The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[BemidjiCoug]

Well, so much for aTm waiting till next week:

http://www.tamu.edu/athletics/conferenceChange.html

My guess is that the BIG 12 will want to respond by adding members asap. Fastest way to accomplish this = BYU to BIG 12

[YOhio]

Well, so much for aTm waiting till next week:

http://www.tamu.edu/athletics/conferenceChange.html

As excited as I am about the prospect of BYU joining the Big Twayelve, the traditionalist in me hates this. If aTm is defined by anything it's their strong commitment to tradition and this is very antithetical to their identity. This will not end well for them. Not at all.

[WashingtonCoug]

I was wondering if it's a benefit that BYU is not held to a contract with a conference on the football side. Essentially any other team will most likely have to play in their current conference next year. That means the BIG XII is down to 9 teams next year unless they pick up BYU, who can essentially move at anytime (screw the WAC teams that helped us with scheduling).

[LiveCoug]

As excited as I am about the prospect of BYU joining the Big Twayelve, the traditionalist in me hates this. If aTm is defined by anything it's their strong commitment to tradition and this is very antithetical to their identity. This will not end well for them. Not at all.

They have been a member of the Big 12 for only 5 years longer than BYU was a member of the MWC...

[LA Ute]

As excited as I am about the prospect of BYU joining the Big Twayelve, the traditionalist in me hates this. If aTm is defined by anything it's their strong commitment to tradition and this is very antithetical to their identity. This will not end well for them. Not at all.

Agreed. I've always admired them. I hope BYU gets into the Big 12, but A&M bolting didn't need to happen for that to happen, eventually. I think A&M is crazy to do this.

[Uncle Ted]

One last time... (Unless aTm changes their mind or something)

[YOUTUBE]MBfYQOSSPqc[/YOUTUBE]

[YOhio]

They have been a member of the Big 12 for only 5 years longer than BYU was a member of the MWC...

It's not the Big 12 I'm talking about but the affiliation with Texas, TTU and Baylor. Almost 100 years of tradition and today it came to a hard stop.

[LiveCoug]

It's not the Big 12 I'm talking about but the affiliation with Texas, TTU and Baylor. Almost 100 years of tradition and today it came to a hard stop.

I know. And I agree with you. It is sad. Like BYU and Utah in different conferences. I don't like it.

[BemidjiCoug]

I know. And I agree with you. It is sad. Like BYU and Utah in different conferences. I don't like it.

Utah and BYU would have been a great pair to go into the Big 12. To bad the Utes had to go all California whopper on us

[Uncle Ted]

Why can't they release this crap at the end of the work day? Productivity down.

This is very weird though: "Texas A&M University today officially notified the Big 12 Conference that the institution will submit an application to join another athletic conference. Should this application be accepted, Texas A&M will end its membership in the Big 12 Conference effective June 30, 2012."

Usually one doesn't leave without having a confirmed place to go.

I'm a new poster here. I've been on Cougarboard (with a different board name), and I'm tired of the man keeping me down there. Plus, the number of nerds around here seems to be exceedingly less.

From what Chip Brown and other ESiPNers have said aTm won't have an official invite from the SEC for at least a week or so. Of course, that is aTm's problem. The Big 12 needs to backfill a hole or their TV contract may be void.

[SteelBlue]

From what Chip Brown and other ESiPNers have said aTm won't have an official invite from the SEC for at least a week or so. Of course, that is aTm's problem. The Big 12 needs to backfill a hole or their TV contract may be void.

Is that a hole that needs backfilling immediately though, or does it need to be filled by June 2012?

[myboynoah]

I'm still going to look into it to verify.

Good idea given the current environment and all the "inside" sources out there.

[byu71]

Plus, the number of nerds around here seems to be exceedingly less.

Around here they are called "intellectuals" and they wield a lot of power.

[Uncle Ted]

Is that a hole that needs backfilling immediately though, or does it need to be filled by June 2012?

Well, if they fill that hole with someone besides BYU or ND then it may need to be done immediately assuming most conferences would have a deadline like aTm was facing pushing them to announce today. I am thinking that BYU will join football-only for 2012. The other sports will come later given they may need to give notice to the WCC.

[myboynoah]

Thanks Katy. I realize what I'm saying isn't gonna be popular.



My point wasn't about Bronco... I'd bet the ranch I know what he would want. The point was about the impressions of those at the very top... the ones who will chart the course for the entire university.

As a football fan, I am hoping that BYU does make the jump to the Big 12. I do think they already have, or will get the invitation.

I think the choice will be BYU's to make. It is a big one. BYU is one of a handfull of universities that have the ability to actually make independence work.

Yeah I understand that, but I'd bet that the possibility of conference affiliation at some point in the future was discussed as well. It would have had to have been. And the BOT is not living in some kind of bubble.

More than likely BYU and the BOT agreed on core goals that would guide the AD with or without football independence (exposure for The Church via control over content for BYUtv, adherence to Church rules--no Sunday play, etc.).