The Big XII Is Crumbling As We Speak
by Adam Jacobi on Jun 3, 2010 7:24 PM CDT
in Iowa Hawkeyes News
Email
PrintIt's no surprise that we expected radical changes at the Big XII, to the point that whatever's left wouldn't be called the Big XII anymore. Maybe a revival of the Big 8 or whatever. We expected those changes to come after the Big Ten took who they wanted from the conference, and that it would be after this coming football season.
What we did not expect, however, was that the conference might not survive until the end of the week, or that its demise would be brought on by another conference. But lo and behold, that seems to be the case.
This all started with an article by Orangebloods.com, which cited (sigh) anonymous sources claiming that at the Pac-10's annual meetings this weekend, the Pac-10 is set to offer membership to Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Colorado.
Now look. We've already said that we don't want to get suckered in by anonymous reports, and we kept them off our page over the course of the afternoon. Even though Orangebloods' report--written by a former Dallas Morning News guy, Chip Brown--was expansive, specific, and easily deniable, it's still not a lot different from the reports we'd seen over the last few months.
But then, after the aforementioned schools issued tepid semi-denials, the Big XII decided to announce a press conference to update media members on the state of the conference. They scheduled it for 5 p.m. today.
Then they straight up canceled the presser, issuing no comment and rescheduling for tomorrow. As one CycloneFanatic poster superbly put it, "Well the Big 12 is good at sitting and waiting to see what happens. Nothing new here."
Mirth aside, however, reports from Kansas City make it seem obvious that the Big XII isn't waiting, they're realizing that the end is here.
The Gazette's Scott Dochterman (a celebrated Friend Of The Pants) is at the Big XII's meeting in Kansas City--quelle chance--and has been reporting from there all day. As he put it on Twitter:
It means nobody is on the same message and all hell is breaking loose. Happy Trails to the Big 12. Press conference canceled, 8 schools looking to leave.
That would be the six mentioned above, plus Nebraska and Missouri with their overtures to the Big Ten.
However, if the reports turn out to be accurate, which is still not a guarantee, this puts Kansas in a very awkward position. If Missouri and Nebraska also hightail it (another assumption here, but one generally accepted as inevitable), KU would be left with Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas State. You think KU feels any need to stick by those three schools? You know, the three that were so unmarketable that it plunged the Big XII into a ruinous financial inferiority? Any need at all?
Or does KU immediately recognize try to hitch its ride to the Big Ten as well? Might KU even try to outmuscle Missouri if there's one slot between the two? If it's either that or the MWC/Big XII Leftover Great Plains Superconference, we imagine KU's decision would be very, very easy.
At any rate, we owe Scott Dochterman a massive debt of gratitude for his excellent reporting, and rest assured that this story's only just beginning. We also owe that gratitude to Dan Beebe, who is quite possibly the worst conference commissioner in all of NCAA history.
338 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Same here, but the Pac-10's academic bona fides are just about as good.
As for the rest, well, the Pac-10 was willing to offer four nearby teams so Texas wouldn’t be alone, and the BXI can’t match that.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
No, but we can offer money (and 2 others?)
I just did a write-up on my blog (wasn’t sure if it’s okay to link), and talked mainly about the finances: right now every Pac-10 team gets between 8 and 10 million, and the Big Ten Network wasn’t financially successful for two years. Now, it pays out about $20 mil, when taken in concert with the ESPN deal, and that’s expected to double by 2015. Adding Texas’ market would mean at least $25 million per school in the here and now, and I don’t think Texas could be foolish enough to give up 15 million like that.
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
In the short term we can offer them more money, but if you believe this latest round of rumors then you should also note the part where it talks about forming a Pac-Ten/Big12 tv network. If they could get their network on all the tvs from Washington to Texas I’m sure that long term they’d be able to make money that would easily rival the revenue the Big Ten gets from its network.
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 3, 2010 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions
And while they're fighting over distribution
we’re already set up. Ignoring Texas population right now (as they would be factored in to either conference), I’m pretty sure the Big 10 footprint has more population than the Pac 10.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes
The BigXI has the largest population footprint of any conference (26% of national pop, SEC is #2 with 23%). Of course, as you allude to, adding Texas would probably make the SEC or Pac 10 #1.
Well there's the question:
Is Stanford on board? With the Pac 10’s unanimous voting and Stanford’s stodgy voting record why would we expect the Cardinal to budge on schools like Texas Tech and the Oklahoma schools?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Oklahoma is the medicine
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Oklahoma's pretty crappy academically
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Texas wasn't in 1992.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
As in take your medicine...
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
So that makes
Oklahoma State a nasty fiber supplement and Texas Tech corrective head gear?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
at best...
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Bingo
we’re not hearing enough of this. Unless they’re being massively stiff armed / paid, I can’t see how this would get past them. Especially seeing how fast this is supposedly moving.
Or. Maybe this is all Delaney’s doing. Pulling the strings and all. The more 16 team super-conferences look to be a certainty, the more ND’s hand is forced. Doesn’t make me happy, but the dominoes will fall.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Pac-10 doesn't require unanimous voting
(a number of sources have said it’s supermajority now) but the academic concerns are valid.
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
I did not know that
did it change? Or were we working with bad information?
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Pretty sure it changed when they went to 10
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
That can't be right.
Stanford alone vetoed Texas in the early 90’s. Not saying it’s not true, just that your timeline may be off.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Stanford...
is basically a mirage in so many ways. I love them for being the ultimate academic peacock.
At the end of the day, it is a tiny college with limited intellectual interest. And that they have found a way to be so good athletically is akin to the Boise story IMO.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
How are they a mirage?
The academic and athletic excellence is very real. That it’s pretty much unprecedented is just what strengthens their reputation, no?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Long story...in short
they are a limited school that is perceived to be limitless. It is basically a size issue. But that is really dumbing it down. I admire them. They are the west coast NYU or NYU is the east coast stanford.
I’ll put it this way, if a renowned faculty member in almost any discipline was offered Stanford, NYU, Michigan, Northwestern, any Ivy, MIT, or Duke. Stanford would be battling Northwestern for last place.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
NYU has been there done that...they have a few National Championships (in fencing)
but if you read above, I said I was in awe of Stanford’s athletic prowess. But their academic credentials as a research university or a bit…overrated. They’re still damn impressive, but lack resources to compete for the finest academics out there.
I love how an athletic blog has become an academic ho down blog.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
there
And that they have found a way to be so good athletically is akin to the Boise story IMO.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
They are going to lose a lot of money
like in the $10s of millions. Their accounting is going to have to be Depression Era perfect to make any money now. And I doubt you will see 14K in Hilton going nuts as they try to win the MAC.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
I have no idea how this post (above) ended up here...
it was intended to be a reply to the Iowa State is fucked group of posts. Oh well.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
That explains a lot
because
a) Stanford’s endowment is John Holmes-esque
b) Hilton has been nuts and that slut has nothing to do with this (except for the way that ODB has everything to do with Griffey according to HFMR).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Is that Hilton.... Paris?
If so, that explains her and John Holmes in the same post. Fucking Whore.
Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian
I think you may be selling them a little short.
Standford is actually the hardest college to get in to more so than Harvard and Yale
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face
Yeah, SMA is pretty much on his own with that one
but I’m way too tired to go toe-to-toe with him this morning; you’ll be the one to back down, trust me…
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I could be wrong.
It wouldn’t be the first time. But I’ve read multiple times that the Pac-10 unanimous vote is no more.
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
Yeah, I was operating off this assumption.
So many sources have cited it that I’ve accepted it as fact. My bad.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions
damn
I really wanted Texas. Kansas, Mizzou, and Nebraska COMBINED isn’t as good a consolation prize IMO.
by imadirtyoldman on Jun 3, 2010 7:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Why?
