The Big Least

[RS9999X]

Looks like this week may be the week the Dominos start to fall after the Texas and Oklahoma Regents have their meetings.

Whatever survives of the Big-12 and Big East will be the Best of the Rest with the teams at the top begging for Big Ten recognition

This could well stop with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the PAC-14.

Missouri (or WVU) and Texas A&M to the SEC-14.

Pitt and SU to the ACC-14

The Big East and Big 12 merging into the Big-14.

West (Longhorn Network Division)

Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State

The Small Sprawl
............................
Iowa State
Nova (or another add)
UConn
RU
Louisville
Cincy
USF

 

[clonefan]

that would be a decent league and there would be quite a bit of money with UT being there. hopefully OU/OSU stays to help increase the amount of money we get though. i think if UT is willing to give up a little more money, OU/OSU stay and the league would be pretty successful

 

[JohnUnitas]

If that happens I will lose all faith in college football.

I grew up with the Big 8. In my opinion teams on the East Coast have no business coming to the middle of the country for conference games.

 

[gars44]

You just have to laugh.

 

[Sean]

If the Big East merges with the Big 12 leftovers, that conference will not be one of the 4 superconferences, and will be left out in the cold when all the fools get the playoff they so desire.

We need to use every single card we have to get into the Big 10 or ACC. Period.

 

[clonefan]

If the Big East merges with the Big 12 leftovers, that conference will not be one of the 4 superconferences, and will be left out in the cold when all the fools get the playoff they so desire.

We need to use every single card we have to get into the Big 10 or ACC. Period.

not necessarily. if UT stays around there is no way we arent one of the superconferences. too many people want UTs tv sets

 

[husky91]

UT has their choice of any of them and no way would below be even considered unless they determined that Longhorn network would deliver more $$ this way.

My guess is UT ends up in ACC and worst case UT and TTU head to PAC-12 with OU & OSU.

Looks like this week may be the week the Dominos start to fall after the Texas and Oklahoma Regents have their meetings.

Whatever survives of the Big-12 and Big East will be the Best of the Rest with the teams at the top begging for Big Ten recognition

This could well stop with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the PAC-14.

Missouri (or WVU) and Texas A&M to the SEC-14.

Pitt and SU to the ACC-14

The Big East and Big 12 merging into the Big-14.

West (Longhorn Network Division)

Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State

The Small Sprawl
............................
Iowa State
Nova (or another add)
UConn
RU
Louisville
Cincy
USF

Looks like this week may be the week the Dominos start to fall after the Texas and Oklahoma Regents have their meetings.

Whatever survives of the Big-12 and Big East will be the Best of the Rest with the teams at the top begging for Big Ten recognition

This could well stop with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the PAC-14.

Missouri (or WVU) and Texas A&M to the SEC-14.

Pitt and SU to the ACC-14

The Big East and Big 12 merging into the Big-14.

West (Longhorn Network Division)

Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State

The Small Sprawl
............................
Iowa State
Nova (or another add)
UConn
RU
Louisville
Cincy
USF

 

[WestCoastHusky]

I think UT is going indy. It would only make sense for them. They been talking about a conference with ND so UT and ND to the ACC for all sports other than football.

Here is what I think:

Pitt/CUSE to ACC
UT/ND to ACC for all sports but football. Texas to go indy with ND.

ACC at 14/16

OU/OSU to PAC-12
PAC is at 14

A&M to SEC
Missouri to SEC (I hope we keep WVU in the BE)
SEC is at 14

Remain BE and B12 leftovers to form the following:

West:

Texas Tech
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State
Iowa State
Baylor
BYU

East:

UCONN
RU
UL
WVU
USF
UCF
Cincy

This will still be a very strong football conference. We can keep the regional setup so we don't have to play across divisions multiple times. We can still keep the BCS bid. Basketball would still be very strong with UCONN, UL, Kansas and Cincy.

Then again, B1G could swoop in and take UCONN and RU to go to 14 to shore up the East Coast market now that Texas and ND are no longer options. One thing we got going for UCONN is nice TV markets and good academics. Both UCONN and RU would fit into the B1G.

