(09-19-2021 09:49 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  By the way, let me also say that I think the Big 12 did an amazing job during this round of realignment. It stands in stark contrast to how badly you bungled your last two expansions. Perhaps that’s because Texas was no longer around to screw things up? Whatever the case, you did it right this time.

Yes, they did this right, and I think those 4 teams are being under-valued for various reasons:

BYU: Other than Utah, has a huge base of fans in SoCal and KC. B12 is a natural home for this national program.

Houston: The two Texas teams the Pac had interest in? TCU and Houston. If Houston can keep up (no reason to think they can't) in facilities and academics, the biggest problem the B12 will have with them is they shoot to the top of poaching candidates in the next round.

Cinci: Top 20 in FB and BB in a metro area on the doorstep of the B1G and a travel P for WV - will contribute to quality of conference every year.

UCF: Sleeping giant. Largest student body in B12 once Texas leaves. Market unencumbered by NFL competition, future annual national title contender, again, will grow to the point that they may have options outside the B12 in 10 years.

All of these schools are home runs for the B12 and in 5 years will be interesting to see where the B12 ranks in FB - we know they'll be Top3 in BB.

(09-20-2021 11:48 AM)jgkojak Wrote:  

(09-19-2021 09:49 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  By the way, let me also say that I think the Big 12 did an amazing job during this round of realignment. It stands in stark contrast to how badly you bungled your last two expansions. Perhaps that’s because Texas was no longer around to screw things up? Whatever the case, you did it right this time.

Yes, they did this right, and I think those 4 teams are being under-valued for various reasons:

BYU: Other than Utah, has a huge base of fans in SoCal and KC. B12 is a natural home for this national program.

Houston: The two Texas teams the Pac had interest in? TCU and Houston. If Houston can keep up (no reason to think they can't) in facilities and academics, the biggest problem the B12 will have with them is they shoot to the top of poaching candidates in the next round.

Cinci: Top 20 in FB and BB in a metro area on the doorstep of the B1G and a travel P for WV - will contribute to quality of conference every year.

UCF: Sleeping giant. Largest student body in B12 once Texas leaves. Market unencumbered by NFL competition, future annual national title contender, again, will grow to the point that they may have options outside the B12 in 10 years.

All of these schools are home runs for the B12 and in 5 years will be interesting to see where the B12 ranks in FB - we know they'll be Top3 in BB.

I agree fully (except I would not describe UC as "top 20" in both football and hoops in terms of frequency of annual rankings; Bearcats hoops should, however, bounce back to life quickly).

My current theory is the B12 is leaking Boise and Memphis to prevent a “best of the rest” conference from forming.
The rumor creates instability and will probably keep the best of the west and AAC from joining up to compete from below.

A SDSU, BSU, AF, CSU, MEM, SMU, USF, NAVY etc could compete with the B12…keeping Boise and MEM’s hopes alive might be enough to keep them in separate groups

(09-20-2021 12:11 PM)tigerjamesc Wrote:  My current theory is the B12 is leaking Boise and Memphis to prevent a “best of the rest” conference from forming.
The rumor creates instability and will probably keep the best of the west and AAC from joining up to compete from below.

A SDSU, BSU, AF, CSU, MEM, SMU, USF, NAVY etc could compete with the B12…keeping Boise and MEM’s hopes alive might be enough to keep them in separate groups

I understand the theory...but don't believe the Big 12 conspiracy is that calculated. With all the school ADs and Bowlsby saying further expansion is likely and considering Baylor AD Rhoades and Boise AD are best of friends I can't imagine they would stoop that low. But hey, anything is possible.

They may choose not to expand (not what Boise and Memphis have been told), but I don't think it would be for for this reason.

Boise and Memphis were unanimous votes with the other 4 accepted schools.

Keep an eye on Boise though. If they dig their heels in not to go to AAC...that is more smoke that a B12 invite could be coming sooner than later.

