Conference realignment comes roaring back as reports of OU to Pac-12 resurface and SEC officially accepts A&M

Posted by Matt Tait September 12, 2011 at 11:03 a.m.

7:24 p.m. Update:

Meanwhile, the Missouri board of curators is meeting tonight — the meeting was previously scheduled — and, when it does, its members will see an agenda item that is just vague enough to include talk about realignment.

Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton is the current chair of the Big 12's board of directors.

Also noteworthy is a similar meeting at Oklahoma, scheduled for next Monday, which includes an agenda item that has the wording "negotiation" included on it. Could be school-related, could be conference realignment related. Could be completely irrelevant by then.

Stay tuned...

6:53 p.m. Update:

Real quick... Here's this from Pac-12 commish Larry Scott, after hearing the news about the SEC accepting A&M. The quote comes from Bryan Fischer's Twitter feed. Fischer covers national college football and recruiting for CBSSports.com.

"If schools are going to leave the Big 12 and there's going to be a paradigm shift, or a landscape change as people like to describe it, we'll go ahead and step back and look at our options, then reconsider (expansion)."

5:07 p.m. Update:

According to its web site, the SEC officially has accepted Texas A&M into the conference, with or without the permission of the Big 12.

Here is the official statement from SEC commissioner Mike Slive:

"In the 78 year history of the SEC, the conference had accepted the membership applications of only two institutions—Arkansas and South Carolina. Texas A&M is now the third. We remain optimistic that Texas A&M will be a member of the SEC and have started to look at schedules for 2012-13 involving thirteen teams.

"As I said over the past year or so, the SEC has had no particular interest in expansion. We were, and are, happy with 12 teams. If Texas A&M’s President, Dr. Bowen Loftin had not called me in late July, we had no plans to explore adding an institution.

"However, when President Loftin called we became interested. Texas A&M is an outstanding academic institution with an exceptional athletic program, passionate fans and wonderful traditions. While the SEC wasn't thinking about expansion, it was impossible not to be interested in Texas A&M. As you can see from the unanimous vote of our twelve Presidents/Chancellors, we would very much like to have Texas A&M as a member of our conference.

"When Texas A&M joins our conference, we don't have immediate plans for a 14th member. We aren’t thinking in terms of numbers. We think about the strength of the SEC and the attractiveness of Texas A&M as an institution."

What does this mean, you may be asking? A lot and not much all at once.

I think it's been a foregone conclusion for days now that A&M would wind up in the SEC. Nothing's new there. What is new is that the SEC is talking about exploring scheduling options with 13 teams. Interesting.

Does that mean they're not looking for that mystery 14th team? Is that because they're happy with 13 teams or because they don't want to be the one that starts the widespread panic and mass chaos that surely would hit the rest of the conferences and country?

I'm leaning toward option B here. The SEC has been very careful all along to not step outside of what's legally allowed. I don't know how they could be held accountable for what other conferences may decide to do in the aftermath, but, then again, this is such a hot issue that you never know what could happen or who's capable of what.

This puts us a step closer to some sort of resolution, even if most of us knew it was coming all along.

Stay tuned...

2:57 p.m. Update:

With rumors of OU and OSU heading to the Pac-12 heating up and questions surfacing about whether the Sooners and Cowboys would face threats of a lawsuit similar to those leveraged against Texas A&M by Baylor, here's a good article from Forbes that examines the merit of any such lawsuits and explains just what legal relevance there is.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/09/12/a-baylor-lawsuit-against-sec-would-not-be-a-slamdunk/

Still pretty quiet everywhere else as people digest the OU news. I was able to confirm that KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger is neither in Dallas or Austin today.

Stay tuned...

1:01 p.m. Update:

Here's this blog entry from Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman, posted a little less than an hour ago. It's short and sweet but brings us up to speed on where we stand currently along with what decisions Texas is facing.

About a dozen administrators from Texas and Oklahoma, including the presidents of both schools and some regents, met in Norman, Okla., on Sunday to discuss potential realignment and get a better understanding of the possible destinations for both schools.

Texas made it clear it wants to preserve the Big 12, but sources say OU made it just as clear it plans to pursue membership in the Pac-12 Conference along with fellow league member Oklahoma State.

The Longhorns’ plans remain unclear, but it appears they will have to choose between becoming an independent to keep their Longhorn Network or joining the Pac-12 or possibly the ACC as a last option.

OU and OSU do not have invites to the Pac-12.

Texas president William Powers flew with athletic director DeLoss Dodds and women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky for the meeting but were unavailable for comment.

Here's a link to Bohls' blog: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bohls/entries/2011/09/12/texas_ou_meet.html

Stay tuned...

12:39 p.m. Update:

Got a few emails from some concerned readers... Concerned about KU and my mental health. Remember, this blog is about throwing out everything that I'm hearing. The situation is so fluid and there are so many different ways it could go. That's why there are so many different scenarios being kicked around.

I've got good sources at different schools in the conference and I'm checking with all of them.

At the end of the day, I maintain that KU will be fine in all of this and will not get left out of a major conference.

Some have enjoyed my percentage update so here's the latest:

Big 12 - 38%
Big East - 32%
Pac-12 - 17%
ACC - 10%
Other - 3%

Stay tuned...

12:23 p.m. Update:

Just heard back from a source outside of the Big 12... Nothing concrete here but he pointed out that the Big 12, even without Oklahoma AND Texas could survive. How, you might ask? By doing some raiding of its own and asking others to join in the fun.

Right now, conventional wisdom says that the leftover Big 12 schools could and should join the Big East. But what if it goes the other way? Follow me here.

What if the Pac-12 adds OU, OSU, UT and Texas Tech? What if, the SEC adds A&M, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Missouri? What if the Big Ten adds Notre Dame, Pitt, Maryland and Rutgers

That would leave Big East football schools like Syracuse, UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville and South Florida looking for a home. No way the Big East can survive in the current landscape with just five football schools.

So, those five join the Big 12 leftovers — KU, K-State, Baylor, Iowa State — and the league pulls in BYU, Air Force and SMU or Houston to create a 12-team football league.

It's not the best option (or is it?) but it allows KU to become the big dog in the conference and brings in some decent football and maintains solid basketball. Beyond that, the league keeps its automatic qualifier status in the BCS, keeps its TV contracts (though maybe slightly renegotiated) and maintains a presence in the middle of the country as well as in Texas.

Not putting my money on that one happening. Just wanted to remind you that it's a possibility and also illustrate how messy this thing can, and probably will, get.

Stay tuned...

12:11 p.m. Update:

Just made about a half dozen phone calls and am waiting to hear back... While we wait, let's look at a few scenarios that could play out and try to see where KU sits in all of this.

A. I could not get anyone official to confirm that the Big East had made a fallback offer to Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri last week, but I did get a couple of people to nod their heads in that direction. I know the Big East is not high on most people's lists, but it does seem like the league could be a decent landing spot for KU if the Big 12 falls apart.

B. Let's talk Big Ten. I know many think it's a longshot and I'm not saying it's likely but I still think there's a better chance of this happening than most people believe. Consider this, what if that report of Texas and Notre Dame to the Big Ten is accurate. The B1G would then need two more schools to get to 16 in order to keep up with the Pac-12 and SEC. KU and Missouri anyone? I know officials at both schools would walk over hot coals to join the Big Ten should the Big 12 fall apart so you can bet that they'll have commissioner Jim Delany sitting on speed-dial No. 1.

C. Pac-12. This one depends on Texas. If OU and OSU are in, which Chip Brown's report indicates, then the Pac-12 would need two more schools. If Texas is either (a) too upset to join the Sooners or (b) too much of a mess for the Pac-12 to want them, then the need for two more Pac schools pops up. That could be KU and Mizzou. That could even be KU and K-State. I've heard KU mentioned in both scenarios. In addition, the scenario still exists that the Pac-12 takes the schools it WANTS here, regardless of state ties, and winds up with OU, UT, KU and MU. That'd be hard for Kansas to turn down.

D. ACC. The ACC has been pretty quiet in all of this but there is some merit to the idea of the leftover Big 12 combining with the ACC to make one heck of a basketball conference and a decent football league. A lot of things would have to fall into place before this one could happen — most notably the Big Ten and SEC plucking the right schools for their expansion efforts — but don't rule this one out yet.

All right. Hopefully you're caught up... for now.

Stay tuned...

11:39 a.m. Update:

Here's a pretty good column from The Norman Transcript that outlines just how wacky OU's decision to stay or go actually is.

http://normantranscript.com/sports/x1753729142/Are-fans-putting-Sooners-or-themselves-first

11:21 a.m. Update:

While the talk of OU and OSU to the Pac-12 has picked up steam, those who cover the two schools closest are saying that it's not a foregone conclusion or a done deal.

From today's Oklahoman: http://newsok.com/sec-official-expects-texas-a-expanded-pac-12-might-not-use-division-model/article/3603307?custom_click=lead_story_title

While the Sooners may be leaning toward heading west, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said throughout the weekend that the Pac-12 would not be the one that fires the first shot in all of this. Could be sincere, could be coach speak. Could be a huge factor.

The key cog in all of this continues to be A&M's move to the SEC... When or if that becomes official, it likely will "force" other conferences to act and you can expect to see an all-out scramble unfold.

