Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[BB73]

Andy Staples looks at the options for Texas.

SI.com

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Frank the Tank's blog reacting to the Pac-10's supposed offer to half of the Big 12.

He stresses that Nebraska is the most likely new member of the Big Ten.

Tank.blog

This article was interesting, not least because it marks the first time I've seen two terms that will be quite useful in future discussion on this topic.

First was the ?penumbra effect?, his term for the speculative effect of Rutgers and/or Syracuse adding Big Ten (and (BTN) viewership in NYC because of the already existing Big Ten alumni base there.

Then there was the last two words of the article "expansion junkies". This describes a few of us here.

Add to that jwins having recently used "conference of northern aggression" in context -- it's a good day for terms added to the popular lexicon by expansion-mania

 

[MaxBuck]

The pac ten can simply cater to Texas' needs better.

... The big ten has much better academics, big 2 sports, revenue now and later, prestige and visibility.

The pac ten has more comfort, accommodations and familiarity.

"Comfort and familiarity" lose out to revenue and faculty appeal seven days out of every week. The notion that the Pac 10 is a better fit for the Horns is just not supportable. And again - it's not the athletic department's decision to make.

However ... "Conference of Northern Aggression" is absolutely brilliant.

 

[jwinslow]

Orangebloods.com - Deadline given to Nebraska to decide its B12 fate

fallout from the orangebloods.com report that the pac-10 is planning to extend invitations to texas, texas a&m, texas tech, oklahoma, oklahoma state and has been immediate.


Already, the political forces in Texas are preparing to make demands that if six schools from the Big 12 are going to be invited to the Pac-10, Baylor should replace Colorado on that list, according to two sources close to the situation.



"If you're going to have an exported commodity involved in this, do you think we're going to allow a school from outside the state of Texas to replace one of our schools in the Big 12 South? I don't think so. We're already at work on this," said a high-ranking member of the Texas Legislature who asked not to be identified.

The source said there is a block of 15 legislators who will work to make sure Baylor - not Colorado - is invited to the Pac-10.

"If the Pac-10 wants Texas, and we know they do, they may have to take all of our Texas schools," the source said, adding that Texas Tech has also benefited from political inclusion on the invite list.

That influence may already have been felt during Saturday's Pac-10 meetings in San Francisco (more on that in a minute).

The Texas legislators taking up for Baylor are pointing to the political and economic importance of keeping the Texas members of the Big 12 South together as well as Colorado's recent athletic struggles and lack of sports such as baseball, softball and men's tennis.

(The CU football team is 16-33 the past four years, and the hoops team has made the NCAA Tournament twice in the last 41 years. Baylor's football isn't much better at 15-33, but the Bears' hoops program is on the rise.)


"Denver as a television market doesn't really support Colorado," the source said. "And the weather can also be an adventure.

Talk about a high maintenance gal...


And as always some humorous responses from shaggybevo:
The Ghost of Ann Richards is a vengeful bitch....
Does anyone feel empathy for Baylor?

 

[Diego-Bucks]

Orangebloods.com - Deadline given to Nebraska to decide its B12 fateTalk about a high maintenance gal...


And as always some humorous responses from shaggybevo:
The Ghost of Ann Richards is a vengeful bitch....
Does anyone feel empathy for Baylor?

how about they just re-create the SWC? To force the Pac-10 to invite Baylor over Colorado is beyond ridiculous. Colorado is a flagship institution and has great graduate research as well as a large market. Baylor would be more of the same from UT, A&M and Tech, it adds nothing. I understand that Texans in the legislature probably just want to make it a Texas league... but there are 10 University Presidents on the Pac-Coast who have to unanimously approve all these schools. Colorado is #2 on their sexy list after Texas.

I think that these legislatures are biting the hands that feed them.

 

[CleveBucks]

If Texas ends up in the Pac-10, it's because of politics. The Big Ten is not taking both Baylor and TTech. Pac-10 might if they are desperate enough, and it sounds like they are.

If Nebraska is given an ultimatum, I could see a Big Ten offer soon. If the Big 12 is truly dead without Nebraska and Mizzou, then offer them both. That leaves the rest of the Big 12 scrambling, and Texas has a better excuse to join the Big Ten. They look like the bad guys if they're a part of the first move, but if their conference mates abandon ship first, a move to the Big Ten could be seen as survival.

