I am a casual college football fan at best. The closest thing to any local college affinity I have is my son goes to OSU. But it seems to me these school specific networks are silly at best. A Big 12 network makes sense just like the Big 10, PAC-12, and ACC. The Longhorn Network is nothing more than another manifestation of greed in college sports at the expense of the many good aspects of athletic competition. If OU is really trying to get a Sooner Network started, then they are part of the problem and may explan some of the idiotic actions of the last few months.

Someone has got to find a way to restore sanity and reason in all these conference alignments. I think a conference should be regionally based if for no other reason than the team and fan travel, not to mention natural rivalries. The NCAA should decree that teams in a given conference shall be located in a state that borders at least one other state with a school in that conference. Is this too simple a concept? Make too much sense?

Someone has got to find a way to restore sanity and reason in all these conference alignments. I think a conference should be regionally based if for no other reason than the team and fan travel, not to mention natural rivalries. The NCAA should decree that teams in a given conference shall be located in a state that borders at least one other state with a school in that conference. Is this too simple a concept? Make too much sense?

The fan travel is the biggest thing hurt by regionally (natural rivalries are somewhat arbitrary and wain when teams not reasonably close in performance), for most of the money making teams it is around another half hour in a jet as part of the travel. The non revenue sports generally have to partner with more than one conference so have longer travel than football and basketball anyway. The problem is that the schools are the ones in the driving seat here and they are the ones that want the ability to put themselves in the conference that they believe will help them the most. Alumni(boosters) and politicians can have some sway in certain instances but fans and the NCAA have no say in what happens.

Tramel at the Joklahoman seems to be keeping expansion rumors going. CBS picked up on the story today.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33047734
http://newsok.com/dont-count-out-louisville-to-big-12-just-yet/article/3618573?custom_click=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Essentially the whole thing says that Louisville is still in play and an invite might come soon. This would take the conference to 11 schools (12 if Mizzou decides to stay) and would allow for a 10 conference game schedule...if they wanted to. It could also allow for them to have 12 schools in sports like Basketball by bringing Notre Dame in as a non-football school.

Personally, I like the option of just invites Louisville and Cincinnati now, as well as ND in other sports, and just finish the Big East off. Yes it sucks to kill a conference, but the Big 12 was getting raided too. If we go in and take 3 of their remaining 6 football schools, that should force the conference hand to get them out before the 27 month waiting period. We could also still pull in ND in other sports and just load up a bit on the basketball side. If ND ever did decide to bring football in to conference play, then the Big 12 could eventually go to 14 teams then and match the SEC.

That gives us a footprint in TX, OK, KS, IA, OH, KY, and WV. With ND that brings IN - and probably more. That sets up a nice cluster for a "Midwest" division and then a "Great Plains" division. Not sure who would work for the 14th school.

- Houston is playing very good right now, but we don't need anymore TX schools.
- Memphis would be a gap filler - great in basketball, ehh in football.
- Tulsa would put all state schools in one conference, but they bring zero value to it.
- BYU gives a decent media market but just imagine that travel from WVU to BYU. LOL
- Air Force I think is a good fit and relatively close to the Plains schools.
- Boise State would be alright, but small media market and way out in Boise.
- Colorado St...see Air Force.
- Arkansas would still be great, but the Big 12 needs more cash.
- South Florida isn't really close, but gets the Big 12 into Florida which is always good.

WVU is suing the Big East to get out of the 27-month wait period to leave for the Big 12.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/33054284

Big 12 needs to go forward and invite Cincy and UL and make this easier on everyone. Especially before the Big East goes about and starts inviting more people to leave their conference.

I've really liked Tramel's covereage of the expansion stuff. He's brought a lot of well reasoned ideas to the discussion...