Until then, though, nobody wants to be labeled as the one who brought down college football conferences as we knew them. So we wait.

And the longer we do, the more time schools in the Big 12 have to plan their strategy against A&M — and potentially OU and OSU — leaving the league.

We already saw Baylor stand up once. And with Ken Starr calling the shots and the Bears having the most to lose here, they stand to remain a force to be reckoned with. They may eventually give in but not without a fight. The fact that they have support from at least five other Big 12 schools only makes this whole ordeal destined to become quite a mess.

Still waiting on calls back to hear if anything came out of UT's trip to Norman. Oh to be a fly on the wall in that room, where the Longhorns likely were on their proverbial knees asking the Sooners to help 'em out. Nah.

Stay tuned...

10:43 a.m. Update:

Well, that sure was nice.

An entire weekend where the focus was more on college football than conference realignment, more on touchdowns and tackles than sources and rumors. I'm sure part of it was out of respect for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and I'm guessing at least a small chunk was out of respect for the sanity of man.

Well, that's over. Back to business.

We start this morning with a whopper of a report out of Texas that says OU officials will vote to apply for membership to the Pac-12 in the next couple of weeks.

Where OU goes, so goes Oklahoma State. With those two gone, you have to wonder if the Big 12 even has a snowball's chance of survival.

Here's the report from Chip Brown, of Orangebloods.com. Brown has great ties to the Texas program and sources are indicating that a contingent of UT folks made a quick trip to Norman, Okla., on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt to talk the Sooners into staying.

http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1263940

No official word on how that went, but it sure doesn't sound good.

I'm jumping on the phones and web sites right now to see what I can drum up, but this is not a good sign for the Big 12.

Sources close to KU have said in the past that even if OU left there would be a chance that the Big 12 could survive with Texas as the lead dog. But dropping down to seven teams is not a good step in that direction.

Stay tuned...

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claycountyjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Y'all know the ole saying.it dont matter if you win or lose.Its how much you get paid. fu ou

Krohnutz 1 year, 8 months ago

I enjoy when you are first post, your avatar has to be one of the better on this website.

I mean, you could post, "Blah blah blah, spaghetti; blah, blah, blah stromboli..." but I'm still all eyes.

selfishhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Officials at "KU have said in the past that event if OU left there would be a chance that the Big 12 could survive...." What a joke!! Our administration is failing miserably!!!

Matt Tait 1 year, 8 months ago

Before you go on, the story says: Sources close to KU.... NOT officials at KU. BIG difference.

Still working... Hang in there.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I posted this under Keegan's article, but it seems more appropriate here:

Here is what the latest rumor is from a PAC person (sorry don't know the source):

*Larry Scott has permission, from every school, to expand despite verbal denials from certain schools. Colorado and Arizona are the schools who oppose expansion the most, but the money is too much to even consider stopping it

**Pod schedule is likely. Schools will likely play in California every year and SoCal every other year. Expansion isn't done to keep rivalries alive, the important factors are money, tv markets, and some regional rivalries. (Cali schools/UW & Oregon/Big-12). It also avoids sending schools to Corvalis and Pullman anything sooner than every four years outside of the pods.

***Oklahoma already accepted an invite to the PAC-12, they are waiting for the SEC to call Baylor's bluff and take TAMU in. OSU is only tied with Oklahoma if that's what Texas wants. Oklahoma is concerned about leaving OSU but cares much more about their future and will go along with whatever the PAC-12 wants. They would also leave Texas (much like they left Nebraska when the Big-12 was formed) if a scenario too.

****It Texas doesnt feel like coming, Kansas and Missouri would get strong considerations for the PAC-12. TTU and OSU aren't needed despite how much money Pickens could throw at schools. The big thing now is that Rice could come into play if Texas wanted them as they have better academics and offer the Houston market.

*USC and UW are the big fans of expansion right now (UCLA uses it's weight because they get what USC gets but is content to sit in the back and watch). They probably gave up the most considering what they brought to the league and getting great schools (Texas and Oklahoma) only brings them in more money.

**The ideal scenario is Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri

I'm still hoping the Big XII is saved in some format, but, if I were Scott, the four I want are ou-ut-ku-mu. Red River Rivalry, Border War. Four main state schools capturing the Texas markets all the way to St. Louis with Missouri being the touchstone between the PAC and the other two main conferences, SEC and B1G.

PAC is limited by geography. That gives them the biggest footprint and the most lucrative regional contracts. You get the biggest athletics program in the nation (Texas), one of the top football powers in the nation (Oklahoma), one of the top basketball programs in the nation (Kansas), and one of the most populous states in the central midwest with a good overall athletics program (Missouri). You get three AAU schools in that bargain as well. Not to mention you take away four possible candidates from the B1G and three from the SEC. This deal would be bigger than the land grab he tried last year because you wouldn't have to take, A&M, OSU, and Tech. If the Big XII has to fall, this is the scenario, as a KU fan, I would want to see most.

Matt Tait 1 year, 8 months ago

Can't see any way OU leaves OSU out of the Pac-12 unless the Pac-12 demands it. Can't imagine they'd do that because then they'd risk losing OU. It is a best-case for the Pac and for KU but it's not gonna happen.

Most likely option regarding KU to the Pac is KU, MU, OU and OSU...

Texas left to rebuild the Southwest Conference with Houston, SMU, TCU, Tech, Baylor, whomever... K-State and Iowa State left scrambling into the Mountain West.

Sickening how quickly this whole thing can turn on a dime.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I think the reasoning behind it is Texas. If it is true that OU has already accepted the PAC invite (notice OSU is never in these reports) and will do what the PAC thinks is best, then Texas is their next biggest priority. This is where that LHN mess comes into play. Texas-TTech doesn't add much value to that network, but a "Red River Network" is a huge draw. It would rival the SoCal Network and they would probably get some sort of extra consideration like the SoCal will.

If this is about money and TV, then doubling down in Oklahoma does not maximize profits. KU-MU does and the potential payoff from these third tier regional networks would be off the charts. At 12 members, the low end estimate in 4 years is 14m/school/year. With Red River and Border War added, that number could equal the 20m/school/yr they get from their primary contract.

Hammertoe 1 year, 8 months ago

the chances of ku going to the pac 12. Zero. Just for basketball and in an unpopulated state? Big east is all that will take a basketball only school.

jhox 1 year, 8 months ago

I don't think Texas will go with OU out West. If the ACC would take them, and their network, they may got that route. Otherwise, I look for Texas to end up in the Big 10. If they're going to have to give up the LHN anyway, they may as well go to the best all around major conference in terms of academics, research dollars and revenues. They would only go to the Pac 12 if that conference was willing to let the LHN stay in place in some form or another. Besides, OU is doing this against Texas' will, and I can't see them doing anything that would help OU under these circumstances. Texas is much too selfish.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I think the B1G is a real possibility, but ND will hold out until the last possible moment. I don't think that Texas will choose the ACC over the PAC. ACC may be plucked as well (though not as severely if Texas joins), but the ACC cannot project the kind of money the PAC is. In four years, conference members could be earning about 40m/year with combined primary and regional network payouts. Until and if the B1G can gain more equity in their own network, there's not another conference in the nation that can compete with the PAC on a financial payout basis. It dwarfs anything the LHN can do on its own.

The question, then, for Texas is control. How much are they willing to sacrifice. If none of it, then maybe the ACC does win out. I don't think Texas bypasses the payday, though.

jhox 1 year, 8 months ago

You're probably right about the ACC...Texas is probably just using them for leverage, but you never know. Texas wants to be in control and run the show, that is the one certainty. However, if UT goes to the ACC, they probably don't go alone, and the ACC contract likely gets sweetened the next time they can negotiate.

If the conference dissolves, my money is on the Big 10 (for Texas.)

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

If the Texas-Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri quad is the option, here are my predictions for the remaining schools:

SEC has a "balance problem" in their divisions. With Missouri gone and the PAC going to 16 the SEC will seek to aggressively get to 16 as well. OSU gets an invite. I think the SEC then makes an aggressive play for UNC and Virginia Tech. If the ACC holds strong, West Virginia, Baylor and TCU are all possibilities, especially if the SEC sees it as getting an even stronger hold in Texas.

If the SEC doesn't come calling for Baylor, both Baylor and Tech are looking at MWC or cusa. isu may be an odd man out and settle in the MAC.

KSU may get an invite to whatever fourth super conference comes about. If the PAC goes to 16 and the SEC and B1G follow suit, both the ACC and BEAST stand to lose some of their top schools. Will the fourth conference be dominated by one of those two conferences, a collaboration, or will there just be a bunch of schools with some sort of committee to put together the strongest remaining schools in an attempt to compete with the big 3? Obviously, the last scenario benefits KSU the most.

