PAC 10 to Big 16?

[Lawboy]

The fate of the Big12 is securely in the hands of Texas and Oklahoma. And Oklahoma is working to keep the Big 12 together. The OU President, AD and governor want it kept together. Depending on what Texas does will determine this. Basically, Texas has the sweetheart deal in the B12, but they deserve it too. They are the big dog across the board. Plus, their payout is based upon performance on the field in athletics, so it really is fair. If the smaller schools balk too much, they might get shown the back hand, and be left to fend for themselves.

I also think the reason that the debate is going on is not much much about the PAC10 offer, but because of the Big 12 offers. I suspect that Missouri and perhaps even Nebraska have disclosed this to the rest by now. So if Texas and OU want to stay, but UM ad NU leave, and perhaps also Colorado, that leaves a gaping hole to fill for the rest of the Big 12. So I think A LOT is going on in those talks, and many scenarios are being addressed.

[Mars]

Here's an article from Oklahoma talking about what a great idea it is: http://www.newsok.com/berry-tramel-pac- ... tory_title
"The best option for OU and OSU is not the status quo. Not to stay with the Big 12, which even if it survives this thunderstorm might not survive the next and most assuredly will not survive long term. This is a fluid situation. If this report is bogus, we might hear two dozen more before the lust settles. But those who know how business is conducted say the word will come like a thief in the night. All the reports will be bogus except for the one that sticks. If this is the one that sticks, if the Pac-10 really is interested in a Pac-16 — heck, call it the Big 16 and honor the past with division names Pac-8 and Southwest — the invited six should accept and say much obliged."

Here's a local article suggesting that BYU join the crippled Big XII (which I think is a worse idea than the MWC absorbing the tastiest Big XII leftovers, personally): http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/19/1000 ... ig-12.html
"The Mountain Division would comprise BYU, Utah, Boise State, UNLV, San Diego State and Colorado State while the Plains Division would be made up of TCU, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Baylor and Iowa State."

[Mars]

Some people think Washington's AD is confirming a possible raid of the Big XII. I think he's referring to a combined TV network: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... the-table/

"And now there are two. Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn created quite the splash Thursday night by seemingly giving legs to a report that has the Pac-10 at least thinking of plucking six teams from the Big 12. Now, a fellow athletic director has confirmed that a raid of the Big 12 by the Pac-10 is certainly an 800-pound gorilla jumping up and down on the table. In a conversation with Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Washington AD Scott Woodward intimated that anything and everything is up for discussion when it comes to the future of the conference, up to and including "a full merger" with the Big 12. "There is an enormous amount of speculation about conference expansion right now and I think with the Pac-10 that anything is possible, all the way from remaining with the status quo, where we are today, to a full merger with the Big 12 and anything in between,'' Woodward told the Times. "All possibilities are viable and open for discussion." The Pac-10's annual spring meetings are set to commence Friday morning and run through Sunday. "

[Mars]

Hoo-boy!

"ISU releases letter on conference realignment"
http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2010/0 ... 138917.txt

"Dear Cyclone alumni, fans and friends of the University,

...We believe the Big 12 Conference is the perfect fit for Iowa State University. We are committed to our membership in the Big 12, and we are optimistic that the conference will remain intact. However, we also recognize that the long-term viability of the Big 12 Conference is not in our control - it is in the hands of just a few of our fellow member institutions. Iowa State and several other members of the Big 12 Conference are especially vulnerable under some of the re-alignment scenarios currently circulating, particularly one involving expansion of the Pac-10. We are doing everything in our power to represent the best interests of Iowa State in these discussions, but we also are sensitive to the huge uncertainty that has been created and recognize that the situation could evolve in directions that are not aligned with our interests. We understand and share your concerns about Iowa State athletics and the Big 12 Conference. We are still optimistic that the Big 12 will remain intact and continue to be one of our nation's premier athletics conferences, but we must be ready to act if that does not prove to be the case. We will keep in touch as the situation unfolds, and we appreciate your understanding.