The fan travel is the biggest thing hurt by regionally (natural rivalries are somewhat arbitrary and wain when teams not reasonably close in performance), for most of the money making teams it is around another half hour in a jet as part of the travel. The non revenue sports generally have to partner with more than one conference so have longer travel than football and basketball anyway. The problem is that the schools are the ones in the driving seat here and they are the ones that want the ability to put themselves in the conference that they believe will help them the most. Alumni(boosters) and politicians can have some sway in certain instances but fans and the NCAA have no say in what happens.
I really don't know that many people who go to very many away games, the one that I do could afford to go to games anywhere. The majority of us will travel to games nearby, like when I lived in Austin going to games in Waco, College Station or the CCG in San Antonio or Houston. A game out west or back east is going to draw those that go to every game but mainly those in a somewhat close proximity. One thing that intrigued me about the Pac would have been the OU or Tech games nearby here in Boulder with Colorado, that ain't happening now.

Well, I've been to Tallahassee and Lawrence already this season. Probably going to Waco and Stillwater too.

Well, I've been to Tallahassee and Lawrence already this season. Probably going to Waco and Stillwater too.

The only one I may go to is Stillwater and that's not a given.

- Houston is playing very good right now, but we don't need anymore TX schools.
- Memphis would be a gap filler - great in basketball, ehh in football.
- Tulsa would put all state schools in one conference, but they bring zero value to it.
- BYU gives a decent media market but just imagine that travel from WVU to BYU. LOL
- Air Force I think is a good fit and relatively close to the Plains schools.
- Boise State would be alright, but small media market and way out in Boise.
- Colorado St...see Air Force.
- Arkansas would still be great, but the Big 12 needs more cash.
- South Florida isn't really close, but gets the Big 12 into Florida which is always good.

The best pick would be ARK, but I cant imagine them leaving the SEC! I hope we dont add teams that follow the same fate as Colorado & Utah to the Pac, and add 0 competition but merely fill space.

Big East made their move today.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33072149

- WVU will be fought to keep them in for the 27 months. WVU made a statement that things aren't going as well as they had hoped.
- Football Only Invites: Navy, Air Force, and Boise State are still projected.
- All Sports Invites: UCF, Houston, and SMU are also still projected.

Considering the issues WVU is going to have, the Big 12 could be down to only 9 schools now through 2013. The 10-team league BS that Texas is forcing on everyone else is not going to help things.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7179273/interim-commissioner-expects-west-virginia-big-12-season

I hope they do just to shut the Big East up. Their "rules and regulations" have gotten to me with this whole West Virginia to the Big XII crap.

It's sort of like when the Big 12 had Baylor threatening a lawsuit to keep A & M from leaving. It was pointless and wasn't going to solve anything in the long run. I understand why you need penalties to avoid complete chaos but some things are gong to happen anyway when a school is determined. Boise is faced with the possiblity of a $21 million fee to leave for the Big East.

It's sort of like when the Big 12 had Baylor threatening a lawsuit to keep A & M from leaving. It was pointless and wasn't going to solve anything in the long run. I understand why you need penalties to avoid complete chaos but some things are gong to happen anyway when a school is determined. Boise is faced with the possiblity of a $21 million fee to leave for the Big East.

Seriously? They haven't even committed to join the Big East in public yet and the Big East is already trying to fine them. Lol

Seriously? They haven't even committed to join the Big East in public yet and the Big East is already trying to fine them. Lol

To leave FOR the Big East. LOL Its Okay, I had to re-read it again because I tend to skim through things quick.

To leave FOR the Big East. LOL Its Okay, I had to re-read it again because I tend to skim through things quick.

Lol my mistake. I see it now though.

It's sort of like when the Big 12 had Baylor threatening a lawsuit to keep A & M from leaving. It was pointless and wasn't going to solve anything in the long run. I understand why you need penalties to avoid complete chaos but some things are gong to happen anyway when a school is determined. Boise is faced with the possiblity of a $21 million fee to leave for the Big East.

Actually, as stupid and hypocritical as it was, Baylor's lawsuit might have stalled things enough to keep the Big 12 together.

