The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[TripletDaddy]

This story will be revealed in TH's new book, They Came and Passed, which will be on the shelves at your local Deseret Book for Christmas 2013.

If Chieko were alive, she would write a book about BYU's B12 expansion saga. It would be called, "Adios."

[Jacob]

I don't think he lied at all. His statement summed up was essentially that there were discussions but there was never an offer. To me the statement was vague and there wasn't any information given about how far the discussions got and why there was never an offer. Tom is still playing what happened close to the vest because it doesn't serve him or BYU to get down to the nitty gritty. People are having a hard enough time with independence. It would really suck if we found out that there was never an offer because the botched the preliminary negotiations. Money would cease to flow from the BYU71's until there was a measure of accountability.

I personally think BYU is in a very precarious position. The administration is walking a tightrope and it's entirely possible that they fall off taking BYU football relevance down with them.

I've always felt that Tom was being a bit coy when he said that there were no offers. I believe he is telling the truth when he says that. But I also notice that he has never elaborated on the discussions that did take place. If the B12 flew into town to gauge interest and BYU overplayed its hand, thereby causing the B12 to back off, technically there is no offer. But saying such doesn't tell the true story.

I think Tom is being ambiguous because he is a company guy. I also recognize that this is pure speculation. We do know that there were conversations with the B12. What else were they talking about last summer prior to inviting TCU if not BYUs potential membership?

you guys sound unfamiliar with what Tom has said on the subject.

[Maximus]

At this point all of the CFB "political capital" from the domination and innovation that came from BYU in the 70s, 80s, and 90s is gone. I fear that BYU, in the minds of the CFB power brokers, is indistinguishable from East Carolina, Fresno, or Houston. BYU needs to win to get back on the grid. TCU and Utah peaked at the right time. If BYU can put together undefeated or one loss seasons they will be attractive again. If they continue with the 3 loss or more seasons, they will stay where they are at. However, at least independence gives BYU chances to beat a couple of higher profile teams.

I really dont get the notion that winning will make a difference. The PAC didnt select Utah because of their BCS win. Utah was the only school worth anything left to pick (that wasnt BYU) after the Big 12 top dogs didnt go. Utah, CSU, UNLV...hmmm. The Big 12 didnt pick tcu because they went undefeated. BYU going undefeated wont all of a sudden make the pac or big 12 want them. The Big 12 has opted to go east it looks like, that is the problem.

[BYUMizzou]

you guys sound unfamiliar with what Tom has said on the subject.

For those who are having a hard time remembering (and there appear to be a lot of people who are having a hard time remembering), this is what he said:

On published reports that BYU's TV rights position also spelled the end of negotiations with the Big 12, Holmoe denied that was the case. "We didn't get too far down the road (with the Big 12); we were told by the Big 12 that we were a team they were interested in, but we didn't even have discussions about television."

Holmoe called it "unfortunate" that "many people, even BYU fans, are feeling that we didn't get the opportunity to get into a conference such as the stature of the Big 12 or the Big East because we came with these large demands, and it all had to be about BYUtv. That's just not true."

"TV is a part of any discussion now with conferences, but for people to say that the Big East was a very similar situation to the Big 12--it's not fair, because we didn't have television conversations before the Big 12 went and invited other teams."

Asked if he thinks a BYU-to-the-Big-12 proposal is done for good, Holmoe said "you'll have to ask them; don't ask me. We are playing football games."

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=182...-uncertainties

[YOhio]

Ramblin' wreck maybe looking for a Big 12 check.

[calicoug]

I really dont get the notion that winning will make a difference. The PAC didnt select Utah because of their BCS win. Utah was the only school worth anything left to pick (that wasnt BYU) after the Big 12 top dogs didnt go. Utah, CSU, UNLV...hmmm. The Big 12 didnt pick tcu because they went undefeated. BYU going undefeated wont all of a sudden make the pac or big 12 want them. The Big 12 has opted to go east it looks like, that is the problem.

Exactly.

BYU can only hope other conferences look west. The big east already has. If it partners with the acc and BYU isn't in, we are in real trouble.

[San Juan Sun]

Ramblin' wreck maybe looking for a Big 12 check.

Nice rhyme.

[USUC]

I really dont get the notion that winning will make a difference. The PAC didnt select Utah because of their BCS win. Utah was the only school worth anything left to pick (that wasnt BYU) after the Big 12 top dogs didnt go. Utah, CSU, UNLV...hmmm. The Big 12 didnt pick tcu because they went undefeated. BYU going undefeated wont all of a sudden make the pac or big 12 want them. The Big 12 has opted to go east it looks like, that is the problem.

I see your point but I think you downplay the importance of TCU and Utah's undefeated seasons a bit too much.

[YOhio]

ND AD Swarbrick:

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick said he has "great confidence" & "there is no reason not to be optimistic" about Big East's future

[TripletDaddy]

Rameses sez: We're mainly a basketball conference? Oh no you d'int!

[byu71]

I really get no pleasure in seeing the things I have warned about for years coming to fruition.

I would love to have and would still love to admit BYU and Bronco succeded beyond my expectations by doing it their way.

[YOhio]

I really get no pleasure in seeing the things I have warned about for years coming to fruition.

I would love to have and would still love to admit BYU and Bronco succeded beyond my expectations by doing it their way.

And to think we all ignored your dire warnings, which we all mistook for senile ramblings. I am so sorry for that.

[byu71]

And to think we all ignored your dire warnings, which we all mistook for senile ramblings. I am so sorry for that.

I get such joy from some of the very clever retorts on here.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Oops..

http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...n-chatter.html

[Blueintheface]

Oops..

http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...n-chatter.html

Deloss Dodds is the conference commissioner? Oops is right.

Also, to call a junior AD's comments on the subject a confirmation is hardly confirmation.