Go Cyclones!

Dr. Gregory Geoffroy
President

Jamie Pollard
Director of Athletics"

[Schmoe]

Basically, Texas can do whatever the eff they want because any conference would be thrilled to have them and the other Big XII schools will follow.

[Mars]

PAC-10 Commish speaks: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-060 ... ull.column
" "We don't feel any rush to have to make a decision," Scott said. "…There have been no decisions, no offers … but we're looking at possibilities that could be revolutionary." "


PAC-16 bad news for BYU (I disagree): http://deepshadesofblue.com/pac-16-woul ... s-for-byu/


Nebraska given a Friday or June 15th ultimatum? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/sto ... FHeadlines
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... t=My+Yahoo
http://www.fanblogs.com/big12/008352.ph ... t=My+Yahoo
http://texas.rivals.com/barrier_noentry ... &mid=&rid=
http://twitter.com/kbohls
"Rivals.com site Orangebloods is reporting that the conference has given Nebraska less than two weeks to decide if it will remain in the Big 12."

Or what? Texas will leave? That's why I don't buy this article. They say this happened during their meeting. Coming out of Big XII meetings, it was said that there needed to be an agreement by Feb 2011, when TV contract talks will begin. Or October, when the conference meets next. They say all Presidents agreed to this. Like Iowa State would punish Nebraska by allowing Texas to leave. Come on. If Nebraska DID agree, what happens if they join the Big Ten anyways? Nothing?


Also, it's being reported that Texas legislators want Colorado switched with Baylor in the potential PAC-10 move. Which also doesn't make sense to me, because isn't Baylor a private school? Why fight for them and not TCU? http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/ne ... id=5256377
"Political forces in the state of Texas are preparing to demand that Baylor -- not Colorado -- should be one of the schools in the mix should the Pac-10 extend an invitation to six Big 12 schools to join its ranks, according to Orangebloods.com."
Who really thinks that Stanford or Cal-Berkley will vote to invite a private religious school into the PAC-10?

[Mars]

Contact between Ohio State and Nebraska has occurred: http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/i ... t-in-april


PAC-10 Presidents tell Commish to continue looking into possible expansion scenarios (kind of a non-story, as there was no vote involved and no schools invited): http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/n ... 10meetings

[Mars]

"ISU releases letter on conference realignment"
http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2010/0 ... 138917.txt

Article: Texas needs to stick with Baylor! http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/Ken-Sta ... nment.html

Article: Kansas begs Nebraska to stay in the Big XII, says they plan on sticking with Kansas State no matter what conference they end up in: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/n ... nsas-big12

"If the Big 12 crumbles, Baylor will have to rely on the politicians to win itself a golden ticket. Otherwise, the athletic department becomes TCU with an inferior football team or SMU with an inferior location." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... d=si_ncaaf

[Mars]

"If big-time college sports suddenly embarks on an eat-or-be-eaten explosion of expansion, the Jayhawks' great basketball tradition may not hold any more value than the tennis team. "It's driving me nuts," coach Bill Self said Tuesday... "I can hardly believe that... we would be penalized because we live in an area that's not as populated as other areas... This is bad for us. It's really bad for Kansas and Kansas State both. I don't get it... I don't like it... To actually... leave some schools out in the cold... to me, is a pretty tough pill to swallow." ...In the meantime, Kansas sits and stews, waiting for others to determine its fate.

...Meanwhile, Colorado's Board of Regents will meet in secret Tuesday to receive legal advice about the school's possible switch from the Big 12 to the Pac-10, sources told the Boulder Camera. The university doesn't anticipate any formal action to result from the discussion." http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/sto ... FHeadlines


"University of Missouri curators appear poised to discuss the school’s possible interest in joining an expanded Big Ten Conference... The 10-member Board of Curators meets Thursday and Friday in Columbia amid reports of a Friday deadline imposed by the Big 12 for Missouri and Nebraska to affirm their commitment to their current conference." http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/n ... n-missouri