Boise State got authorization today to accept the invite to the Big East. The rest should come down tomorrow.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/33096361

Boise State got authorization today to accept the invite to the Big East. The rest should come down tomorrow.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/33096361

Unfortunately for them, that won't really be much of a schedule upgrade given the defections from the Big East. And who knows for sure at this point if the Big East will be able to keep their BCS game guarantee. The money will obviously be an upgrade for them, however.

I disagree. Even with the schools remaining, it's an upgrade. You have to understand how bad their schedule is now with teams like Wyoming, SDSU, UNLV, and CSU. Louisville (if they stay), Cincy (same), UConn, Rutgers, South Florida, Navy, Air Force, Houston, SMU, UCF is a decent upgrade over the current Mountain West. If you lose Louisville and Cincy it's only a slight upgrade.

THe Big East should definitely lose it's AQ status either way though. They really should have years ago. They put a fairly weak team in the BCS often.

I disagree. Even with the schools remaining, it's an upgrade. You have to understand how bad their schedule is now with teams like Wyoming, SDSU, UNLV, and CSU. Louisville (if they stay), Cincy (same), UConn, Rutgers, South Florida, Navy, Air Force, Houston, SMU, UCF is a decent upgrade over the current Mountain West. If you lose Louisville and Cincy it's only a slight upgrade.

THe Big East should definitely lose it's AQ status either way though. They really should have years ago. They put a fairly weak team in the BCS often.

I didn't say it wasn't an upgrade, I said it wasn't much of an upgrade and I still believe that.

This is nothing official, but I'm not the only one who thinks that way.

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/37759/big-12-loses-its-spot-as-top-conference

I don't think this will be a permanent solution for them but they may not have a good permanent solution available at the moment and they're looking to legitimize their program.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33107253

Big East today filed a counter suit to require WVU to follow the 27-month notice period before they can withdraw from the conference. Not sure how this case is going to go, since WVU did help make this rule. If they are held to stick to it, it could raise major issues for the Big 12. The conference has already stated that their media contracts require the conference to have 10-teams. If Missouri leaves and we are stuck with 9, that could mean the Big 12 would then be in violation of those agreements.

At the end of the day, WVU is a good addition, but they should not stop there. They need to get an invite to another school - preferably non-Big East - in order to make sure they meet the minimum requirements for the media contracts. I suppose they could go back and renegotiate them, but that can open another can of worms. It really might be to time to go out and really try to get BYU, Air Force, or Colorado State to be the 10th. Then make an offer to Cincy, UL, and Notre Dame to finish out the 14. Pulling 3 more schools from the Big East (granted only 2 are in football), with the other 3 already leaving should make it easier to get the waiting period waived. Then everyone can move on with their lives and be happy. Otherwise, this crap will go on for another 2-3 years.

Seriously, why do they want this to go on for so long? Just let WVU go and lets move on.

I wish they'd let it go, but it's a smart move to buy themselves time to stabilize their conference. Baylor did the same thing and it worked.

I wish they'd let it go, but it's a smart move to buy themselves time to stabilize their conference. Baylor did the same thing and it worked.

Point taken. And it's a good one.

Here it is finally...

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33119185


A Sporting News report Saturday cited a "high-placed SEC source" that said the Tigers would be officially announced as the SEC's 14th team "early next week," possibly as soon as this Monday. Mike Slive declined to comment on the source's information.

Big 12 needs to invite another team now, that isn't tied down in the Big East's long waiting period.

SEC's official announcement:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/16010435/sec-announces-unanimous-acceptance-of-missouri-for-2012

OU is being grumpy is seems. Although, it is nice that they are actually making sense right now saying that 10 schools is wrong.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33219479


“We have to explore what type of growth would have to be better for our conference,” the source told Tramel. “There’s no data that a conference of 16 is better than a conference of 12. In our case, the number is not the issue so much as the quality. But to make it better for West Virginia, we have to add Louisville. For our conference stability, adding Louisville is good for us because it would be good for West Virginia. The more we can get people to start talking about the greater good, the more stable this conference can become.”


