Conference shuffling?

[MikeIsGood]

I am completely surprised at Texas' moves. I was sold on them moving to the Pac 10, basically because I thought it would be better geographically in the long run.

I'd like to know how, because I think the complete opposite. I think that Texas to the P10 makes virtually no sense currently unless Texas' hand is forced (which it could potentially be - not ruling that out). I'm not saying 'you're wrong and I'm right,' but I'd like to hear your reasoning is all.

Keep in mind (as Mags alludes to) that it isn't just travel costs. Texas would become part of the P10, which is essentially for all intents and purposes irrelevant on the East Coast until bowl/championship/tournament season. Playing some MST games as they currently do would soften the blow, but not dissipate it. No one can offer as much money as the B10 can, IF (stressing if) an offer is on the table.

EDIT: It makes no sense for Texas I mean. The P10 would freaking love Texas

[meatball sub]

Texas to the Big Ten is a major WIN for both parties academically, financially, and athletically. I really hope this happens, it'd be HUGE!

[Icness]

Morning update:
--a Big Ten school trustee told me this morning that Texas has formally applied for membership, and they expect Mizzou to apply today. He was vague on TAMU which leads me to believe they (TAMU) want to see what happens with Texas before making a decision. This person believes (but doesn't know) that Texas has applied to the Pac-10 as well to cover their bases.
--the Big Ten is waiting for Notre Dame to decide, they offered full membership more than a week ago and the Irish have not repsonded one way or the other. He believes Notre Dame wants in only for football, which the conference will not accept.
--the Big Ten never wanted or approached Colorado.
--Maryland has approached the Big Ten about membership but has not applied and he had heard that Syracuse was going to do the same today.

Whew. My best somewhat educated guess:
--Texas joins the Big Ten but only if TAMU goes too. IMO TAMU is far better served by joining the SEC and that realy muddies things.
--Notre Dame stays independent
--Nebraska joins the Big Ten
--Missouri joins the Big Ten if Texas/TAMU don't, otherwise they follow Kansas
--if Texas/TAMU don't go Pac-10, Kansas does with Mizzou and (throwing a dart here) Utah
--if Texas/TAMU go Pac-10, so does Baylor and OK State

I do believe the speculation of Oklahoma to the SEC.
The MWC can either really flex some muscle or fade to oblivion. Scoring Kansas and Mizzou makes them a legit BCS player.
The more I hear about Boise, the more I believe they are stuck in the WAC. Apparently they're among the weakest academic schools in the nation and their sports other than football are bottom feeders even in the WAC

[GSWbandwagon]

The MWC can either really flex some muscle or fade to oblivion. Scoring Kansas and Mizzou makes them a legit BCS player.
The more I hear about Boise, the more I believe they are stuck in the WAC. Apparently they're among the weakest academic schools in the nation and their sports other than football are bottom feeders even in the WAC

Boise State will be announced as the next member of the Mountain West Conference on Friday, a source with direct knowledge of the pending move told ESPN's Joe Schad.

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson hinted at an expansion announcement on Thursday amid news of Colorado's move from the Big 12 to the Pac-10.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276064

[Icness]

^^^
That says to me that the MWC is prepared to add some Big 12 leftovers. It also verifies the fact that there is so much misinformation going on, both behind the scenes and in the media.

I heard a radio report that Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and OK State are "locked" to the Pac 10 but right after the break the host came on and said both ESPN and CBS are shooting that down as "premature speculation". Hard to know whom to believe

[MadCityBucky]

Eh, Chip Brown (orangebloods) said those schools will go to the Pac 10 from a "source" and Texas will announce it on Tuesday.

If the Pac 10 gets Oklahoma and Texas and the Big 10 can't get Notre Dame, then Jim Delaney just got owned by a newcomer commish.

[MikeIsGood]

I question how long Cal-Berkeley, Stanford, and/or UCLA stand for having Texas Tech and Oklahoma State in the same conference. No offense to grads from any of the above schools, but they're on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. I know it was said that Scott was given the power to do whatever he wanted by all of the member schools, but the Pac 10 has always liked to boast about their academic rankings and accomplishments. This really just strikes me as desperation to land the big one (Texas, obviously). It's not like the programs are knock-outs athletically to the point that you may overlook the academics, either.

Not saying this will or won't work out in the end for the P10, but I do see some issues that could arise down the road.

[WEFFPIM]

Eh, Chip Brown (orangebloods) said those schools will go to the Pac 10 from a "source" and Texas will announce it on Tuesday.

ESPN's now reporting it, too.

[hermes]

i'm really excited that Nebraska is joining the Big Ten, i think they are a good fit, i don't know about adding anymore teams (but if its Texas and Notre Dame calling how can you say no?)

i'd like to continue to not have a championship game, but it will probably happen now

how big are these conferences planning on getting? i don't know if i am in favor of a bunch of huge conferences

[LAKESHOW]

It's not like the programs are knock-outs athletically to the point that you may overlook the academics, either.

well, uh, not a big ucla or stanford fan, but they do have around 100 team championships.

