NCAA Conference Realignment

[venture]

Very true. Best that can be said is, "stay tuned."

Venture - Regarding the Big 12/Big East merger...that was talk if OU/OSU/TU/TTU left for the Pac 12. The talk was that the remaining Big 12 teams would make for a good merger with the Big East. Including the Big 4 from the Big 12 in that Big East deal was never a possibility.

What now?

The merger can still work. However, Missouri still is out there as a possible jumper to the SEC. If that happens, the Big 12 is still going to need a team or two. At this point though...the 5 remaining Big East schools need a home.

[ljbab728]

Once again Texas is the fly in the ointment.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/st...expand-further

And the Big 12 may soon be down to 8.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/st...cording-report

OU will continue to be a national power no matter how this ends but the uncertainty has to have an affect on recruiting to some extent.

[MikeOKC]

If Mizzou leaves - that hurts. It may be time for Boren and the other 7 teams left to take it slow and see if they can't build something from the ashes. Get a new Big 12 commissioner and get serious about Notre Dame and a few other big name schools. I saw a great interview today from a former league commissioner back east and he thinks this is all just madness with the rush because of scheduling. We're ending up with conferences so far out of regions it's ridiculous. He said it's like if the Founding Fathers created a United States with the former colonies, Alaska, Uruguay, Costa Rica and something across the Atlantic for good measure. If you think about it, it's true. Too much, too fast. Not thought out.

[venture]

Boren's statement on the PAC 12 announcement.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs....56338/32150802

"We were not surprised by the Pac 12's decision to not expand at this time. Even though we had decided not to apply for membership this year, we have developed a positive relationship with the leadership of the conference and we have kept them informed of the progress we've been making to gain agreement from the Big 12 for changes which will make the conference more stable in the future. Conference stability has been our first goal and we look forward to achieving that goal through continued membership in the Big 12 Conference."

[dcsooner]

Whatever happens I have serious doubts that OU will stay in the same conference with Texas. When abandoning a ship you get away from the object that caused it to sink in the first place.

Now, OU has lost it's leverage. I really have no interest in a revised Big 12 with Texas in it. I am an alum, but this Texas dominance of a conference has turned me off!

[Roadhawg]

Can the other schools in the conference vote for equal revenue sharing plus can they fire Beebe and get somebody that's not joined at the hip with TX?

[betts]

What other schools in the conference? That's the problem. We're now basically a small conference, with a plethora of schools that only mid-majors are interested in. If we add in three new schools like TCU, Houston and SMU, we are a mid major, with one powerhouse school in Texas and two schools from a small state that happen to be playing really well right now.

[Roadhawg]

What other schools in the conference? That's the problem. We're now basically a small conference, with a plethora of schools that only mid-majors are interested in. If we add in three new schools like TCU, Houston and SMU, we are a mid major, with one powerhouse school in Texas and two schools from a small state that happen to be playing really well right now.

Last I heard the PAC isn't expanding and the Big 12, other than TAM, will stay put.

[Jersey Boss]

Boren's statement on the PAC 12 announcement.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs....56338/32150802

"We were not surprised by the Pac 12's decision to not expand at this time. Even though we had decided not to apply for membership this year, we have developed a positive relationship with the leadership of the conference and we have kept them informed of the progress we've been making to gain agreement from the Big 12 for changes which will make the conference more stable in the future. Conference stability has been our first goal and we look forward to achieving that goal through continued membership in the Big 12 Conference


The Pac 12 message to Boren sounds like the breakup when one party says "It's me, not you. I do want to stay friends though"

[venture]

What other schools in the conference? That's the problem. We're now basically a small conference, with a plethora of schools that only mid-majors are interested in. If we add in three new schools like TCU, Houston and SMU, we are a mid major, with one powerhouse school in Texas and two schools from a small state that happen to be playing really well right now.

Well we are left with 9 right now, unless Missouri acts on the reported invite from the SEC. Big East apparently has a plan to invite Navy and Air Force in now. We are now in the position to where dance partners for OU have vanished as everyone digs in. Of course it could all be for legal reasons too.

