Around the Big Ten

[WM Wolverine]

In a 16-team league with only 1 'friend', that would be tough to do. In the SWC and Big XII with a load of 'friends' in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas; that was easier to control the conference by themselves...

Texas is a gold mine for the B10 and you could say vice versa too. Oklahoma? I think the B10 would only take them as a package deal with Texas (I'd guess Texas might require Oklahoma to come with them), Texas massive value (they are probably 35% of the value of the Big XII) would secure Oklahoma's place in the B10. Oklahoma & Texas would solve the East-West imbalance and imo it'd help Nebraska recruit the state of Texas...

There are a lot more rumors about why Texas wants to get out of the Big XII but I'm short on time, in short (supposedly) the Division 4 would require a CCG and the Big XII to expand to at least 12 members and split the Big XII revenues further. Recent developments have the Power 5 conferences pretty close to an agreement on the rules for the Division 4.

[iam416]

According to an "insider", OU submitted a plan to the B10 for AAU approval.

[hack]

Rob... It is possible. Texas would start dividing a dn conquering. They would not be thinking for the BIG, but rather Texas.

What would the practical implications be?

[iam416]

Oklahoma, apparently, has submitted a plan to the B10. That plan includes how they intend to get to AAU status. Apparently, they recently qualified as a Tier 1 Research Institution, whatever that means, and that's an important step toward AAU status.

Again, I firmly believe the B10 will be at least 16 by the time the next TV contract starts. The thing is whether they go beyond that. If UT comes, then I think they probably end up at 20. I think the B10 views KU as an attractive add and would take OU if UT came. I think, at that stage, Missouri is very much in play as are a few ACC schools.

Personally, I still think Delaney dreams of a 20 team; 4 pod conference with semifinals and finals.

As WM noted, the "Division 4" thing is a catalyst in all of this. But, from UT's perspective, don't undervalue aTm. The Aggies broke the "we're all in this together" bond and landed in a far better place than the B12. There may be political pressure to watch out for Tech, but that's dwindling and, in any event, won't be enough for UT to fall behind aTm. That's too much to bear for Texas. Hence, the legitimate, if preliminary, interest.

[entropy]

What would the practical implications be?

look at the history of the conferences they've been in.. they've destroyed them all

oh.. and I can't type from my phone at all.. damn

[iam416]

This would be the first conference where they were not THE big dog, but rather a big dog. It would also be the first conference where the academic partnership is significant and valuable (or so I'm told). They would also be out of alternative options. They ain't ever joining the SEC. I don't think they'd join the P12. And I there is no way they could splinter off any existing B10 teams to go with them back to a Texas-centric conference.

They would obviously have influence. But they would be amongst equals (at least a number of equals) for the first time, well, ever.

[entropy]

OU will follow them like an abused puppy. If KU comes, so will they. KU cares about basketball and doing things that mess with KSU and UNL.. which is football.

Texas would always threaten to leave to the PAC10. they did it before to get more out of the 12.

[iam416]

I think the B10 would view those threats as empty. I think the B10 knows that IT is the pot of gold. UT may be a pot of gold for the B10, but it's a two-way street. And, frankly, if KU is in the B10 with UNL and Missouri, they're not going anywhere. Hell, I think if KU is in the B10, they're not going anywhere.

As I said, the thing UT had going for it with the SWC and B12 is that both those conferences were massively imbalanced with UT being the clear kingpin -- and for both UT was more important to the conference than the conference was to UT. That would not be the case with the B10.

[hack]

If they are used to behaving in that way though it might be a tough adjustment. Not to say the Big Ten shouldn't admit Texas. They obviously will if they can, and it's probably worth the occasional headache. As long as we all beat their stupid asses regularly.

[Wild Hoss]

UT?s mindset is completely alien to the Big Ten. Remember, this is the school who was going to extort TV money from the Big 12 North in exchange for not running off to the PAC10...even though they knew at the time the PAC deal wasn?t likely to go through.

