Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[Basebuck]

Tell me about it. I lived in Texas for a few years. Dead honest truth, there were some people going door to door who wanted me to sign a petition to send to the White House to make Texas the new capital of the U.S.

Dead on. We get that all of the time. It's a different world here that I just don't think would be a good fit with any of the B1G schools. At least Nebraska (culturally) is a good fit with Iowa and some of the western schools. Maryland would be as close to any of the schools I've seen mentioned. I lived near that campus before I came here.

***Full Disclosure. I have recently been looking to move back to the midwest and escape Texas. I am not a cowboy***

 

[BrowardBuck]

You also see situations where info is purposely leaked to an obscure source as well so the info slowly begins to matriculate through other, broader outlets without giving it full legitimacy by going to the major outlets.

That aside, I am of the opinion that PBC knows someone that works in the B1G offices. He/she isn't being used to intentionally leak info. I think he/she was given some info by the friend inside the B1G office, which was in turn, posted on their board. If I remember correctly, Delaney was reported to be pissed (could have been a ruse, if the leaks are intentional) about that stuff being made public. I believe I also read that they were threatening a lawsuit if PBC didn't stop posting the info (from the NW board last year).

I personally take the info with a grain of salt simply because even if it it 100% spot on, things are very fluid and can/will change as time passes. If what PBC posted comes to fruition, great! If not, I won't get too excited about it because I choose not to put my faith in something posted on a message board.

BB

OK, I may be ... ...here, but if the BIG really wanted to "leak" some information I would think that they would do it through a reporter to get wider and more creditable circulation, i. e. "information from an person with inside knowledge, but name not provided since he was not authorized to speak for the conference, etc.". You see this type of thing all the time. I just don't think that they would purposly leak it to a guy to post it on a Northwestern football bulletin board.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

Agreed and well put. Having lived near Austin for several years I can tell you that the city, university, and fans are nothing close to the culture of the midwest. They would be a perfect fit with the PAC12.

The horns are run like a big business and that's it. I would argue that the majority of their fans are casual and just use college football Saturdays as filler until the real game (see Cowboys, Dallas) starts on Sunday. Completely different than the B1G

I'd slightly disagree with that... they care about their football team way more than any PAC## does.. Texas was still selling out during last years losing season, so from that standpoint they don't match. Also i'd say a majority of their fans care about Texas college football and Cowboys or Texans (or whoever Colt or Vince plays for) almost equally. That's my view .

 

[Saw31]

*official "anecdote does not equal evidence" disclaimer

I had a history professor who came to TOSU from UT and told us that the schools were as similar as could be imagined. This was not a comment on fans or culture or anything else related to sports. I believe this is why Texas would be considered. The academic side is such a perfect fit that it can't be ignored. The academic side, specifically the CIC and the opportunity to expand it, make all this TV and CCG and sold out stadium money look like chump change. Add to that the institutional cooperation in the B1G that allows for tremendous opportunities to its students, Texas can not be ignored because we burn couches and they wear wranglers and big belt buckles...

JMHO

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

*official "anecdote does not equal evidence" disclaimer

I had a history professor who came to TOSU from UT and told us that the schools were as similar as could be imagined. This was not a comment on fans or culture or anything else related to sports. I believe this is why Texas would be considered. The academic side is such a perfect fit that it can't be ignored. The academic side, specifically the CIC and the opportunity to expand it, make all this TV and CCG and sold out stadium money look like chump change. Add to that the institutional cooperation in the B1G that allows for tremendous opportunities to its students, Texas can not be ignored because we burn couches and they wear wranglers and big belt buckles...

JMHO

^ THIS

 

[buckeyegrad]

*official "anecdote does not equal evidence" disclaimer

I had a history professor who came to TOSU from UT and told us that the schools were as similar as could be imagined. This was not a comment on fans or culture or anything else related to sports. I believe this is why Texas would be considered. The academic side is such a perfect fit that it can't be ignored. The academic side, specifically the CIC and the opportunity to expand it, make all this TV and CCG and sold out stadium money look like chump change. Add to that the institutional cooperation in the B1G that allows for tremendous opportunities to its students, Texas can not be ignored because we burn couches and they wear wranglers and big belt buckles...

