Texas and the Big Ten

[56BISON73]

Report: Big Ten, Texas have initial talks

Posted by John Taylor on February 11, 2010 11:54 AM ET
Now this would certainly shake things up a little bit.
Back in the middle of December, the Big Ten publicly acknowledged (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/15/big-ten-confirms-expansion-evaluation/) that expansion was officially on the table (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/15/report-big-ten-to-make-expansion-statement-today/). Almost immediately, names like Missouri, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and the like were mentioned as possibilities.


Based on at least one report, you can push those little minnows to the shallow end of the pool for now. The conference has its eyes on a whale of a school.


According to a report in the Lawrence Journal-World, and citing a source with ties to the conference, the Big Ten and Texas have engaged in "preliminary exchanges" (http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/feb/11/big-ten-making-overtures-texas/?sports) about the Big 12 school switching leagues and joining an expanded Big Ten.


"There have been preliminary exchanges between the Big Ten and Texas," the source told the Journal-World on Wednesday. "People will deny that, but it's accurate."


With the exception of Notre Dame, landing Texas would be far and away the biggest get for the Big Ten. Given the eyeballs the state of Texas would bring to the Big Ten Network, you could even make a pretty good argument that they would be a bigger get than the Irish.


As for the geographic distance between the current member schools and Texas, the Journal-World writes that "[t]ravel costs, in terms of money and fatigue, make Texas seem on the surface like a stretch, but TV revenue would more than make up for the fatigue factor."


Given the conference's own time table -- they said in January that a decision on whether to expand would take anywhere from 12 to 18 months -- this is obviously very preliminary.


But, still, the idea of Texas moving to the Big Ten would certainly send a major tremor through the college football world in general, and the Big 12 specifically. Especially if the rumors come to fruition and Colorado bolts for the Pac-10 (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/09/pac-10-to-undergo-a-ute-movement/).


One thing seems certain in all of this: the landscape of the game is almost certain to look much different in two years than it does right now.

[onbison09]

That would be colossally stupid.

[MNLonghorn10]

That would be colossally stupid.

disagreed. especially when you look at the tv revenues.

[BurroBlue]

ESPN radio today was talking about the possibility of the Big Televen increasing to 14 or even 16 teams with the additions of Texas, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Pitt. That would be an amazing media conference - stretching from Austin to New York and including Kansas City, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit (even Philly, Dallas, Cleveland, and Milwaukee to some extent).

The Big 10 network is already the most profitable college football network; think about how big this would make it.

If (IF!) that happened and the Pac 10 stole Colorado, the Big 12 would really have to start picking apart the Mountain West.

Even if nothing happens as a result of this, just the talks are fun. I especially enjoy how the Big Televen says the addition of a conference championship game is a main reason for expansion...but also says college football doesn't need a playoff system.

[BurroBlue]

I, of course, will still stubbornly (and stupidly) wait for my beloved Irish to become a Big Televen school.

[onbison09]

disagreed. especially when you look at the tv revenues.

Yeah but there's no geography or history with the other schools. What about the A&M and OU games? Those would probably be played every year so that takes up out of conference games.

[TbonZach]

....Based on at least one report, you can push those little minnows to the shallow end of the pool for now. The conference has its eyes on a whale of a school.....

NDSU? :confused: :D

[silkamilkamonico]

Yeah but there's no geography or history with the other schools. What about the A&M and OU games? Those would probably be played every year so that takes up out of conference games.

From a monetary standpoint, it makes total sense. Also, Texas has wanted to get in to a more prestigeous academic conference for years now, and the Big 10 triumps the Big 12. Aside froom the humongous revenue the Big 10 gets from it's lucradive TV contract, it also entails guaranteed payouts, where the Big 12 does not.

There's a reason why teams from all sorts of major conferences want the Big 10, such as Pitt, Missouri, ad Texas among others.

[EndZoneQB]

I am in for this for sure. I could finally have a reason to get to the big house, the horseshoe, and happy valley.

[MNLonghorn10]

the odds of it happening are slim to none though.

[DjKyRo]

The conference has its eyes on a whale of a school.

....when did Bohl start writing for the internet?

[BurroBlue]

the odds of it happening are slim to none though.

