Changed the title because that is really what's going on. Anyway...
As we sit here today it appears that the Big XII has saved itself, which in all reality may be a good thing. It seems that Big XII commissioner Beebe got together with the TV partners and found a way to make it work, which includes allowing teams, mainly Texas, to have their own TV network.
The 10 remaining teams should be able to make it work by following the same format the PAC 10 used the past couple of season by playing a full nine game conference schedule in football. They don't need a championship game, something most Big XII coaches didn't want anyway, to crown a true champion/BCS representative. Any league with Texas & Oklahoma can thrive, which is why I so desperately wanted them to come to the SEC.
If this goes down it will be interesting to see where the PAC 10 goes to fill a 12th spot. Most reports say it'll be Utah, which makes sense. For me, I'd hate to see it as the Mountain West just got Boise State to upgrade their product as they march toward BCS AQ status. Losing Utah would undue the addition of Boise State in my opinion. I don't see another route for the PAC 10 other than Utah in this scenario as they'll need to get to 12 to make it all worth while.
Whew, lots of info still rolling in. I'll update what I think is important.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
CFB Expansion Part 3...
First off, I should probably be calling this CFB realignment, but anyway.
As we sit here right now it appears that Texas and Texas A&M are on different pages as to what is best for each. It may well work out that they travel together once all is said and done but that scenario is no longer a sure thing.
Just to update, A&M is seriously considering an opportunity to join the SEC and there have been reports that Oklahoma is also giving the SEC option some thought. As for Texas, they are playing the high and mighty academic game in relation to their AAU designation but I truly believe they simply want no part of playing in the SEC athletically. They can rule the roost in either the Big 12 or PAC 10 but that would not be the case in the SEC. Even with the SEC willingness to move Bama & Auburn to the East to make it work, Texas knows it would have to face a beast annually in the championship game that could very well knock the Horns out of an NC shot.
OK, I ended yesterday by hinting at the roles the Big East and ACC will play in all of this. My whole hearted belief is that both conferences will have teams taken from them, Big East by the Big 10 and the ACC by the SEC. The ACC may be ok if the SEC lands Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, & Ok. St., but if not the SEC will look to the ACC. Likely candidates? Clemson, FSU, GT, Miami, and VT. Of course the Miami AD has already come out and expressed Miami's undying love for the ACC. That is, of course, as long as they aren't left in a basketball only league.
As for the Big East, no doubt they will be targeted by the Big 10 to fill out at least three of the four final spots to get to the super conference 16. Candidates? More than likely Rutgers, Syracuse, and PITT. The 4th of course will be held for Notre Dame to realize they are irrelevant when standing alone and come on home. But, should Notre Dame continue to live in the distant past, it appears Mizzou will be back in play for a Big 10 spot.
In a strange twist, former SEC commissioner Roy Kramer stated in an interview that he believes the SEC will target West Virginia from the Big East as one of four should the Big 12 targets not work out.
Not sure if or when they'll be a part 4. I think I've covered all that has been reported as well as my thoughts/beliefs.
No matter, as has been stated by any and all, college athletics is set to change forever. As a fan I'm excited.
As we sit here right now it appears that Texas and Texas A&M are on different pages as to what is best for each. It may well work out that they travel together once all is said and done but that scenario is no longer a sure thing.
Just to update, A&M is seriously considering an opportunity to join the SEC and there have been reports that Oklahoma is also giving the SEC option some thought. As for Texas, they are playing the high and mighty academic game in relation to their AAU designation but I truly believe they simply want no part of playing in the SEC athletically. They can rule the roost in either the Big 12 or PAC 10 but that would not be the case in the SEC. Even with the SEC willingness to move Bama & Auburn to the East to make it work, Texas knows it would have to face a beast annually in the championship game that could very well knock the Horns out of an NC shot.
OK, I ended yesterday by hinting at the roles the Big East and ACC will play in all of this. My whole hearted belief is that both conferences will have teams taken from them, Big East by the Big 10 and the ACC by the SEC. The ACC may be ok if the SEC lands Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, & Ok. St., but if not the SEC will look to the ACC. Likely candidates? Clemson, FSU, GT, Miami, and VT. Of course the Miami AD has already come out and expressed Miami's undying love for the ACC. That is, of course, as long as they aren't left in a basketball only league.
As for the Big East, no doubt they will be targeted by the Big 10 to fill out at least three of the four final spots to get to the super conference 16. Candidates? More than likely Rutgers, Syracuse, and PITT. The 4th of course will be held for Notre Dame to realize they are irrelevant when standing alone and come on home. But, should Notre Dame continue to live in the distant past, it appears Mizzou will be back in play for a Big 10 spot.
In a strange twist, former SEC commissioner Roy Kramer stated in an interview that he believes the SEC will target West Virginia from the Big East as one of four should the Big 12 targets not work out.
Not sure if or when they'll be a part 4. I think I've covered all that has been reported as well as my thoughts/beliefs.
No matter, as has been stated by any and all, college athletics is set to change forever. As a fan I'm excited.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
CFB Expansion Part 2...
Now that Colorado has accepted a PAC 10 bid things will probably slow down just a little over the weekend. Not rumors/reports/stories, just actual happenings; outside of Friday's official announcement that Nebraska is Big 10 bound of course.