 

[husky91]

That is an awful conf for hoops, by comparison. And football is lousy too as there isn't one elite team/program. But it may be what it is unfortunately. Hopefully all the confs go to 16 and we someone find a home in B10 or ACC. A package with Rutty to B10 would be a good outcome.

I think UT is going indy. It would only make sense for them. They been talking about a conference with ND so UT and ND to the ACC for all sports other than football.

Here is what I think:

Pitt/CUSE to ACC
UT/ND to ACC for all sports but football. Texas to go indy with ND.

ACC at 14/16

OU/OSU to PAC-12
PAC is at 14

A&M to SEC
Missouri to SEC (I hope we keep WVU in the BE)
SEC is at 14

Remain BE and B12 leftovers to form the following:

West:

Texas Tech
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State
Iowa State
Baylor
BYU

East:

UCONN
RU
UL
WVU
USF
UCF
Cincy

This will still be a very strong football conference. We can keep the regional setup so we don't have to play across divisions multiple times. We can still keep the BCS bid. Basketball would still be very strong with UCONN, UL, Kansas and Cincy.

Then again, B1G could swoop in and take UCONN and RU to go to 14 to shore up the East Coast market now that Texas and ND are no longer options. One thing we got going for UCONN is nice TV markets and good academics. Both UCONN and RU would fit into the B1G.

 

[gars44]

I think UT is going indy. It would only make sense for them. They been talking about a conference with ND so UT and ND to the ACC for all sports other than football.

Here is what I think:

Pitt/CUSE to ACC
UT/ND to ACC for all sports but football. Texas to go indy with ND.

ACC at 14/16

OU/OSU to PAC-12
PAC is at 14

A&M to SEC
Missouri to SEC (I hope we keep WVU in the BE)
SEC is at 14

Remain BE and B12 leftovers to form the following:

West:

Texas Tech
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State
Iowa State
Baylor
BYU

East:

UCONN
RU
UL
WVU
USF
UCF
Cincy

This will still be a very strong football conference. We can keep the regional setup so we don't have to play across divisions multiple times. We can still keep the BCS bid. Basketball would still be very strong with UCONN, UL, Kansas and Cincy.

Then again, B1G could swoop in and take UCONN and RU to go to 14 to shore up the East Coast market now that Texas and ND are no longer options. One thing we got going for UCONN is nice TV markets and good academics. Both UCONN and RU would fit into the B1G.

Interesting post. Not ideal, but not the worst thing in the world. Not terrible bball, certainly not what it has been, but desperate times call for desperate measures. You could actually live without WVU (I'd rather not) by substituting Mizzou and be OK. The whole thing hinges on political power to keep the BCS aq bid, and I think this tent is just big enough to do it. We could call it the Big Leftover conference.

 

[rich1122]

Can't see how the ACC would take SU or Pitt over us. If football were the only consideration. but .... don't take UCONN basketball?

 

[tzznandrew]

I think UT is going indy. It would only make sense for them. They been talking about a conference with ND so UT and ND to the ACC for all sports other than football.

Here is what I think:

Pitt/CUSE to ACC
UT/ND to ACC for all sports but football. Texas to go indy with ND.

ACC at 14/16

OU/OSU to PAC-12
PAC is at 14

A&M to SEC
Missouri to SEC (I hope we keep WVU in the BE)
SEC is at 14

Remain BE and B12 leftovers to form the following:

West:

Texas Tech
TCU
Kansas
Kansas State
Iowa State
Baylor
BYU

East:

UCONN
RU
UL
WVU
USF
UCF
Cincy

This will still be a very strong football conference. We can keep the regional setup so we don't have to play across divisions multiple times. We can still keep the BCS bid. Basketball would still be very strong with UCONN, UL, Kansas and Cincy.

Then again, B1G could swoop in and take UCONN and RU to go to 14 to shore up the East Coast market now that Texas and ND are no longer options. One thing we got going for UCONN is nice TV markets and good academics. Both UCONN and RU would fit into the B1G.

At that point, might as well invite Boise State for the West and either ask if 'Nova will come up or take Memphis. Get to 16.

Still, I'd be very excited to get into ACC or B10 at that point--provided ACC doesn't take ND/Texas.