You think so? I don't know. From a football standpoint, the Big Televen should go after Texas hard. The one obvious weakness is that Texas isn't viewed as an "academic" school. I'm not saying they aren't, they just aren't viewed the same way as what the Big 10 looks for. So the Big 10 needs to make a decision - go after a great academic school with a good football history (Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers); or go after a great football history with good academics (Texas, Nebraska). I'm not sure where someone like Missouri would fit into that.

I really think there's a greater chance of Texas leaving for the Big 10 than of Colorado leaving for the Pac 10....but I've been horribly wrong before.

[MNLonghorn10]

You think so? I don't know. From a football standpoint, the Big Televen should go after Texas hard. The one obvious weakness is that Texas isn't viewed as an "academic" school. I'm not saying they aren't, they just aren't viewed the same way as what the Big 10 looks for. So the Big 10 needs to make a decision - go after a great academic school with a good football history (Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers); or go after a great football history with good academics (Texas, Nebraska). I'm not sure where someone like Missouri would fit into that.

I really think there's a greater chance of Texas leaving for the Big 10 than of Colorado leaving for the Pac 10....but I've been horribly wrong before.

texas academically is right up there with every big 10 school.

[onbison09]

texas academically is right up there with every big 10 school.

Yeah just ask any Texas HS kid who wants to get in. :banghead: :banghead:

[SDbison]

The NCAA should force Notre Dame to join the Big Ten if they expand. Tired of the Irish getting to use their Independent status to their advantage all the time.

[Bison Dan]

The NCAA should force Notre Dame to join the Big Ten if they expand. Tired of the Irish getting to use their Independent status to their advantage all the time.

Just think what they'd be like if their FB program was going 10-1 every year.

[BurroBlue]

The NCAA should force Notre Dame to join the Big Ten if they expand. Tired of the Irish getting to use their Independent status to their advantage all the time.


I like that. Would you force Navy and Army to join conferences, too? Navy to the Big East, and Army to C-USA? Both to C-USA? One to the MAC? Would make for good discussion...

[MNLonghorn10]

The NCAA should force Notre Dame to join the Big Ten if they expand. Tired of the Irish getting to use their Independent status to their advantage all the time.

thank god this isnt the 80s.

nobody cares about the irish.

[BurroBlue]

thank god this isnt the 80s.

nobody cares about the irish.

:fight: :paperbag:

[MNLonghorn10]

:fight: :paperbag:

haha, irish fan i take it?

[bisonmike2]

I like the idea. And take Oklahoma with you!

Nebraska might have a shot of winning the conference championship again

[EndZoneQB]

I like the idea. And take Oklahoma with you!

Nope.



Nebraska might have a shot of winning the conference championship again

No Suh, but they'll get a chance to do it this year.

[DjKyRo]

I like the idea. And take Oklahoma with you!

Nebraska might have a shot of winning the conference championship again

And then NDSU to the Big XII! :frog:

[ndsubison1]

Nope.



No Suh, but they'll get a chance to do it this year.

But they still have Zach Lee. They need another Jammal Lord :rofl:

Sorry had to pull it out. I actually like Nebraska

[MNLonghorn10]

i think that cody greene kid will be the starter for nebraska.

[mango]

I, of course, will still stubbornly (and stupidly) wait for my beloved Irish to become a Big Televen school.

Not happening, IMO

[HuskerFan]

And then NDSU to the Big XII! :frog:

I like that idea. Let NDSU and SDSU both join the Big XII

[HuskerFan]

And then NDSU to the Big XII! :frog:

Will be interesting to see what happens to the Big XII if 3 teams leave for other Conferences.

Texas, Missouri to the Big 10
Colorado to the Pac 10

So which teams would the Big 12 invite? This is what I would like to see:

Big 12
North Division:
Nebraska
NDSU
SDSU
Boise State
Iowa State
Kansas

South Division:
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas Tech
Texas A&M
Baylor
Kansas State

Never will happen, but one can dream

[BurroBlue]

haha, irish fan i take it?

Unfortunately. At least I spend my springs and summers being disappointed in the Cubs, too...really takes the pressure off being an Irish fan.

