The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Paperback Writer]

What's that got to do with the price of tea in China?

My take is that Cal and Stanford would block Texas Tech and Okie St. And Colorado and Utah might as well. Arizona and ASU could go either way. In other words, if there is not a PC-12 consensus to add UT, Tech, OU, and Okie St. it won't even come up for a vote. If it's just UT and OU, then it would pass. But add in Tech and Okie St. and it probably will not. Besides, the Longhorns already turned down the PAC-10 because of the LHN (and A&M being against it).

It means OU is probably bluffing.

But looking at the west coast landscape, I don't see better options than Texas Tech and Okie St. If the PAC-12 really wants to be the PAC-16 it might have to take them.

[LiveCoug]

My take is that Cal and Stanford would block Texas Tech and Okie St. And Colorado and Utah might as well. Arizona and ASU could go either way. In other words, if there is not a PC-12 consensus to add UT, Tech, OU, and Okie St. it won't even come up for a vote. If it's just UT and OU, then it would pass. But add in Tech and Okie St. and it probably will not. Besides, the Longhorns already turned down the PAC-10 because of the LHN (and A&M being against it).

It means OU is probably bluffing.

But looking at the west coast landscape, I don't see better options than Texas Tech and Okie St. If the PAC-12 really wants to be the PAC-16 it might have to take them.

Honest question: Is Utah that much better than, say, OSU? Seem like they are about on the same level academically. Why would the Cal Stanford group be ok with Utah but not OSU? That seems silly.

[Cougarmandias]

Why is Slim Pickens changing his tune so dramatically from one week to the next about the PAC? The PAC probably shot down OSU cold, so Pickens is moving back to the B12 bandwagon.

It seems more clear today that the PAC thing is not going to happen.

On a somewhat related note, is there any chance in hades that BYU ever receives AAU status given all of its horrible issues with academic freedom?

Not a friggin' chance. AAU status basically certifies that you let your faculty run your school.

[Cougarmandias]

Honest question: Is Utah that much better than, say, OSU? Seem like they are about on the same level academically. Why would the Cal Stanford group be ok with Utah but not OSU? That seems silly.

At least Utah isn't a 'state' school. But, also, going to 12 and redoing the contract was huge. the PAC just doesn't have the hunger anymore.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

No. And it's not just the academic freedom issues. It's research grant money. That's the main driver of the AAU and BYU is not a big research institution. That's why Notre Dame is not an AAU member even though Notre Dame enjoys an excellent academic reputation.

Also, the AAU is contracting now and not expanding. Syracuse voluntary withdrew and Nebraska was voted out. The ivy leaguers and left coasters want a more elite club. Utah is much closer to AAU inclusion because of its medical school and associated research. But I think Utah probably has a ways to go before it joins the club. Utah would have to up its admission standards and win a lot more research grants among other things.

Good luck with that happening. Apparently there are Utah state laws that peg Utah's admission standards with the Cocks of South Carolina -- it's kind of like China pegging its currency to the US dollar.

[SeattleUte]

Good luck with that happening. Apparently there are Utah state laws that peg Utah's admission standards with the Cocks of South Carolina -- it's kind of like China pegging its currency to the US dollar.

LEAVE US ALONE! You hate us.

[LA Ute]

Honest question: Is Utah that much better than, say, OSU? Seem like they are about on the same level academically. Why would the Cal Stanford group be ok with Utah but not OSU? That seems silly.

Good luck with that happening. Apparently there are Utah state laws that peg Utah's admission standards with the Cocks of South Carolina -- it's kind of like China pegging its currency to the US dollar.

My guess is we'll be in the AAU within 5 years or less.

[SeattleUte]

Honest question: Is Utah that much better than, say, OSU? Seem like they are about on the same level academically. Why would the Cal Stanford group be ok with Utah but not OSU? That seems silly.

Wrong. Utah has respected med and law schools and graduate schools. Basically Utah's problem is that it has to accept so many in-staters. OK St. is like Utah State with better athletics.

[Blueintheface]

Wrong. Utah has respected med and law schools and graduate schools. Basically Utah's problem is that it has to accept so many in-staters. OK St. is like Utah State with better athletics.

Utah is like Cal with too many Mormons.

[LiveCoug]

My guess is we'll be in the AAU within 5 years or less.

That wasn't meant as any sort of smack. It was an honest question. I know SU thinks Utah is the bee's knees but is Utah that much better than OSU? Why is it so bad to be compared to OSU?

[MarkGrace]

That wasn't meant as any sort of smack. It was an honest question. I know SU thinks Utah is the bee's knees but is Utah that much better than OSU? Why is it so bad to be compared to OSU?

If by bee's knees you mean "a poor man's UW."

[LiveCoug]

If by bee's knees you mean "a poor man's UW."

That IS what I mean by the bee's knees!

[LA Ute]

NBC Sports reporting that Missouri to the SEC is a done deal.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/20/sec-presidents-endorse-informal-agreement-with-mizzou/

[LA Ute]

That wasn't meant as any sort of smack. It was an honest question. I know SU thinks Utah is the bee's knees but is Utah that much better than OSU? Why is it so bad to be compared to OSU?

You're the one making the assertion (that OSU and Utah are basically equivalent). So let's see why you think so.

[Green Monstah]

Wrong. Utah has respected med and law schools and graduate schools. Basically Utah's problem is that it has to accept so many in-staters. OK St. is like Utah State with better athletics.

With all apologies to the fine attorneys on this board who graduated from law school at the U, stop using your law school at a sounding board for your academic excellence. Lot's of good attorneys come out of the U, but neither Utah or BYU are anything to write home about in the law school department (Disclosure: Neither is my law school, and it ranks about 20 spots ahead of BYU and the U).