If this happens, then Texas will have destroyed two conferences in 20 years. Texas is not an honest broker. They are the prettiest girl at the dance who is always looking to trade up. They aren’t interested in building relationships or strengthening the conference, they’re only interested in furthering their own interests by any means possible. They took advantage of Nebraska’s demise to establish themselves as the sole power in the Big XII and they would certainly look to do the same thing in the Big Ten and Pac-10. Say whatever you will about Mizzou athletically and academically, at least you’ll never have to worry that we’ll stab the Big Ten in the back in our pursuit of power.
I guess it's a good thing "we're" the prom king.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
What you're describing is pretty much any school in Texas' position.
Do you think any school wouldn’t jump at the chance to dominate their conference and be in the national title picture annually?
And to run with your prettiest girl analogy, all we’d have to do is knock her up.
I can definitely see them pushing maximum density. We get em in the conference, they squeeze out a few puppies, and then broooomp, bluuuuump, froooommmp.
Ask anyone, the prettiest girl at the dance always gets old and fat. It’s part of the deal with the devil. Or put another way, do you see them out OSU-ing OSU?
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 4, 2010 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions
OSU fans
would adopt Texas as their new biggest rival. They’ll still have The Game, but it will be lessened in Buckeye minds. This would piss Michigan fans off to no end if they weren’t in complete denial of it.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Frankly, I want to add Texas....
…just to watch the OSU fans realize they aren’t the biggest bully on the block anymore. It would be fun watching them develop an inferiority complex.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 4, 2010 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Can you hear this?
Do you want me to turn it up? (Just continuing The Breakfast Club quotes)
"It was a banner fucking year at the Bender residence"
Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian
You wanna know what I got for Christmas?
A carton of cigarettes. The old man grabbed me and said “Heeyyy, smoke up, Johnny!”
See, in high school I thought that would've been a fucking awesome xmas gift.
But then I also got other things too, like clothes, dinner, love, praise, etc, so…
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I actually asked
for a bong for Christmas when I was 17. Mostly to push buttons. My mom was in a bit of denial about what I was doing after school…….
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
It's gone beyond dominating the conference
The Big XII is set up to benefit a few schools at the expense of the many. For example, Iowa State already has to fight it’s way up the money gradient against Texas, but the conference throws in an extra roadblock in the form of appearance-based revenue sharing. All of the major bowl games have been moved to Texas (except for the laughable Pinstripe Bowl), the conference headquarters have been moved to Texas, there’s a major push to move the football and basketball championships permanently to Texas, and Texas wants to set up an independent television network so that they won’t have to share revenue with the rest of the conference. There’s no doubt that Ohio State is the top dog in the Big Ten, but I don’t see them demanding making those types of demands. They figured out a long time ago that the conference as a whole is stronger than the individual institutions and it has paid off for them.
The ones the
big 12 plays in
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
won't stab the Big Ten in the back?
right just like you wouldn’t stab the Big XII in the back…..
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face
They wouldn't have
if the Big 12 hadn’t turned their back on them. Mizzou wants to be an equal, that’s not going to happen in the Big 12. So they’re fighting. I think they would be a very happy and cooperative member of the BXI.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
No school wants to be an equal...
…they all want to dominate/destroy their opponents. Period.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 4, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
ON the field
that’s fine. But in the boardrooms, everybody needs an equal voice (and paycheck). When the people wearing suits feel they’re getting screwed, bad things happen. That’s why the Big 12 is falling apart.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
I'm not saying their greed is good...
…but if you think Mizzou wouldn’t switch places with Texas in a heartbeat and be happy as shit about it, I think you’ve been drinking before noon again.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 4, 2010 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
They would
That’s human nautre. It would also have the same end result for the conference.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Agreed.
I agree that the revenue sharing is more benefitial for everyone, and am glad it’s there (even if it means Indiana makes the same as Iowa). It’s long-term-vision in action (it’s not good for your opponents to get less and less while you get more- – eventually they are such sub-par competition that they aren’t worth playing, and then you have to move to a better conference- – sharing money means that one or two may be in the basement, but all others are competative, even if they were the ones in the basement five years ago).
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 7, 2010 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm glad you brought this up
Everyone talks about how prophetic Tom Osbourne was he predicted the power in the Big XII would move south, but his major beef was that Texas would be the big dog and not Nebraska. Furthermore, Nebraska has been part of the problem because, like Texas and Oklahoma, they perpetuate a system that benefits the few. If things had been different and Nebraska were now dominating the conference, we would have the exact same problems. The greed of the elite schools has destroyed any sense of conference loyalty to the point where no one feels the conference is worth saving. I can’t imagine that happening in the Big Ten or the SEC.
This should be good
How exactly did Mizzou stab anyone in the back? The writing has been on the wall for a long time, Mizzou was just the first to see it. The Big XII has been plagued since the beginning with weak leadership, a lack of forward thinking and a power structure that favors a few schools. Not only has this weakened the lower tier teams in the conference but it has put the entire conference at a disadvantage compared to other conferences. As Gary Pinkel said, Mizzou can’t compete with Illinois if Illinois gets $11 million extra a year before a single ticket has been sold. Unfortunately, the Big XII can’t or won’t address the issues. The few elite schools shut down any attempt to address the structural deficiencies plaguing the conference and then complain when the lower tier schools don’t contribute anything to the success of the conference. The elite schools denigrate and demean the middle and lower tier schools and then accuse them of disloyalty when they look elsewhere. Mizzou tried to address the issues but was met only with insults. Why should they stay in a conference that won’t work with them or stand up for them?
Mizzou aren't backstabbers...
…THEY’RE VISIONARIES!
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 7, 2010 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I like Texas up to the point of
their sports programs. Great school academically, socially, culturally, and even geographically (very cool area that is very unlike almost all of the other parts of Texas—as in dry and dusty). But once you enter the athletic department it all falls away. In short, they become like all the other parts of the state of Texas and believe no one does it bigger or better. The Big Ten humility gene would explode if we added them. So, Good Luck Texas!
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Oh, and I can almost see Texas now having a hissy fit
when USC tries to flex its muscles at football meetings…and UCLA at basketball meetings…and Stanford at Women’s basketball meetings…and Arizona and Srizona St. at baseball meeting…
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Austin kicks ass
Of college towns I’ve visited, it’s #1 (followed very, very closely by Madtown), but it is just an incredible experience—great music, culture, and it’s pretty liberal, not just politically, but in terms of behavior. If I could live in Austin, and not have to worry about the rest of Texas around me, I’d move in an instant.
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions
ditto
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
I'm still paying off
my last trip there (it was 3 years ago). It’s, er, easy to have a good time there.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
but there’s a lot of other Texas around you.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
You mean kind of like
all the Illinois around Chicago?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm from Iowa
and live in the burbs. There are plenty of bad about each. But I like all of it a lot more than I like the majority of Texas that I’ve seen. But yes, Austin is cool.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm from the burbs and live in the city.
And, having a wife from Texas, I can tell you there’s not a ton of difference (other than that as much as I love Austin, I’m much happier in Chicago).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey now, hey now. Well, I like Dallas. It’s a good place to live and grow a business, but a horrible place to visit. Houston blows all around and San Antonio is the most overrated city in the country. Austin is the shit.
I keep telling people that Houston is probably the worst big city in the country
And no one believes me until they actually visit.
Spent a spring break at a friend’s place in The Woodlands and our daytrip to Houston made me want to tear my eyeballs out.
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Ever been to Cleveland?
Houston of the north. With snow.
Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian
Whoa.
I literally had typed and subsequently canceled the exact same post/reply about an hour ago.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I wish.
Pirates on Lakes Erie and Huron would be fucking awesome!
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Then jNW would get a fair trade...
They’d be showing how the Wildcats practice to the navy, and then the Navy would show how they practice to jNW! Brilliant exchange of tactical information there.
Clearly
You’ve never been to Charlotte. Which is really just a Sim City city. It has all the characteristics of a major city, but is the absolutely most soulless place I’ve ever been to.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
I spent seven years in Charlotte.
However, I was young and remember very little about the city.