(09-20-2021 12:54 PM)Boots Wrote:  

(09-20-2021 12:11 PM)tigerjamesc Wrote:  My current theory is the B12 is leaking Boise and Memphis to prevent a “best of the rest” conference from forming.
The rumor creates instability and will probably keep the best of the west and AAC from joining up to compete from below.

A SDSU, BSU, AF, CSU, MEM, SMU, USF, NAVY etc could compete with the B12…keeping Boise and MEM’s hopes alive might be enough to keep them in separate groups

Boise and Memphis were unanimous votes with the other 4 accepted schools.

Has this been reported? A quick twitter search of "boise" "memphis" "unanimous" doesn't turn up anything.

(09-20-2021 01:06 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-20-2021 12:54 PM)Boots Wrote:  

(09-20-2021 12:11 PM)tigerjamesc Wrote:  My current theory is the B12 is leaking Boise and Memphis to prevent a “best of the rest” conference from forming.
The rumor creates instability and will probably keep the best of the west and AAC from joining up to compete from below.

A SDSU, BSU, AF, CSU, MEM, SMU, USF, NAVY etc could compete with the B12…keeping Boise and MEM’s hopes alive might be enough to keep them in separate groups

Boise and Memphis were unanimous votes with the other 4 accepted schools.

Has this been reported? A quick twitter search of "boise" "memphis" "unanimous" doesn't turn up anything.

I'm confused as well.

Boots' following sentence...

Quote:Keep an eye on Boise though. If they dig their heels in not to go to AAC...that is more smoke that a B12 invite could be coming sooner than later.

...indicates nothing has been finalized.

Nothing finalized. Didn't mean to imply that.

This is the public version. Starts at 7 to 8 min mark. Source behind this report is Baylor AD Rhoades.

Summary...15 schools narrowed to 8. 8 schools voted on. 6 unanimous votes...the 4 accepted plus Boise and Memphis.

Then from the 6 they ranked them again.....with the top 4 getting actual invitees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3-18SeFYE0&t=2s

Many have stated they want to go 14 once TX/OU departure is settled. This is why many believe Boise and Memphis likely next 2.

That's it.

(09-20-2021 01:42 PM)Boots Wrote:  Nothing finalized. Didn't mean to imply that.

This is the public version. Starts at 7 to 8 min mark. Source behind this report is Baylor AD Rhoades.

Summary...15 schools narrowed to 8. 8 schools voted on. 6 unanimous votes...the 4 accepted plus Boise and Memphis.

Then from the 6 they ranked them again.....with the top 4 getting actual invitees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3-18SeFYE0&t=2s

Many have stated they want to go 14 once TX/OU departure is settled. This is why many believe Boise and Memphis likely next 2.

That's it.

Thanks for the link.

(09-20-2021 11:48 AM)jgkojak Wrote:  

(09-19-2021 09:49 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  By the way, let me also say that I think the Big 12 did an amazing job during this round of realignment. It stands in stark contrast to how badly you bungled your last two expansions. Perhaps that’s because Texas was no longer around to screw things up? Whatever the case, you did it right this time.

Yes, they did this right, and I think those 4 teams are being under-valued for various reasons:

BYU: Other than Utah, has a huge base of fans in SoCal and KC. B12 is a natural home for this national program.

Houston: The two Texas teams the Pac had interest in? TCU and Houston. If Houston can keep up (no reason to think they can't) in facilities and academics, the biggest problem the B12 will have with them is they shoot to the top of poaching candidates in the next round.

Cinci: Top 20 in FB and BB in a metro area on the doorstep of the B1G and a travel P for WV - will contribute to quality of conference every year.

UCF: Sleeping giant. Largest student body in B12 once Texas leaves. Market unencumbered by NFL competition, future annual national title contender, again, will grow to the point that they may have options outside the B12 in 10 years.

All of these schools are home runs for the B12 and in 5 years will be interesting to see where the B12 ranks in FB - we know they'll be Top3 in BB.

The PAC 12 was not interested in TCU or Houston.

More message board and twitter rumors/speculation.

(09-20-2021 02:00 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-20-2021 01:42 PM)Boots Wrote:  Nothing finalized. Didn't mean to imply that.

