Around the Big Ten

[entropy]

hoss probably has other thoughts..

[entropy]

In the end, we both feel texas would start figuring out who was unhappy with the status quo and start creating clicks. OSU has a good relationship with Texas, but I doubt OSU would damage their michigan relationship. But PSU... they'd be ripe for an alliance. Wisky, as long as Barry is AD, will join neb. But I'm not sure Ill or indiana wouldn't look for help from the nice school in texas.. and once it starts, it goes south. They won't look at the big picture, but only their priorities. That is our history and what we've heard from the old SWC fans.

now.. if they joined the vision, culture and spirit of the BIG, they're a grand slam. I don't trust they will

[Rob F]

It all looks to me like a minefield that isn't worth crossing. Sure, it would open up some fertile recruiting grounds for the entire conference, especially schools in the West division, UNL in particular and the rest to some degree. My biggest concern is that they won't be able to abandon the overall attitude that is so deeply institutionalized and ingrained in the very culture of UT, regardless of how sincere they sound while promising to be team players in the B1G. The "old guard" there in power at UT is sure to be the proverbial "leopard that can't change its spots", IMO.

[entropy]

granted.. and to be honest, UNL went from calling the shots to not calling them. there is no question that is part of my bad feelings.

in the BIG, we don't call the shots, but I do feel we have a strong voice. I say that based upon some of the changes going on in the BIG and they actually seem to be more pro UNL than anything PSU got..

[WM Wolverine]

PSU made some demands in order to join the conference, that rubbed more than a few the wrong way.

[hack]

``Sal's dead; Go Red!''

[entropy]

Go big red... Not go red..


Yes, it was said. We have our share too

[hack]

Well I didn't say it to point that out but just to demonstrate how that rivalry was then. But now that you mention it we'll have to find a way to compromise on that because I'm not convinced on the ``big'' part. Compromise suggestion: ``Go Illegal-Kick-poll-rigging-Frost-pollvoterblowjobbing Red''?

[entropy]

Hoss can validate... It was sal is dead, go big red


And yea, that was about the time of the famous urine bombs thrown on our fans.

[entropy]

Oh... And you're still lucky to have played in the crappy big10 and hid in the rose bowl...

Heh

[hack]

I'm more just expressing my own opinion. I'm sure you guys know the cheer. Over here its just GO BLUE. We don't need that kinda silliness.

[entropy]

agree.... there is no silliness with Michigan fans. =)

[Wild Hoss]

hoss probably has other thoughts..

I will provide an example, as described in Osborne?s book More Than Winning.

The Big 12 was really started by Oklahoma, who opened discussions with Texas in 1994 about joining the Big Eight. And lets make note of the wording here, because its important: joining the Big Eight.

UT then did what UT does: began making secret plans with ATM to bolt. From there it was Texas politics once the word got out, as the other SWC schools began climbing over each other?s bodies to get on the lifeboat (This is a reoccurring phenomena with teams associated with UT). Texas Tech and TCU were in, until Ann Richards got involved and shouldered TCU off the boat in favor of her alma mater, Baylor. The rest of the SWC, teams who had been associated with each other for 50 years but were no longer as asset to UT, were left to drown.

Fast forward to 1995, and things are already going awry. The wheels are in motion, and UT is changing the deal. The conference offices need to be in Dallas. The first conference commissioner was to be a SWC guy, Steve Hatchell. The issue of recruiting is also at the forefront; Texas wants higher admission standards than existed in the Big Eight, and the elimination of Partial and Non Qualifiers allowed by the Big Eight...and it should be noted, by the SWC. Its now becoming a hostile takeover.

NU is fighting this, as the deal was supposed to be the SWC joining the Big Eight under our rules. Nebraska was running a detailed study on the graduation rates and performance of players recruited under B8 rules, and was prepared to present them at the scheduled meeting on the subject of admissions in the summer of 1996, where policy would set.

Texas had other ideas. They secretly arranged an ?Emergency Session? of all schools to debate and vote on the admissions issue in late December, 1995. This would, coincidentally, coincide with the time period when bulk of Nebraska?s administration and football staff were in Tempe, AZ prepping to play Florida for the national championship.

NU AD Bill Byrne was notified of this change only days in advance, and walked into an ambush; Texas announced that without their standards, they would begin talking to the PAC10. (We?ll note, another reoccurring theme with Texas) and by a 10-2 margin new standards were created and immediately enacted...with Signing Day 1996 only six weeks out.

This is how Texas play ball.

[entropy]

my guess... would be Texas and OSU would create an alignment.. Michigan, Neb and Wisky would be on the other side. Not sure where PSU would fall. UNL has a good relationship with them, but at the same time PSU still feels like an outsider and Texas would take advantage of that..

[hack]

Sounds like France at the UN.