I think ND is stupid for not pursuing the Big 10, and I think Texas would be dumb to not seriously look into it, also. Div 1 FBS football is about money, plain and simple. Those of us that passionately follow colllege football can argue all kinds of more noble reasons, but when it gets right down to it, college presidents and AD's at FBS schools are motivated by money. A Texas move into the Big 10 would open Scrooge McDuck-esque rooms full of money that they can't possible get in the Big 12. Their recruiting base would extend into the Chicago and New York markets, and they'd be able to promote their product across 2/3 of the country. Take a look at the two biggest objections:

1. Rivalries/regional opponents - If TAM and OU are that important, schedule them. USC and Ohio State have a good thing going right now; why couldn't UT and OU do the same? The Texas program will get more, overall, out of beating up on Minnesota than they will out of beating up on Baylor. On top of that, rivalries can be replaced. Notre Dame had great rivalries with Army and Penn State, but both ended. If Texas can't find a way to keep OU on the schedule, someone else with become their next best rivalry. Seems to me that most of you on Bisonville have moved past UND; I would guess UT fans could do the same.

2. Travel - Please. These schools are leaving on Thursday to play games on Saturday. Travel is a problem for sorry suckers like me that played in the NAIA and had to ride a bus across the state. The difference between Texas traveling to Colorado or Northwestern is pretty minimal for the size of budget they're working with.

IMO, this would make Texas the premeire school in the country, at least for a little while. Not only would the get all the advantages of moving from the Big 12 to the Big 10 (or, 12, or whatever they'll call it now), they'd have all the press that comes with making a major change.

[KC Bison]

I've heard of an even larger unveiling of the Big 12. The rumor I have heard was the Big 10 adding Pitt, Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and splitting into two 8 team divisions.

[BurroBlue]

I've heard of an even larger unveiling of the Big 12. The rumor I have heard was the Big 10 adding Pitt, Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and splitting into two 8 team divisions.

One of the ESPN guys last week was talking Texas, Missouri, Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers, too. Kansas/Oklahoma would be more fun than 'Cuse/Rutgers.

[siouxdgj]

Nothing wrong with Big XII universities. My family has attended a number of them. Big Ten is on the whole older than most Big XII schools. Missouri wasn't started until 1839, Nebraska until 1869. Big Ten universities on the whole a bit larger in enrollment, possibly a reason for more research dollars going to Big Ten universities. One can get an excellent education at a Big XII university--providing one is interested. It's all up to you.

[Kermit]

Nothing wrong with Big XII universities. My family has attended a number of them. Big Ten is on the whole older than most Big XII schools. Missouri wasn't started until 1839, Nebraska until 1869. Big Ten universities on the whole a bit larger in enrollment, possibly a reason for more research dollars going to Big Ten universities. One can get an excellent education at a Big XII university--providing one is interested. It's all up to you.

When Big Ten presidents talk about academic compatibility, they are NOT talking about schools where one can get a good undergraduate education. All eleven Big Ten schools are members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). http://www.aau.edu/about/default.aspx?id=58


The Association of American Universities (AAU) is a nonprofit organization of 62 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1900 to advance the international standing of U.S. research universities, AAU today focuses on issues that are important to research-intensive universities, such as funding for research, research policy issues, and graduate and undergraduate education.

AAU member universities are on the leading edge of innovation, scholarship, and solutions that contribute to the nation's economy, security, and well-being. The 60 AAU universities in the United States award more than one-half of all U.S. doctoral degrees and 55 percent of those in the sciences and engineering.

AAU programs and projects address institutional issues facing its member universities, as well as government actions that affect these and other universities.

AAU works to maintain the productive partnership between the nation’s research universities and the federal government. The major activities of the association include federal government relations, policy studies, and public affairs.

Membership in the association is by invitation.

[Kermit]

One of the ESPN guys last week was talking Texas, Missouri, Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers, too. Kansas/Oklahoma would be more fun than 'Cuse/Rutgers.

All of those school are AAU members--and thus likely acceptable to the Big Ten as peer institutions--except Oklahoma.

[GOB1SON]

thank god this isnt the 80s.

nobody cares about the irish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWmf3Waio9E

NSFW!

[BurroBlue]

All of those school are AAU members--and thus likely acceptable to the Big Ten as peer institutions--except Oklahoma.

Dynomite info, Kermit! Here's my new bandwagon: Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Pitt, and Notre Dame! (I'm ignoring that ND doesn't belong...)

[met1990]

I wasn't sure where this fit best, but it has an interesting idea regarding wholesale conference realignment: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/02/16/conference-realignment/index.html?eref=sihp