This is the public version. Starts at 7 to 8 min mark. Source behind this report is Baylor AD Rhoades.

Summary...15 schools narrowed to 8. 8 schools voted on. 6 unanimous votes...the 4 accepted plus Boise and Memphis.

Then from the 6 they ranked them again.....with the top 4 getting actual invitees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3-18SeFYE0&t=2s

Many have stated they want to go 14 once TX/OU departure is settled. This is why many believe Boise and Memphis likely next 2.

That's it.

Thanks for the link.

Yep. Memphis and Boise were unanimous votes (as far was we can tell). They simply didn't get the invites.

365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

(09-24-2021 11:08 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

Memphis will come. Their addition makes too much sense.

Also, I wouldn’t commit to building a new stadium unless I had an invite in hand. Don’t want to build a palace just to get stuck without the means to pay the bill.

(09-24-2021 11:22 AM)Sicembear11 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:08 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

Memphis will come. Their addition makes too much sense.

Also, I wouldn’t commit to building a new stadium unless I had an invite in hand. Don’t want to build a palace just to get stuck without the means to pay the bill.

Memphis should commit quickly — but not commence/spend until the invite is in hand.

(09-24-2021 11:53 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:22 AM)Sicembear11 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:08 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

Memphis will come. Their addition makes too much sense.

Also, I wouldn’t commit to building a new stadium unless I had an invite in hand. Don’t want to build a palace just to get stuck without the means to pay the bill.

Memphis should commit quickly — but not commence/spend until the invite is in hand.

I totally agree. The Big12 should go ahead and Extend the offer contingent upon getting a new stadium in a certain amount of time. I'll guarantee you that the money and finances will quickly be worked out.

(09-24-2021 11:59 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:53 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:22 AM)Sicembear11 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:08 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

Memphis will come. Their addition makes too much sense.

Also, I wouldn’t commit to building a new stadium unless I had an invite in hand. Don’t want to build a palace just to get stuck without the means to pay the bill.

Memphis should commit quickly — but not commence/spend until the invite is in hand.

I totally agree. The Big12 should go ahead and Extend the offer contingent upon getting a new stadium in a certain amount of time. I'll guarantee you that the money and finances will quickly be worked out.

My take is that the Big 12 has to move forward with a certain discretion and measured pace. As such, any invite (and I'm not fully convince it is forthcoming) might be months (or more than a year) from being issued.

And, obviously, UM officials can't say today "We're going to build an OCS ONLY if the Big 12 invites us."

It's a delicate situation, in many respects.

I feel cautiously optimistic for UM, as the "signs" point in this direction. But continued patience will be needed.

(09-24-2021 12:07 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:59 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:53 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:22 AM)Sicembear11 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:08 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

Memphis will come. Their addition makes too much sense.

Also, I wouldn’t commit to building a new stadium unless I had an invite in hand. Don’t want to build a palace just to get stuck without the means to pay the bill.

Memphis should commit quickly — but not commence/spend until the invite is in hand.

I totally agree. The Big12 should go ahead and Extend the offer contingent upon getting a new stadium in a certain amount of time. I'll guarantee you that the money and finances will quickly be worked out.

My take is that the Big 12 has to move forward with a certain discretion and measured pace. As such, any invite (and I'm not fully convince it is forthcoming) might be months (or more than a year) from being issued.

And, obviously, UM officials can't say today "We're going to build an OCS ONLY if the Big 12 invites us."

It's a delicate situation, in many respects.

I feel cautiously optimistic for UM, as the "signs" point in this direction. But continued patience will be needed.

I have to agree with everything you have said sir.

I tend to think Boise and Memphis will get invites, The B12 can't really do more invites until the Decks are cleared because of current TV deals. I think you likely will see invites happen some time after FB season is done. Probably early next year if deals are worked out with Ok/Tx leaving in 2023.

I don’t think the big 12 wants the AAC to get Colorado state and AFA so they float this rumor. Not sure if they pull the trigger if the AAC pulls it off either but it would keep them ahead of the MWC and AAC pecking order and cushion any fitter losses.