Tramel also spoke to Oklahoma athletic direcotor Joe Castiglione who also believes that the Big 12 should look to add more schools.

“I think what Chuck might be doing is settling everything down, not letting speculation develop,” Castiglione said. “He may very well believe that staying at 10 is the best thing, and I respect that. But I don’t believe we should stay at 10, not with other moving parts.”


From what it seems, Joe and others are OU know what is going on. SEC is now at 14. Big East is going invite crazy. ACC is probably going to go to 14. Big Ten and PAC-12 are comfortable sitting at 12, but for how long...especially when the PAC was ready to go to 16. The Big 12 is looking at being the smallest AQ conference, and that might not be a good thing when the current BCS gets replaced in 2014. A lot of speculation right now are for the Top 8 in the BCS to go to the big bowl games and then add a Plus 1 title game. It is a given that a conference with bigger numbers will get more of those spots. Not to mention that the conferences will be able to send more teams, hypothetically, if they all don't have to play each other every year.

Neinas needs to stop worrying about being stable at 10 (which Texas wants) and get the conference back to 12 where it will appear more secure to interested teams. Otherwise, who is to say that OU won't try to bolt for the PAC again. Yeah we gave up our media rights...but everything can be bought out and who is to say the Big 12 survives if OU leaves. Since it would be logical that the same package deal would exist with OU taking OSU and perhaps Texas and TTU.

Just need to invite Cincy and UL now and be done with it. If we want to be even more secure and go to 14, toss out invites to Air Force, BYU, and/or Notre Dame.

The most unstable thing the Big 12 could do is stay at 10 teams. It's baffling that they don't understand that. Going to 12 (Louisville, Cincy) or 14 makes way too much sense for the Big 12 to do it though. Neinas is proving to be no more competent than Bebee.

The most unstable thing the Big 12 could do is stay at 10 teams. It's baffling that they don't understand that. Going to 12 (Louisville, Cincy) or 14 makes way too much sense for the Big 12 to do it though. Neinas is proving to be no more competent than Bebee.

Agreed. Although if I would've said it I would've wrote a 10 sentence rant about it not just make it simple and calm the way you did. Lol I tend to make my feelings known in the harshest way possible.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/ncaa/11/22/byu.big.east.negotiations.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp

Some important bits...


"BYU to the Big East is dead. It's not going to happen," the person said.
The Big East was trying to add BYU as part of its plan to expand westward and become a 12-team football league.
At issue are television rights. The person says BYU wanted to retain the rights to its home football games and the league could not agree to that.


Temple, which plays in the Mid-American Conference and was once in the Big East, has been trying to get back in. East Carolina, another C-USA school, publicly announced it had applied for membership last month, and C-USA rival Memphis has also been pushed by some in the Big East for its excellent basketball program, most notably Louisville coach Rick Pitino.
But Boise State, which is nearly 1,900 miles away from the closest current Big East member - Louisville - would prefer the Big East bulk up its new western division.

The problem is there are simply not enough good football schools (and by good I don't necessarilly mean win-loss record) and 4 conferences are hoarding most of the good ones.

The new Big 12 is a crappy conference. All of the prestige schools are in the BIG 10 or PAC 12. NE and CO made the best decision of all the moves because they get both high caliber educational institutions with quality football. MO and TX AM moved to a football conference but not so much academic institutions. The new big 12 is really short on both accounts outside of Texas.

Big 12 is still #2 overall in football, so can't be all that bad.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/33518727


With BYU officially out of the picture for the Big East, the league has begun negotiations with San Diego State about the Aztecs joining the league as a football-only member, college football industry sources told CBSSports.com Saturday night.

Umm WTF? At this point it would almost be better for the Big East to start poaching the MAC or Sun Belt. There is no reason for a conference to have schools on both coasts.

