Kansas begs Nebraska not to leave the Big 12

[Sawyer]

And I prefer it that way. 'No comment' is the most flexible position from which to act. Nebraska and Missouri may both be paying for flapping their lips.

No one from Missouri's administration (athletic or academic) has said anything.

The governor did say a few things back when this started that were pro-Big 10 (compared Texas Tech and I think kansas state academics to some Big 10 schools). But the sentiment that Mizzou has been begging the Big 10 publicly for an invite is not based in reality.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

No one from Missouri's administration (athletic or academic) has said anything.

The governor did say a few things back when this started that were pro-Big 10 (compared Texas Tech and I think kansas state academics to some Big 10 schools). But the sentiment that Mizzou has been begging the Big 10 publicly for an invite is not based in reality.

Come on now.

But seriously, supposedly NU is set to have a press conference in the next day or so according to their rivals.com board. ND, NU and Mizzou to the B10. Heck of a conference.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

http://www.texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1092201

Looks like CU is saving its place at the table.

Seniorsooner, I'm about to put on the tin foil hat again. I'm telling you if OU isn't proactive on this deal and not handcuffed to oSu, we are looking at the Mountain West [shudder].

 

[Sawyer]

Come on now.

But seriously, supposedly NU is set to have a press conference in the next day or so according to their rivals.com board. ND, NU and Mizzou to the B10. Heck of a conference.

People directly involved have said absolutely nothing. Mike Alden's consistently said Mizzou is a proud member of the Big 12. No one else has said anything.

MU fans have said plenty, and a lot has been said in the media (both for and against Missouri making the move), but the people who actually matter have been pretty much silent from the start.



Also... on the Mountain West, with the right combination of teams it could be relatively close to the Big 12 of today. There are a few good mid-majors out there that compete with the best from any conference (Boise State especially). When it comes to tradition, the conference would be pathetic. But as far as on-field competition right now, it wouldn't be that bad. I don't think it would do much to hurt a program like OU, anyway (especially if the TV deal could be worked like the current Big 12 deal so it's slanted toward teams that play on TV more).

 

[Mr.B!!!]

CU accepting the bid now MAY mean that Utah has been invited and is going too. That leaves four spots remaining...with the potential of NU and Mizzou both announcing as soon as tomorrow that they are headed to B10 with ND. Kudos to CU's athletic director for recognizing that the PAC-10 wanted them all along.

Also, I have NO IDEA who this Larry Scott guy is with the PAC-10, but he is a cagey dude. CU, Utah, aTm, UT and OU to PAC-10...let TT and Baylor fight out for last invite from Texas and bet that OU is strong enough in OKlahoma to get their way [i.e. legislature has no control over situatuion]. You know what makes me more confident about this potential scenario, Traber, Al and Trammel have all said OU is handcuffed to oSu...Traber even made a joke about it today.

Reality: If OU announced tomorrow that it was accepting PAC-10 offer, there is not a politician or political office in the state that could do anything about it.

 

[HoHum]

I would be absolutely 100% stunned if OSU doesn't go wherever OU goes (should the Big XII dissolve), especially if it's with Texas. T. Boone has 1. Endorsed Rick Perry for re-election and 2. Donated 100 million to UT medical schools.

Pickens has pretty much guaranteed that Texas will bring them along.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I would be absolutely 100% stunned if OSU doesn't go wherever OU goes (should the Big XII dissolve), especially if it's with Texas. T. Boone has 1. Endorsed Rick Perry for re-election and 2. Donated 100 million to UT medical schools.

Pickens has pretty much guaranteed that Texas will bring them along.

Like I've said, every oSu fan on the planet should be thankful for TBP and what he has done for your school; however, if CU and Utah have in fact accepted bids from the Pac-10 [as is being speculated] then that means that there are only four spots left. I think that a Texas Governor would first seek to protect the state funded schools [UT, TT and aTm] then there is only one spot left between Baylor, oSu and OU. Who do you think gets it?

 

[HoHum]

Like I've said, every oSu fan on the planet should be thankful for TBP and what he has done for your school; however, if CU and Utah have in fact accepted bids from the Pac-10 [as is being speculated] then that means that there are only four spots left. I think that a Texas Governor would first seek to protect the state funded schools [UT, TT and aTm] then there is only one spot left between Baylor, oSu and OU. Who do you think gets it?

Haven't heard anything about Utah being invited, let alone accepted. A link to that?

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Haven't heard anything about Utah being invited, let alone accepted. A link to that?

Link above. PAC-10 Plan B.

 

[boksooner]

Link above. PAC-10 Plan B.

Why would the Pac-10 go to their plan B before they resolve plan A?

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Why would the Pac-10 go to their plan B before they resolve plan A?

Because of the "Baylor Problem." Frankly it is brilliant on the part of the PAC-10 and CU. They (PAC-10) were already eying the Utes and the Buff's before any of this happened.

Texas "politics" gets involved, Pac-10 acknowledges that Baylor did not get an invitation and they create scarcity in their offer...while also letting the B10 thing sort itself out. Pac-10/Big-10 have a relationship that goes back more than 50 years. I bet they talk.

 

[boksooner]

Because of the "Baylor Problem." Frankly it is brilliant on the part of the PAC-10 and CU. They (PAC-10) were already eying the Utes and the Buff's before any of this happened.