5to6 1 year, 8 months ago

If a conference can overcome political objections to a UT/OU/KU/MU quad (in particular, the tie between OU and OSU would still seem to be a major consideration), there's another option aside from the Pac-12. As much as the B1G covets moving east, if Jim Delany could pull this one off he'd have all of those advantages you mentioned above (two football powerhouses, a basketball powerhouse and a solid overall program in a well-populated state). He'd also expand his conference's footprint all the way from the Canadian border to the Gulf coast, and add a fast-growing state in TX to his rust-belt-based conference. The other obstacle would be finding a way to shoehorn TLN into this scenario, but these schools could join with NU, IU, WI, and MN to form a western division up the I-35 corridor that would give the B1G a massive and powerful footprint across the Eastern and Central time zones. The schools would be a decent cultural fit within the B1G whole, and by keeping many long-time rivals together you'd have a closer fit within each division. With many other traditional powerful and well-heeled schools in the conference, UT would have a big voice but not the only voice.

yourworstnightmare 1 year, 8 months ago

More shenanigans by Texas, to paint OU as the bad guy. UT secretly hopes OU makes the first move, so that they can then pursue options without responsibility of breaking up the conference.

This dishonest behavior by UT is why all teams should want out of the Big teIXas conference. UT is poison, a conference destroyer. They did it to the SWC, and we are witnessing their dismantling of the Big 12, which formed by destroying the old Big 8 at Texas's behest.

Bear86 1 year, 8 months ago

Could not agree more. Hopefully our administration is getting it. F-Texas!!

blindrabbit 1 year, 8 months ago

OU , OSU and KU to the Pac-12 and if they need a Texas team TT as well; makes 16. Texas on their own, A&M to SEC along with Mizzury, KSU and ISU need to find a home, Baylor to relump with form SWC buddies, TCU, SMU, Rice and Houston.

Hammertoe 1 year, 8 months ago

Mizzou is in much better position than KU for a power conference. they win in football and have twice the population with only one Division I school. KU will be joining the other "left behinds" in the weak Big East.....

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

I would think the Pac-12 should be able to call the shots and clearly OU-UT-MU-KU would be the preferred scenario for the Pac-12. Bigger market expansion, classic rivalries, raise academic profile with 3 AAU schools. In a negotiation, if OU wants to go to the Pac-12, and the Pac-12 doesn't want O-State, what are OU's options? Other than keep the Big 12 together, there aren't any. I believe the Big 10 has turned them down and they do not want to be in the SEC.

I would also appear that if an offer is already on the table, there will be more 'tortuous interference' law suits.

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

Agree...always have said those are the 4 best teams.

blindrabbit 1 year, 8 months ago

Mizzou's only option to me is the SEC. Don't think the Big-10 or Pac-12 want a former slaver school from a slaver state in their midst. I know the Civil War has been over for 146 years, but attitudes and history runs deep. If the Pac-12 would not want TT then the 16th team could be either BYU or New Mexico!

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Its not a factor. Texas was a "slaver" state. MIssouri is the "Gateway to the West", they fit in an extended PAC. Plus, Mizzou is an AAU school, so their academic profile fits the PAC more as well.

DalTXJayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

More rumors had mizzu at risk of losing their AAU status.

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

BYU was already rejected by the PAC 12 which is why they are independent now. They can spin it however they want, but BYU wanted a PAC 12 invite and didn't get one because of their religious affiliation and would jump at a chance to join a Big 12 with Texas and OU in it. New Mexico doesn't add anything of importance to the conference. If you think the former slavery status of a state has any impact on this decision, go look how Chinese immigrants were treated out west while the railroads were being built and tell me if that region has any room to talk about slavery. Or how about the Japanese internment camps during WWII? Not exactly a proud moment for California either.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Also, the SEC may be inclined to take OSU because that reduces the threat and power of the law suit. If MU, KU, OU, UT, A&M and OSU all have secured places to go, they can vote to dissolve the conference. While that doesn't stop individual cases from being brought up, it does delete the exit fees.

jhawk43 1 year, 8 months ago

Every official from every school in the Big 9 tells the truth every time. So each interview and story is that much more important. I can not imagine a school saying they were commited to this conference and then decommiting and commiting somewhere else. Does that ever happen in college sports? I am just glad to be part of a conference with such credible higher ups with such high integrity with not only their words, but also their actions too. It really sets a good example and educates the students at thee institutions.

trey 1 year, 8 months ago

The Big12 is dead and the PAC is our best option, and a great one at that. However, all along I've been concerned that BGL and Zenger don't get it...

Our biggest risk in realignment is Texas Tech (which is incredible when you think about it). But the PAC would likely take them over KU if it's demanded by Texas as a condition of them going.

That's why a pre-emptive move by KU should have been the play. The PAC doesn't want TTech, and would much prefer KU. KU should have lobbied Larry Scott to be the 13th school to join. That would eliminate Tech. OU and OSU would follow quickly, and then the ball would be in Texas court... Either come solo, or the PAC invites Missouri.

By BGL and Zenger waiting around for OU or Texas to move, they're putting KU at great risk.

And for anyone that thinks going to the Big East is a good or better option than PAC, you're dillusional. The Big East is dead-man-walking. Those good schools that look like great basketball rivalries for KU (Syracuse, UConn, Pitt, West Virginia) will all be gone, moving to the BIG, SEC or ACC.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Unfortunately, its not our call to make, even if we wanted to. Texas is the prize and not even KU and MU make up for it. The PAC will risk losing KU and MU before it gives up on Texas, it is just that valuable. I imagine any negotiations involving KU (and MU) to the PAC are all conditional right now and so while it may "appear" the KU brass isn't doing anything, I would be surprised if our contingencies aren't already there. A&M is the linchpin. Once they go, things will happen quickly and the number of attractive schools is not "limitless". Scott seems to savvy to let his best deals fly out to other conferences. When it goes down, I imagine there will be some quick "in or out" questions posed and decisions made.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

Well said

dannylandulf 1 year, 8 months ago

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If we end up in a skeleton Big 12 or Big East BGL and Zenger should be fired on the spot. They are both the default and 'worst case' options and show they spent their time trying to save a obviously dying league instead of being proactive.

jhox 1 year, 8 months ago

I don't see Bill Self letting KU go to the Pac 12. I believe when push comes to shove, it will be what Bill wants, and he would likely want the Big East affiliation. He prefers East coast toughness to West coast finesse, and the Big East affiliation would help him recruit the East coast. I really don't believe it is BGL or Zenger's call. The most valuable employee at KU will be making the final call on this one.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

You're not looking at this from the right perspective. This isn't about competition. If you think Self trumps the President and Chancellor on these decisions, you're living in a fantasy land. No way Self quits when his school lands in a major conference with a huge payday for the university.

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

+1, as much as we love and adore Bill, he has little or no say in this deal.

jhox 1 year, 8 months ago

Let's see. I recall Al Bohl getting fired because Roy crushed him like a little bird.

While Miles Brand wasn't fired at Indiana after letting Bobby Knight go, he severely hurt his popularity among student's and alumni, and hurt his own effectivness. This for firing a guy who had it coming.

There has been a similar situation in North Carolina, with the chancellor there taking heat for his firing of Butch Davis, even though Davis violated rules.

I'm getting old and maybe I'm dreaming this, but I seem to recall a chancellor getting fired somewhere in recent years over a pissing match with a coach. I may be dreaming that, but I don't think so.

I would not want to be the Chancellor who made a decision that caused a very popular Bill Self to go packing. These decisions are not made in a vacuum. Self is a very popular coach, and almost certainly responsible for more funds being raised at KU than any other employee of the university. Don't underestimate the say so he is going to have in this decision.

Krohnutz 1 year, 8 months ago

Al Bohl was already on the hot seat, we were just dragging our feet about firing him.

When your credentials from a past employer turn out to be cooked books, and they are seeking legal recourse, it usually looks bad on you.

Bohl was done, Roy just made sure it got completed before he split.

jgkojak 1 year, 8 months ago

Remember...

1) The TV networks cannot pay the existing Big 12 LESS money as they could be sued for breach of contract (enticing schools to leave to sign bigger deals and thus harming the schools who thought they had a deal in the old B12).

2) The Big 12 charter says 5 schools remaning = The Big 12. We have those 5 easily (KU, KSU, ISU, Baylor, MU, maybe Texas Tech if they look like they're being left out and more importantly Texas - if they have a reason to hold out).

3) It remains in the best interest of KU and MU (let alone KSU and ISU) for the B12 to survive - even if it means going nuts and raiding the Big East and MWC. (see below)

4) I suspect if Texas doesn't go Pac they have cooked up a deal to join the B10 in 2016 with Notre Dame. Otherwise...

How the 5 teams could re-constitute a B12: ranked football teams/+NCAA Tourney basketball teams Existing members: KU+ KSU+ MU+ ISU Baylor+ New members (in order of importance): BYU+ TCU+ Louisville+ Cincinatti+ Houston+ Air Force South Florida*

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

If conferences go to 16, there will be a push to form that fourth "big". That power will probably reside in the ACC-BEAST. Whatever decision comes from that consortium will also dictate what schools go where. It is quite possible that schools like MU, KU and even Baylor go there. If there are enough schools with attractive offers elsewhere, they will have the majority vote to dissolve the conference. If that happens, there is no "Big XII' deal at that point.

trey 1 year, 8 months ago

I think you're being "blinded" by listing MU on that list. MU will not be in this conference; they'll go likely to SEC, possible BIG.

So take MU off list and then how does it look?

Looks like Concerence USA to me. Certainly NOTHING like the ACC, BIG, SEC or PAC.

