THE OFFICIAL SH THREAD of ALL Possible Conference Expansions

[unpaid]

I'm curious about the influence of state legislatures.Let's say that the PAC-10 wants Texas,but not Texas A&M.

Then,Texas says yes. What happens then. Would Texas cut off funding for it's primary university in the whole state? Lot's of people involved in the process would necessarily have a degree from UT. Would they penalize their own alma mater? Would it matter if Texas kept A&M on it's schedule as a non-conference opponent every year?

From the PAC-10's point of view,they can invite who they want,regardless of what state legislatures want.

[wyokie]

I'm curious about the influence of state legislatures.Let's say that the PAC-10 wants Texas,but not Texas A&M.

Then,Texas says yes. What happens then. Would Texas cut off funding for it's primary university in the whole state? Lot's of people involved in the process would necessarily have a degree from UT. Would they penalize their own alma mater? Would it matter if Texas kept A&M on it's schedule as a non-conference opponent every year?

From the PAC-10's point of view,they can invite who they want,regardless of what state legislatures want.

Funny you should mention that.

Back when the Big 12 was being formed in 1994 to start up in 1996, UT and A & M didn't want TTU and Baylor to be a part of the Big 12. They were forced by both the Governor and Lt. Governor to add them in as well or the state legislature would stop giving money to UT and A & M from the oil reserves the state had. So....

Ann Richards, the governor at the time, and the Lt. Governor were both alumni of......Texas Tech and Baylor.

[unpaid]

The clear message here is that the top executives in Texas would have to have a major,perhaps deciding influence on what both schools do.

So,it is 2010. Governor Rick Perry is a Texas A&M grad,and the lt. governor is Donald Dewhurst, an Arizona grad. Perry is probably interested if the Texas invite comes up,but the Lt. governor doesn;t appear to have a dog in the fight ,unless his constituents hound him about it.

What do you think the outcome would be?

I think Perry might not put up a huge fight.

[wyokie]

The clear message here is that the top executives in Texas would have to have a major,perhaps deciding influence on what both schools do.

So,it is 2010. Governor Rick Perry is a Texas A&M grad,and the lt. governor is Donald Dewhurst, an Arizona grad. Perry is probably interested if the Texas invite comes up,but the Lt. governor doesn;t appear to have a dog in the fight ,unless his constituents hound him about it.

What do you think the outcome would be?

I think Perry might not put up a huge fight.

As long as A & M and UT are together, I don't think anyone in Texas will mind where they end up.

I'd say it's 65/35 shot this rumor is true....and all hell breaks loose soon.

[Haynr8dr]

Its funny how people take pure rumor and speculation and assume it as fact. I've seen at least three different scenarios from wyokie that are "100% going to happen". Pure sh!t if you ask me. Super conferences don't work......period.

It's a little more than rumors, Rod. There are principle people speculating on this on ESPN's "College Football Live". "Principle people" would include atheltic directors and league Presidents. There appears to be some serious thoughts on this. Too early to say it's going to happen, but it's definitely being thought about.

[NiCkOwNsRTR]

Hating all of these talks of expansion. Hell, I wish the SEC would contract back to ten teams.

[wyokie]

A local T.V. Station here in OKC (KWTV) polled people about the idea of a PAC-16 a couple of nights ago. There were 5 choices but it basically came down to....

45% love/like the idea
45% hated it beyond belief!
10% couldn't give a flying leap about it!

[J-Rod]

It's a little more than rumors, Rod. There are principle people speculating on this on ESPN's "College Football Live". "Principle people" would include atheltic directors and league Presidents. There appears to be some serious thoughts on this. Too early to say it's going to happen, but it's definitely being thought about.

Guess it depends who you listen too. Washington's AD said just yesterday that all this expansion talk is "all speculation" and that while he acknowledges the talks, he wouldn't be surprised if NOTHING throughout all of college football happens. He expects everyone will eventually "stay with the status quo".

Again, its all crap until something beyond rumor happens.

[BayonneFrank]

Everybody wants the Longhorns and the money they can bring to the table. The PAC 10 deal is well thought out. In fact it is too well thought out and makes me believe they spoke to Texas and/or Oklahoma well before this rumor of an invite came out. It takes care of the political side of the equation and that is extremely important in Texas. UT is a state university so whenever something big comes up the politicians get involved. From what I've learned they want the other state schools A&M and Tech included in any deal. Baylor is a private institution and Anne Richards is no longer governor so they lose out.
The big deal here is what the Texas board of regents and politicians consider a potential goldmine that could help them offset the subsidies they give each university. That is research dollars. The PAC 10 schools dwarf the Texas schools in the dollars they get. The regents are hoping that an association with the PAC 10 will greatly increase the monies their universities receive now. The Big 10 would have no problem including UT and A&M in a proposal but I believe they wouldn't offer Tech a slot (they are a tier 3 school) and that could put them at a disadvantage. Surprisingly, the PAC 10 is willing to overlook this. It could be that the CA state schools are feeling a real budget crunch and are having problems supporting all the non-revenue sports.
The PAC 10 proposal also answers the concern in travel expenses and keeping traditional rivalries. The eastern division will only make one west coast trip in football each year. The other sports will make limited trips as well. The clear majority of games would be played in warm weather. OU is the #1 rivalry for Texas and vice averse so adding OU to the mix will keep both Texas and OU happy. OU can only go if Ok. St. is invited for the same reasons mentioned above and would preserve the Bedlam series. A&M considers UT their #1 rival but the feeling isn't mutual. Tech considers UT their #1 rival but again, the feeling isn't mutual. The losers in all this seem to be the two Arizona schools who have now been banished to another division. I can't believe they would agree to that so I'm looking forward to see what they received as incentives. Colorado is happy to be in but would have liked to play more Western Division schools because they have a strong alumni base in California. OW!
The PAC 10 deal also answers the recruiting concerns that Texas has. They dominate the recruiting in their home state. Oklahoma is probably #2. By having a division of primarily the same rivals they would keep this advantage. For some reason UT doesn't consider the PAC 10 schools a threat but they definately consider the SEC schools as one. Since folks are so football crazy in Texas you have to assume the politicians are the same way. They would use this and the research dollars to lobby the legislature to prevent A&M from moving to the SEC.
Academically an association with the PAC10 or Big 10 would be a win for the Texas schools. That's not the case with the SEC. In fact I don't think that It is even considering the SEC except to use as leverage in negotiations. The PAC 10 will allow UT to have their own network in the same manner the SEC allows their schools. The TV money from a BIGPAC Conference would be enormous.

