The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[PolyCougar]

aTm doesnt want to be with Texas.

Colorado said it doesn't want to go back to a regime in which Texas calls all the shots.

Texas joins the Big 8 and demands that conference HQ moves to Dallas.

Texas has been involved in the death of 2 conferences in basically the past 15 years.

These other guilty parties....of what are they guilty? Wanting equal revenue, like the SEC and other BCS conferences? I don't get it.

And yet... I still want to take a shot at them in Provo every other year.

I kind of get why all the other schools in the MWC really hated us. It kinda feels like BYU in the MWC, was Texas-light in the Big-12. Only Craig T. sided with everybody else, and watched (like Beebe is seeing right now) all the best Football schools leave.

If the Big-12 can survive it'll be great because every time they say, "these teams hate each other" on TV... it'll be true. It's amazing how such a great collection and balance of Football and Basketball schools can be so fragile.

[Omaha 680]

And yet... I still want to take a shot at them in Provo every other year.

I kind of get why all the other schools in the MWC really hated us. It kinda feels like BYU in the MWC, was Texas-light in the Big-12. Only Craig T. sided with everybody else, and watched (like Beebe is seeing right now) all the best Football schools leave.

If the Big-12 can survive it'll be great because every time they say, "these teams hate each other" on TV... it'll be true. It's amazing how such a great collection and balance of Football and Basketball schools can be so fragile.

No kidding.

Big 12 nearing SEC in ESPN Power Rankings

It's crazy they can't figure out a way to save this conference.

[Portland Ute]

Okay, moving threats aside, I have a whole bunch of questions at this point. Assume OU and OSU do go to the PAC-14 and aTm does go to the SEC.

1. What happens to the dregs of the B12? I can see Mizzou to either the b1G or to the SEC, but then what? Texas and TT to the PAC 16? Then ND and Pitt to the B1G? And FSU and VaTech to the SEC too? And then the ACC pillages the Big East to get to 16? At this point you have four 16 team conferences and a hell of a lot of also-rans.

2. What happens to the BCS bids? In the above scenario, you now theoretically have more of an antitrust argument than you do now if two disappear, no? Does the Fiesta Bowl just go away?

3. How will the PAC enjoy being the bitch of the flyover Oklahoma?

4. How long until the conferences implode, and will it be before I replace all of the DSORB with purple?

The thing I keep shaking my head at is how little geographic sense any of these superconferences make. Well, at least on the coasts. The BIG and the SEC will still make some sense. The PAC16 and the Big East/ACC castoffs will be ridiculous.

At some point, you'd think there would be some reshuffling of the conferences to get back to something that makes sense.

Not a fan of how these conference borders are going to look.

[Uncle Ted]

No kidding.

Big 12 nearing SEC in ESPN Power Rankings

It's crazy they can't figure out a way to save this conference.

I think it would be in Texas' best interest to save the Big 12 conference even if OU and Okie St left at least until the super conferences go to 16 teams. The Big 12 has some good TV contracts and a ticket to the BCS. Also, Texas has the LHN. So if and when the conferences get serious about going to 16 teams Texas could always find a place to go. Even if OU and Okie St go play on late night TV why should Texas go anywhere right now? The money is still good.

[Flystripper]

I think it would be in Texas' best interest to save the Big 12 conference even if OU and Okie St left at least until the super conferences go to 16 teams. The Big 12 has some good TV contracts and a ticket to the BCS. Also, Texas has the LHN. So if and when the conferences get serious about going to 16 teams Texas could always find a place to go. Even if OU and Okie St go play on late night TV why should Texas go anywhere right now? The money is still good.

If the Big 12 really holds together with 8 schools for a while. I would advocate joining the Big 12 leftovers. Being in a conference with the following is MUCH better than Indy:

Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
Kansas
Kansas State
Missouri
Iowa State
BYU

The question is: Is Texas big enough to hold the rest of the conference together?

[Pheidippides]

One more thing to add here.

We are told OU's regents are going to vote to go to the PAC-12.

We are also told they haven't met yet and wont for two weeks.