I'm not sure why ND wouldn't just stay with Catholic schools? Nova, GTown, PC, St. John's, Marquette, etc. would be a very good basketball conference. They'd probably raid at least Xavier, maybe also St. Joe's.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Can't see how the ACC would take SU or Pitt over us. If football were the only consideration. but .... don't take UCONN basketball?

I don't get that either. UCONN is a state flagship school in better TV markets than both Pitt and SU. Our latest academic rankings are right there with them (#58 UCONN, #58 Pitt and #62 SU). We got much better overall athletic programs than both SU and Pitt. I would imagine we are talking to the ACC along with B1G. However, we probably end up in the Big Leftover conference I wrote above.

 

[Jimdish255]

Can't see how the ACC would take SU or Pitt over us. If football were the only consideration. but .... don't take UCONN basketball?

Fill me in here. Does the ACC really want Syracuse or is this more of a desperate bid on their part?

Secondly I have to say I'm disappointed that these teams haven't waited to see what's on the table as far as the upcomong TV contract is concerned. I'm sure the backstory will come out, but if it's just about getting scared and running for the doors there won't be a good word to say about either. It really says more about the "leadership" of the conference, or lack thereof.

 

[4UConn]

I hope the B1G is a viable option for us. I have always thought we are a great fit for that conference.

 

[junglehusky]

I hope the B1G is a viable option for us. I have always thought we are a great fit for that conference.

I hope it's a move that can happen now... it might still be a move that wouldn't be feasible until years down the road. Remember RU fans thinking Rutgers to the B10 was a done deal? Though I do think RU+UConn in the B1G might have a slightly better chance than one of those schools alone.

 

[RS9999X]

I think Pitt and SU are teams they can get a consensus on. The SEC and PAC-16 and BiG don't want them.

It's likely they know they want to go to 16 to improve their contract but are waiting for the fallout with Missouri and WVU and the SEC to decide on the NY market or another strategy.

This is the way nations get carved up. The path of least resistance and shared clustr duck.
.

 

[CL82]

You just have to laugh.

I felt a lot things since I heard this news. Somehow the urge to laugh wasn't one of them.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

If the Big East merges with the Big 12 leftovers, that conference will not be one of the 4 superconferences, and will be left out in the cold when all the fools get the playoff they so desire.

We need to use every single card we have to get into the Big 10 or ACC. Period.

+1000. Been advocating that since the first raid on BE. Screw the basketball piece and get into a strong All Sports conference.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Well I'm completely uninformed on any of this and don't have any contacts anywhere, plus I live in western Florida.

So I consider myself an expert on expansion and motivations.

We all know the admins at BCU despise Uconn and the fact that Uconn has made BCU irrelevant in the northeast athletically and that they are hemorraging fans. It appears as if SU and Pitt joining the ACC isolates Uconn and RU as the only two BE schools north of Maryland.

It looks like to me as if a squeeze play is going on and the old cut the head from the body strategy is being put in play.

As for the future, like everyone else, I don't have any faith in the commish. I do have faith in Herbst having good connections.

At least WVU is hammering another Edsall coached team. Some things never change.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Oh yeah, and for what it's worth, we're now joined at the hip with Snooki U as a means of selling the NYC market.

 

[Tommyboy]

This is all so depressing today after last night.

 

[tzznandrew]

Oh yeah, and for what it's worth, we're now joined at the hip with Snooki U as a means of selling the NYC market.

This is the worst part. I really don't think Rutgers brings much to the table. They aren't a consistent rival in anything, even football--and yet, unless we got to a 16 team ACC, they are now our rival if we end up in a BCS conference.

 

[JohnUnitas]

I hope the B1G is a viable option for us. I have always thought we are a great fit for that conference.

Seriously? You're in Connecticut. B10 is in the Midwest.

Sorry to break it to you guys, but to gain admittance into the B10, your university must be in the AAU. UConn is not in the AAU.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Seriously? You're in Connecticut. B10 is in the Midwest.

Sorry to break it to you guys, but to gain admittance into the B10, your university must be in the AAU. UConn is not in the AAU.

They took Nebraska dude. Last I checked Penn State is in the East too. UCONN is pretty highly rated academic schools that will fit just fine in the B1G. We are also a flagship state school. Our former president and now president of Illinois already said they would vote us into the B1G if it comes to that. That's 1 vote out of 12 at least.

