The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[TripletDaddy]

Frank the Tank rises from the dead, predicts OU and Kansas to the B1G

http://frankthetank.me/2015/07/29/bi...-for-oklahoma/

I don’t position this blog as a newsbreaking site, but I have heard from a knowledgeable person with extensive contacts with current and former Big 12 members (i.e. knew specific details about Nebraska heading to the Big Ten and Texas A&M to the SEC beforehand that couldn’t have been simply guessed from the news) that basically had this to say:Oklahoma isn’t happy with the Big 12 and wants to get out.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Frank the Tank rises from the dead, predicts OU and Kansas to the B1G

http://frankthetank.me/2015/07/29/bi...-for-oklahoma/

That wouldn't surprise me at all. Which is why I suspect that the rest of the league will sit up and notice when Boren says that the conference needs to expand. Both would make good candidates for the SEC also.

[YOhio]

FTT doesn't mention BYU. He can S a D.

[TripletDaddy]

That wouldn't surprise me at all. Which is why I suspect that the rest of the league will sit up and notice when Boren says that the conference needs to expand. Both would make good candidates for the SEC also.

I'm surprised the SEC hasnt already invited them, to be honest. And the SEC doesnt have the academic qualms that the B1G allegedly has.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm surprised the SEC hasnt already invited them, to be honest. And the SEC doesnt have the academic qualms that the B1G allegedly has.

If you are OU, why not join the SEC? Best conference in the nation (football), more money, etc.

[imanihonjin]

I'm surprised the SEC hasnt already invited them, to be honest. And the SEC doesnt have the academic qualms that the B1G allegedly has.

You are surprised the SEC hasn't invited Kansas? I'm not. I would be shocked if they did.

[TripletDaddy]

If you are OU, why not join the SEC? Best conference in the nation (football), more money, etc.

The only practical reason I can see (and it is material) is that OU is having enough trouble making it through the B12 schedule. An SEC schedule could prove to be unmanageable.

This is probably the same reason Texas will never go to the SEC...to save face about not dominating everyone else and also because Texas would, at best, be maybe third power dog in that conference. Any designs of UT calling the shots in SEC football would be pure fantasy.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The only practical reason I can see (and it is material) is that OU is having enough trouble making it through the B12 schedule. An SEC schedule could prove to be unmanageable.

This is probably the same reason Texas will never go to the SEC...to save face about not dominating everyone else and also because Texas would, at best, be maybe third power dog in that conference. Any designs of UT calling the shots in SEC football would be pure fantasy.

Furthermore, Texas fancies themselves as academically above the SEC.

[TripletDaddy]

You are surprised the SEC hasn't invited Kansas? I'm not. I would be shocked if they did.

More about Oklahoma, less about Kansas, but still yes about Kansas. The basketball bona fides would be off the charts. Of course, that would be true for any conference that adds Kansas and yet nobody else has, so yeah, maybe you are right.

[TripletDaddy]

Furthermore, Texas fancies themselves as academically above the SEC.

Probably one of their self-perceptions with which I would agree. in fact, definitely agree. Maybe except Vanderbilt but probably not even them.

[imanihonjin]

More about Oklahoma, less about Kansas, but still yes about Kansas. The basketball bona fides would be off the charts. Of course, that would be true for any conference that adds Kansas and yet nobody else has, so yeah, maybe you are right.

So far, expansion and realignment has been all about football. Kansas had its chance with the great Jake Heaps to raise its profile in football and even he couldn't get it done. So basically, I think they are afterthoughts in terms of expansion targets.

[TripletDaddy]

OTOH, Mandel sez: B1G not doing anything re: OU and Kansas

http://www.foxsports.com/college-foo...mailbag-072915

Aside from that, the details Barfnecht reported about five Big 12 schools reaching out to the Big Ten in 2010 were absolutely correct, according to sources in the conference. But I wouldn't read too much into that. During those chaotic few weeks when Texas nearly bolted to the Pac-10 and Texas A&M first flirted with the SEC, everyone in that league was exploring all of their options. They had no choice. And while this line at the end of his story -- ". . . the Big Ten has done its 'homework' to evaluate Oklahoma and Kansas as potential members" -- worked realignment fanatics into a frenzy, I'm told "nothing is happening" on that end. Even if the Big Ten does decide to go to 16, it would have to want those two schools badly enough to go to court and challenge a Grant of Rights deal that all current Big 12 schools signed through 2025.

[Paperback Writer]

That wouldn't surprise me at all. Which is why I suspect that the rest of the league will sit up and notice when Boren says that the conference needs to expand. Both would make good candidates for the SEC also.

Considering academics, I question whether the B1G would invite OU. But since Nebraska lowered the conference bar (and got kicked out of the AAU) maybe academics isn't such an issue. Kansas doesn't have as much of an issue (AAU membership and higher ranking) but the Jayhawks have been a non-factor in football for forever. I do wonder whether OU will be able to change conferences without taking Oklahoma St. with them. The SEC would take Okie St. but I highly doubt the B1G would. From a cultural standpoint, OU is a better fit in the SEC and if/when the Big 12 implodes, that's where I see the Sooners landing (with Oklahoma St.).

Edit: Also interesting (at least to me) is that this show signs of a strain in the relationship between OU and UT. In the Big 8, OU and Nebraska had the biggest voices in the conference but usually made sure other schools were not marginalized. When the Big 12 was formed, some of the issues Nebraska had is that OU aligned more with Texas than with Nebraska. It was sobering for Husker fans to come to the realization that UT was OU's main rival (and partner) and not Nebraska.

[YOhio]

I'm not impressed with any of them OU grads we've had on this board.

[YOhio]

Harmon sez: TCU AD and Bronco were roomies in college.

http://m.deseretnews.com/article/865...o%2FW8jesglMCq