Who the hell is the source on the first? I can't predict how the board and shareholders of a company will vote on all but the most obvious things. Big ones? Who knows.

Did the source do a phone poll?

And if they have already decided, why do they need the fucking meeting? They can do that over email probably.

I call bullshit on anything more than they are looking at it.

[Sizzle]

I think it would be in Texas' best interest to save the Big 12 conference even if OU and Okie St left at least until the super conferences go to 16 teams. The Big 12 has some good TV contracts and a ticket to the BCS. Also, Texas has the LHN. So if and when the conferences get serious about going to 16 teams Texas could always find a place to go. Even if OU and Okie St go play on late night TV why should Texas go anywhere right now? The money is still good.

This. If Okie State and OU leave and the Big 12 is down to Texas, Tech, Baylor, Kansas, K-State, Iowa State and Missouri, those 7 teams look to add five schools in to get to 12 as a preemptive strike. I think they look to add schools that are strong hoops schools with either a good football tradition or potential for improved football. I think the following would be almost locks for invites:

Pitt
Louisville
BYU

After that, the following schools may make some sense:

Memphis
UNLV
New Mexico
TCU
Air Force
UTEP

I think Oklahoma and OKSt to the Pac just doesn't seem like a fit, but stranger things have happened.

[SeattleUte]

I think Oklahoma and OKSt to the Pac just doesn't seem like a fit, but stranger things have happened.

I disagree. Nothing that strange has ever happened anywhere any time. What? Name it.

[Blueintheface]

If the Big 12 really holds together with 8 schools for a while. I would advocate joining the Big 12 leftovers. Being in a conference with the following is MUCH better than Indy:

Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
Kansas
Kansas State
Missouri
Iowa State
BYU

The question is: Is Texas big enough to hold the rest of the conference together?

That looks like the new West Division of the Big 12/ACC Superconference.

[Portland Ute]

This. If Okie State and OU leave and the Big 12 is down to Texas, Tech, Baylor, Kansas, K-State, Iowa State and Missouri, those 7 teams look to add five schools in to get to 12 as a preemptive strike. I think they look to add schools that are strong hoops schools with either a good football tradition or potential for improved football. I think the following would be almost locks for invites:

Pitt
Louisville
BYU

After that, the following schools may make some sense:

Memphis
UNLV
New Mexico
TCU
Air Force
UTEP

I think Oklahoma and OKSt to the Pac just doesn't seem like a fit, but stranger things have happened.

If Texas sticks and the Big12 survives, then I'd think it would make sense to have TCU return to the SW and join UNM and UTEP along with BYU and UNLV. Geographically, that makes the most sense.

Seems ridiculous to have TCU in the Big East and Louisville and Pitt in the Big12. Yes, I understand this has nothing to do with geography. But still.

[Pelado]

I disagree. Nothing that strange has ever happened anywhere any time. What? Name it.

Someone said you have a wife. That should qualify.

[ERCougar]

One more thing to add here.

We are told OU's regents are going to vote to go to the PAC-12.

We are also told they haven't met yet and wont for two weeks.

Who the hell is the source on the first? I can't predict how the board and shareholders of a company will vote on all but the most obvious things. Big ones? Who knows.

Did the source do a phone poll?

And if they have already decided, why do they need the fucking meeting? They can do that over email probably.

I call bullshit on anything more than they are looking at it.

Thank you for a voice of reason!

There is nothing about this that smells right. What does OU have to gain with this? Do you really think Stanford and Cal are super-psyched about OU and OSU? "A well-placed source in a Big 12 school"? Note that that Big 12 school is neither OU or UT, but sure--I'll jump on board!

This is crazy. Step back from the ledge, everyone. Let's just see what plays out.

[Sizzle]

I disagree. Nothing that strange has ever happened anywhere any time. What? Name it.

You attended a football game on Saturday, for starters.

[ERCougar]

I disagree. Nothing that strange has ever happened anywhere any time. What? Name it.

Utah was selected for its academic accolades?

[YOhio]

I disagree. Nothing that strange has ever happened anywhere any time. What? Name it.

Albania joining NATO.