This would be disaster for KU. Self would be gone in 2 years max.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I think we're getting too far down the line at that point. MU will absolutely take a PAC offer. They get their regional network paid for them with KU, get to keep their biggest rival, and make 21m/year from the primary contract plus 14-20m/year from the regional network pool contract. B1G is focused on ND and schools to the east to add viewership numbers. Their contract is not as lucrative as the PAC because the BTN is not 100% owned by the conference. Mizzou sees the SEC as option 3. B1G is what they want, but they won't wait if PAC offers and the B1G stalls. Too much money and security on the line.

Your worst case scenario assumes quite a bit. Did Texas decline? Did Texas demand another Texas school? Otherwise, it could be Tex, OU, OSU and KU. C-USA would be a disaster, but KU would also get big consideration in the fourth super conference. Long ways before we get to non AQ territory.

142466 1 year, 8 months ago

Agreed.

KU & MU are going to the PAC. But, first OU & OSU will PAC. Soon.

Next spring, after TV revenue issues are resolved. ut & TTech join.

A few days later KU & Mizzou PAC.

PAC 18 is what Scott wants. 18 will be the resting place for the other Supers, too, although it will take them 2 or 3 years to get there.

Scott fully realizes that he must act quickly to get to 18. Because there are few available PAC caliber candidates west of the St. Louis arch. If just a few of these candidates go east, his vision of 18 vanishes.

KU & MU are prominent in Scott's vision. And KU is UCLA's top choice. Both desire to reel in the best bb school west of the arch. Yeah, I know all these realignments are mostly about football. KU is the one exception, big time.

Mizzou will be PACin next spring, too. The historical record will state that KU lobbied for KSU's inclusion. But we will quickly agree when the PAC says, "no. we want Mizzou.".

The PAC 18, with fb & bb schedules heavily weighted towards intra-divisional play, will be a great outcome for KU. The various objections & concerns expressed on the several LJW bolgs can be easily overcome. KU administrators should be diligently working to make it happen.

kusteveh 1 year, 8 months ago

It's already been reported that the new Fox contract will be null and void if the league goes below 10 teams, thus the push to get another school before Boren opened his mouth.

HighEliteMajor 1 year, 8 months ago

And coach Self leaves ....

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

That's not an AQ conference. Who's the marquee football program in that group? BYU, Missouri? That's not an AQ conference. Might be a good enough basketball conference to keep Self around, but not an AQ conference in football.

FlintHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Keegan mentioned this article in his column. It's absolutely worth reading. My brother, a huge Jayhawk fan who lives in CA, called me last night, very upbeat — after he'd read Travis' piece — about the future of the Conference, May it have the same effect on all of us:

http://outkickthecoverage.com/big-12-television-contract-likely-to-protect-league.php

Shield 1 year, 8 months ago

I like one the Regents who said KSU and KU should be in the same conference.

Don't leap too quickly thinking the Big 12 can't be saved back to 12 again. Air Force, Colorado State and Houston are regional consideration additions. Way before any invite to the Big 10 for Missouri.

The media instability can be fixed if a league network was started, without Texas content on it. It makes no sense to bust up the Big 12 because of Longhorn Network and some other Conference accepts Texas just fine.

Who says Pac 12 Universities want OU and OSU at all. It is huge increase in miles to travel and it ruin many traditions in the Conference if its split. Colorado President is going to vote No to Pac 12 expansion so might others. The biggest harm is on people in this realignment. People and teams have to travel thousands of miles to play each other and it's not necessary.

12 is good number for Pac 12, Big 12 and Big 10. SEC could expand to 14 and it all stops. Since Pacific is part of the Pac 12 name, adding more mid western Universities goes against many ideals. Larry Scott may forced by the members to stay at 12.

The Big 12 could expand with BYU and Louisville to 14. This is what we should be fighting for. Don't expect the Big 12 to blow up, fight to stay relevant with your blog posts. Quit calling the Big East!

kusteveh 1 year, 8 months ago

I've never been convinced the Pac 12 would take either OSU or Tech, last time we went through this Chip Brown on OB reported the Pac 10 was not going to take OSU and they were going for KU, which is why L. Scott was scheduled to fly to KCI until UT said they were staying. Especially now that Pac 12 has "more hand" I don't see them taking Tech or OSU.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Reference Tait's 12:23 p.m. Update:

The only possible problem is that there will be a push to 16 to avoid losing the AQ condition and we now have an ACC without two of their primary football schools. That means FSU, Miami and UNC are also in the picture. That creates a power vacuum over who decides what the "right 16" is and it spreads the conference all over the eastern United States. Big XII has the best conference deal, so are they in control? ACC has the most remaining schools, so are they in control. Big East has the best TV markets, so are they in control. That could be bigger chaos than what is going on right now.

phoggedin 1 year, 8 months ago

kusteveh, the Pac-12's choice to expand is based on its nervousness about getting left out of the superconference era. If they think the SEC is going to 16, then the Pac feels that it needs to be at 16, too. But because of geography, its options are limited. BYU would be the natural 13th school, but the Pac presidents reject it because of its religious affiliation. So you're left with UNLV, San Diego State, Colorado State or other similar schools. If the Pac can get Oklahoma, it's a clear upgrade over those other options. They take OK State as a package deal -- it's what they have to do to get Oklahoma.

I still think there's a chance (small, but still a chance) that the Pac presidents vote against adding either Oklahoma school, however. Larry Scott is going to have to make some very compelling arguments about why they need those schools and why it will lead to more $$ for all involved. Right now, it's not clear that it will mean more $$, at least in the short run.

ewax5 1 year, 8 months ago

Big 12 should raid all the top non-BCS schools to create a new power conference. Pick up the likes of BYU, TCU, Boise State to name a few.

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

They're non-BCS for a reason. Up to this point, no BCS conference has wanted them. I don't agree with diluting the power of this conference, for the short life it has left.

Hornhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

One Metaconference with 64 teams that awards participation trophies, doesn't keep score, and is housed in a double-wide that can be moved randomly between member schools. The TV contract will be E! round the clock coverage of Regents and school Presidents.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

OK, here is my hypothetical scenario if Tait's latest update report comes to fruition (I'm not saying its your plan, Matt!).

The Big XII contract puts the remaining schools in the driver's seat. It has the best money, but lousy markets. If it is going to be the fourth mega conference, it has to go about things a bit differently. There's a good chance that if there are these mega conferences, these conference will form their own post season basketball tournament (that contract is worth 11 billion to the NCAA). Most football powerhouses are gone, so the fourth conference has to have a good mix of football and basketball.

KU KSU Baylor ISU

ACC must haves:

Miami FSU UNC

ACC probables:

NC St Duke Boston College

Big East:

Syracuse UConn Cincinnati Louisville South Florida TCU

That would probably be worthy of a super conference and continued AQ status

Matt Tait 1 year, 8 months ago

Not bad, right? Just confirms my belief that KU's going to be fine.

It might not result in the best case scenario and it might not be ideal in terms of what every KU fan is hoping for, but something will work out.

If it's the scenario you laid out above, I think KU could do A LOT worse.

This is complete madness.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I did forget Clemson and Georgia Tech in that scenario which would create a lot of politics and disagreement. The Big East contract is coming due. If they negotiate with the ACC first and can secure some type of big payout, ISU and KSU may still be the odd schools out. I think KU is safe, but why double down in Kansas? It makes more sense to double down in Texas.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

North

Louisville Cincinnati ISU KU KSU Syracuse UConn Boston College

South

Baylor TCU South Florida Miami FSU North Carolina NC State Duke

phoggedin 1 year, 8 months ago

Well, the Kirk Bohls story makes me even more depressed. I had a small sliver of hope that Chip Brown would be wrong yet again, but the blog post from Bohls seems to indicate that the meeting between UT and OU did not go well and that OU is intent on leaving. I also find it interesting that Bohls describes the meeting as meant to discuss "possible destinations" for both schools, not as a last-ditch effort to save the Big XII.

For those who want Oklahoma to stay, I would guess the main hope now is that the Pac presidents vote against expansion.

kansasalumn 1 year, 8 months ago

If Mega conference is the way to go, why 16 , why not 18 so we do not have to worry about to have teams like USF, Baylor, ISU, and KSU lose their BCS status

kansasalumn 1 year, 8 months ago

If Mega conference is the way to go, why 16 , why not 18 so we do not have to worry about to have teams like USF, Baylor, ISU, and KSU lose their BCS status

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Call it the Eastern Continental Conference and I actually have no problem with that setup. Football will be weighted in the South again, but the basketball is pretty even. The ACC got a huge contract for its basketball rights alone. I think the networks would definitely make sure that conference would survive.

Jayhawk444 1 year, 8 months ago

I continue to not understand why people think the Pac12 is our best option (other than the Big12 staying together). It makes zero sense geographically - even if we go with OU and a couple of other current conference partners. Nobody on the east coast stays up to watch those games. Nobody on the plains does either. How many of you stayed up to watch the thrilling OT game between MU and ASU on Friday night? No me. It may be the most likely outcome...but to call it the best option and to say we should be proactively trying to move that direction ASAP doesn't make sense to me.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Because one of the reasons the PAC wants to expand into this area is to gain those Central Time Zone starts. You'll have one maybe two games at most that won't be at afternoon or midwest prime time. As the PAC, you don't covet those time zone slots and then not use them. Add to the financial payoff and you can make a lot of noise for yourself at 40m/year. That's why you do it.