[Bill Robertson]

So. Today it looks like we stay in a weak Big ?. (? because I refuse to call it the Big 12, I can count to 9)

[FritterGirl]

Just call us the "bend over and become Texas' b!t@h" conference, because unless they go independent, that's what we are.

As I noted on my facebook this morning:

"Pac12 called Boren's bluff, Texas and ESPN are still happily married, and Beebe is laughing maniacally from the penthouse."

I hope OU has the power to align the other school presidents and kick Beebe out. He made his bed of Texas longhorn patties, and is now making the rest of the conference lay in it.

I'm really not upset with Texas in this whole debacle. Texas was doing what any other school with their bankroll should do, make good for Texas. It was Beebe who allowed this to happen. It was Beebe who failed to step in an lead. It was Beebe who saw the writing on the wall last year and failed to do anything about it.

Beebe is a tool. He needs to go.

[venture]

So what other candidates are out there that the Big 12 could go after? If the BCS conferences can poach from each other, why can't we.

BCS Targets...
TCU - Yeah another Texas school, but decently ranked football team (since that appears to be the only thing that really matters now).
Cincinnati - Hurting this year, but usually has a bowl bound team and sees moderate success. Pretty similar to the middle of the pack in the Big 12.
Notre Dame - Likely will never happen, but would be a solid addition. Of course we'd have Texas Jr. on our hands.
Arkansas - Likely won't give up the SEC, but is a really solid match for the Big 12 South.

Non-BCS Teams...
FIU - Doing good this year. Attendance is pretty weak at home. It opens up Florida though.
Houston - Another Texas school. Would give us a school back in SE Texas that is normally pretty competitive.
Memphis - Weaker football school, usually solid in basketball. More of a Baylor (well typical year Baylor) or Kansas level.
Army - They are more likely to go to CUSA, but they are a freebie out there so just thought to add them in.
BYU - Newest of the "i'm special" club. They could bring some cash to the table, but they are way out in left field.
Colorado State - Gets us back in Colorado. However, MWC is looking at becoming BCS qualified here soon, so that is going to weigh in the decision of this school and the next two. CSU is similar to Colorado when it comes to on field performance. Some years good...others bad.
Boise State - Love em or hate em...they are a good, solid team. They don't have the massive fan base at home, but they get ratings. Big issue being way out west though and a small media market.
Fresno State - Normally they are decent, but seem to be off a bit lately. Gets us into California consistently though.

[Roadhawg]

Just call us the "bend over and become Texas' b!t@h" conference, because unless they go independent, that's what we are.

As I noted on my facebook this morning:

"Pac12 called Boren's bluff, Texas and ESPN are still happily married, and Beebe is laughing maniacally from the penthouse."

I hope OU has the power to align the other school presidents and kick Beebe out. He made his bed of Texas longhorn patties, and is now making the rest of the conference lay in it.

I'm really not upset with Texas in this whole debacle. Texas was doing what any other school with their bankroll should do, make good for Texas. It was Beebe who allowed this to happen. It was Beebe who failed to step in an lead. It was Beebe who saw the writing on the wall last year and failed to do anything about it.

Beebe is a tool. He needs to go.

It was also the other schools who went along with what Texas wanted and voted 11-1 in support of it. The 1 being Nebraska who saw through the BS a long time ago. You've got nobody to blame but yourselves for standing there and letting TX do this. I still think the other schools in the Big 12 -2 -1 need to vote Beebe out and work on changing the by-laws of the conference to support equal revenue sharing. The PAC does it and so does the Big 10 and they are both pretty stable conferences.

[dcsooner]

Just call us the "bend over and become Texas' b!t@h" conference, because unless they go independent, that's what we are.

As I noted on my facebook this morning:

"Pac12 called Boren's bluff, Texas and ESPN are still happily married, and Beebe is laughing maniacally from the penthouse."

I hope OU has the power to align the other school presidents and kick Beebe out. He made his bed of Texas longhorn patties, and is now making the rest of the conference lay in it.

I'm really not upset with Texas in this whole debacle. Texas was doing what any other school with their bankroll should do, make good for Texas. It was Beebe who allowed this to happen. It was Beebe who failed to step in an lead. It was Beebe who saw the writing on the wall last year and failed to do anything about it.