Finally, the Big East has pulled the trigger.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/33728643

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/conference-realignment


Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and UCF will join the Big East Conference in 2013, sources told CBSSports.com.

The announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday. Realignment map: The new Big East

Boise State and San Diego State will join the Big East as football-only members, while Houston, SMU and UCF will join as all-sport members.

With the addition of those five schools - minus the departures of West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse - the Big East will have 10 football members.

With those five schools on board, Navy is expected to join as a football-only member - possibly as soon as next week - to boost the football membership to 11 schools.

The Big East hopes to add Air Force as its 12th football school - as a football-only member - but the Falcons still remain undecided.

If the Big East can not get Air Force, Temple would be a likely candidate to become the Big East's 12th member.

More on the CUSA / Mountain West merger for football.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/33745889

I don't understand San Diego St joining the Big East.... other than it's a bigger conference than the Mountain West

I don't understand San Diego St joining the Big East.... other than it's a bigger conference than the Mountain West

Hoping for that AQ status that is most likely going away. There isn't a bigger example of how this is all about following the money rather than anything to do with the interest of the "student"-athlete.

It is going to be very funny come 2014 when the AQ status is likely to be dropped in a new format of the BCS. Of course that means we are likely going to see conferences continue to move around through 2015.

Air Force told the Big East to hit the road today. They will stay in the MWC and wait for the new CUSA merger. Now to see if they go after someone else.

http://www.denverpost.com/afa/ci_19491419

I don't understand San Diego St joining the Big East.... other than it's a bigger conference than the Mountain West

Money.. The payout for Mtn West schools is around 1.5 m a year verus 3.5 m in the Big East, with potential up to 6m with new tv contract.

This is an email I received back in 02/09. Enjoy!

If the Big XII were the Middle East

KANSAS: Saudi Arabia. Not altogether a bad place; has had historical success in oil and basketball, and continues to be a world leader in those areas.
However, parts of the ruling family tends to thrive on its excess, much to its detriment; a certain prince's fondness for American culture (especially for its sweet baked goods) could very well lead to its downfall.

KANSAS STATE: Armenia. No one wants to be here, especially the Armenians.
What's more, nobody really knows where it is. First came to prominence just a decade ago, and nobody can really remember it existing as an independent nation before that. Primary exports: Corn, junior college transfers.

NEBRASKA: Egypt. Was once a great power; its history, through the ages, is matched by few. Has languished in recent years, failing to recognize its new place in the world order as a follower, and not the leader it once was. Its people tend to be the friendliest to its neighbors, though still harboring a long simmering, yet contained, hatred for Israel.

COLORADO: United Arab Emirates. An incredibly refined populace-- probably because it's impossible to make it your home unless you're incredibly wealthy. Does its best to compete with its neighbors, but has resigned itself to being the playground of the region, instead of one of its traditional powers. Doesn't have a baseball team.

IOWA STATE: Afghanistan. There's really no reason that this nation should even exist, and if it weren't for previous colonial empires, it probably wouldn't. Easily overlooked over the last 300 years, its people are a ramshackle alliance of groups that don't belong anywhere else. Wishes to God, Allah, and whoever else that it would either cease to exist, or be swallowed up by Pakistan to the south, or the University of Iowa to the west.

MISSOURI: Turkey. Still trying to figure out how it got mixed up in this region, anyway. They're a member of NATO. Shouldn't they be in the Big Ten?

OKLAHOMA STATE: Syria. Nobody pays attention to them until they start mouthing off to the other nations around it. Will occasionally attack its neighbors, with varying success, with most of its successes coming in areas that others couldn't care less about, like wrestling.

TEXAS TECH: Iran. Really, REALLY wants to be noticed in the international community. Will go so far as to fake the development of nuclear weapons, or choose homicidal, maniacal, self-aggrandizing men as their president/basketball coach, just to get noticed. Incredibly eccentric as a nation. Has a deep-seated hatred of both Israel and Iraq--and a huge inferiority complex to go along with it. Very arid, dry climate featuring frequent windstorms.