The Pac-10 would have to do some serious lobbying to get 100% member approval on Baylor and/or TTech.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

Nebraska, Missouri given ultimatum on deciding their futures

"Nebraska has until 5 p.m. on Friday to tell us what they're going to do," one school official said, adding that he has heard that deadline could be extended to June 15. "The same deal for Missouri. They have to tell us they're not going to the Big Ten..."

What is the Big 12 going to do about it? "Hey! Nebraska! Tell us what you are doing, pretty pretty please. We want leverage too!!"

"uh.... no?"

Are they going to kick them out of the Big 12? Because that would dissolve their conference anyways.

The Big 12 is dying, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

 

[dragurd]

This is funny. The Big 12 has no power behind the ultimatum what are they going to do fine them? And if they plan to Neb and Mizzo could just lie.

 

[OSU_D/]

Colorado

Well, it appears Texas is gone due to state politics.

Lets take Colorado, Nebraska, ND, Georgia Tech and something like Maryland/Rutgers etc (whatever the bean counters think will make the most money)

I think ND would finally come around b/c if the Pac 10 goes to 16, we all know the Big 10, SEC and ACC/Big East will go to 16 and ND can't be left out.

 

[The Collector]

I think the ultimatum lies behind that the 6 targeted will break away to the Pac-10.

Sort of like "We want to know by next Friday if you're with this conference, or we should look for other options as well."

 

[Gatorubet]

I think the SEC takes the two Okies and Tech, and maybe Clemson, FSU and Virgina tech.

Anyone who thinks the SEC is getting Texas is on crack. I'd love it if we did....but.....you guys seem like a lock on Nebraska and Missou. God, I hope you leave Notre Dame at the station to continue its downward spiral. No room in the new super conferences BCS line up for those clowns as an independent. They go to the Big East to get access to the BCS.

 

[cincibuck]

Thinking Time Zones -- I'm so tired of having the West Coast dictate the start time for the World Series, Super Bowl and Monday Night Football -- but this seems to be one case where the Time Zone works in favor of the Big 10. It's probably also the reason why the PAC 10 would love to have a good chunk of the Big 12.

The Big 10, without expansion, can put an Ohio State/Michigan/Penn State game on at 12 - 4 and 8. No one on the West Coast is going to show up in the LA Coliseum for a 9 AM kickoff, so the Pac 10 is left with the late afternoon and evening, and while that plays well in bars, I suspect it's a tough product to sell after 11 PM CST, especially when you're dealing with a one-horse conference. That and the fact that two PAC 10 teams, Arizona State and Arizona are forced into night games (11PM EST) to keep from frying the teams and the crowds. By that time the East coast is too drunk or too tired to give a damn.

It's been a problem that has plagued the conference for years in the polls and Heisman races because no one east of the Rockies sees their best teams/athletes on a regular basis.

Add Texas and Colorado and you suddenly open up your conference to the possibility of an 11AM CST kickoff and a chance to crack into the EST TV audience.

 

[kinch]

I was hoping that the Texas legislature (and governor, in the past) would not be such a barrier to a Texas move this time. It is increasingly appearing that they will force either Texas Tech (per Gee's e-mail) and/or Baylor (per the Tank) to be carried with Texas. It may be time to let Texas alone.

 

[bassbuckeye07]

I was hoping that the Texas legislature (and governor, in the past) would not be such a barrier to a Texas move this time. It is increasingly appearing that they will force either Texas Tech (per Gee's e-mail) and/or Baylor (per the Tank) to be carried with Texas. It may be time to let Texas alone.

I think your right..... seems so awesome on paper but I think because of the politics involved they are not worth the trouble.

 

[MaxBuck]

It may be time to let Texas alone.

... they are not worth the trouble.

Texas is worth any amount of "trouble." Any amount.

It's not worth taking unworthy schools as members to "go along for the ride," but trouble? Texas is definitely worth it. Certainly worth E. Gordon Gee making a trip to Austin to speak to the legislature, for example.