Merger?

the result of years of building and working towards a LONG TERM goal....the MWC is now poised to become "big time". the MAC could take a lesson or two to learn how to create opportunities for itself.

The Big 12 would be OK if UT/OU/OSU/TT all stayed put and added the best MWC teams, but that's just not going to happen.

It seems like all of those teams are heading to the Pac-whatever as soon as Monday. Texas A&M is still flirting with joining the SEC which is a distinct possibility. That would make room for a team like Kansas or Utah to join the Pac instead.

Don't discount Texas to the Big 10. That has been the goal of the Big Ten all along.

(06-13-2010 12:10 PM)Doggone Wrote:  Don't discount Texas to the Big 10. That has been the goal of the Big Ten all along.

Texas will NEVER join the Big 10, a yankee conference. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling they won't even join the PAC-10 because of this reason too. Mark my words. NEVER! Remember the Marshall comments about "identifying with the south more than the north"? Same thing here. They have enough money that they don't need a possible $$$ increase to be ok. As a matter of fact, it may hurt them in donations and such by joining the Big 10/11. I see them either staying in the Big 12 or starting their own conference with the Texas teams in the B12 and possibly teams from states surrounding Texas(ie Okalhoma, Arkansas, Lousiana). Would LSU and/or Arkansas join such a conference? That would be a damn good conference.

Texas will go where the money and power is. If the Big 10 gets Texas and Notre Dame, they will rule College Football.

(06-13-2010 04:25 PM)RobertN Wrote:  I see [UT-Austin] either staying in the Big 12 or starting their own conference with the Texas teams in the B12 and possibly teams from states surrounding Texas(ie Oklahoma, Arkansas, Lousiana). Would LSU and/or Arkansas join such a conference?

No, they wouldn't.

The situation is still very fluid, and predictions are not etched in stone, but more like written in pencil.

But right now this minute, I think the "next moves" that seem most likely are that (1) the Texas Aggies will join the SEC, and (2) Rutgers and somebody else from the Big East will join the Big Ten.

(06-13-2010 04:25 PM)RobertN Wrote:  

(06-13-2010 12:10 PM)Doggone Wrote:  Don't discount Texas to the Big 10. That has been the goal of the Big Ten all along.

Texas will NEVER join the Big 10, a yankee conference. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling they won't even join the PAC-10 because of this reason too. Mark my words. NEVER! Remember the Marshall comments about "identifying with the south more than the north"? Same thing here. They have enough money that they don't need a possible $$$ increase to be ok. As a matter of fact, it may hurt them in donations and such by joining the Big 10/11. I see them either staying in the Big 12 or starting their own conference with the Texas teams in the B12 and possibly teams from states surrounding Texas(ie Okalhoma, Arkansas, Lousiana). Would LSU and/or Arkansas join such a conference? That would be a damn good conference.

I have to say some of the moves so far have definitely shocked me, at this point anything is possible. Too bad Jim Philips wasn't still here, I'm sure he'd be doing something remarkable. Sure haven't had any "awesome" stuff happen since JP was here...

I've been one who thought the MWC would absorb Big 12 leftovers, but I've gotten more skeptical of it the last couple of days. I think the remaining programs just have different interests.

I think Baylor is screwed and will end up in the WAC or CUSA. I can see TCU blocking them from the MWC as payback for the maneuvering that left TCU out of the Big 12. No one seems to want Baylor.

I think KU is the only possible glue for the KU/K-State/ISU/Missouri block. If KU gets the A&M Pac spot, this group isn't so cohesive. But I've read that KU is trying to keep KSU with them. If this block holds, I can see them avoiding the existing MWC. The top end of the MWC is good, the rest isn't that different from the WAC, which I would want no part of if I'm a (ex)Big 12 admin.

If I'm the North leftovers, my plan A would be to stick together and try to pull the better parts of the MWC in with Houston (and make a play for Memphis, Louisville and Cincinnati) for an all-sports conference. Plan B would be the Big East.

The total of the bunch wild card would be Missouri. If I'm Missouri, with A&M looking headed for the SEC, I'm doing everything in my power to be #14 there.

(06-13-2010 10:07 PM)NIURedBlack Wrote:  

(06-13-2010 04:25 PM)RobertN Wrote:  

(06-13-2010 12:10 PM)Doggone Wrote:  Don't discount Texas to the Big 10. That has been the goal of the Big Ten all along.

Texas will NEVER join the Big 10, a yankee conference. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling they won't even join the PAC-10 because of this reason too. Mark my words. NEVER! Remember the Marshall comments about "identifying with the south more than the north"? Same thing here. They have enough money that they don't need a possible $$$ increase to be ok. As a matter of fact, it may hurt them in donations and such by joining the Big 10/11. I see them either staying in the Big 12 or starting their own conference with the Texas teams in the B12 and possibly teams from states surrounding Texas(ie Okalhoma, Arkansas, Lousiana). Would LSU and/or Arkansas join such a conference? That would be a damn good conference.

I have to say some of the moves so far have definitely shocked me, at this point anything is possible. Too bad Jim Philips wasn't still here, I'm sure he'd be doing something remarkable. Sure haven't had any "awesome" stuff happen since JP was here...

That's because we are no longer "world class" at anything.