Texas "politics" gets involved, Pac-10 acknowledges that Baylor did not get an invitation and they create scarcity in their offer...while also letting the B10 thing sort itself out. Pac-10/Big-10 have a relationship that goes back more than 50 years. I bet they talk.

Texas is the big prize. The Pac-10 won't jeopardize the opportunity to bring in Texas, simply because they don't like Baylor.

I can see them bringing in Colorado to force-out Baylor, but adding Utah does not make logical sense. They would rather have Texas and OU than Utah. They are not going to take Utah until OU/Texas invites are settled.

 

[Sawyer]

If the Pac 10 brings in CU and Utah, then the Big 10 adds Missouri and Nebraska, the Big 12 takes a big hit as far as future financial viability.

Is UT's desire to keep the Texas schools together so strong that they risk missing out themselves? Maybe they're fine being at the head of a 2nd rate conference as long as they get a Texas Network (actually wouldn't be surprised at all if that's their goal...).

I think the Pac 10's message is clear (assuming the CU/Utah thing is true). They're not going to let Texas (the school or the state) come in and start running things. That's a great move on their part IMO. Yes, UT brings a lot to a conference, but the Pac 10 doesn't need them. If they're going to try throwing their weight around like they run the place before they even join the conference, that's probably not a great sign.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

They mght.

Last I heard, California is still way bigger than Texas...and if CU does indeed take the invitation that has been extended, that inherently send a message to UT and the rest of Texas that legislative politics are irrelevant. Add Utah and CU [maybe OU and oSu?] and you now have the possiblity for two divisions with 14 teams. Or without OU and oSu two divisions of 6 teams each:

East:

Arizona
Arizona State
Utah [BCS Quality Program]
Colorado
Washington State
Oregon State

West:

USC [BCS Quality Program]
UCLA
Oregon
Washington
Stanford
Cal

Keep Washington/Washington State, Oregon/Oregon State every year...everyone in the PAC 12 is plenty happy. Honestly, that would be a solid, fun conference to pay attention to, with at least a somewhat interesting championship game.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

If the Pac 10 brings in CU and Utah, then the Big 10 adds Missouri and Nebraska, the Big 12 takes a big hit as far as future financial viability.

Is UT's desire to keep the Texas schools together so strong that they risk missing out themselves? Maybe they're fine being at the head of a 2nd rate conference as long as they get a Texas Network (actually wouldn't be surprised at all if that's their goal...).

I think the Pac 10's message is clear (assuming the CU/Utah thing is true). They're not going to let Texas (the school or the state) come in and start running things. That's a great move on their part IMO. Yes, UT brings a lot to a conference, but the Pac 10 doesn't need them. If they're going to try throwing their weight around like they run the place before they even join the conference, that's probably not a great sign.

Agree with every single thing you said here. No idea who this Scott guy is, but he is brilliant.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/402777-pac-10-should-invite-colorado-and-utah-now

This is the most thought out article on the subject that I have read....watch it happen.

 

[Sawyer]

I wouldn't be shocked if the seismic shifts are avoided (for awhile, anyway).

MU and NU to the Big 10 (all but a foregone conclusion at this point IMO), plus Rutgers (Notre Dame is the goal, but I don't think they join). That adds a traditional power and two schools that bring a large number of TV sets.

The Pac 10 adds Utah and Colorado and stops there.

The Big 12 adds three schools to get back to 12.

The Big 12 takes a step back athletically and financially (plus likely academically), but manages to stay on life support. The Texas schools and OU don't really suffer much at all because they still have an inherent recruiting advantage. kansas, and possibly kansas state hang on in basketball due to name and tradition (kansas) and the fact that it's easier to compete in that sport without amazing resources. Their football programs are what they are and still no one cares. Iowa State keeps being Iowa State.

Eventually, more will happen. The Big 12 will continue to be a potential target for the Big 10, Pac 10 and possibly SEC. The ACC may try to pick off more Big East schools so they can grow. The powers of college athletics will all come out relatively unscathed, regardless of what happens, and a handful of programs get screwed.

Edit: hadn't read that link when I posted this, but pretty much agree with all of it (obviously).

 

[Mr.B!!!]

That link is exactly the scenario I think will happen...will be curious to see which one of OU, UT or aTm flinches first. Personally I beleive that OU, UT, aTm and TT will be joining a newly badass conference...and that article sets out the reasons why. Oklahoma legislature does not presently have the authority to dictate what conference OU joins, and OU will do anything to stay connected to UT [even ditch oSu]. For better or worse, UT is the real prize, but Baylor is now off the table [unless they replace OU, which I doubt]. Mountain West will add Boise State, oSu, Baylor, KState and Kansas and realign into divisions...ISU will be totally screwed. OU will agree to play oSu non-conference to avoid legislative heat.

 

[Sawyer]

I really feel bad for ISU right now. Probably the nicest fans in the Big 12, and they're not a bad school at all, but no one wants them. If the Big 12 leftovers do all stay together, I hope they don't get left out.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I really feel bad for ISU right now. Probably the nicest fans in the Big 12, and they're not a bad school at all, but no one wants them. If the Big 12 leftovers do all stay together, I hope they don't get left out.

I was thinking the same thing. They have the most loyal fans...maybe ISU, KU and KSU swing a deal with the Big East to replace Rutgers and ND?