Look, let's say it Texas, Oklahoma, KU and MU for argument's sake. That's three games guaranteed in your time zone. You play another quad each year, that's an additional two games guaranteed in your time zone. Perhaps you play two crossover games, that's an additional one game in your time zone. The remaining 2-3 away games outside of your quad will probably be played at a midwest afternoon or prime time. The time zone thing is overblown, it really isn't as much of a factor as people want to make it.

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

The only 2 conferences that make geographic sense appear to be the two least likely scenarios. The Big 12 appears headed for history books now and the only way the Big 10 looks KU's way is if they get rejected by eastern schools like Pitt, Rutgers, and Maryland. If watching KU play a west coast game on a Thursday or Friday night means staying up an extra hour or so, how big of a sacrifice is that really? When basketball season rolls around, KU will play at most 3 west coast games during the week so if I have to stay up an extra couple of hours a few times a year (less than 5), how big of a sacrifice is that really? With DVR, it's even less of a burden than a few years ago because even if I fall asleep during a game, I can finish it the next day.

ejlumus 1 year, 8 months ago

Worst case I still believe the Big XII stays intact (KU, KSU, ISU, Bayor, MU) due to the FOX contract. TV contract with FOX & ESPN will be enforced. Fees will be collected from exiting members. Three teams will be added and an affiliation will be formed with the ACC &/or Big East forming a group (conference) of 16.

oxcaljayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I wouldn't be surprised that if OU and OSU left, UT and TT would vote to dissolve the conference and start a new one with Notre Dame and/or BYU. UT, ND, and BYU could then steal to their hearts delight and the conference would probably get an AQ bid. KU would likely get an invite so the new conference could have at least one BB powerhouse. ISU is obviously frozen out and probably so is KSU.

phoggedin 1 year, 8 months ago

Whether the Big XII disbands and reforms is probably a function of what that would do to the existing media contracts. A number of observers are arguing that the schools left behind could still receive the value of the contracts, even after the others leave. That would be a massive windfall for schools like KU, if true.

The other fly in the ointment is Notre Dame. I agree with you that a conference with Notre Dame, UT, and BYU would be an incredible starting point and would generate huge tv contracts. But I just don't see ND giving up independence unless they're absolutely sure that they can't stay independent in the superconference era. And even if they think they need to join a conference, isn't the Big 10 their first option, not some new startup with UT and BYU?

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

The "new conference" would entice one of the 5 remaining schools to join, which would void the contract. Any one of the schools would leave, just to make sure they remain relevant. Namely KU...if they don't I would have to sue the university.

cajayfan 1 year, 8 months ago

I know I sound like a softie and it's about survival above all else, but I watched Iowa State play their hearts out and I really like our rivalries with KState and MU. I feel like compassion is getting stomped on, as everyone storms for the door. Bah humbug!

TheSychophant 1 year, 8 months ago

If Dan Beebe had any balls, he would send a polite letter to the Pac-12 commissioner reminding him of the cause of action known as "tortious interference with a contractual relationship."

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

That's Ken Starr's job, Dan Beebe doesn't know anything about that.

phoggedin 1 year, 8 months ago

Betting on Beebe's, er, "manhood," is probably not a wise move at this point. He's been outmaneuvered at every point and has already lost 3 schools, with the number probably increasing to 5 in the near future. I suppose we'll never know what might have been had the league had more effective leadership.

ejlumus 1 year, 8 months ago

Possibly that letter has already been sent.

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

I read like 3 articles on that, and my understanding is it would not hold up, especially from the PAC 12 perspective. The SEC had a better chance of getting sued for that, and I've heard everything I need to know, that it is just a stall tactic to allow universities the time to figure out where they are going.

rockchalk1990 1 year, 8 months ago

Why are so many so hard on BGL and SZ? BGL has been in charge for a little while, but SZ hasn't been here long enough to get a bad rap...has he? I mean, he inherrited a complete mess of an athletic department, created by Lew and seems to be handling the situation about as well as can be expected. I realize his resume reads mid-major, but everybody has to start somewhere. And the fact that he's been quiet throughout this means nothing. It could just mean he's not a giant tool looking for headlines. It might mean he has done nothing, but it might also mean absolutely nothing. For all we know, he's got plenty of the right people in his back pocket.

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

We don't need his ties to the MEAC or CUSA...we need ties to the PAC/BIG or ACC.

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

Since the AD's aren't calling the shots in this, the school presidents/chancellors are, is BGL's previous employment at North Carolina good enough for you or would prefer some other school who doesn't have athletic history intertwined with KU's?

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

I agree with your BGL comments, I was actually pointing out that SZ isn't the guy who we want negotiating.

jhawkclassof02 1 year, 8 months ago

I thought I heard somewhere that every commissioner has more or less said that they prefer for their conference to stay at twelve teams and that twelve was the ideal number. Did I dream this? If not, then what the hell is going on here?

rockchalk1990 1 year, 8 months ago

Obviously, you didn't hear this from the SEC. It appears the other conferences are simply reacting to a shift that will start with the SEC.

jhawkclassof02 1 year, 8 months ago

see from quote above: "As I said over the past year or so, the SEC has had no particular interest in expansion. We were, and are, happy with 12 teams. If Texas A&M’s President, Dr. Bowen Loftin had not called me in late July, we had no plans to explore adding an institution."

If this statement is indeed true, then why is the SEC willing to lead the charge into forever changing the landscape of college athletics? They know that with this one move that the b12 will instantaneously implode and will be picked apart. It seems the PAC, B1G, and ACC all are happy with twelve. Someday I'd like to know what this all boils down to, and its not just money. There's more going on here.

rockchalk1990 1 year, 8 months ago

Why did you let facts get in the way of my post??? You're right, they did say it. So let me rephrase. Obviously, the SEC didn't mean it!!! I guess that's what you get from a bunch of lawyers and politicians!

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

It is to prevent the lawsuits. They say that they want to remain at 12, but all know once Big XII falls apart, there are some lucrative teams to be obtained, and if they have to go to 16 to get them...they will.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

I have realignment fatigue. It is unfortunately that realignment overshadows the positives coming out of the KU football team. I know the team has a long way to go, but it is very encouraging to see the progress the team is making.

kuwells 1 year, 8 months ago

Please update the update to the update. It has been more than 30 minutes since the last one!

I propose a whole new set of conferences based on geographical proximities and in-state rivalries. That would be a slick system.

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

You are missing the money aspect. Money is obtained by multiple geographies...that is why OSU might not be a shoe in for the PAC 12.

kuwells 1 year, 8 months ago

Dude, sarcasm....

dynamitehawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I'm thinking we steal about 30 mil from social security and hire a team the hires a team of consultants. Then the consultants will recommend that we start a league called The Giant 14 Who Hates Texas....

On a side note: I really would quite enjoy watching Missouri getting their @sses handed to them by LSU in football and Kentucky making fools of them in basketball.... If they think we are arrogant....

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/09/01/college-football-elite-spend-to-win.html

Here is an interesting link for all you number crunchers. You might be able to determine attractive candidates for expansion. There is a huge discrepancy between the elite powers and the rest of Division 1. A full 100,000 seat stadium every weekend generates alot of revenue!

milwaukeeJAYHAWK 1 year, 8 months ago

Why don't we just put all of the nation's schools names on little balls, put them in a raffle, and let 'er rip. Maybe KU can end up in a conference with Boston College, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, Iowa, Montana and Utah State. Hopefully that Ohio State ball falls next....wait for it....wait for it.....aww! Virginia!? Man, this new conference sucks but it makes about as much geographic sense as any of the real ones have these days......

That's how sick I am of conference realignment nonsense.

Code_2008 1 year, 8 months ago

I got a good laugh from that. I approve, haha!

kc_wildfire 1 year, 8 months ago

Can the Big XII be saved? Only if OU and Texas stay put.

What about the future? Does it stay with 9 teams? Expand to 10? 12? 16?

If you were Dan Beebe what would your plan be?

I say be aggressive and try to expand to 16 teams and try to once and for all put this year to year conference realignment chatter to a rest.

Being realistic (Notre Dame, Arkansas, Iowa, etc. aren't coming) the schools I would try and add...

BYU - Strong football program, basketball program above average, brings new media market and has national appeal

Louisville - Both football and basketball programs above average, brings new media market

Cincinnati - See above

Air Force - Helps keep the Colorado media market since CU's departure

Houston - Lose a Texas school, add a Texas school, football program is pretty solid

UNLV - Brings a new media market

Memphis - Adds new media market, would strengthen the league in basketball

The conference could be split East & West...

West would be made up of...

Texas T. Tech OU OSU Baylor BYU UNLV Air Force

East...

KU KSU MU ISU Louisville Cincinnati Memphis Houston

Optional target schools if some of the previously mentioned ones can't be swayed to join...Boise St., Nevada. Tulsa, SMU.

These schools aren't powerhouses by any means but the Big XII isn't going to land a big name school that will bring in tons of money or is in a major media market.