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Can you make monsters terrorize it?
What’s the good of a Sim City if you can’t terrorize it?
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions
someone told me Houston is actually the armpit of the nation
It is literally hot, humid and stinks.
Too high? What do you mean too high?
by The Bacon Explosion on Jun 4, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
It's the crotch
Newark NJ is the armpit.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Is the booger
hanging from America’s nose.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
I agree with your general premise...
…but “humility gene”? Have you seen Delaney? [Like I said though, I get what you mean.]
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 4, 2010 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Jesus,
This IS going to happen right? This is the college football equivalent of Lebron Watch. I’m just curious as to where Kansas is going to go. I thought they may go to a Major because of their basketball program, but what the hell do I know?
_________________
I'm Banana dammit!!!
by BurritoBrosShits on Jun 3, 2010 7:34 PM CDT reply actions
If this is how it plays out...
And that’s a big IF. I’d think that the rest of the Big 12 gets picked apart by the Big Ten and Mt West. Kansas could end up in the Big Ten, but I think that’s less likely then Nebraska and Missouri to the Big Ten. If Kansas, Kansas St, Iowa St, and Baylor end up in the Mt West along with whatever other teams Mt West adds to get to 16 (Boise St, maybe old Southwest conference teams like Houston) it would be hard not to view the Mt West as a major conference. For football at least. Kansas is basically fucked for basketball in that scenario.
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 3, 2010 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the big 12 will continue in name,
but new members might outnumber the original ones. Might be easier for Mountain west heavyweights to join the kansas, k state, iowa state, and baylor instead of petitioning for BCS status on their own. Add boise and maybe louisville and you’ve got a respectable conference.
If the entire BigXII is swallowed by other conferences
The BCS will have to re-evaluate anyway. It could be called the “Nobody Wants Us” Conference and it may still have a shot at a BCS slot.
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Why would the remaining members of the Big12 join the Mountain west?
They already have the “Major” conference established. Why not Mountain west members joining the Big 12?
Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian
I know.
But I had to put it down so I could hear myself think.
Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian
Maybe the Mountain West is too proud
And since they’ll have more of the schools, they can say, “Fuck you, we’re keeping our conference name.”
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
If the Big 12 loses 8 members
There’s zero chance the remaining 4 would keep their BCS automatic status.
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 4, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Assuming the BigTen follows suit and makes the leap to 16.
If Delany takes the 3 remaining BigXII schools (KU, Neb, Mizzou), which BigEast team joins ND to round out the 16? Does a school like UConn sneak in?
No way...mark my words. No way.
UCOnn is a Jim Calhoun retiement away from near oblivion.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
That's understandable.
I just get the impression that it could be a basketball school.
by The Mexican't on Jun 3, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
It's a Jim Calhoun school
and that is now beginning to crumble.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Way better
more upside, better academically, better resources, not in the middle of fucking nowhere.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
And as a NY resident...it would mean getting to see all those teams up close easily.
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
that sweetens the pot
but Rutgers is more than people think.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Storrs is relative wilderness compared to New Brunswick/Piscataway
That’s why they play football and basketball games in Hartford. The whole Hartford thing partially negates the remoteness of the campus proper though.
And metaphorically speaking
UCONN is on the very edge of the college football world. Boston College is technically the BCS program most isolated to the Northeast but their popularity in the Boston area is somewhere behind Boston U and Boston College hockey.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I think this is good for the Big Ten
While the Pac-10 is a nice conference both athletically and academically, now that the Big 12 is crumbling (should these reports prove accurate, and I think they will) Texas is going to leave.
Given the choice of joining two conferences who for argument’s sake, we’ll just say are equal in athletics and academics, which one do you choose? The one that pays more money. Which is the Big 10.
I still find this anonymously sourced article to be bullshit
but if it were accurate, and KU were left out of the deal, I would think the existing MWC would be in an interesting position; would they look to just add teams or would a replay of the old 16-team WAC explosion i.e. would the league’s “elites” look to greener pastures? A league that consists of TCU, BYU, Utah, UNLV, Kansas, Kansas State, Boise State and Colorado State would have just as much claim to a BCS spot as the Big East, no?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
Yes
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
On both counts?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions
The second count...
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
So while we both agree that would be a BCS-caliber league
you don’t see it happening?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't see the Pac - 10 adding more than Texas, Colorado, Texas A&M & Oklahoma
I see Texas Tech and Ok St. in some deal with Missouri and Kansas…both of whom I do not see in the Big Ten.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
And I see Oklahoma panicking right about now
because culturally, they do not see themselves as west coast anchored. If they can, they will go to the SEC.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
A&M, OU and OSU
along with a kidnapped ACC member (take your pick, FSU, Miami, Clemson, GT) have always seemed like a natural group for the SEC.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think Florida is keen on having Miami and/or FSU move into their neighborhood.
So then the question becomes whether they have enough political pull in the SEC to keep them out, I suppose. Clemson seems like such a no-brainer for the SEC, though. They’ve long seemed like the most SEC-ish school in the ACC, IMO.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
West Virginia
also seems like a kindred spirit to me.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Good lord.
Just imagine the debauchery at an LSU-West Virginia game.
The horror… the horror…
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
I was thinking more along the lines
of the Hillbilly Hootenanny that would be Tennessee-West Virginia.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Or the Appalachian Apocalypse
When West Virginia and Kentucky reignite a border war the likes of the Hatfields and McCoys.
September 27th
New Couch Blowout at Morgantown-area furniture stores.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Heh
I was thinking the same thing.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey! No imagination needed.
I like it when reality does all the work for me.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Are you in charge of FOX's midweek programming?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
You wish.
It’d be all ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A SUPERHERO and CELEBRITY BOXING and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRINK if I was in charge.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
by RossWB on Jun 3, 2010 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think you may have just upset NBC
They can’t possibly be excited about you announcing their summer line-up like that.
by The Mexican't on Jun 3, 2010 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Did they cancel
MILF Island?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions
God, I hope not.
But Wheelchair Wrestling is probably in trouble.
by The Mexican't on Jun 3, 2010 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions
"It's MURDERBALL meets WWE RAW!"
Hey, Spike has a midget wrestling series on now…
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
It's not a party until a midget shows up.
Or until someone gets naked.
Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian
True Story:
I’m in Grizzly’s one night with a few friends, and one of them looks over at the stand-up table with the brass poles that go up to the ceiling. He says ‘you know what would go perfect there? Midget Strippers’.
"Nothing turns me on like doe estrus." - ReadingRambler
Let me help you:
you know what would go perfect there anywhere? Midget Strippers
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Which is why I've already arranged for a naked midget...
…at the BlackHeartGoldTailgate (so long as it’s not as cold as last year).
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 7, 2010 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn...
…I just read the other naked midget posts, and I’m like three days late for that party. Oops.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 7, 2010 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's be honest
despite the different conference affiliation, is there a single kid who is recruited by one of the three major Florida schools who is not recruited by the other two?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably not.
Florida would probably rather not see Miami or FSU get big fat SEC checks and be able to upgrade their facilities and whatnot.
Plus, I think they enjoy the cache of being the lone Florida school in the nation’s top conference.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
You're probably right
But I don’t know that Florida carries enough weight to shut them out. Once the other conferences expand, the SEC has to take the best that they can, and denying Miami and FSU would be crazy.
by The Mexican't on Jun 3, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely, Florida will not suffer another school from the state into the conference.
The same way Iowa St joining the Big 10 would not be good for Iowa.
Miami will never be in the SEC and FSU would only get in over Florida’s prostrate dead body. Clemsen, or former SEC champ, Georgia Tech would be the new eastern teams for the SEC.
by HawkeyeRecon on Jun 3, 2010 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Derby wasn't recruited by FU or Miami
was he?
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
FSU that is...
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
I would amend it to "is there a single Florida kid"
Otherwise, that’s a point well-taken.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
Poorly-worded on my part.