[wyokie]

Y'all had better read this thread on WyoNation ASAP!

http://www.wyonation.com/forum/viewtopi ... 42&start=0

Apparemtly the Big 12 got a bit P.O.ed at Nebraska and Missouri for courting with the Big Ten which probably started the whole PAC-16 rumors and stuff. So, the conference told both schools to either commit to the Big 12 or ELSE....leave the conference ASAP!!

BTW, the Colorado to the MWC angle someone on WN suggested is the lamest suggestion EVER!!!!!

[J-Rod]

Y'all had better read this thread on WyoNation ASAP!

http://www.wyonation.com/forum/viewtopi ... 42&start=0

Apparemtly the Big 12 got a bit P.O.ed at Nebraska and Missouri for courting with the Big Ten which probably started the whole PAC-16 rumors and stuff. So, the conference told both schools to either commit to the Big 12 or ELSE....leave the conference ASAP!!

BTW, the Colorado to the MWC angle someone on WN suggested is the lamest suggestion EVER!!!!!

Uh oh.....Nebraska and Missouri got caught cheating. Their girlfriend(Big 12) is gonna cut them loose now.

In all seriousness, NU and MIZZOU's decision could make or break all the conference realignment talk. Regardless I don't see it all happening. Truth is, we are not all one big happy family. Not everyone will agree and because of that things will break down. Too many programs are tied to the hip with another team.

[rodfather]

Well, I have to say, I have to hand it to the PAC 10...this idea they are thinking about is bold but also logical. With all due respect to the non BCS schools, the PAC 10 has always had as a chip on its shoulder the East Coast bias that PAC 10 football is weak, doesn't play defense etc. One of the reasons they have shunned going to 12 was that they felt that even if they added say two schools from the Rockies it wouldn't have added much. But to get the Texas schools among others would be the key.

They would not have the problem that the WAC 16 had. Other than its shear size, the final straw for BYU, Utah, CSU, Wyoming, and Air Force was that when the other WAC presidents drew up the new divisions for the conference, these 5 traditional rivals were broken up into separate divisions. Hence, the meeting at the Denver Airport. With this Pacific 16 proposal, the original PAC 8 west coast schools can be in one division and the Arizona schools can join Colorado, the Oklahoma Schools and the Texas schools. On paper, the PAC can say they truly are the conference of the West. TV market wise, they have the West Coast, the Southwest, Texas, the lower midwest and with Colorado they have presence in the Rockies.

[wyokie]

They would not have the problem that the WAC 16 had. Other than its shear size, the final straw for BYU, Utah, CSU, Wyoming, and Air Force was that when the other WAC presidents drew up the new divisions for the conference, these 5 traditional rivals were broken up into separate divisions. Hence, the meeting at the Denver Airport. With this Pacific 16 proposal, the original PAC 8 west coast schools can be in one division and the Arizona schools can join Colorado, the Oklahoma Schools and the Texas schools. On paper, the PAC can say they truly are the conference of the West. TV market wise, they have the West Coast, the Southwest, Texas, the lower midwest and with Colorado they have presence in the Rockies.

+1 billion billion

[tico brown]

Check out the write up below. Its mostly about the Nebraska/Missouri Ultimatum. But some interesting points were brought up:
http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1091537

-Notre Dame will end the B10's expansion at 12 if they say yes to the B10, no matter what Nebraska say. ND's LARGE (and obnoxious) fan base in New York/New jersey will bring the Number 1 TV Market that the B10 wants for its network. No need for Rutgers or a western expansion with Nebraska for that matter.
-Two teams may be left out of the cold. Colorado may get TCU'ed if those Texas Lawmakers can screw them with their Baylor facination. Mizzou may be out of the B10 (see above).
-All NON-BCS teams will REALLY be left out, and IMO may bring out the Division 1-AA status again, if all of the SUPERCONFERENCES (B10, SEC, P16, ACC/BE COMBO) take over the BCS and keep the money, TV, media, merchandise, etc for themselves. Watch out Hawaii, Boise, TCU, Utah, BYU, etc.

[rodfather]

Well, this is interesting...the Big 12 just gave Nebraska and Missouri an Ultimatum and the PAC-10 Presidents just gave the PAC 10 Commissioner authority to explore expansion.

When this first came out last week, I thought it was the usual "what if?" questions we always go through every year...with all of this going on...WOW.