Most important thing is we will bring CT and a piece of NYC and Boston market. B1G network gonna love that.

I would be ok if we end up with all the leftovers in a new conference. They better put down some hefty penalty clauses to stabilize the thing.

 

[upstater]

Seriously? You're in Connecticut. B10 is in the Midwest.

Sorry to break it to you guys, but to gain admittance into the B10, your university must be in the AAU. UConn is not in the AAU.

Nebraska isn't in the AAU. Neither is Notre Dame. The director of the CIC recently said that no discussion about the AAU ever took place when Nebraska was added.

 

[tzznandrew]

Seriously? You're in Connecticut. B10 is in the Midwest.

Sorry to break it to you guys, but to gain admittance into the B10, your university must be in the AAU. UConn is not in the AAU.

You may be right. Nebraska, though, isn't in the AAU anymore. It's almost all about money, and UConn brings in a different market and is academically as good as Syracuse and Pitt, which were frequently suggested to be up for consideration for inclusion.

 

[tzznandrew]

Our former president and now president of Illinois already said they would vote us into the B1G if it comes to that. That's 1 vote out of 12 at least.

Was there a post on that recently?

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

Sorry to break it to you guys, but to gain admittance into the B10, your university must be in the AAU. UConn is not in the AAU.

You do know that Nebraska is not an AAU school, right?! And Notre Dame is not an AAU school...do you think the Big Ten would think twice if Notre Dame wanted to join the Big Ten?

The AAU is not a requirement for Big Ten membership. But just cuz you read it somewhere once, it must be true, right?!

 

[upstater]

So many sports fans cite the AAU without even knowing what the thing is.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

You may be right. Nebraska, though, isn't in the AAU anymore. It's almost all about money, and UConn brings in a different market and is academically as good as Syracuse and Pitt, which were frequently suggested to be up for consideration for inclusion.

With CUSE, Pitt, ND, Texas and maybe Missouri out of the picture, UCONN and RU suddenly look like good fits for the B1G. I can't imagine these guys standing around while other conferences go to 14 or 16.

 

[Sean]

You do know that Nebraska is not an AAU school, right?! And Notre Dame is not an AAU school...do you think the Big Ten would think twice if Notre Dame wanted to join the Big Ten?

The AAU is not a requirement for Big Ten membership. But just cuz you read it somewhere once, it must be true, right?!

I am pretty sure Nebraska was an AAU school when they were admitted to the Big 10, and was kicked out of the AAU shortly thereafter. Could be wrong but that is how I remember it.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

I am pretty sure Nebraska was an AAU school when they were admitted to the Big 10, and was kicked out of the AAU shortly thereafter. Could be wrong but that is how I remember it.

That is true. Some B1G schools even voted to kick them out of the AAU. UCONN could easily be in the AAU within 1 year if we end up in the B1G.

 

[tzznandrew]

I am pretty sure Nebraska was an AAU school when they were admitted to the Big 10, and was kicked out of the AAU shortly thereafter. Could be wrong but that is how I remember it.

This is true. It was on the board. But ND has always had an open invitation. While ND is ND, it proves that AAU isn't be-all, end-all. B10 isn't likely to sit pat.

 

[upstater]

I am pretty sure Nebraska was an AAU school when they were admitted to the Big 10, and was kicked out of the AAU shortly thereafter. Could be wrong but that is how I remember it.

The votes to keep it IN the AAU were B10 votes. When Big10 votes went against Nebraska, they were kicked out. What does that tell you about how much Big10 presidents value AAU schools in the athletic conference?

 

[WestCoastHusky]

The votes to keep it IN the AAU were B10 votes. When Big10 votes went against Nebraska, they were kicked out. What does that tell you about how much Big10 presidents value AAU schools in the athletic conference?

You mean the votes to keep them in were B12 votes. B12 schools voted to keep Nebraska in the AAU while some B1G schools did not vote for Nebraska. I think UCONN should be in the AAU. It will happen with Herbst at the helm soon enough.

 

[JohnUnitas]

You may be right. Nebraska, though, isn't in the AAU anymore. It's almost all about money, and UConn brings in a different market and is academically as good as Syracuse and Pitt, which were frequently suggested to be up for consideration for inclusion.