Good catch.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I've read multiple times
that due to the Kansas state legislature, KU’s fate in intertwined with Kansas State’s.
we've heard the same thing on Texas/A&M
even expanded to TTU and Baylor, but I’m not buying it.
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions
makes sense...
and they are probably intertwined with Iowa State and Missouri. I don’ t think Mizzou will end up in the Big Ten. I see the Big Ten adding ND, Rutgers, and Pitt.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
And not Nebraska?
What’s your take on the potential for Maryland?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I would be blown away if Maryland ended up in the Big Ten...
I forgot about Nebraska…they are defintely a tempting Big Ten add. I don’t know what the presidents will think though. Nebraska is on the border academically. I could see Nebraska bumping Pitt.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Please Maryland...
They’re actually my favorite of everyone
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
by For The Glory 1855 on Jun 3, 2010 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Me, too.
And I think a case can be made to them, but it’s every bit as difficult as the one for Notre Dame.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Just curious...why?
what does maryland bring?
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
The beltways...
…which unlike NYC, I think you could get to care about college sports. That and they’re an old Eastern rival who hasn’t spent the last 10 years whining about us not playing them.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
by For The Glory 1855 on Jun 3, 2010 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions
For Penn State, a lot more than most.
For the Big Ten (assuming they would get Rutgers and Notre Dame: a big “if”), they bring a highly competitive basketball team, a good academic fit and (like Rutgers) a potential but hardly guaranteed access to a major market. However, as with Rutgers and NYC, the combined might of Maryland + ND and a sizable Big Ten alumni base (the Beltway is mostly people from somewhere else) could “deliver” DC. A DC/NYC addition would be an absolute coup for the conference.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm only mildly convinced that Maryland is the keys to the beltway...
I lived in DC for a year (admittedly not a long time) and no one gave two shits about them. They are almost as relevant to the area as Navy. (as always, be advised that I like hyperbole)
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
But again
the combination could make it happen. On their own? No, Maryland hardly “delivers” anything (except Rockville).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I've lived here for 3 years now
And Maryland basketball is pretty big. B-ball in general is big here. There is also a lot of Maryland grads here. It would bring the DC market, too.
I don’t think this happens (MD), but it makes sense in a good many ways. Very good basketball school in a premier basketball region of the US. Could be a good football school if they got their act together more than once every 15 years. Huge population base. And, provides a regional rival school to PSU that expands the footprint. Color me crazy, but I think the televen owes PSU that.
You could make it work
The pro sports scene in DC/Baltimore really kind of sucks.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
by For The Glory 1855 on Jun 3, 2010 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
And yet it is a pro sports town, no doubt about it.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
The Caps aren't an afterthought
although even Stephen Strasburg won’t make DC care about local baseball for more than one start.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I could the the Big Ten ONLY
adding Notre Dame. Who must be shitting their pants around now.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Because they're so old?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions
because they are in a pickle. They
are so tied to the midwest and chicago and all those rivalries and they fancy themsleves as academically serious…outside of Ivy and indepndent there is no place their aculty would be happy.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
"faculty"
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
C'mon, SMA, I was obviously just being an ass for fun.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I just used it as an excuse to continue to babble
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
I could "see" the big ten...
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Really?
The Capitals won the Presidents Trophy, and the Redskins may well make the playoffs with McNabb and are still a huge deal no matter what.
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions
"and the Redskins may well make the playoffs"
They say that every year.
Although I will give you that the McNabb thing is kind of a big deal. But if your hockey team is the best thing you have going for you…well…it doesn’t say much.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
by For The Glory 1855 on Jun 3, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Unless you're in Minnesota.
Or any of the rest of Canada
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
No different than Chicago.
As much as the Bears, Cubs and Bulls typically suck (and let’s not forget over a decade of Blackhawks suckitude) it’s a pro sports town all the way (which I fucking hate).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions
O no it is a pro town
And probably always will be. But I think unlike NYC you have a chance to reach an audience in the beltway, especially for the reasons you outlined with all the alums in the area. I mean, there has to be SOME appetite for it, or PSU wouldn’t be playing its Indiana road game at FedEx this year right?
In any event, good talk boys. It’s Burn Notice time.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
by For The Glory 1855 on Jun 3, 2010 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Chicago is the exception to that rule
Go to Wrigleyville on a Saturday in football season and check out all the Big Ten themed bars (at least 3 Hawkeye bars). Chicago manages to find a lot of love for both pro and college sports.
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 3, 2010 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Really?
Every trip home North from work on the red line I see college flags in apartment windows from the moment the train emerges from the tunnel. When I first moved here, that was one of the things that surprised me the most, the amount of love for college sports here.
I mean Clark is basically ALL Big Ten bars from Cornelia to Addison. I can think of many in Lincoln Park, too (having a boyfriend and a group of friends obsessed with Mizzou has found me wasted at The Spread on more than one occasion).
I think that, generally speaking, Chicago is a pro sports town first, but is college sports are a very close second.
Life - it's bigger...bigger than you and you are not me.
by hawkeyeguy85 on Jun 4, 2010 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions
People get the impression that Chicago isn't a college sports town ...
… because the D-1 school based in Chicago is probably the 12th-most popular college team there. Maybe lower.
Yeah.
I’d say we’re a pro sports town just because the Cubs/Sox/Bears/Hawks are such an integral part of the very identity of the city, but none of them necessarily overshadow the college sports following here. It’s just that the college sports following is more diversified. Hell, you could easily argue that in terms of sheer volume, there are more college fans than pro, it’s just that the team allegiances are much more spread out as opposed to there being just one team that everyone follows (1.5 for baseball).
But hawkeyeguy85 is right – people are nuts for their college teams here. There are a shitload of Cubs/Sox/Hawks flags on people’s houses, but there are definitely more college flags as a whole. Hell, my walk to work is only 3.5 blocks long, and just in that short distance I can think of a buttload of college rah-rah stuff hanging out front or in windows – Iowa, Wisconsin, Dayton, jNWU, ND, Michigan, Indiana, Marquette…
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 7:29 AM CDT up reply actions
(Sigh)
I am aware of everything being said here as they are arguments that I myself make all the time since I’ve a)lived in the area my entire life and b)was born an Iowa fan.
The reality of it is, though, that the “evidence” given to support the idea of Chicago being a college sports town is usually isolated to Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, North Center and Bucktown/Wicker Park i.e. an area of the city a)relatively small in proportion to the rest and b)filled almost exclusively with young professionals recently removed from school (and who will be moving on withing 5 years or so). Just curious (not counting the suburbs) how many of you live outside of the areas I just named?
The burbs, on the other hand, are a different creature. They comprise some of the wealthier, better-educated towns in America and have a propensity to send their young off to school out of state, hence, this massive split you guys are talking about. I would totally agree that in aggregate numbers, college sports are much bigger in Chicago than in their coastal counterparts. Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Notre Dame, Marquette, Michigan State, Missouri and even Texas have large contingents of fans/grads here.
The biggest knock on Chicago as a college sports town is their woeful coverage in local media. While the Tribune and Daily Herald do a decent enough job with them, the coverage is nowhere near to what it was in the 80’s & 90’s while the Sun Times is good for Notre Dame and that’s it. Likewise, the local television affiliates will only spend more than 30 seconds on Illinois, jNW or ND if one of the three is actually having a successful season. Radio coverage is by far the worst offender here. Both ESPN and WSCR (ask Adam over at Bucky’s 5th Qtr) spend at least an hour on the Bears during every 3-4 hour show in the offseason.
Yes, college sports are well-represented here but nowhere near as big as they could be or as I think many of you are perceiving them to be.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
You take that back about the Trib
their coverage of non-ND or Illinois is pathetic. And even those two aren’t done well.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
No, it's hugely disappointing
when compared to their 2-3 page spreads (not to mention back page) coverage they used to feature. I think it says more about the newspaper business in general than it does about that particular paper, though.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Very true about all that what you said up in that there second paragraph
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh - and I live and work in Lakeview.