BAYLOR: Lebanon. Everything they do is just a cluster, and no matter what they do, nothing ever seems to get better. Every once in awhile, it'll nip at the ankles of one of the larger nations, and piss those other nations off just enough to where they're smacked down and consequently can't achieve anything noteworthy for the next ten years.

OKLAHOMA: Israel. Pretty much everyone else in the region hates them. Can destroy lesser countries at will using incredibly advanced tactics. Not relegated to the stone-age lifestyle of some of its closest neighboring nations. Home of God's chosen, but some of the most annoying, people.

TEXAS: Iraq. Lies, cheats, and steals to get its way in the international community. If caught doing something wrong, or illegal, its excuse is that "everybody else has done it, we just get caught." No one wants to live here, but everybody that does wishes they could move away. Recently has undergone minor restructuring due to numerous ethics violations.

TEXAS A&M: Palestine. Doesn't actually exist as an entity to really be dealt with, but loves nothing more than to take pot-shots at Israel, just to tick them off. Economy based on farming, with an emphasis on sheep. Continuously complains that they're the real power in the region, and that their status should supersede that of Israel. Religious zealotry abounds; small, infrequent attacks on its neighbors are hailed as moral victories.

Then:
BAYLOR: Lebanon. Everything they do is just a cluster, and no matter what they do, nothing ever seems to get better. Every once in awhile, it'll nip at the ankles of one of the larger nations, and piss those other nations off just enough to where they're smacked down and consequently can't achieve anything noteworthy for the next ten years.

And Now:
BAYLOR: Israel - Does more with less. Enforces its will with politics and now with an actual army - only nation in the world with no losses in the last two months in any of the major sports. Only athletics program in the country with ranked teams in all of the major sports (Football #12, Men's Bball #6, Women's Bball #1). : )

Please note. the preceding managed to cheer FOR my own university WITHOUT putting down any other university.

That's awesome, lol!

I know no one really thought we were done with this. LOL

After Navy committing to join the Big East in 2015 yesterday, Louisville is apparently the talk of the town to take the Big 12 to 11 teams.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/34567913


According to The Chronicle (subscription), the Big 12 is once again considering expanding the conference. While nothing is imminent, two sources told the paper that the Big 12 adding at least one new member is "very possible."

That new member would likely be Louisville, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Before it was announced that West Virginia would be joining the conference, there were reports that half the schools were split on which school they wanted to extend an invitation to. Half wanted West Virginia, half wanted Louisville.

An expansion committee plans to put together a report for the Big 12's Board of Directors next week. Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds, Oklahoma State president Burns Hargis, and Kansas State president Kirk Schulz make up the committee.

Why don't we add the huge TV market Rutgers would bring to the conference?

Why don't we add the huge TV market Rutgers would bring to the conference?

I wouldn't be against that. Really, the Big 12 should just destroy the Big East and be done. Go to 14 teams like the SEC and invite Cincinnati, Louisville and Rutgers. That would take the top 4 teams of the 2011 season out of the Big East. Then finish it off by inviting either Notre Dame, UCF, South Florida, BYU or Southern Miss. Southern Miss won't really get a big media market, but they are a pretty good team - finished #21. ND and BYU bring big fan bases. UCF and South Florida get the conference into Florida finally.

If the Big 12 stepped up and invited 3 more teams out of Big East that would essentially eliminate any legal issues because that only leaves a couple original teams in that conference. It would also allow the new incoming teams to re-evaluate what they want to do.

Some rumors about Big 12 conference realignment that one can get excited about!!

Stories on two eastern football websites are saying that Florida State and Clemson are looking to join the Big 12. One of the websites is saying that the Big 12 will go to at least 14 teams and to 16 teams if they can get Notre Dame.
BYU, Louisville, Clemson, and Florida State are the four teams that would take the conference to 14 teams. Maryland or possibly Georgia Tech would be the target for the 16th slot.



