Pac 11, Big 11....what gives?

[waterboy]

Where did this all come from? Why are these conferences raiding the Big 12? I can kind of understand Nebraska going Big 10 and Colorado going Pac 10. But why would any of the other schools even answer the phone?

Here are the facts as I see them. Pac 10 just got their biggest franchise school hammered when the NCAA ruled that indeed Reggie Bush and Pete Carrol at USC cheated and he should have been ineligible. They have been banned for post season play for two seasons. That means less money coming into the conference, lower recruiting opps and potential for "who cares" kind of play.

Big 12 sends plenty of teams to the bowl games and it holds its own in recruiting and respect. The travel costs and the higher cost of living in Cali would make it seem a losing proposition for midwest schools. If any conference should look good for OU, the Texas schools and OSU, it would be the SEC wouldn't it? More possibility for upgrading the toughness, easier for fans to travel and cheaper for the schools to travel.

I just don't understand why this is happening.

[dbacks fan]

It's all about the money. If OU,OSU, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Colorado come to the PAC 10, it will bring an additional ~$20 million each to the existing PAC 10 schools, not to mention the media coverage as well. But on local sports talk radio the comments have been that ASU and UofA had better step up their game to face those six teams.

Here is an opinion from Monday by one of the local sports talk radio guys:

http://www.ktar.com/?sid=1302189&nid=618

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/articles/2010/06/10/20100610college-football-changes-bickley.html

[Cats Cats Cats]

Where did this all come from? Why are these conferences raiding the Big 12? I can kind of understand Nebraska going Big 10 and Colorado going Pac 10. But why would any of the other schools even answer the phone?

Here are the facts as I see them. Pac 10 just got their biggest franchise school hammered when the NCAA ruled that indeed Reggie Bush and Pete Carrol at USC cheated and he should have been ineligible. They have been banned for post season play for two seasons. That means less money coming into the conference, lower recruiting opps and potential for "who cares" kind of play.

Big 12 sends plenty of teams to the bowl games and it holds its own in recruiting and respect. The travel costs and the higher cost of living in Cali would make it seem a losing proposition for midwest schools. If any conference should look good for OU, the Texas schools and OSU, it would be the SEC wouldn't it? More possibility for upgrading the toughness, easier for fans to travel and cheaper for the schools to travel.

I just don't understand why this is happening.

The big 12 is unbalanced with the north and the south.   The north gets trounced by the south in Football (the big money maker).  Also Texas wins most of the sports championships.  Since they are tired of getting their donkey handed to them and the fact that they will get more cash.  They want to jump ship, and while they still might get their donkey handed to them, at least they will hand it to them with more cash.

I am wondering why Kansas, a basketball powerhouse, isn't being mentioned.  I guess this is 100% about football.

[dbacks fan]

I am wondering why Kansas, a basketball powerhouse, isn't being mentioned.  I guess this is 100% about football.

Ding! Ding! Colin Cowherd brought this up just the other day. College football generates the most revenue for the schools. Period. Texas brings in what, a $120 mil for football in a season? What Texas makes in revenue in one game is what other colleges get for an entire season of football.

[waterboy]

Its not like the Big 12 is a losing money operation. I wonder just how well thought out this is and how well supported it is by the fans. Or do they even care?

[Conan71]

Waterboy,

I have ab$olutey no idea$ what thi$ i$ all about.

[Cats Cats Cats]

I care, I am an OSU fan (OSU fans went to OSU and OU fans went to walmart, btw).  I don't necessarily think it is bad.  When you think of it, there has been quite a long time playing the same teams and they are kind of comfortable in the niche.  I would like playing more new teams.  Somebody mentioned than in all this talk there is 0 mention of what is better for the athletes.  Obviously traveling more is not good for school work.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Boise St. just jumped conferences BTW.

[azbadpuppy]

The Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News and Orangebloods.com are all reporting that Texas, OU, OSU and Tech are all going to the Pac-10, with A&M still on the fence. The formal announcement is expected next Tuesday.


http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2010/06/11/official_ut_tec.html?cxntcid=breaking_news

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/061210dnospoaustinreport.92f8114a.html

http://texas.rivals.com/

I think the 'anonymous source' is the Athletic Director at Texas, who reportedly has already announced the move to some of the Texas football players.

[Hoss]

The Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News and Orangebloods.com are all reporting that Texas, OU, OSU and Tech are all going to the Pac-10, with A&M still on the fence. The formal announcement is expected next Tuesday.


http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2010/06/11/official_ut_tec.html?cxntcid=breaking_news

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/061210dnospoaustinreport.92f8114a.html

http://texas.rivals.com/

I think the 'anonymous source' is the Athletic Director at Texas, who reportedly has already announced the move to some of the Texas football players.

These rumors are crazy.

I have some rabid OU fans at work (I'm a 'recovering rabid OU fan').  They swear up and down that OU won't be going to the PAC 10, it will be the SEC.  I said "riiiiiiiight"....

LOL.

[azbadpuppy]

These rumors are crazy.

I have some rabid OU fans at work (I'm a 'recovering rabid OU fan').  They swear up and down that OU won't be going to the PAC 10, it will be the SEC.  I said "riiiiiiiight"....

LOL.

I have heard the OU to SEC rumors, but the PAC 10 sounds more and more likely.

I hope it's not the SEC- I detest that conference. They have the most arrogant, egotistical fans I have ever seen. Actually, Texas should join them- they would fit right in   

[GG]

I care, I am an OSU fan (OSU fans went to OSU and OU fans went to walmart, btw).  I don't necessarily think it is bad.  When you think of it, there has been quite a long time playing the same teams and they are kind of comfortable in the niche.  I would like playing more new teams.  Somebody mentioned than in all this talk there is 0 mention of what is better for the athletes.  Obviously traveling more is not good for school work.

Texas A&M is looking at their options with the SEC.  I personally hope they go to the SEC, that way Kansas can come along for the ride to the new PAC-16.

I'm an OSU fan/grad class of '74. 

(I liked the ou/Wal-Mart joke I'll have to use that.)

[swake]

Football certainly make more than basketball but he bigger issue is that the NCAA owns the div 1 basketball tournament and keeps most of the revenue for itself to fund all the championships for lower divisions and non revenue sports. The NCAA does not own the Bowls and the schools and conferences get to keep this money. The same reason (and idiots) that keep us from having a real football championship are driving the bus of realignment.

It's sad.  

[dbacks fan]

A$ I $aid all one ha$ to do i$ follow $ign$. It'$ all about $omething el$e than what i$ $een. It'$ all about $omething we are not $eeing. It'$ $imple actually, look and li$ten and you will $ee what it i$. $o I hope that thi$ clear$ the i$$ue. $ad i$n't it?

[azbadpuppy]

Texas announced their decline of the Pac 10 invitation today, of course followed by A&M and OU. Texas now will receive the lion's share of money, and probably their own TV network too. The Big 12 championship games (assuming they still have them) will all remain in Texas, as will the main offices, officers etc.

How exciting is a conference that is completely Texas-centric? Not very.....

How many years left until the watered down Big 12, err 10, finally sinks??

Oklahoma should have joined the Pac 10 when the opportunity was given.