Beebe is a tool. He needs to go.

FG,
I could not have said it better. I feel like I have been violated. This whole fiasco has created for me a real nasty taste for all of the former SWC members. Kicking BeBe out is one action, moving the conference HQ is another.

[Bill Robertson]

So what other candidates are out there that the Big 12 could go after? If the BCS conferences can poach from each other, why can't we.

Because, whatever else some might want this to be about it's about football and the money that football generates. None of those schools have a long term reputation in football that brings in the dollars. Not comparable to Nebraska, Colorado and A&M. If the Big ? can't lure three schools with football programs that match what was lost then the Big ? is also lost. And I don't see that happening.

[betts]

There are no options out there that will improve the big? 9. They all pull the conference down to ACC level at best, mid-major at worst. It's going to hurt recruiting and ultimately OU risks losing national prominence.

[redrunner]

All this crap talk by sooner fans about Texas is pathetic. It's like a republican vs democrat argument here. Do I expect you to think impartial about this situation and ever be on Texas' side? No. The joke is on OU and Boren since the Pac 12 doesn't want them without Texas and carrying OSU on their back doesn't help their cause. And OU has no problem having power and being big brother over OSU. If OU is so great and has as much clout as Texas why don't they get their own TV network? I know it's been suggested before. But because Texas beat them to the punch now they're having a fit and want out. Big 10 and Pac 12 doesn't want OU and OU doesn't want to go to SEC so where do they go? Just make it work.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...to_play_092111

[venture]

There are no options out there that will improve the big? 9. They all pull the conference down to ACC level at best, mid-major at worst. It's going to hurt recruiting and ultimately OU risks losing national prominence.

What is there to pull down? Most would argue it is already there. However, if you want to push the fact that 5 schools are in the Top 25 (yes one is A&M)...you can still argue that the Big 12-ish is still a decent conference.

At this point people need to realize a few things. For the moment, OU isn't getting into the SEC, PAC, or Big 10. That door is shut, deal with it and move on. So you have to go the next part on how to repair the football program of the conference. Why not make a play to go grab Air Force before the Big East? For them, it makes more sense to play in the Big 12 - location wise. It also adds value to the conference with increased viewers with it being a service academy.

At the end of the day, people need to get out of the fantasy world of re-creating an SEC here in the plains for OU to be part of. Unfortunately OU is screwed out of moving to the SEC or another conference because of being tied to OSU. So with that, what schools would be the best options to go after to replace the departing teams.

[Just the facts]

OU, OSU, Missouri, and Texas A&M will be in the SEC-West in 4 weeks. Auburn and Mississippi St will move to the SEC-East. This season will be the last OU/Texas game.

[Roadhawg]

The simplest answer still seems to be to have the other Big 12 schools redefine the conference by-laws and doing equal revenue sharing and TV network and if TX doesn't like it they are welcome to leave the conference. JMHO

[Just the facts]

The simplest answer still seems to be to have the other Big 12 schools redefine the conference by-laws and doing equal revenue sharing and TV network and if TX doesn't like it they are welcome to leave the conference. JMHO

I would be Okay with that also, but I would like to see them go back to 12 teams, sans Texas, and move the conference headquarters to OKC or Wichita.

[redrunner]

I would be Okay with that also, but I would like to see them go back to 12 teams, sans Texas, and move the conference headquarters to OKC or Wichita.

That's just stupid wanting to boot out Texas. So it's not about equal revenue sharing and more so about just plain hating Texas and not wanting to play them?

[Just the facts]

It isn't about hating anyone. The OU/Texas game will end because OU isn't going to use their one non-conference game to play Texas on the 2nd Saturday in October. OU will be well into the SEC-West race at that point with A&M, Missouri, OSU, Arkansas, LSU, Alabama, and Mississippi. There won't be time to play with Texas.

[betts]

It was Beebe who was lauded for pulling the Big Whatever back together last year. I knew then it was a mistake to stay tied to Texas and not go to the PAC-10. Wish I'd been wrong.