The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Uncle Ted]

Is ESPN's influence in playing god in college football concerning to anyone else? We really need another alternative.

Not as long they are paying the bills of my team(s).

[EuropeanFootballMale]

yes.

no.

[Sizzle]

Seriously, I don't get why aTm thinks that they're going to gain by moving to the SEC. They can't win the Big 12... why are they going to do better moving to the SEC?

[Surfah]

Seriously, I don't get why aTm thinks that they're going to gain by moving to the SEC. They can't win the Big 12... why are they going to do better moving to the SEC?

I read an article on the Examiner about this as well. They've won the Big 12 once since it's been created I believe. And they have only made the championship game twice. If they're tired of being Texas' bitch, what do they think they're going to be in the SEC? And if they can't really compete in the Big 12, how do they expect to do so in the best conference in college football?

[LiveCoug]

Worse. GIS guys.

Oh wow... That IS worse...

[Uncle Ted]

Seriously, I don't get why aTm thinks that they're going to gain by moving to the SEC. They can't win the Big 12... why are they going to do better moving to the SEC?

Good question and as Chip reported...

Several sources thought out loud about why Texas A&M would trade being in the more winnable Big 12, which has an easier path to a national title without a league title game, for a place in the SEC West with the likes of Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Auburn.

"Texas A&M should be in the top three of the Big 12 in football every year," one Big 12 source said. "In the SEC, they'll fight to be in the top half of the conference every year."

TAMU's big game every year in the SEC would most likely be Arkansas because LSU, Alabama, and Auburn would tag team on killing any hopes of winning the SEC West and going to the SEC championship game.

[Babs]

I read an article on the Examiner about this as well. They've won the Big 12 once since it's been created I believe. And they have only made the championship game twice. If they're tired of being Texas' bitch, what do they think they're going to be in the SEC? And if they can't really compete in the Big 12, how do they expect to do so in the best conference in college football?

Recruiting. If you're in the Big 12 South, all your annual matchups are in Texas and Oklahoma. That's where all the exposure is, and A&M can't compete for recruits in either state. They can't compete in the neighboring SEC states because those kids are SEC snobs. They're hoping that if they get some exposure in Arkansas and Mississippi, plus pick up the SEC label, they'll start to have more luck.

[Surfah]

Recruiting. If you're in the Big 12 South, all your annual matchups are in Texas and Oklahoma. That's where all the exposure is, and A&M can't compete for recruits in either state. They can't compete in the neighboring SEC states because those kids are SEC snobs. They're hoping that if they get some exposure in Arkansas and Mississippi, plus pick up the SEC label, they'll start to have more luck.

That's a big bucket of hope they're trying to fill then.

[DapperDan]

Recruiting. If you're in the Big 12 South, all your annual matchups are in Texas and Oklahoma. That's where all the exposure is, and A&M can't compete for recruits in either state. They can't compete in the neighboring SEC states because those kids are SEC snobs. They're hoping that if they get some exposure in Arkansas and Mississippi, plus pick up the SEC label, they'll start to have more luck.

Shame they haven't been able to out recruit TTech & TCU.

[falafel]

Seriously, I don't get why aTm thinks that they're going to gain by moving to the SEC. They can't win the Big 12... why are they going to do better moving to the SEC?

I read an article on the Examiner about this as well. They've won the Big 12 once since it's been created I believe. And they have only made the championship game twice. If they're tired of being Texas' bitch, what do they think they're going to be in the SEC? And if they can't really compete in the Big 12, how do they expect to do so in the best conference in college football?

Would they get more money?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

That's a big bucket of hope they're trying to fill then.

LOL, most ironic post in the thread.

[shoganai]

Very interesting... A new conference started by Texas AND Notre Dame? That would be juicy...

It's a less-known fact, but ND and UT have been talking about this informally for at least a year or two.

The idea is that this would not be structured quite like a traditional conference. It would be designed to really be a type of "independent super conference" where the teams have a lot of leeway to do their own TV deals, and operate very autonomously, but get together on some formal scheduling agreements and some structured championships in the minor sports.

Because of its loose structure, obviously only certain types of teams would be eligible and be a good fit - teams that can, and want to basically be out there on their own for the most part, while enjoying an easier time scheduling.

ND, Texas, Oklahoma, and BYU are the four really obvious candidates. The service academies might join in too.

[Surfah]

LOL, most ironic post in the thread.

I suppose. But when this thread started there was no independence. No deal with ESPN. No deal with BYUTV. We were still in the MWC. A lot has changed. I am content with where BYU is at now. If BYU gets an invite to the Big 12 if TAMU bolts I hope they take it. But only if Texas and OU are in.

[Uncle Ted]

It's a less-known fact, but ND and UT have been talking about this informally for at least a year or two.

The idea is that this would not be structured quite like a traditional conference. It would be designed to really be a type of "independent super conference" where the teams have a lot of leeway to do their own TV deals, and operate very autonomously, but get together on some formal scheduling agreements and some structured championships in the minor sports.

Because of its loose structure, obviously only certain types of teams would be eligible and be a good fit - teams that can, and want to basically be out there on their own for the most part, while enjoying an easier time scheduling.

ND, Texas, Oklahoma, and BYU are the four really obvious candidates. The service academies might join in too.

The conference of the super independents seems very possible. UT and OU could bring the Big 12 BCS AQ tie in and it solves the last half of the season scheduling problem. I could see other programs like USC going "independent" and joining this conference. TAMU leaving the Big 12 could turn BYU's easy Oct and Nov schedule into something a lot more interesting.

[Mormon Red Death]

NCAA bylaws state that a conference must have 8 teams. They don't however state that all the teams must play each other. If ND and UT decide they want a super indy conferenc then they get 6 other teams (I will go with shoganai and say OU, OKST, byu, Airforce, Army and Navy). Only require 6 conference games which leaves all the indys 6 OOC to make their money.