The Rest of College Football

[iam416]

Or, they have to agree to never have a conference game on it.

More likely.

[entropy]

I would take UT and ND in a heartbeat. It's interesting -- Kyle Lamb has long been advocating the "long con" theory -- that UT couldn't come to the B10 until the B12 disintegrated and aTm went to the SEC. And when UT could come, ND would likely come to. I've always thought it remarkably fanciful. This is the first time I've seen anything corroborating it. Very interesting.

stepping back, I would take both as well. I don't have a problem with them making requests as they come in, but I do have a problem with any form of the LHN. Everyone has the same rules.

what is weird is I trust ND to be partners, even if they have special rules... I do not trust Texas

[entropy]

I would take UT and ND in a heartbeat. It's interesting -- Kyle Lamb has long been advocating the "long con" theory -- that UT couldn't come to the B10 until the B12 disintegrated and aTm went to the SEC. And when UT could come, ND would likely come to. I've always thought it remarkably fanciful. This is the first time I've seen anything corroborating it. Very interesting.

Problem with Texas is no matter what happens, they can claim control. When people want you, it is easy to have options and claim the end results were your desire the whole time

[Hannibal]

I've got a big problem with the LHN being associated with the Big Ten. Either you're all-in with the conference, or you're not. I'd be happier with giving Tejas a bigger share of revenue for a decade. I'm sure that something could be worked out that would be a huge win-win.

I think that the rumor is probably total BS, but what do I know..

[Wild Hoss]

Also, why would OSU and Michigan allow someone their own channel when they are sharing? seems odd

As you and I have discussed, this is how it starts. UT carves out a little niche for itself, then starts whispering sweet nothings into the ears of Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan..."Why do you need to subsidize Indiana? You could make a lot more if you had a bigger piece of the pie to yourself y?know."

Then lines are drawn, and the Texas Two-Step begins again, just as it did in the SWC and Big 12. Chalk it.

[entropy]

agree.. in or out.

I'd actually be ok w/ ND and Texas not having to pay in like UNL due to their size and what they'll bring to the league. But you're either in the league or not

[iam416]

I don't think UT could do that two-step with the B10. Fact is, most schools bring a lot to the table. Sports-wise, IU still brings a great hoops tradition. Minnesota is a weak sister, as is NW, but they both bring a lot academically. I just don't think UT could get away with the shit they pulled in the B12 -- namely b/c the B10 has a number of schools that are their equal or close (OSU and Penn State, for sure, and M to a less extent).

Hanni:

I tend to think it's horseshit, too. Always have. But there's enough to it that I can't completely dismiss it.

[iam416]

If it's "in or out," it will be out. And I'm ok with that. I don't mind, however, incentivizing the schools to join because it would a massive, massive coup. I mean it would be epic. Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas and Notre Dame in the same f'n conference? Back up the brink's truck -- Rupert Murdoch might even sell his own kidney for those rights and give ESPN a heart F you while ripping it out with is own bare hands.

Incidentally, Chip Brown, dimbulb extraordinaire, has tossed out the suggesting that UT forgo any profits from the BTN, but it gets to keep the LHN. I'd actually be fine with that if UT has the same appearance requirements as the other B10 schools. I wouldn't care, e.g., if UT-crapball OoC game (or 2) was on LHN. But, like Hanni, UT-conference game -- no way.

[Hannibal]

With ND and Tejas, the Big Ten could probably ditch Disney forever and broadcast every single game on their own network. (my wet dream). Or, at least, broadcast every game each week but the #1 "A" game. What they could charge carriers for the network would, indeed, bring in huge $$$. From a financial perspective, it's a win-win.

[iam416]

Yeah. Or they sign a deal with Fox, a natural partner, to pony up 1 day game a week during the OoC phase and maybe 2 conference games, with one being a night game. Big Ten Night in America. You could actually do it with that stockpile of teams.

Eh, mostly delusional. My own sense is that the path of least resistance controls. We all talk massive superconference formations and in the end, aTm leaves and the B12 simply fills that slot with another team and people carry on until the next domino.

[entropy]

Incidentally, Chip Brown, dimbulb extraordinaire, has tossed out the suggesting that UT forgo any profits from the BTN, but it gets to keep the LHN. I'd actually be fine with that if UT has the same appearance requirements as the other B10 schools. I wouldn't care, e.g., if UT-crapball OoC game (or 2) was on LHN. But, like Hanni, UT-conference game -- no way.

so if OSU played at Texas, would the game be on the LHN or BTN? Do fans have to buy both the BTN and LHN? Not sure how that idea would work in reality.

[entropy]

Yeah. Or they sign a deal with Fox, a natural partner, to pony up 1 day game a week during the OoC phase and maybe 2 conference games, with one being a night game. Big Ten Night in America. You could actually do it with that stockpile of teams.

Eh, mostly delusional. My own sense is that the path of least resistance controls. We all talk massive superconference formations and in the end, aTm leaves and the B12 simply fills that slot with another team and people carry on until the next domino.

You might look at owning Thursday night as well

[iam416]

Well, OSU-Texas would never be on the BTN as currently constituted. The better question is Texas-Indiana. Those are the conference games the BTN usually gets, at least involving profile teams. The answer, I would imagine, is that it would be a BTN game, not a LHN. I would hope that the deal is UT can broadcast maybe 2 of its OoC games on the LHN, but no conference games. I'd also cut them the same deal with hoops.

I think -- and I could be wrong -- but I think each B10 team has to play at least one conference game on the BTN. So, for OSU, one conference game is on the BTN and a couple of the dog OoC games (actually, only 1 this year). It might be two conference games, but eh, whatever. The reality is that profile schools are for ABC/ESPN. And that's where most of UT's games would -- the network partner.

[iam416]

BTW, comments on Frank-the-Tank's blog suggest the UT/ND talk is very real. Whether it amounts to anything is a totally different thing. BUT, it would seem -- from several different people -- that UT/ND and the B10 are, at the minimum, in contact.

I'm telling you -- epic.

[Clashmore Mike]

Hey T.


Comments / insinuations on ND boards seem to confirm talk as well. Nothing confirmed and nothing from the sources that I consider infalliable.