[MadCityBucky]

He's talking about the other teams likely joining the Pac10 I believe not current Pac10 schools.

I don't get the deal with Colorado. They suck at college basketball and football. I understand wanting the Colorado market but does Denver even care about that team?

[hermes]

It's not like the programs are knock-outs athletically to the point that you may overlook the academics, either.

well, uh, not a big ucla or stanford fan, but they do have around 100 team championships.

ya looks like he was talking about Texas Tech and Oklahoma State

and Boise State goes to the Mountain West
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5276064

Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri on the Mountain West's radar (seems like they are really after an auto BCS bid, especially with the Big 12 possibly on the way out)
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5279018

i assume those teams won't move (to the MWC) until they've been declined from the Big Ten?

[MikeIsGood]

Yes, I was talking about TTU and OkSt. I thought quite clearly, but maybe not.

I don't get the deal with Colorado. They suck at college basketball and football. I understand wanting the Colorado market but does Denver even care about that team?

Colorado used to have a great football program, so I suppose they could be hoping for a resurgence. But really I think it was for the market. Whether they're big in Denver or not (I'm not sure), it at least gives the opportunity to broadcast there.

Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri on the Mountain West's radar (seems like they are really after an auto BCS bid, especially with the Big 12 possibly on the way out)
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5279018

i assume those teams won't move (to the MWC) until they've been declined from the Big Ten?

There's no chance Kansas State gets into the B10. They can consider this their declination if they wish They would never pass the vote based on academics and research, and the conference has said they will not compromise. I'm doubtful of Kansas and Missouri as well, even though Missouri had been rumored before. I could maybe see one (Missouri for the market potential) getting in if Notre Dame came and we needed another school to get to 14, but I also think it's more likely they'd look to someone on the East Coast to continue expanding out that way.

[hermes]

ya i guess i was mostly thinking of Missouri waiting until they were rejected from the Big 10, there seems to be nothing about either Kansas schools going to the Big 10 (and i imagine they will want to stick together)

i am wondering if there are any teams in the Big 12 (Iowa St, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas St., etc) that are actively trying to keep the conference from dissolving, or is that inevitable at this point (or do they have any influence on a Texas or Oklahoma?)

[craig01]

i'm really excited that Nebraska is joining the Big Ten, i think they are a good fit, i don't know about adding anymore teams (but if its Texas and Notre Dame calling how can you say no?)

i'd like to continue to not have a championship game, but it will probably happen now

how big are these conferences planning on getting? i don't know if i am in favor of a bunch of huge conferences

I think the Nebraska move is logical and smart.

I hate the idea of the monster conferences too. While the money will be much greater, I don't see how the flavor and many traditions aren't altered drastically.

New rumor has Oklahoma petitioning the SEC and possibly linking with Texas A&M.

I'll be glad when all of the swindling (I mean wheeling and dealing) is done.

[WEFFPIM]

I'll be glad when all of the swindling (I mean wheeling and dealing) is done.

If you think it's gonna be done anytime soon then you are sorely mistaken. We haven't even touched the Big East yet and the ACC is eerily quiet right now.

[DelaneyRudd]

An ESPN twitterer has said A&M has turned down the Pac-10. Now if they need a 16th team to keep their 8 team conferences they have to choose either Kansas or Utah. In my biased opinion Utah makes more sense as they have a better FB program, and are a better geographic fit. It's also located 15 minutes in regualr traffic from a major airport. Kansas brings Basketball epicness, that's big, but other than that they make less sense.

[hermes]

if the big 12 is salvaged (which i don't think it will be) will the majority of shuffling be over? maybe the Pac-10 finding a last team to get 12 (probably have to be Utah if the big 12 remains intact)

but does anyone think the eastern conferences mixing things up if the Big 12 stays puts?

[MikeIsGood]

Texas is meeting with all of the other schools remaining, apparently, trying to get a new TV deal worked out to make it a viable option to keep the conference together. Sounds like unbalanced revenue sharing is being discussed. Texas wants more money than everyone else.

I'm actually very much so in favor of the remaining B12 teams staying together and hope they can get something worked out. I'd prefer to not move towards superconferences. I'm not holding my breath but it's nice to hear that at least they're sort-of trying.

In my biased opinion Utah makes more sense

Oh yea. Utah makes way more sense IMO, as either #12 or 16.

[craig01]

if the big 12 is salvaged (which i don't think it will be) will the majority of shuffling be over? maybe the Pac-10 finding a last team to get 12 (probably have to be Utah if the big 12 remains intact)

but does anyone think the eastern conferences mixing things up if the Big 12 stays puts?

ESPN is reporting that Texas is staying put, thus saving the Big 12.

I doubt the raids are over with though......jmo.