conference, but why the animosity on BYU's part?

Cal also probably isn't a fan of Holmoe much either, given that he went 0-5 against Stanford as their head coach, and also his tenure resulted in a postseason ban and loss in scholarships.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Cal also probably isn't a fan of Holmoe much either, given that he went 0-5 against Stanford as their head coach, and also his tenure resulted in a postseason ban and loss in scholarships.

Kdog's post indicated that BYU wouldn't go to the PAC if asked, I'm already aware of motivation behind the Bay Area schools non-Holmoe related animosity towards BYU.

[hostile]

Also, don't the ADs (who purportedly love BYU and the attendance BYU brings) schedule, whereas the university presidents (who purportedly are the ones with the anti-BYU bias) vote on athletic conference inclusion?

Right now Utah has an interim president, the former VP for health sciences. I'm assuming he would be the one making the vote. He's from Michigan and was recruited here to run the University Health System. Up until now he has had little, if any, interaction with the athletic department. I'm sure he would rely heavily on the opinion of Chris Hill. Washington's new president has his roots at BYU. I'm assuming he would vote in favor of BYU

[Scorcho]

.

both Arizona Schools, Utah and Colorado need games in Southern California. That wont happen if they are regulated to a PAC-16 East, there are 4 no votes for expansion, I'm guessing.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Viking, my last conversation related to BYU and the Pac was very straight forward. It indicated that BYU would not go to the Pac if asked. If BYU is willing to accept it, there must be a structure that keeps them from the Bay Area schools. The BYU BOT either massively changed their position or they are basically making two conferences, one in the east and one is the west and calling all of them the PAC.

What the hell? BYU would turn down a PAC offer to avoid the Bay Area schools? It is tough for me to believe that the BYU admin/BOT would be that stupid/petty.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Hey Viking, pass me some of that weed you are smoking. I know it's wrong, but I like the smell.

[Blueintheface]

What the hell? BYU would turn down a PAC offer to avoid the Bay Area schools? It is tough for me to believe that the BYU admin/BOT would be that stupid/petty.

I don't buy that at all.

[Gaffords]

Could all this Texas/Tech/OU/OKst-to-the-Pac crazy talk be a smoke screen for something else that is really happening? It seemed to work pretty well last time.

Bingo! I never bought it last year. It seemed more like an attempt between OU/TX/BU to hold CU in place in the BIG 12. I think the change in revenue sharing was settled on before NU and CU left but it didn't matter by then. 20 to 25 mil > 15/17 mil any day.

I would almost swear the rift between UT/A&M started and has been growing ever since A&M took the money from the orphan 5 when OU/UT turned it down. A&M saw more money in the SEC and had a chance to go so it dropped the ball during the weak attempt to slow down CU. Ever since then, there has been major strain between UT and A&M to the point that Ut has been courting ND for the day A&M bolted to the SEC.

[Jeff Lebowski]

This whole thing is like the Cuban missile crisis. I am not sure how much more high-stakes drama I can take.

[SeattleUte]

Oh I think the odds of PaC16 are only slightly better than 50% but that BYUs inclusion w UT/OU is about as close to a sure thing as it gets. Not 100% but I'd say better than 90%

Good Lord. I see fear and desperation has really set in if you're hoping for a PAC invitation. It's impossible. Jeez. Why do suppose the PAC has never shown the slightest interest in BYU? BYU might as well try for 16th Sec team.

If anyone with BYU has said BYU would turn down the PAC it's an easy thing to say because that proposition would never be tested.

Look, yes, there a lot of PAC schools that consider BYU's being a branch of the LDS church unacceptable, not just Cal and Stanford. But if BYU were so desirable that it would cause a Mutiny by some PAC 16 schools in its favor why hasn't it been considered a solution to the Big 12's problems? In other words, why are Texas and Oklahoma talking to the Pac 12 with BYU available to fill the hole that Tamu left? Why wasn't Byu offered last year?

Last year Viking was guaranteeing a Big 12 invitation any time. He was full of crap then too.

[YOhio]

BYU might as well try for 16th Sec team.

I agree. We've shown that we can win deep in SEC territory.