Links:
http://eerinsider.com/2012-articles/january/big-12-expansion-update.html

http://cemetery-hill.com/2012-articles/january/athletic-advisory-committee-formed-at-clemson-time-to-get-all-the-way-in.html

I think a lot of this will require Neinas to get replaced first. He is about the only one that has been a staunch 10-team guy. The comments from him this week that the 10-team league is strong and what not is pure BS imo. The conference lost 4 members when we were bigger...and we are suppose to be comfortable with only 10...well 9.5 right now. The talk is definitely pretty high right now about Louisville coming in, but I think they want a resolution to the WVU/Big East situation first. However from reports it is that Louisville is being the aggressor so that should help legally.

FSU and Clemson coming to the Big 12 would be freaking huge. It unlocks big recruiting areas and new media markets. It would probably also trigger the ACC in pulling Pitt and Syracuse earlier to cause the Big East to just crumble finally.

I'm not sure they would want to go to 16 teams, I think that only happens if we can get Notre Dame. Reports indicate that the Big 12 has no interest in any western teams anymore and nearly all expansion is going to come from the east. Otherwise WVU vs BYU would be an incredibly long haul for a conference game. I would take them out of the equation for Cincinnati. I don't see Maryland or Georgia Tech interested at all. If the race to 16 happens, then they go to the SEC imo. Though we could see the Big Ten make a play for Maryland.

Either way, adding these schools would ad a ton to the value of the Big 12 when we sit down with Fox and ESPN.

clemson and florida st .... + rutgers and Louisville .. would be huge for the Big 12 ..

Looks like Memphis will be getting an invite soon to the Big East. Word is this is in preparation for Louisville to accept an invite from the Big 12.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/34757696


West Virginia and the Big East Conference are nearing agreement on a settlement worth at least $20 million that would resolve all issues between both parties, college football industry sources told CBSSports.com.

The Mountaineers will join the Big 12 for the 2012-13 school year. However, in a bizarre twist, sources told CBSSports.com that West Virginia officials have contacted future Big East members to see if one could join in 2012 instead of 2013.

The door is about to swing open for Syracuse and Pittsburgh on getting out of there early. Not to mention the Big 12 now has a number to get Louisville out.

CUSA has contacted Temple about moving from the MAC to the new CUSA/MWC. Sounds like we are headed for another period of reshuffling. Have seen some comments that a merged CUSA/MWC would not be good for ECU and Marshall and it could push them to the MAC. It would take that conference to 16 teams, as long as Temple doesn't leave.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/34778171

Big East and WVU have apparently reached that $20M agreement.


It’s unknown if the $20 million is in addition to, or includes, the $5 million exit fee that West Virginia initially paid when it announced in October it was withdrawing from the Big East to join the Big 12 in 2012 and would not honor the league’s 27-month notice requirement before leaving.

The Daily Mail reported that West Virginia would pay the Big East $11 million with the Big 12 Conference responsible for the remaining $9 million. Acting Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas said recently the Big 12 would consider assisting the Mountaineers with their exit fees, if they asked.

There appears to only be 3 stable conferences, and the Big XII isn't one of them. OU needs to get out of this mess but they won't do it.

OU isn't going anywhere. The best option now to get the aggressor and fill out to 14 schools and solidify its position. With WVU not taken care of, reportedly, it needs to make the move and lock in Louisville, Clemson, Florida State, and if at all possible...Notre Dame.

Some are still wanting BYU

Some are still wanting BYU

ou48A, That would be incredible. Notre Dame and BYU both come with a built-in national viewing audience. I read recently that the Morman church is the fastest growing church in North America; given that, then BYU will be continue to be an even bigger draw. I don't hold out much hope for BYU or Notre Dame though.

BYU would just not be the right fit IMO with WVU. The natural expansion direction would be east.