Big 14

East: KU, KSU, ISU, WVU, UC, Memphis, UCF
West: UH, Baylor, TCU, TT, OSU, BYU, Boise

Future replacements
USF, SMU, Tulane if needed.

(09-24-2021 12:07 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:59 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:53 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:22 AM)Sicembear11 Wrote:  

(09-24-2021 11:08 AM)Tigersmoke4 Wrote:  365 sicem is now saying that they only wanted the Memphis prez to commit to building a new stadium but he wouldn't because he didn't want to tie the hands of the next president after he retires next year but Memphis is still high up on their list for expansion 2.0.

Memphis will come. Their addition makes too much sense.

Also, I wouldn’t commit to building a new stadium unless I had an invite in hand. Don’t want to build a palace just to get stuck without the means to pay the bill.

Memphis should commit quickly — but not commence/spend until the invite is in hand.

I totally agree. The Big12 should go ahead and Extend the offer contingent upon getting a new stadium in a certain amount of time. I'll guarantee you that the money and finances will quickly be worked out.

My take is that the Big 12 has to move forward with a certain discretion and measured pace. As such, any invite (and I'm not fully convince it is forthcoming) might be months (or more than a year) from being issued.

And, obviously, UM officials can't say today "We're going to build an OCS ONLY if the Big 12 invites us."

It's a delicate situation, in many respects.

I feel cautiously optimistic for UM, as the "signs" point in this direction. But continued patience will be needed.

All these points seem accurate.

Of all the schools that are on the Big 12's radar screen, Memphis is probably #1.

It seems most likely that the question is not whether, but when they'll be invited to join the Big 12.

Oklahoma State's AD (one of the four Big 12 expansion committee members), apparently, blurted out prematurely that Memphis, USF, SMU, and Boise St. would be invited to join the Big 12 by 2025.

Others have suggested that there are five teams on the Big 12's short list: Memphis, USF, SMU, Boise St., and SDSU.

Texas Tech's AD has apparently stated that, from TTU's point of view, Big 12 expansion may be more likely to happen gradually, over the next decade, and possibly in two batches of two teams (e.g., teams w & x, followed at some point by teams y & z).

.

The idea that the Big 12 would force Memphis to build an OCS as a precondition for joining the Big 12 seems pretty unlikely, considering that it it's only a 12-minute bike ride from the University of Memphis main campus to the Liberty Bowl, and that it's within walking distance for the average college student.

The walk to the Liberty Bowl (41 minutes) doesn't take that much longer than it takes to walk from the University of Michigan's main campus to Michigan Stadium (24 minutes), and takes less time than it takes to walk from the University of Michigan's north campus to Michigan Stadium (51 minutes).

Would the Big 12 force Memphis to build an on campus stadium when the Liberty Bowl is no more distant from Memphis' campus than Michigan Stadium is from the University of Michigan's two Ann Arbor campuses?

Unlikely. At most, the Big 12 would probably require a few upgrades and updates to the Liberty Bowl.

(09-25-2021 09:00 AM)bluesox Wrote:  I don’t think the big 12 wants the AAC to get Colorado state and AFA so they float this rumor. Not sure if they pull the trigger if the AAC pulls it off either but it would keep them ahead of the MWC and AAC pecking order and cushion any fitter losses. ...

Except they didn't actually leak the rumor that Memphis and Boise State are next on deck ... what leaked was details about the selection process and the rumor that Memphis and Boise State are next on deck built itself from that.

It's entirely unknown to us what prospective TV partners, via "media consultants", told them regarding expansion from 12 to 14 ... the range of possibilities run from "hell no!" through "well, do it if you want to but it will dilute per school values slightly" to "great idea!".

If sports journos keep pressing them on it and a "likelihood of expanding once the TX/OK departure details are ironed out" comes out from an inside conference source, at that point we could then infer that the word from prospective TV partners was somewhere from the neutral to positive half of the possible responses. But unless/until then, the inside information we have is entirely compatible with the potential paymasters saying "12 but no more!".