Rumors have swirled today that the SEC has indeed had talks with Texas, A&M, & Oklahoma, months ago actually, which I love to hear. Not sure it will mean anything, but I'm glad that Slive was being proactive. I think those three plus Ok. St. to the SEC may be a pipe dream of mine, but you know, dreams are made to come true.
What I think may really be happening is, as was stated in a reply to "CFB Expansion Part 1", that Texas is going to step up and be the big boy leader of keeping the Big 12 together. Just when the Mountain West was ready to take another step towards becoming an AQ conference by adding Boise St. they may very well be losing TCU to the Big 12.
I also think that the Big 12 may take a serious look at SMU as their pedigree is rsing with June Jones and facility upgrades. The poster stated that Rice may be a replacement, and I'd imagine they certainly could be, but I'm going with SMU. I wonder if Houston or Colorado St. would get looks. Colorado St. hasn't really been relevant lately but being in the Big 12 could help change that. As for Houston, something screams gimmick about them to me. That's probably not fair, but life isn't fair and I simply can't take Houston seriously as a power conference member.
I'm still not sure where the ACC and/or Big East fit in, but I do have an idea, and it isn't great for either. Those stories to come tomorrow.
Rumors have swirled today that the SEC has indeed had talks with Texas, A&M, & Oklahoma, months ago actually, which I love to hear. Not sure it will mean anything, but I'm glad that Slive was being proactive. I think those three plus Ok. St. to the SEC may be a pipe dream of mine, but you know, dreams are made to come true.
What I think may really be happening is, as was stated in a reply to "CFB Expansion Part 1", that Texas is going to step up and be the big boy leader of keeping the Big 12 together. Just when the Mountain West was ready to take another step towards becoming an AQ conference by adding Boise St. they may very well be losing TCU to the Big 12.
I also think that the Big 12 may take a serious look at SMU as their pedigree is rsing with June Jones and facility upgrades. The poster stated that Rice may be a replacement, and I'd imagine they certainly could be, but I'm going with SMU. I wonder if Houston or Colorado St. would get looks. Colorado St. hasn't really been relevant lately but being in the Big 12 could help change that. As for Houston, something screams gimmick about them to me. That's probably not fair, but life isn't fair and I simply can't take Houston seriously as a power conference member.
I'm still not sure where the ACC and/or Big East fit in, but I do have an idea, and it isn't great for either. Those stories to come tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
CFB Expansion Part 1...
Now that Nebraska has decided to jump the Big 12 ship for the Big 10 tanker-in-the-works I wonder where the rest of dominoes will fall.
It is reported that the PAC 10 will invite Texas, A&M, TX Tech, Oklahoma, Ok. St., & Colorado (Colorado despite immense political pressure from the Texas State Legislature to include Baylor and keep the Texas brethren together).
My question is simple, where does the SEC and Mike Slive stand in/on all of this. I simply cannot believe that Slive, the league's presidents and AD's will stand by while the PAC 10 decides the fate of the college football landscape. I have to believe that Slive has had the discussions necessary with the right parties from the appropriate league(s). My guess as to why those haven't been leaked is the power of the Slive and the SEC to say, you tell and you're out.
In reference to the "league(s)" above my FIRM belief is that the SEC should be talking to Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, & Ok. St. about coming over with the prospect of moving Bama & Auburn to the Eastern division. This is the only way for the SEC to expand its TV footprint; the ONLY way.
My fear is that the SEC will be somewhat arrogant and simply let these Big12/Big 10/PAC 10 dominoes fall then go take Clemson, FSU, GT, & Miami from the ACC (possibly VT in place of one of those) with the assumption that the on-field product will be enough to offset the lack of an expanded TV market. BAD IDEA! VERY BAD!
The SEC needs to not only be at the forefront of the decision making process of college football, it needs to be the highest ranking decision maker. More over, the SEC now has the opportunity to put its foot on the collective throat of conference dominance in every way and it need not sit by and react. The SEC must be proactive.
I have many thoughts on this issue, most of which are in reference to which teams should wind in which leagues; more to come.
It is reported that the PAC 10 will invite Texas, A&M, TX Tech, Oklahoma, Ok. St., & Colorado (Colorado despite immense political pressure from the Texas State Legislature to include Baylor and keep the Texas brethren together).
My question is simple, where does the SEC and Mike Slive stand in/on all of this. I simply cannot believe that Slive, the league's presidents and AD's will stand by while the PAC 10 decides the fate of the college football landscape. I have to believe that Slive has had the discussions necessary with the right parties from the appropriate league(s). My guess as to why those haven't been leaked is the power of the Slive and the SEC to say, you tell and you're out.
In reference to the "league(s)" above my FIRM belief is that the SEC should be talking to Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, & Ok. St. about coming over with the prospect of moving Bama & Auburn to the Eastern division. This is the only way for the SEC to expand its TV footprint; the ONLY way.
My fear is that the SEC will be somewhat arrogant and simply let these Big12/Big 10/PAC 10 dominoes fall then go take Clemson, FSU, GT, & Miami from the ACC (possibly VT in place of one of those) with the assumption that the on-field product will be enough to offset the lack of an expanded TV market. BAD IDEA! VERY BAD!
The SEC needs to not only be at the forefront of the decision making process of college football, it needs to be the highest ranking decision maker. More over, the SEC now has the opportunity to put its foot on the collective throat of conference dominance in every way and it need not sit by and react. The SEC must be proactive.
I have many thoughts on this issue, most of which are in reference to which teams should wind in which leagues; more to come.
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