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

I have yet to figure out why BGL and SZ openly talking about KU's future would be a good thing. What has that strategy done for other schools so far? It turned Missouri into a walking punchline after getting rejected by the Big 10, it's gotten several potential lawsuits coming A&M's way, it's turned OU into a hated program and could have several lawsuits coming their way also. The two schools that did successfully leave did so without going out in the media and publicly stating what their intentions were until after they had deals in place.

Colorado and Nebraska were not openly talking about their moves to other conferences, they were working behind the scenes and didn't publicly talk about their moves until after they were made. Are BGL and SZ doing a good job at putting KU in the best possible position? I hope we don't know until after the fact and that they keep working behind closed doors instead of in front of a microphone like some schools have done because that strategy has done nothing, but create huge headaches for each school involved.

jgkojak 1 year, 8 months ago

The only way the Big 12 survives is: 1) 5 current members remain - according to the charter, they retain the rights to the Big 12 name and TV contracts, etc. (FOX/ESPN won't renegotiate since they were a party to dissolving the B12 in the first place).

2) The 5 current members can then invite other teams to fill out a 10 or 12 team Big 12.

3) KU, KSU, ISU, Baylor and Missouri - MU isn't getting an immediate invite to the SEC and they want to hang around until 2016 when the B10 will be renegotiating/inviting its new members.

4) Add BYU.

5) For football raid the Big East for: Cincinatti, Louisville, TCU and South Florida. This ends the Big East as we know it, and dissolves any threat they pose (sorry - its dog eat dog out there). You can replace S FLA with Air Force if you want.

5) For basketball, raid the Big East for DePaul and Marquette. They'd rather play a basketball tourney in KC than in NYC. Better for their non-revenue sports as well travel-wise. Again - end the threat from the Big East forever.

That would give us 10 in football and 12 for basketball and we would absolutely be the 5th conference, not the 6th, and after the Big 10 swallows Rutgers and Pitt and the ACC takes Syracuse and UConn (SEC - A&M and WVU), we're in a much more solid position.

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

One of the conferences would bring in one of those 5 teams, just so that the ones coming in wouldn't have to pay the "exit" fees. The last team in would jump at the opportunity to join a power conference, rather than be left for irrellevance...that team would be KU.

5to6 1 year, 8 months ago

"I was able to confirm that KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger is neither in Dallas or Austin today. "

That quote doesn't mention him being in Lawrence, either. Nor does it reference Norman, Park Ridge, Walnut Creek, or Providence. Are there tin-hat theories about his current whereabouts, and if not, can we read between the lines of Matt's quote and start any? :-)

plasticJHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I heard that he's on a business trip to Hawai'i in conversations with Hawai'i athletic director about forming a new conferencing called KAPIAC (Kansas and Pacific Islands Athletic Conference).

rockchalk1990 1 year, 8 months ago

Sweet! BYU has a campus on the islands, we can get the other BYU.

Kleave 1 year, 8 months ago

Hey Matt, Just got caught up here. Only read the updates and none of the message board stuff, so perhaps it's already been mentioned...

Regarding your multiple conference realignment scenarios, specifically regarding the Big East, whether it be the Big East picking up the Big 12 leftovers, or vice versa...

You seem to have forgotten all about TCU in this scenario.

If you remember, they are on route to join the Big East next season, and that would be a way better pickup for the "New Big 12" picking up the Big East leftovers than someone like SMU or Houston. Seems like a pretty big oversight, so I thought I'd mention it. Good coverage though! Thanks

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

TCU is too big of a threat to OU and UT on the field for them to ever approve TCU joining the conference. TCU was the last team to win in Norman back in 2005 and I believe UT backed out of a game with TCU in the past couple of years because they didn't want to risk losing to them as well.

Kleave 1 year, 8 months ago

I understand that. But that's not what I'm talking about. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I'm referring specifically to a scenario that Matt mentioned in his 12:23pm update. This is with regards to the Oklahoma schools, UT and TTech going to the PAC. The scenario is that the ACC and/or SEC raid the Big East and the remaining 5 Big 12 schools pickup the Big East leftovers as well as BYU, Air Force and either SMU or Houston. Matt makes no mention of TCU in this post (again, referring to the 12:23pm update), either in joining what I refer to as this "New Big 12" (sans OU, OSU, UT and TTU) or the SEC or any other conference, which seems like an oversight, being that they are becoming a major player in FBS football. I am referring to this in light of the fact that TCU is, in real life, scheduled to join the Big East next year, which will put the state of Texas in the footprint of the Big East, broadening it all the way from NY and Florida. Therefore, in neither of these scenarios I mentioned, is TCU of any concern to OU or UT. That being said, my initial question still stands. Would TCU be one of those leftover Big East schools in this scenario, or would they be snatched up by another conference (SEC?)? And if not, why would the "New Big 12" pick up SMU or Houston rather than gaining TCU with the rest of the Big East schools. It's a moot point by now, because that was a whole fabrication of Matt's imagination, and we've all since moved on. I just felt like my question was misunderstood so I needed to clarify.

Yllyrryon 1 year, 8 months ago

All of these predictions, especially the lists of schools, remind me of March Madness, where everyone is sharing and defending their brackets.

I agree with Matt that KU will do fine.

trey 1 year, 8 months ago

Folks, don't get distracted with most of the scenarios that people are throwing around. I really believe that this is NOT as complex as it may seem. I think this will play out as follows...

No team will leave the stable four conference, BIG, SEC, PAC, ACC. It would make no sense to leave as they're the acquirers, they all have equal rev sharing, great rivalries, and over time the per-team money isn't going to be that different from one to another. No one is leaving these conferences.

These four (12 teams today) will primarily raid the two weak conferences (Big12, BigE) to get to 14 or 16. It may take a couple of years to get there, but they all will.

The Big12 is dead, there is no trust or confidence and schools are tired of being unequal partners (yes the money looks fine now, but it's a point-in-time view).

The BigE is dead-man-walking. It will not survive as anything but a mid-major level league. It's TV deal is tiny, and it's big teams (Syracuse, UConn, Rutgers, Pitt, W Virginia) will land spots in BIG, SEC or ACC.

If KU doesn't land in the BIG or PAC, we're screwed. And I mean that from a Basketball standpoint. Playing in the "Little East" will drain our bank account, hurt recruiting, and in the end push Self away. Remember... Syracuse, UConn, Rutgers, Pitt, W VA won't be there, so quit dreaming about this "great basketball conference".

Only way we get to BIG is combo deal with MU. Would love to see MU, KU + 2 others (ND and/or Syracuse, Rutgers), but seems to have no juice.

So... the reason the PAC is so important... it's likey our only real play that keeps us "big time".

OU + OSU to PAC is done. Book it.

So we either need to get in front of the Texas-TTech combo pre-emptively, pray that Texas goes Indy or to BIG, or pray that Larry Scott has enough stones to tell Texas they won't take TTech (which is doubtful).

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Right on the money, trey. The other big item that doesn't get much play is that the Pac-16 will be arguably the second strongest academic conference (behind the B1G). I'm not counting the ACC because I think they'll have to form some marriage longer-term with the BE, and while the BE has some execellent academic schools, they also have a fair number of sports mills.

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

ACC is not a stable conference as there has been a lot of talk about some of their schools being linked as the 14th and possibly 15th and 16th SEC schools at different times. I believe FSU, GT, Clemson, NC State, and VT have all been connected to the SEC at some point in the past few weeks. Also considering their TV deal will be the smallest of the AQ conferences after this season, I wouldn't be shocked to see some of their schools looking at other options as well to make more money if expansion starts happening. Maryland and Virginia's names will also pop up as potential Big 10 targets when they start looking to go to 16 as well. Obviously these are nothing more than rumors at this point, but considering how many ACC teams have been mentioned as candidates to other conferences, I would hardly call that conference stable at this time. Right now the only 3 stable conferences are the SEC, Big 10, and PAC 12.

Kleave 1 year, 8 months ago

By Trey's logic we're all screwed either way, because there's no way we have any options but the Big East. Scrap ideas of the SEC and B1G, if you've ever had a thought that either of those were a possibility, you're a joker. PAC is a possibility, I suppose, but highly unlikely. I'll eat my hat if we end up in the PAC. ACC is probably going to blow up as well, at some point down the road. I just don't see that conference making it much further than the Big 12. The most likely scenario, in real life, is that we end up in the Big East. And if that means we're screwed, then we're screwed. Nice knowing you all.

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Why is the PAC highly unlikely?

R2D2 1 year, 8 months ago

This is all still about money and KU and MU bring more television sets than Tech and OSU. Also, David Boren was a big supporter of bringing KU into the Pac 10 last year and we were definately on their radar. I predict in 2013 we will be playing Colorado again! If you commit this entire mess to paper we will have the Pac 16, Big 10(16), SEC (16) and a combination of the remaining ACC and Big East to form the last 16. Makes more sense to have all of the east coast schools in the same conference in a North and South division. ACC will get picked over by SEC and Big East will get picked over by Big 10. Including Notre Dame and BYU there are 68 big conference schools and only 64 will get the nod. This leaves schools like Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas State, Wake Forest, and South Florida in limbo. I really believe we will be in the Pac 12 and will be in a great stable environment. I do not believe there will be a merger of Big 12 and Big East schools....period.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

Here's some humor. http://cjonline.com/sports/2011-09-06/austin-meek-imagining-frightening-future-big-east

LogicMan 1 year, 8 months ago

Time for the Big 12 to merge with the PAC-12, and become the east division along with CU and Utah. And if UT comes along, then we all play Baylor throughout the season but they are let go after the 2014 contract expires.

buckleyhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I am fascinated and sick of it all at the same time. That said, can we just move on, blow up the Big 12 and be done with it? We need to get as far away from Beebe as possible.