But they were at the time of admittance. The reason they aren't anymore is because some of their fellow B10 schools (Michigan/Wisconsin) voted them out. The presidents of those two schools have also publicly stated their disapproval of Nebraska joining the conference for that reason alone.

UConn may be academically as good, but they don't bring in the level of research dollars that the B10 prides themselves in.

You all are underestimating the arrogance in terms of academics that many of the universities in the B10 have. Some of which is very much deserved. I understand the feeling that many of you have towards TV markets/national football prominance being the driving factor for conference affiliation, but you all seem to forget that Oklahoma was denied acceptance into the B10 last year due entirely to their lack of academics.

I'm not trying to be that guy, but if they deny Oklahoma, do you really think they are going to vote in favor of UConn?

 

[4UConn]

UConn is a flagship state university, like many B1G schools, and it opens significant markets for the B1G. UConn's basketball prestige would mean ALOT to the B1G conference. Oh and BTW Unitas, last I checked Texas was not on the Atlantic Coast; and TCU isn't in the East.

 

[tzznandrew]

But they were at the time of admittance. The reason they aren't anymore is because some of their fellow B10 schools (Michigan/Wisconsin) voted them out. The presidents of those two schools have also publicly stated their disapproval of Nebraska joining the conference for that reason alone.

UConn may be academically as good, but they don't bring in the level of research dollars that the B10 prides themselves in.

You all are underestimating the arrogance in terms of academics that many of the universities in the B10 have. Some of which is very much deserved. I understand the feeling that many of you have towards TV markets/national football prominance being the driving factor for conference affiliation, but you all seem to forget that Oklahoma was denied acceptance into the B10 last year due entirely to their lack of academics.

I'm not trying to be that guy, but if they deny Oklahoma, do you really think they are going to vote in favor of UConn?

I don't remember OU actually applying or looking to join the B10. I thought all of that went with the Pac 10/12. I may be wrong, but part of OUs problem is that they NEED to take OSU anywhere they go.

 

[chickenhead]

The Big10 makes a ton of money as it is, has the Big10 Network and the schools don't seem to be expansion crazy.

 

[JohnUnitas]

I don't remember OU actually applying or looking to join the B10. I thought all of that went with the Pac 10/12. I may be wrong, but part of OUs problem is that they NEED to take OSU anywhere they go.

Which is unfortunate for them because Okie Lite is a glorified JuCo. Same thing with Texas Tech and Kansas State.

 

[tzznandrew]

The Big10 makes a ton of money as it is, has the Big10 Network and the schools don't seem to be expansion crazy.

They haven't had to be at all. They were at 11 for a while, but only 3 of the 6 BCS schools had a title game (and the ACC only for a short while). As soon as the Pac 10 moved for a title game, so did they. Similarly, if everyone is moving to 16, I think the B10 will as well.

 

[tzznandrew]

Which is unfortunate for them because Okie Lite is a glorified JuCo. Same thing with Texas Tech and Kansas State.

Which is exactly the baggage they bring that UConn doesn't.

 

[gars44]

At that point, might as well invite Boise State for the West and either ask if 'Nova will come up or take Memphis. Get to 16.

Still, I'd be very excited to get into ACC or B10 at that point--provided ACC doesn't take ND/Texas.

I'm not sure why ND wouldn't just stay with Catholic schools? Nova, GTown, PC, St. John's, Marquette, etc. would be a very good basketball conference. They'd probably raid at least Xavier, maybe also St. Joe's.

I wouldn't want Nova. I'm sorry. I'd prefer Temple to tell you the truth. And Nova doesn't buy in either. Not worth giving up all those relationships to tinker with football in this type of conference. Also, would BYU join? Be nice if they would if even for the political pull they have. Baylor too.

 

[tzznandrew]

I wouldn't want Nova. I'm sorry. I'd prefer Temple to tell you the truth. And Nova doesn't buy in either. Not worth giving up all those relationships to tinker with football in this type of conference. Also, would BYU join? Be nice if they would if even for the political pull they have. Baylor too.

I was thinking 'Nova or Memphis, in part, to keep the basketball as strong as possible. Temple, Nova, Memphis are football drek anyway, might as well hope they contribute something.