They are untrustworthy, underhanded, and possess unlimited greed. Their behavior would spread through the Big Ten like a virus, just as it did the Big Eight, and would eventually ruin the league, just as it did the Big Eight.

Whatever value they might add is not worth it. Period.

[Wild Hoss]

This would be the first conference where they were not THE big dog, but rather a big dog. It would also be the first conference where the academic partnership is significant and valuable (or so I'm told). They would also be out of alternative options. They ain't ever joining the SEC. I don't think they'd join the P12. And I there is no way they could splinter off any existing B10 teams to go with them back to a Texas-centric conference.

They would obviously have influence. But they would be amongst equals (at least a number of equals) for the first time, well, ever.

They were hardly THE big dog when the Big 12 was formed either. Their AD was in disarray, and nowhere near the money-machine that it is now. Their football program was mired in mediocrity and coming off another probation.

Their politics infested the Big Eight like Asian carp, entering an environment where a group of schools with like mindsets and long associations which built trust were wholey unprepared for what was coming. They had us bickering with another, forming cliques, and having secret meetings between schools before the league even had a logo.

Its a metaphor of infectious disease, not dogs.

[hack]

LOL. Not that I'm arguing. That very well could be. I'm no fan of Texas in any way save for its ability to produce Willie Nelson, and that might have been a one-time thing.

[entropy]

the problem and power that Texas had in the BIG was created by OU following them like a beaten dog, and CU and KU wanted to knock UNL down.. UNL just won 3 out of 4 and the AD department was pulling away from everyone else. KSU got it.. ISU got it to late.

it was very clear early on.. it was going to be UNL vs Texas.. on almost everything. OU chose their bed and then CU and KU aligned to bring UNL down. There was nothing left and UNL was on it's own. KSU didn't have any power and nobody respected missouri

[Rob F]

Ent and Hoss---I find this all very interesting, what you two are describing about the politicking going on behind the scenes in the Big12 .

it was very clear early on.. it was going to be UNL vs Texas.. on almost everything. OU chose their bed and then CU and KU aligned to bring UNL down. There was nothing left and UNL was on it's own. KSU didn't have any power and nobody respected missouri

I've long been somewhat aware of some of the dynamics of UNL v Texas, but what was the dog that CU and KU (and others) had in the fight that led them to allign with Texas? This is all pretty new to me; i don't recall reading anything about it back when UNL bolted to the B1G.

[entropy]

CU hated UNL. They actually had hate week the week of the nebraska game and you'd be fined on campus for wearing red. CU, at one point, beat UNL 2 yrs in a row. They were highly ranked for almost a decade and very competitive nationally... but UNL still owned them. Bringing us down was the bug on the windshield. KU is basketball first, second and third.. As long as nobody messed with that, they were going to align accordingly. UNL was the school calling more shots and had more money at the time of the merger. Texas wisely did not step on KU's basketball toes and convinced KU that eliminating prop 48's and higher academic standards in football were needed. Also, those things hurt KSU which is KU's rival. so it wasn't so much against UNL as it was against KSU.. who was aligned with UNL.


this is what i've heard over the years.. I don't fault any of them, even OU. OU cared more about Texas than Neb.. it is what it is. Cu and Ku were just short sighted. as for ISU and OSU.. well, the what is new can sometimes seem shiny to what is old. Which basically meant a new sheriff was in town and if they could knock UNL down, that was good. Problem again was their short vision has left them with few choices and slaves to Texas.

I honestly think Missouri bolted just to get out and didn't think about it. The SEC is not a good fit. But they had no voice in the big8 and none in the big12. They were tired of texas and just looked to get out... imo, they are in a worse situation. CU left because they realized what they helped create and wanted no part of it. plus, they felt they needed to move before texas moved. The Aggies lived a long time under UT's shadow and i think we gave them inspiration.