The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[TheAzzuri]

what concession? "Ok guys, we'll agree to let you make less money by not having a championship game."

Texas, while Mack is not in favor of a champ game, is $$-driven. This is so easy.

Of course he is, as is Dodds, But are you sure the money generated from the championship game is enough to offset having to split the pie into two more pieces?

[Shaka]

There is one other incentive to get BYU into a BCS conference that no one talks about: Easing political pressure.

Influential people and boosters tied to Utah and BYU are the biggest gadflies of the BCS system. I'd wager that the leadership of the BCS thinks the PAC-10 grabbing Utah will go a long way to neutralizing the pressure. Getting BYU into the Big 12 or another BCS conference will complete the equation.

[TheAzzuri]

There is one other incentive to get BYU into a BCS conference that no one talks about: Easing political pressure.

Influential people and boosters tied to Utah and BYU are the biggest gadflies of the BCS system. I'd wager that the leadership of the BCS thinks the PAC-10 grabbing Utah will go a long way to neutralizing the pressure. Getting BYU into the Big 12 or another BCS conference will complete the equation.

It helps, but does it complete? What about TCU/BSU?

[Shaka]

It helps, but does it complete? What about TCU/BSU?

I could be wrong but I haven't seen or heard a lot of pressure coming from those places. I think they have been letting politicians and donors from Utah do the dirty work.

[TheAzzuri]

I could be wrong but I haven't seen or heard a lot of pressure coming from those places. I think they have been letting politicians and donors from Utah do the dirty work.

Good point, sorry, I wasn't that clear. And actually, now that I think about it if we're talking about purely political sway, you might be right.

[Viking]

Of course he is, as is Dodds, But are you sure the money generated from the championship game is enough to offset having to split the pie into two more pieces?

Rev share doesn't have to be pro rata amongst the teams; it's already quite uneven.

[LA Ute]

I'm totally beating the "Ain't Gonna Happen" drum. I would love to be wrong but I don't think I am. Life is better when you have low expectations.

I endorse this approach. Worked great for me! I never believed until 24 hours before the announcement when the evidence became overwhelming. I wonder if BYU will be as tight -lipped about it as Hill and Co. were?

[All-American]

I endorse this approach. Worked great for me! I never believed until 24 hours before the announcement when the evidence became overwhelming. I wonder if BYU will be as tight -lipped about it as Hill and Co. were?

Until today, I would have thought BYU would have been absolutely quiet on any potential discussions.

[LA Ute]

Until today, I would have thought BYU would have been absolutely quiet on any potential discussions.

Maybe there are fewer "moving parts" in BYU's situation so it's less hazardous to be more transparent. I'm skeptical about any benefit that can come from transparency, however. But I'm just one of those secretive lawyer types.

[SeattleUte]

Wow. Holmoe is really inarticulate. How embarrassing.

[myboynoah]

So let's stay in the realm of what is actually being reported.

Pastides looks for SEC to be better prepared in future

“There was a time when A&M thought they were going to the SEC, and they very much wanted us to go with them,” Boren told The Associated Press.

But, according to Boren, because the SEC’s invitation did not extend to Texas and Oklahoma State, the Sooners were not interested. Texas, A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State decided to stay in the Big 12 after receiving assurances their TV revenues would increase despite the departures of Nebraska and Colorado.

Pastides said he did not know why the SEC’s reported overture to the Big 12 schools did not include Texas. But he thinks the possibility of expanding into Texas and Oklahoma makes sense for the SEC West schools.

“We’re already as far west as … Arkansas. We’re already there,” he said. “So a neighboring, a contiguous state would be of interest — more to Arkansas than to South Carolina.”

What appeal would the SEC have for Texas, or even Oklahoma? I would think schools want to be in a situation where they have a reasonable chance to compete for a National Championship. Joining the SEC would seem to make that more difficult for Texas and Oklahoma. The Pac-10 wouldn't have posed, and even now doesn't pose the same challenges. The same goes for the Big-12 as it is currently constituted. I just don't see those two schools looking to the SEC.

[U-Ute]

Dear Wussy Ninny Cooogs:

Do you really think the Big 12 is going to pass on a huge $$ making title game?
In an era of mega conferences??

If you do, I have a bridge in Brooklyn you might like.

Who are they going to invite? Memphis? No. Houston? No.

TCU and BYU

I absolutely agree. It isn't a matter of if, just when and who. I'm not 100% certain BYU is head and shoulders above everyone else, but I feel pretty certain they are in the mix.

[Uncle Ted]

So let's stay in the realm of what is actually being reported.

Pastides looks for SEC to be better prepared in future



What appeal would the SEC have for Texas, or even Oklahoma? I would think schools want to be in a situation where they have a reasonable chance to compete for a National Championship. Joining the SEC would seem to make that more difficult for Texas and Oklahoma. The Pac-10 wouldn't have posed, and even now doesn't pose the same challenges. The same goes for the Big-12 as it is currently constituted. I just don't see those two schools looking to the SEC.

Oklahoma, maybe, but not Texas. Many reports have come out and stated that Texas has little or no interest in the SEC and I don't see Oklahoma leaving Texas any time soon.

[SeattleUte]

What appeal would the SEC have for Texas, or even Oklahoma? I would think schools want to be in a situation where they have a reasonable chance to compete for a National Championship. Joining the SEC would seem to make that more difficult for Texas and Oklahoma. The Pac-10 wouldn't have posed, and even now doesn't pose the same challenges. The same goes for the Big-12 as it is currently constituted. I just don't see those two schools looking to the SEC.

On this logic why would the Pac 10 have wanted Texas and Oklahoma? Why would Utah have wanted to be in the Pac 10?

The shools don't care about this. First, they know when they're in anew conference the situation will be different, incluidng recruiting opportunities. Second, the administrators, who make the decisions (in contrast to the coaches), caser only about the financial package, prestige of the conference, etc.

[beefytee]

Until today, I would have thought BYU would have been absolutely quiet on any potential discussions.

I wonder if Holmoe and BYU are feeling the heat. People are complaining that they are sitting on their hineys doing nothing.

If they leave hints that they are working on something, they won't get so much heat.