At least some people understand this and what is truly at stake in landing them.

 

[Piney]

It's easy to get blinded by the Shiny Thing that they encompass - money, eyeballs, traveling fans, etc. - but they will immediately become a burr in the saddle of this conference. There is more than enough evidence of this between the breakup of the SWC, and now the Big XII.

Listen. We're not just doing this for money. We're doing it for a shit load of money!

 

[Mrstickball]

*official "anecdote does not equal evidence" disclaimer

I had a history professor who came to TOSU from UT and told us that the schools were as similar as could be imagined. This was not a comment on fans or culture or anything else related to sports. I believe this is why Texas would be considered. The academic side is such a perfect fit that it can't be ignored. The academic side, specifically the CIC and the opportunity to expand it, make all this TV and CCG and sold out stadium money look like chump change. Add to that the institutional cooperation in the B1G that allows for tremendous opportunities to its students, Texas can not be ignored because we burn couches and they wear wranglers and big belt buckles...

JMHO

I think that is the biggest part of the equation.

Texas' research budget and university ratings are something made of legend, and are the most desirable aspect of the university - even more than the fact they are a massive TV market and sporting team.

Lets look at the numbers compared to OSU:

Texas-Austin & Friends:
Enrollment (all facilities): 211,000
Faculty: 19,000
Research Expenditures: $2.37 Billion USD (81% govt. funding with 57% federal)
Facility Budget: $12.8 Billion USD
US World News & Report Ranking: #45

Ohio State University & Friends:
Enrollment (all facilities): 64,100
Faculty: 42,400
Research Expenditures: $755 Million
Facility Budget: $4.82 Billion
US World News & Report Ranking: #56

The one major note is that the Texas system includes all colleges in the UT system which do include other football-playing schools like UTEP and (eventually) UTSA. Even if you just use the Austin campus as the barometer, they still spend more money on research and are larger than OSU by about a factor of two. So on that end, it would be real attractive to get Texas.

 

[Saw31]

Listen. We're not just doing this for money. We're doing it for a shit load of money!

 

[Dryden]

I just cannot fathom the interest in Texas.

 

[Gatorubet]

I have to go with the "good fit" advocates.

 

[matcar]

Last year PBC was incredibly accurate with information. The problem is these are very fluid situations. There is a lot going on. I think he does have a source in the Big Ten. But as said before that is only one side of this. Last year many speculated Texas and Notre Dame played the Big Ten to stall change. Who says this is any different? Maybe they keep their options open though just in case.

Actually, PBC's ENTIRE premise was that Texas was coming to the Big Ten. Near as anyone can tell, that was not accurate. Some have speculated that Texas used the Big Ten to court the Pac 10, but no one around these parts knows the truth in that. Meanwhile, in the end, Texas stayed put and created their own network. I'm not sure how any of what transpired could inspire confidence in what PBC says now...because none of it ended up coming true last time.

I'll admit that I REALLY wanted Texas to join the Big Ten....strong academics, would strengthen the CIC, great athletics...Texas market. Seemed like a huge coup if it came true...so I wanted to believe PBC...but then none of it was accurate. Which is why I won't even get my hopes up about anything now, because it just seems like either he's 1) being used for diseminating disinformation or 2) he's just an internet comedian getting folks riled up and laughing as folks get excited about something that isn't happening. Either way, getting excited about it is a losing proposition.

 

[DaveyBoy]

what if couch burners wear cowboy boots and belt buckles ?

*official "anecdote does not equal evidence" disclaimer

I had a history professor who came to TOSU from UT and told us that the schools were as similar as could be imagined. This was not a comment on fans or culture or anything else related to sports. I believe this is why Texas would be considered. The academic side is such a perfect fit that it can't be ignored. The academic side, specifically the CIC and the opportunity to expand it, make all this TV and CCG and sold out stadium money look like chump change. Add to that the institutional cooperation in the B1G that allows for tremendous opportunities to its students, Texas can not be ignored because we burn couches and they wear wranglers and big belt buckles...

JMHO

 

[Saw31]

what if couch burners wear cowboy boots and belt buckles ?

Perfect fit!

 

[MaxBuck]

I just cannot fathom the interest in Texas.

Q.E.fucking-D.