I see waaaaaaaaaay less college woo-hoo rahrah paraphernalia when I pass through say, Humboldt Park or Logan Square.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
But plenty of
ironic mustache/t-shirts and support for Pumas, America and Cruz Azul.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmm.
I wear Pumas and support America, although not Cruz Azul and I don’t sport an ironic mustache (my beard is all sincerity, baby).
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
A mustache isn't ironic in MPLS;
it’s a tribute to the Hold Steady which is, in turn, a tribute to Husker Du.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I can't grow a 'stache, ironic or not.
I have no Pumas (I’m an Adidas & Asics guy). I’m supportive-ish of America and I have no idea what Cruz Azul is.
I do have a couple ironic/snarky/clever t-shirts though.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Just assuming you're not fucking with me,
they are the three most-supported Mexican soccer teams in Chicago i.e. Logan square is all hipsters and Mexicans (which is actually why it’s kinda great).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Reference FAIL on my part.
I forgot Pumas and America were Mexican teams, too. Goddamn early Friday mornings…
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
I don't know jackfuck about futbol.
But I like Logan Square too. Well, not really enough to want to live there, but whatever.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, I'm with you on the
“great place to visit, not to live” aspect of it. It’s like Vegas with less gambling and prostitution (or with more, if you count alleys and corners).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Some of the more residential-y parts are pretty nice, all things considered.
I did my clinicals at an elementary there this past spring, and it was really quite pleasant once you’re away from the main drag-type places. I was way west on Fullerton (at Hamlin), and I liked it. I could actually see living over there.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
I live in Uptown
Work in the Illinois Medical District (though this will be changing soon). I used to live right on the border of the West side of the Tri-Taylor-ish area and the far East side of Garfield Park.
I’ll give you that I haven’t been in the area as long as you, but I’ve been surprised at the amount I hear people chattering about college sports around here. Lakeview, Uptown, Bucktown, River North, West Loop, South Loop…I hear it everywhere. And I see gear everywhere.
That being said, you’re right about college coverage in the area. If it weren’t for the swarms of young professionals in the area, it would probably be all about the college sports.
…and I agree that nothing will EVER compare to the Bears in terms of popularity in this town. I’m a fan and even I look at the rabid fandom in awe from time to time.
Life - it's bigger...bigger than you and you are not me.
Even Uptown (minus the crazies)
and the River North/W&S Loops are part of the “young professionals” corridor. When you consider that the entire South and West sides and a good deal of the Northwest side are far larger than those areas we’ve spoken of combined, it’s still a relatively minor impact. But yeah, we’re around and we’re pretty fanatical.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely
DC is first, foremost and always a Redskins town.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Jun 3, 2010 8:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Please, success with the Capitals doesn’t translate to long time support or a great pro sports scene. Think about all of the new bandwagon Penguins fans who think the team consists of “Crosby, Malkin, Letang (He’s really cute), that other Russian guy, the crappy goalie, and some other people.” I’d wager that sort of fan is the majority in Washington.
The Redskins are the only team that matters there.
"I want your money, but I don't want your two cents." - JVP
by ReadingRambler on Jun 4, 2010 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure the Director's cup
matters to anyone. At least, I’ve never heard it mentioned into the factors that are driving this. It’s fine that a program has a good fencing or swimming program, but at the end of the day, the Director’s cup is primarily non-revenue, non-televised sports.
In the current economy, unless the university president’s can leverage that into cash, it’s a minor point at best.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions
True
But it’s the best way to measure overall athletic excellence. I’m throwing it out there because I got bitch slapped a couple months ago when I mistakenly asserted that Missouri had a better overall athletic dept than Nebraska.
I’m not saying it’s a driving factor, but they are solid non-revenue wise for what it’s worth. And when you get more NCAA competitiveness down the ticket so to speak, it gives you something else to crow about.
Maryland and Rutgers both
make me cringe when brought up in expansion talk. I don’t care if they bring all the tvs in NYC,DC, Baltimore, Mexico City, and the entire continent of Asia. I just don’t care for them as sports teams. Maryland at least has basketball, but other than that is either athletic program worth a damn?
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 3, 2010 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
If by athletic program, you just mean football. No
But if you look at overall Director’s Cup standings, yes. Maryland is solid overall.
Notre Dame, Texas, Rutgers
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions
As a Penn State fan...
where do I sign?
Fiya Minaya.
by BringBackBobby on Jun 3, 2010 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the Big Ten is heading your way sir...they are not going west and I don't see how they can really go very south.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Go to Outback Steakhouse and look at you guys...
Blowing up conferences while I’m wolfing down prime rib.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 3, 2010 7:52 PM CDT reply actions
It's your fault for going to an Outback in the first place.
You do know that just because Iowa wins that game doesn’t mean you have to eat there, right? Are you having your Capital One rewards card FedEx’d to you as I type?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't eat peaches or visit the Alamo though...
Not like I’m a total slave to the AD.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 3, 2010 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Wait until you learn that Iowa State joined the WAC...
that will be best blooming onion you ever had.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Iowa State to the Big Sky
brought to you by KFC’s Famous Bowls.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions
It would take inconsolable to a new level
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 3, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
A mile-high level...
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Whichever D-1AA
Conference ISU ends up in, I really, really want Dan Beebe to be the commissioner of it. Pollard and Beebe are such a perfectly matched pair of administrative incompetence that it would be a crime to break them up. The best part of the Big XII implosion has been watching Beebe’s complete disconnect from reality as he blusters and threatens teams, only to see all the others bolting for the exits. Beebe makes Nero’s fiddling while Rome burned look like textbook crisis management.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Jun 4, 2010 3:05 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Not really
they’ll end up in a mid major conference where they belong. They’ll be more competitive and while the money may be a bit less, so will the costs of competing. Heck, the revenue may go up if their teams are in the running for conference championships. The Big XII falling apart could be a good thing for them. Seriously.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Does a mid-major guarantee that they'll be more competitive?
What happens if they end up in the MWC? They may still be worse than at least 4 teams (assuming Boise joins).
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Depends
on where they end up. If you want to compete in a BCS conference, you need many millions just for your coaching staffs in football and men’s bball. You need better facilities to recruit with (more millions). In a mid-major, your bills are a lot smaller and your athletes are going to be more concerned with your academic reputation than how many you send to the pros. ISU is a good school.
They sure can’t do any worse than they do in the Big 12, where they stand NO chance. Ever.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
This makes sense.
I just keep picturing the realignment as 5 16-team conferences, and get the feeling that the MWC is going to be #5 after rounding up scraps. Either way, ISU is in some serious trouble.
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions
and no way to spin it
that there are either
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
You'd rather
they stay in the Big 12 where they lose money, never win and have almost no hope of EVER being consistently competitive? You’re like the geek at the bar who keeps hitting on the super models and can’t figure out why you always go home alone. At a certain point you need to realize that if you wanna score, you’re going to need to hit on the chubby chick. Just be glad it’s not the cow with bad acne.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
That’s a little harsh. I have no problem with ISU hate, but they’re in a shit ton of trouble. The problem from their admin perspective is, presuming something happens, what are they now? UNI? This changes everything about that school, through every academic department to how the legislature will treat them. Attrition will be off the charts.
I don't even think ISU gets into the MWC
The MWC is adding Boise State on Monday. That’s probably a done deal. After that, if the BXII dies, they likely take Kansas to go to 11. Does Kansas force them to take KSU to go to 12? Probably. If they don’t, then does ISU get an invite over Baylor or Fresno State? That’s not clear either. In any case, I have problems seeing the MWC going beyond 12 teams.
If this scenario plays out this way, Baylor and Iowa State might be the only teams left in the Big XII. I don’t know what they do then. They’re too big for the MAC. Maybe Conference USA takes them in.