The Austin Meek article is pretty clever. I particularly like this line:

"KU was picked 18th in the Big East preseason poll, by the way, so at least the Jayhawks are still in the top half of the standings. (How many schools are in this conference, anyway?)"

oxcaljayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

At least the end game is starting. If the reports about OU and OSU are true - and there have been no denials from them - then they will use this as an excuse to announce they are applying for membership in the P12. That puts Bevo on the clock. If Bevo (and TT) go to the P12, KU is headed for BE. If UT winds up in B10 or ACC, KU goes to P12 (Double Plus Good!!). Worst result - and what I fear is going to happen - UT decides to ride it out in B12 and adds SMU and Houston. KU admin wets its pants in fear of change and offers even more concessions to UT.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

Nothing compels the Pac 12 to expand beyond 14 teams if they decide to take the Oklahoma schools. I could see a scenario where they take the Oklahoma schools and still decide to wait out UT. The big price for the Pac-12 is entry into Texas and all of those TV sets. MU-KU is a nice consolation prize, but may effectively shut the conference out of Texas unless they decide to go beyond 16 schools.

I really would think that the PAC-12 can call the shots here and could tell OU they do not want O-State. No one has written about that at all being a possibility, but if I were the commissioner I would no necessarily be happy giving out two spots to schools in a relatively sparsely populated state.

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I'm not convinced that TT is a foregone conclusion even if UT goes west.

Matt Tait 1 year, 8 months ago

First of all, most of those schools, even the ones who didn't waive their rights like Kansas, had said they did not plan to take legal action.

What's more, both A&M and the SEC have played it smart here and have had plenty of time to consult with attorneys regarding any potential lawsuits they would be facing. Maybe they learned that the teams in the Big 12 would not have much of a case.

Or, lastly, maybe they're just ready to move on (aren't we all) and are simply saying, 'We're taking them. Bring it on, if you want to fight.'

All could be true. We'll see where this leads...

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I think this is a very important precedent for all others jumping ship -- namely, even if a school reaches out to another conference, it doesn't appear that there really is a legal case against them doing so. This was clearly the case wtih A&M.

If so, hopefully SZ and BGL are in Larry Scott's ear as we speak.

troutsee 1 year, 8 months ago

If we get an invite to the Pac 12, we should jump at it.

ChiJayhawk4 1 year, 8 months ago

Hey Matt,

With this news, I'd be curious to see an updated conference percentage prediction. . .

Also, thanks again for the frequent updates--It is a certainty that my wife will be annoyed with me constantly refreshing KU Sports on my phone at dinner tonight. Please make make it worth my while. :)

Sparko 1 year, 8 months ago

On the Forbes article, the key take-away is "without the contract before me, I can't comment on that." Referring to the TV contract--which is the real sticking point. In other words, the Forbes article adds exactly nothing. You have to check the agenda of all these reporters. Frankly, I hope A&M and the SEC get sued out existence.

oxcaljayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

MU BOR holding some type of secret pow-wow tonight and Larry Scott of A&M's departure that the P12 would listen if 'schools are going to leave the B12'. I wonder who he could be talking about? http://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/13/1516787/texas-a-m-reportedly-leaning

Jayhawk1116 1 year, 8 months ago

It's on!

Hammertoe 1 year, 8 months ago

It's a sad state of affairs when the future of college athletics in Kansas is at the mercy of OU and Texas. The Mizzou game against ASU was over after midnight. Get used to that. The travel costs will be the end of some college sports in the future. It's all about football and revenue. Tradition is out the door. I have not heard one word about basketball from the national press in conference realignment discussions. Nothing makes sense...

Pitthawk34 1 year, 8 months ago

especially you on a ku board

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

...and you haven't heard anything about KState coming out of this in a good situation. Enjoy your 13-1 against KU because it doesn't mean a damn thing to other conferences.

westlaw 1 year, 8 months ago

Matt, I am surprised that we have not heard anything from Beebe. With no comment from him it seems that he already knows the leagues fate. True?

142466 1 year, 8 months ago

PAC is going to 14 now (OU & OSU), then all the way to18 late next spring. UT, TTech, KU, & Mizzou complete the field. Obviously, there will be 2 divisions with bb & fb schedules heavily weighted towards intra-divisional play.

All four Supers will go to 18, but it will take two or three years for the other 3 Supers to get there. The PAC will lead the pack.

Sparce western populations dictate that the PAC must go to 18 quickly before too many of the few compatible schools look eastward.

Five years from now, each of the Supers go to 20, the final number. Then, numbers wise, we'll sort of be back where we started. Four conferences, with eight divisions, will reign from coast to coast. But the new structure will produce a clear NCAA football champion every year. Objective attained.

The PAC's 19th & 20th members will be the Lobos and the Wolf Pack. 5 or 6 years from now.

Congress will not interfere in all these BUSINESS mergers, consolidation, spin-offs, and newly created brother-sister relationships. The WSJ will lead the chorus, "look how the free market solves everything." See ya at Sunday school.

The general public will love the 4 fb conference championship games followed by the NCAA fb final four. Office betting pools will rival those of March Madness. Late January each year will provide for a great photo opp in that swampy southern city where the Prez of us all resides. Not sure whowill feel most honored, the Prez or the members of the championship team.

The NCAA trophy will reside mostly in the SEC. That is what providence ordained when Dixie finally absorbed the positive upheavels of the 1960's.

plasticJHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I was interested in what you had to say right up until you suggested that the New Mexico schools would round out the PAC20. Then I knew that you'd gone off the rocker and nothing else of any value would be found anywhere in your post.

carterpatterson 1 year, 8 months ago

This is all Keegan's fault for the title of his article today. JINX!

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

By picking up Utah and Colorado rather than BYU and Utah, I think the PAC 12 has set a precedent of leaning towards geographic presence over in-state rivals.

Personally, I think we end up in the same conference as UT, whether we want to admit it or not.

If UT goes to the PAC 12, than OSU and TTU are out, they will go after KU/MU.

IF UT goes to the BIG 10, Notre Dame joins, and they will add KU/MU to assure that the Big XII disolves and prevents the windfall.

IF UT goes to the ACC, KU is added, not sure who else.

IF UT remains with the Big XII, KU won't be able to go anywhere because of the payout clauses, and they won't get the Big 10 or Pac 12 offer.

Pac -30% Big XII - 20% SEC - 2% ACC - 18% Big Ten - 15% Big East - 5%

I still think that OU/KU/MU/UT should apply to the SEC and say you can take us, but not TAM.

plasticJHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Did you intentionally total up to 90%?

Are you indicating that KU/MU is almost a package deal? It would be for whichever conference chooses to lock up the KC region.

I think that UT/TAMU proved that just being historic, age old rivals doesn't guarantee than you'll stick together.

DallasJayhawk1 1 year, 8 months ago

Interesting article that just came out in the NY Times. Hopefully it's not just the typical East Coast Bias we all get sick of when it comes to sports ha.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/sports/ncaafootball/texas-tries-to-convince-oklahoma-to-stay-in-big-12.html

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

Nice...I think the real question is whether or not they will take both of them...I do think that OU will get added. I just don't think they will take OSU and that is something that the Sooner state has not considered. I still think that OSU will end up as one of the teams looking out, I'm not sure people are fond of T.Boone State University.

raprichard 1 year, 8 months ago

Not sure I understand what a "grant in rights" of media properties would mean. I think the good news for the Big XII's possible survival is it sounds like Texas is willing to make some serious concessions to move toward revenue sharing. I still think that if Texas agrees to full revenue sharing the Big XII will survive...with OU. I hope that happens. If not, I guess my next choice would be the PAC.

haydenhawkco 1 year, 8 months ago

The Big East makes me cringe! If it wasn't for Matt Tait, I would assume our AD is on vacation. No news is not good news during these times. SZ - give us something to show that you are earning your $450K / yr salary.

DevilHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I disagree. This still seems like a situation where "loose lips sink ships."

Everyone seems to be focused on Oklahoma, Texas, the SEC, the PAC 12, and, to a lesser extent, Mizzou. That means that at best, KU is target number 6 from reporters (LJWorld excluded). We might as well let the other schools have the attention while we talk our way into another conference behind closed doors.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

I don't understand all of the concern about late games in the PAC-12. The MU-ASU game was on a Friday night which is not common. You also have to consider the divisionalization affect. Assuming KU is in a division with OU, UT, CU Utah, MU and the Arizona schools, there is only one hour difference in time zone for all of these schools. If you play two additional schools in the Far West each year, one will be home and one will be away.