ISU would go to the MWC
because for a conference like that, a big state school with a lot of alumni is desirable.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog
And I think
that the “big” members of the MWC would just pull another WAC-like bail i.e. BYU, Utah, TCU, and some combination of UNLV/CSU/UNM would join up with Boise State, Kansas, K-State and (don’t laugh) Mizzou if/when they get stood up by the Big Ten. That’s actually a pretty damn good league.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions
That's possible
That the Utah schools that run that conference could dump NM and WY and start up a new conference again that would include ISU, KU, KSU and Baylor.
But otherwise, I think things look very bleak for ISU.
I actually tend to agree with you here.
This is Temple finding new life in the MAC redux.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions
This presumes that the same kids who come there to play against BXII competition..
will also come there to play against MAC or MWC or whoever competition. I don’t buy that. They’ll get the same Iowa/Dakota/Nebraska/etc. kids they’ve been getting, most likely, but good luck getting those kids from Texas or Florida that they’ve been able to pluck lately.
And in terms of revenue… I don’t see it. MAYBE day-of-game revenues go up if they’re more successful, but the hit to TV monies will be MASSIVE.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
It will
but expenses go way down as well. And they are more likely to get the nice pay-day games. I think it could end up being good for them, that’s all. There’s really no way for any of us to know what will happen with the money situation.
It would be a big adjustment for everybody but if the Big 12 dies, it’s what is going to happen. Cyclone fans may as well get used to the idea and start thinking about how they could benefit from it.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Ok, enough talk about how it effects ISU
How will it effect Iowa? If they go mid-major can we still schedule them yearly along with Maine, Directional U and the like? I know this wouldn’t drop them to D-II, (sorry, whatever they call that now) but it is going to be hard to justify keeping them on the schedule. The one thing they have going for them is they are a member of a BCS conference.
Strength of schedule typically helps us, an ISU slide to mid-major could hurt us – possibly.
Too high? What do you mean too high?
by The Bacon Explosion on Jun 4, 2010 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
It could get tricky.
They’d probably want to keep the home/home arrangement, but Iowa has a lot less incentive to do that if ISU’s in C-USA. I think Iowa would probably be happy to keep the series going… on largely the same terms as they play other MAC/CUSA/Sun Belt teams, which means almost every game at Kinnick. Maybe a 3/1 deal? Three games in Kinnick and one in Ames?
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
While funny
I don’t think that will happen. The legislature stays out of Iowa sports pretty well, but pissing on the ISU cornflakes like that might cause too many waves. Especially with ISU taking taxpayer money for sports and Iowa not….. you don’t want to just take away a sell out game like that.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Well...
Is there anyone else that has a yearly, home-and-home rivalry with a non-BCS school? I can’t think of one. I know Iowa-ISU has a lot of history, but I have trouble seeing things just continuing as if nothing had changed if ISU is no longer in the Big 12. They’re no longer remotely a peer to Iowa at that point and should get no special treatment.
And I believe ISU’s supposed to getting off the taxpayer teat within the next few years anyway.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Exactly.
We don’t play UNI each year, or Miami (OH) if you need an actual FBS MAC equivalent. If ISU isn’t able to find a major conference, then they’ll have to prepare to be treated as a mid-major. 3 for 1 may be stretching it, but a 2 for 1 would probably the the absolute lowest arrangement required for the series to continue.
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Nice all this is happening
At the same time Iowa and ISU will no longer be splitting gate receipts for the games (home team keeps all ticket revenue now) which led to some pretty shady accounting tricks by the Inconsolable One.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
An excellent example
The first thing that came to my mind as roughly equivalent — though it is far from a perfect analogy — was ND-Navy. But to the Ross’ larger point, these sorts of games are extremely rare.
by The Great Dark Spot Near Uranus on Jun 5, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah, there is an example -- thanks.
It’s interesting that Colorado hasn’t played a game @CSU in Fort Collins since 1996, despite playing them every year since then. All the games have been at either Boulder or on a neutral field in Denver.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Especially with ISU taking taxpayer money for sports and Iowa not
For now. But the regents are grumbling about weening everybody off of general funds now that Iowa is self-sufficient. It will be interesting to see what UNI and ISU come up with in September when they submit their path to self-sufficiency in athletics reports.
I think they have a plan.
It will be interesting to see what UNI and ISU come up with in September when they submit their path to self-sufficiency in athletics reports.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
If 16 team superconferences become the standard
How many do we get? 4, maybe 5? Obviously 4 makes things simplest for basketball, but the MWC+Boise might be primed to make a push to become a major conference. If they poach the left over BigXII schools and add Nevada and Fresno, they may still be able to competes with the likes of the inevitable BigEast/ACC merger.
Assuming the SEC picks off 4 from the ACC (Miami, FSU, GaTech, Clemson) and the BigTen gets at least one Big East team, that still leaves the BigEast/ACC merger with just 15 teams, and probably still only slightly better than the combination of Boise, BYU, Utah, TCU at the top.
by The Mexican't on Jun 3, 2010 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions
If ACC gets raided by SEC
I think they merge with whatevers left of the Big East and add however many they need from UCF, Marshall, Memphis and East Carolina. I’m sure there are others, but those seem like the frontrunners.
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 3, 2010 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I actually think that the ACC
is in more trouble than they realize. If the Pac 10/Big XII thing were to go down then the SEC would have exactly one place to look. The Big Ten should be seriously considering their options in the ACC as well (UMD, UVA and even GT).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree about the SEC.
They’ll definitely take whichever 4 schools they want from the ACC. I’m just not sure that the BigTen will get those that the SEC passes on. It would definitely be a better choice for the remaining ACC schools than the inevitable ACC/Big East merger, but only a few ACC schools would fit into the BigTen.
by The Mexican't on Jun 4, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
The three I've listed
plus Boston College (only as a one-time carrot to Notre Dame) are really the only ones that would work (making the assumption that UNC would never leave the region because they’re actually a perfect fit for the Big Ten).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
It would be tough to top the first blooming onion...
Got sprung from the hotel by some friends the night before I went in the Marines. Got fffuuuuuuuucked up on Long Islands at an Outback, and had the appetizer sampler. Last food that was decent for a long time.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 4, 2010 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Um, does MANCOTT not mean anything to you?
I should banhammer you for that prime rib.
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
Probably...
Although I have since refused to watch a CUSA game. If I apologize will you not whack me?
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 3, 2010 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
"KC Star":http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/03/1990902/colorado-ad-sees-pac-10-invitation.html is reporting the Colorado AD
is saying he believes Colorado is on the verge of being offered by the Pac 10. Not that the KC Star is a model of journalistic aptitude, but it leads a little more credibility to the story.
Watching the Big XII Right Now
is like watching the USSR in 1989. It’s just a question of who gets the oil fields and who gets stuck with the sociopathic mobsters now.
It’s funny because it’s not us.
Everyone fails. The successful learn from their failures. I just wish we'd quit giving ourselves so many learning opportunities.
by WhiteSpeedReceiver on Jun 3, 2010 8:57 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Fixed.
It’s just a question of who gets the oil (and who gets the) fields and who gets stuck with the sociopathic mobsters now.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 3, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
You have to think
that right now Delaney is grinning manically to himself. Sure, he’s scrambling to tell Texas how pretty they are, and that they would look better in this time zone, and he’s about to grab ND by the balls, but at the end of it all he’s the king builder. When all the super conferences come together, he can say that he’s the one who forced the issue. The BTN is glorious, but compared to this, it’s minor.
It never gets to be easy
My greatest fear is that the BigXI relaxed search pace will cause us much agony
If the BigXI sticks to it’s slow timeline, there could be not much left. This is purely me overreacting (get over it). I’m terrified that somehow we get stuck with ISU as a filler to get to an even number. I know it won’t happen, but it’s a nightmare that won’t go away. They’re way ahead of us in the Director’s Cup and they are an AAU member. Please, somebody talk me down from this ledge.
You're out of your mind.
The BXI will stick at 11 before they add Iowa State.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
I would like to remind you of the tale of the young bull and the old bull..
Delaney is the old bull.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 3, 2010 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Crap
That was for Packer, not Ross.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 3, 2010 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I got it
Thank you. I feel better.
But have you heard the tale of the bull and the Blue Heeler? This was seriously the lead story on the local news on Wednesday night. Sometimes I can’t believe how slow the news is here in Eastern Iowa.
While the news may be slow...
You can’t beat the justice in the last sentence.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Jun 3, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, the best part of the TV story was their ending
(While holding up a package of burger patties) “…and Tater definitely deserves one of these for dinner.” Classic.
Young Bull and Old Bull?
I don’t think I’ve heard this tale. Help?
Master of the convoluted IOWA cheers!
by EnergizerHawk on Jun 4, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
In the time it took you to write that comment
You could have just googled “young bull old bull” and had your answer.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
I was lazy.
Sorry, will do now.
Master of the convoluted IOWA cheers!
by EnergizerHawk on Jun 4, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
This is exactly what Delany wants...
Somewhere he’s wringing his hands and laughing menacingly. I think he’s been playing for Notre Dame all along. This 12-18 months garbage really translates to “However long it takes to make Notre Dame realize this is happening.” Whether or not this round of rumors is true, it’s obvious that the whole country thinks the 16 team superconference is happening. So Notre Dame can either get on board or spiral further down into irrelevance when it gets stuck with the dregs of the Big East.
Also, if this is true, Nebraska and Missou are now homeless. Which means they’ll do anything to avoid being relegated to (insert non-bcs conference here), including paying exorbitant entrance fees into the conference.
by HawkeyeInExile on Jun 4, 2010 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree that the timetable has done exactly what the Big Ten wanted.
Delany, through a combination of organized leaks and sustained silence, has essentially forced everyone (except, smartly for them, Texas) to show their hands/make rash decisions. If the Big Ten saw a potential member that they actually wanted getting away I think you’d see some swift action. As it is, Delany and Co. are sitting back and waiting for their preferred targets to arrange themselves.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
While it's impossible to know for sure...
I am sure that this seems plausible…and is indeed an interesting thought. I hope instead of wringing his hands, he’s stroking a cat Dr. Claw style.
I am also sure that this news/thread is making the study process for my comprehensive exams tomorrow morning extremely difficult.
Life - it's bigger...bigger than you and you are not me.
Meant for HawkeyeInExile
I swear to tap-dancing-christ i’ll figure out the interwebz message boards eventually.
Life - it's bigger...bigger than you and you are not me.
by hawkeyeguy85 on Jun 4, 2010 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions
The one thing that really sticks out to me is Texas Tech. Really? Tech? If you get Texas, A&M and the Okies why haul in a redundant school like Tech when you can grab the fastest growing state in the union with a simple “Yes please” from Utah?
Tech academics are nowhere near par for the Pac-10 course and I think not just Stanford, but Cal, UCLA and USC would have issues with the Raiders coming in.
And Washington
While it’s not on par with the UC’s or Stanford, it at least thinks very highly of itself, and with some justification.
Also, aside from the Boone Pickens Geosciences bonanza, Okie State really isn’t on par with the Pac-10 either, even Oklahoma is a tad of a stretch.
Indeed.
even Oklahoma is a tad of a stretch.
I remember when I was getting deluged with college apps in high school, Oklahoma was trying to sell me on the fact that they had the most kids on National Merit scholarships of anyone in the nation (or something along those lines). They didn’t seem to have any other claim to fame.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
That is their one accomplishment academically, it seems.
I would be interested to see if those are all kids that they gave $500 to who were already admitted. I also woudn’t be surprised if they guarantee admission to finalists or semifinalists to boost that number.
They still carry the stain of George Cross’ statement to the legislature that he “wants a University that the football team can be proud of.” That kind of says it all.
OK State is a tier 3 institution
but so is Oregon State. They’ll be like the two stupid kids that always hung out at recess.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
At least OK State
has a rich uncle that buys them gold encrusted headgear
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
You have no idea
They’ll get into all sorts of interesting trouble
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog
by David Piper on Jun 4, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Texas reminds me of the Lebron James courting.
Whatever conference/team they belong to is automatically a power conference/team to be reckoned with just because they’re so damned good. But put them on an actual good conference/team, and it could be amazing.
So because the Big XI has the prestige* and age and money, are they the New York Knicks? Does that make the Pac-10 like the Bulls? They might not get as much notice right now, but do they have better talent and could dominate the landscape for the next… decade?
Or has the analogy completely fallen apart?
*I use this term loosely for NYK.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
If only it wasnt about money...
I have been a Hawkeye fan for my whole life, and i grew up in Dubuque. I have traveled to every Big Ten state aside from Pennsylvania and Ohio. I dont know if it is just me or what, but every state that houses a Big Ten school is (generally, im pointing at you Illinois) a great state to be in. I worked in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. I have spent weeks in ‘Sconi-land and Goophersota. I traveled to southern Michigan for a conference. Most everybody i met has been great. I have also been outside of Big Ten country and the people (again, generally) weren’t as accepting and the landscapes just weren’t my style. With the exception of Kansas and Nebraska, there isn’t a state school that i can identify with. Don’t start with the Rutgers thing, they are not and would never be Big Ten. They’re city folk, and with that comes the stigma of being, well, assholes. I don’t know, but i have just never liked Mizzu, that might just be me. And Texas….fuck me…
As the person i am today, i would gladly allow KU and Nebraska to be Big Ten, namely, athletics and tvs aside, because they get what it is to be Big Ten. The people that follow them could be Big Ten, their history could be Big Ten. The other possible schools can screw themselves into the ground, and if we accept Rutgers or WVU or any cousin fucker school i may have a new most hated team (sorry ISU). The reality is that the push for the money and TVs is just going to ruin what i believe to be the best part of the Big Ten. And I kind of hate it…
You don't think Delany is low key?
Every other Conference head (Beebe!) is releasing a statement every 5 minutes. He just speaks when spoken too and not even then.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
City folk, eh?
Evanston and Ann Arbor are straight-up satellite cities for for Chicago and Detroit.
Minneapolis/Stain Paul and Columbus aren’t exactly small towns.
I won’t disagree that Rutgers fans may be assholes, but be careful where you’re throwing labels.
Madison, isn't really a small town either.
And such a large chunk of their undergrads come from the east coast, that they’re a weird blend of Midwest and East. Although their is some division between the in-state students and “the Coasties”.
The more I read about all this
the more I think Delany is trying to pigeonhole ND into joining the conference. And then that might be it.
For some reason, that I cannot even wrap my head around, I keep having a hard time seeing Pitt, Rutgers (yes, even Rutgers), Missouri, Kansas, and even Nebraska joining the Big Ten.
ND may oppose it and there may be a plan B if that were the case…but if ND signed on, then I would expect Delany to let it play out for three or so years with them alone while the BCS gets reconfigured (a playoff might be next on the horizon) and then maybe down the road he scoops up 2 or 4 more.
But I am sensing that Delany is not looking to make radical change just to get to some mythical number or secure short term cable money. I think he is about much more than just money. There is money everywhere in college football if played right. I think he gets the long term issues and I don’t think he wants to become the Robert Moses of college football...and build a highway right down the middle of a peaceful neighborhood just for the sake of “progress” or because he has the power to do so.
But, yeah, his strategy does appear to resemble a big Monopoly game where he is watching all these conferences panic and think about scooping up Railroads and other over-valued properties, while sits back and buys Park Place.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
I given up
guessing if BXI even wants ND to join. ND keeps talking about the importance of football indepenance, Delaney was saying how asking ND “made sense at the time”. It could all be gamesmanship or it could be true. I don’t think they add as much as many believe anyway.