The will apply for basketball. If you do play each of the west coast teams once during the season, four games will be at home and four will be on the west coast. You can assume that two of those games will be on the weekend, so there are really only two weekday night games you will have to worry about. That hardly reduces the exposure of the basketball team.

DallasJayhawk1 1 year, 8 months ago

Actually AZ doesn't do Fall Back in Oct when everyone else turns their clocks back 1 hour. So starting in late Oct, they are 2 hours behind CST even though they are Mountain Time. I travel to PHX for work and have 2 co-workers there.

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

Arizona doesn't spring forward in March. During the summer and fall months (football season) Arizona is two hours behind and in the winter (basketball season) they are the same as Colorado.

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/weather/qt/timezone.htm

DevilHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Arizona remains on MST year-round, which is the same as Pacific time during daylight savings - and that includes much of football season.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

Arizona confuses me, but regardless, it's no more than one game a year there in both basketball and football, and the basketball game could be on the weekend. The Pac-12, if we are fortunate enough to get invited, is much better than the Big East in my opinion. I suspect we will not be invited.

DevilHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Depends on how they decide to do scheduling. They still have 18 conference games this year (basketball), so the schedules look like this: Home-and-home with each team in the division Home-and-home with one pair of teams in the other division Home-only against one pair of teams in the other division Away-only against one pair of teams in the other division.

("Pair of teams" referring to UCLA/USC; Arizona/ASU; CU/Utah; Stanford/Cal; Oregon/OSU; Washington/Wazzu.)

Being able to make one major trip in order to play two teams on a Thursday/Sunday or Saturday/Monday has been the general arrangement in the conference, so adding KU/Mizzou or KU/K-State would fit the arrangement really well.

I'm just not sure how much the conference wants to change the scheduling that it has become familiar with - regardless of the money involved.

Still waiting to see how this all shakes out, though.

blindrabbit 1 year, 8 months ago

jhawkkrulz: The thought of Kansas in the SEC sickens me from an academic as well as historical points of view. To think that Kansas and particularly KU (Lawrence) to join as the only free state (abolitionist) member of a conference that prides itself in Southern ideals is an abomination to our history and values. This might be an ideal situation for Missouri, Texas Schools and even the Oklahomas; but I'm sure Iowa State, Nebraska and Colorado would have never considered this a viable option. I think the best option if the Big 12 disbands is the Pac-12.

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I didn't get the sense that jhawkrulz was advocating for the SEC.

As much as I love KU, I could no longer be a fan if we joined the SEC.

oxcaljayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

That stuff means nothing when it comes to the green. ND and BYU would join forces if the money was right.

drgnslayr 1 year, 8 months ago

Thanks for adding the cultural perspective. I did the same about going out west... and how we differ from the surfing conference, Pac 12.

This unification into just a few large conferences is a trend, fad, cycle... and I have my doubts of it lasting because America is a big country full of unique history and culture and shouldn't be tossed in the blender to make a bland paste. I don't want to face off with the deep south. First off, their fried chicken doesn't cut it! I can do better blindfolded. But that is another story...

It is a huge mistake to stop our rivalries. What we have with KSU and MU is worth far more than being a member in the Big 12, Pac 12, Big 10, Big East, SEC, ACC, etc.

Once those rivalries are gone, they are hard to bring back. It's like tearing down a historic building and thinking you can rebuild something in it's image and have it mean the same. Once it is gone, it is gone.

We are sitting on that moment in time, where we decide if we want to keep the beautiful art deco building, which has it's flaws, or tear it down for a needed parking lot.

I'd keep the history and culture if it was up to me, but then, I'm an old dinosaur who still hates cell phones!

Isn't the biggest draw to KU related to the history?

texashawk10 1 year, 8 months ago

Would you rather our officials be out in public making asses of themselves like Missouri did last year or A&M and OU are doing this year? Talking behind the scenes is the better option for KU. KU doesn't have the clout to publicly dictate where they go on their own.

cajayfan 1 year, 8 months ago

I live in California. No matter which day the PAC 12 games are played or if they are on ESPN or FOX it does not matter, they love the night games. The only ones that play later are the WAC. Get used to staying awake OU and Okie State, that is your future and you deserve it.

CalHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Reports from OU sources indicate a very acrimonious stance between OU and Texas right now. OU doesn't trust Texas because they came saying they want the Big XII to survive, but now believe there is validity to the reports they are in cahoots with Notre Dame to jump to the B1G sometime on or after 2014. This means OU is likely out the door and taking OSU with them. Now it depends on how much Texas wants to jump o the PAC. If they balk, some combination of KU-MU or KU-KSU will probably take their place. MU is in BOR meetings right now, presumably discussing the merits of a possible SEC invite. This means if Scott wants MU-KU, he'll have to move fast or risk losing the MU side of the equation. Clearly, KU-KSU is the least desirable combo to invite. For those who think the PAC will stop at 14 should know that OU is concerned about travel costs and desire a three team entourage from the midwest.

If Texas goes, it will probably tow Tech with it. If Texas expects greener pastures in the B1G at some point, KU will be next in line, Tech won't get consideration on its own. If Texas goes, expect MU and possibly KU to gauge interest from the B1G. If it isn't there Mizzou probably exits stage southeast. That outs us squarely in the Big East/New Fourth Super Conference arena. Don't think the B1G will look our way on our own merit.

DallasJayhawk1 1 year, 8 months ago

I highly doubt the powers that be at Notre Dame would do a final vote of yes on losing their NBC deal. Texas is just dipping their toe in the water. I don't see why we can't keep the Big 12 together by making everyone sign on the dotted line that they will not leave for X amount of years and will add X schools (BYU, etc), re-work the revenue share.

raprichard 1 year, 8 months ago

I've wondered the same thing. I wonder if OU is really serious about the PAC or making ridiculous bluff to get Texas to make some major concessions that will end up making the Big XII viable long term. Either way, I want this to end soon. I hate not knowing our fate, especially when it is clear we don't have much say in it.

DallasJayhawk1 1 year, 8 months ago

I am calling their bluff as well. They want UT to share more cash from the UT savings account.

utahjayhawk 1 year, 8 months ago

Didn't the SEC state that they wouldn't poach any more Big XII teams after A&M? That with the fact that Mizzou doesn't want their academics to suffer means the SEC is out for them I think.

jhawkrulz 1 year, 8 months ago

If the Big Xii disbands, they can take whoever they want.

DevilHawk 1 year, 8 months ago

I don't see anything saying that we can't head to the PAC if the offer comes and let the B1G know that we might be willing to jump conferences if and when it decides to expand.

rob4lb 1 year, 8 months ago

You're optimistic in assuming we will have options! I think most people who are following this passionately would agree that the dream option would be for KU and MU to be invited to the Big 10. I think most of us realize this is a long shot. For KU, it becomes tricky in determined whom to align with if OU and UT have a falling out. Do you align with OU and hope they support KU going to the PAC. Or do you align with UT and hope they take us with them if they end up in the Big 10 or ACC. I think it's best to continue the low key approach and publicly work to keep the Big 12 together while positioning for other options should the attempt to keep the Big 12 fails.

I think the number two option would be for OU-O-State, MU and KU to join the PAC. That reunites five of the original Big 8 schools.

kureader 1 year, 8 months ago

After the SEC formally extended an offer to A&M, Larry Scott (Pac 12 Commissioner) immediately reversed himself by saying that the Pac 12 now has no choice but to expand. The guy's a sandbagger. He has been after the Big 12 South schools all along.

raprichard 1 year, 8 months ago

I don't know how much pull they have, but I would imagine based on previous comments that Colorado officials are lobbying for the PAC to stay at 12. They clearly wanted to play the west coast games and not be in a Midwest division with other ex-Big XII teams. That brings up the question of whether a unanimous vote of member schools is needed for the PAC to expand or if the decision is up to the commissioner.

Matt, any knowledge on this?

coloradorcj 1 year, 8 months ago

It is my understanding that Larry Scott has the latitude to act as he sees fit. This is from numerous news articles I have read over the past two years. He had the authority to expand to 14, 16, back when they went to 12, and did not need to run it by anyone. I doubt the university presidents would have pulled that authority away.

I do find if very humorous that CU may find it's way back into a revamped Big12 as part of the PAC. If I were them I would have made the same decision at the time, but it sure must suck to realize they might have paid $9million (or whatever the separation from the Big12 cost) to avoid these schools for all of one year.

AZHawk72 1 year, 8 months ago

Well, gee, by now everyone is sick of hearing what I think we should do, who the bad guys are, and where we should go from here. Due to the events of late, I now have seen the light: we should join the largest conference possible so we'd never have to worry about return matches, let alone anything resembling tradition; we should look and act needy so that whatever Hawaii or Puerto Rico-based conference we join immediately comes to the conclusion "look at what TIVO and DVRs have brought us;" and we should actively avoid all schools who could care less about us and would sell us out of their lives for a few extra million--meaning nearly everyone. Conclusion: go independent.

I can't go to church anymore, for I'm afraid I'll overhear the fates of Rice and Southern Meth being discussed in the row behind me. Like church, this whole situation cries for a loud and resounding "amen!"

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Conference realignment comes roaring back as reports of OU to Pac-12 resurface and SEC officially accepts A&M

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