Plus, I hate ND and want them to rot in the Big East. Or what remains of it.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Everyone hates ND
but everyone hates Michigan and Ohio State too…especially Ohio State. I could be totally wrong but this slow dance really looks like a textbook hostage negotiation with Delany as hostage negotiator and ND stuck in a building somewhere with no sleep…and no water and no food…and they just put thier Glock on the table while their prescious football program sits there scared out of its mind. He’s just wearing them down.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
We hate them
but their already in the club. We’re used to them, more or less. Why do we want to let ANOTHER complete douchebag in when we already have to put up with those two.
Love the analogy, btw. Slip in something about a Blaupunkt and you’d get a rec.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
I ratheer get ND than...
Missouri. Is Missouri really worth all this keyboard slapping? Is Nebraska even worth it? When we peel away the drama, the only school that is going to bring GameDays to more Big Ten stadiums is ND or Texas. And texas ain’t coming. The only team that is going to bring serious numbers of eyballs across all the land, and thus grater demand for the Big Ten network, is ND.
Again, ND might be strong enough and dumb enough to hold out. But…
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Here's one thing we agree on.
Missouri is the most underwhelming candidate I could possibly conceive of. Their athletics, academics, television markets…they might as well be the University of Vanilla. They are a “safe” choice in that they would maintain the status quo on every conceivable front, but there is almost zero up-side to them.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions
The nice thing about them
is that they’re desperate, not offensive, and have no other offers. Delaney can arrange everything else and then, if a better option isn’t there, take Mizzou as number 16.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
As distasteful as it sounds
I am beginning to think that Delany has purposely played Mizzou all along because of their over-willingness to oblige. I would not be at all surprised if Missouri ends up being stuck as the bridesmaid when all is said and done.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Just because
PAC 10 goes to 16 doesn’t mean anybody else will. I don’t see Delaney adding teams for the sake of adding teams to keep up with some stupid numbers game. They’re going to complete their study, and decide on who they want based on what they bring to the conference. If all they do is break-even, why bother.
The only Big 12 team that would get an offer is Texas. The rest just aren’t strong enough across the board.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
uh
Missouri is the most underwhelming candidate I could possibly conceive of.
Don’t ignore our retarded little brother, pal.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
They are a candidate
inasmuch as a couple of people online and in print with no grasp of the situation have said so. I’m not counting ISU in any equation (nor should I).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Welcome home, Jellybean.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
I have no objective proof for this
But it seems as if ND is stalling, waiting to see if they can hold off long enough to get into football season. If Kelly can magically turn the program into a BCS team, or close, they are firmly independent. If they have another 2007-2009 they may just come to Delany with their tails between their legs. Then be (more) obstinate about how they should be independent but were blackmailed into into the BigXI(I).
Too high? What do you mean too high?
by The Bacon Explosion on Jun 4, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Mizzou, ND, Nebraska, Pitt, and Rutgers
That’s my wish list. I know, I know: Notre Dame all alone makes the most non-intrusive sense. Meanwhile, others think Texas is the prize catch. But I believe that ND isn’t coming unless they blow up their conference, and I’ll be damned if the Hawkeyes are ever associated in any way, shape, or form with the Texas State Legislature.
Personally, I’ll admit that I’m biased towards Mizzou b/c my wife is a Tiger. But there are so many good reasons to support Mizzou’s inclusion: they’re respected and competitive but not dominant; they would share borders w/Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska; it’s a good research University; it’s a big state with a lot of TV’s; and, most essentially, it prevents us from having to consider Kansas. I effing hate Kansas. Anyone need a primer on them raiding Iowa for Raef LaFrentz, Nick Collison and Kirk Heinrich? Yeah, fuck them.
Basically, I want just Notre Dame. But since that won’t happen, gimme just enough of the Big East to blow it up, take Notre Dame, and bring in two good fits from the Big Twelve and enjoy watching the resulting chaos.
I like this list too
if anyone’s keeping score. I’d like my Panthers to say in a northern conference, rather than falling into ACC land, even if it means slugging it out with a bunch of big state schools every year
This is my wish list too.
I could take or leave Pitt, but I really want the other 4. People, most of us live in Iowa. Why would we not want to add games in bordering states? I like Texas too, but I don’t see that making sense. For travel purposes and rivalry reasons Nebraska and Missou make sense. My entire life I’ve had to listen to idiot Husker fans talk about how they would destroy Iowa. Right now the local sports radio guys in Omaha have repeatedly said there is no way Iowa would have even scored on them last year and they were a far better team. I could go off for an hour about it and the millions of other similar things Husker fans have said over the years about Iowa and the Big Ten being weak, Husker “Dynasty”, etc. Point is though, you know and I know we have been the better team most of the last decade. I would give anything to finally get to shut them up on the field. Every time expansion is discussed I hope and pray for Nebraska. This wait might kill me….but pleeeeease let it happen.
Geography
Should be part of the equation. Sorry, but the Big10 is, and historically has been, a Midwestern conference. Which is why certain Big12 North schools should be considered. I understand Penn State isn’t part of the Midwest, which is why I’m fine with bringing in a few Eastern schools, so the Lions don’t get too lonely. But I think we should stick to the Midwest.
It looks like the rest of the world
is happy moving along without you.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Here's an interesting one
where they have emails from G.Gee and Jim Delany.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/06/04/e-mails-hint-eyes-are-upon-texas.html?sid=101
interesting they are talking seriously about TX in April and the need to move quickly.
Maybe we offer TX some Tejas-centric version of BX Network making it seem like they are getting a bigger share.
When the Big Ten offers concessions to another school
they will be just as disposable as every other conference. There’s something to be said for over 100 years of stability.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Not necessarily concessions
What about a ‘southern version’ of the Network. Right now there are gamedays where several BXI games against different scrub teams (usually) are shown regionally. It would still be the BX Network just have more TX and AtM coverage in that region.
All revenue would still be shared equally and the Horns would get an up and ready network to immediately start spewing Longhorn love.
by HawkeyePapyrus on Jun 4, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Wouldn't surprise me
for gamedays to have more overflow channels, but there is so much programming time, even with 16 teams I don’t know if we’d need a 2nd channel. Maybe.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I could see
BTN offerening each school some channel time to do it’s own content. Think about how NBC allows each affiliate to do it’s own afternoon programming and evening news, but in prime time it’s back to the network feed. There would be some minor fighting over turf with Michigan/MSU but I’m sure that could all be worked out. As long as there is still an equal revenue share, I think that would be a great idea. Even if I’m not in Iowa territory.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
by Flakbait on Jun 4, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
I need a 'like' button for this comment
by HawkeyePapyrus on Jun 4, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
It's called a "rec"
go for it.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Jun 4, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
I guess i'm thinking of it more as a carrot on a stick
We have this existing network all set up for Texas. They will make soooo much more cashish in our conference than in the Pac 10. And like you said there is so much programming time there could be A LOT of Tejas programming with or without an overflow channel.
Except UT can’t call the shots in the televen like they do now in the twelve. While we’d enjoy the slapfights between tOSU and UT, the Big Ten offices and conference championships that make money aren’t moving to Dallas anytime soon. If it makes equal academic sense for UT to join either the Big or Pac Ten, which league gives UT disproportionate revenue? The only league they won’t join is the SEC – the academics wouldn’t stand for it.
I think Delaney has to be careful here...
…and I think the Pac10 is calling any bluff that mey be occuring. The Pac10 is wanting to expand its footprint so they can get on television before 9:30 pm (when no one watches, or are too drunk to care much). Texas does that for them. I don’t think Texas wants to be relegated to post-primetime, and don’t think they really want to go to the Pac10.
This expansion talk, however, has gotten everyones’ gears turning. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about/through the media over the years, it’s that you can’t stop the illusion of progress. Once everyone starts talking about superconferences, it’s going to happen. The question is when.
Delaney may want to slow-hand this, but the very nature of how it’s playing out may mean that it happens faster then anyone would like. Though Delaney has shown a masterfull control of the situation thus far, so I don’t worry much, I just think the Pac10 threw their cards on the table, and it will be interesting to see how the hand plays out now. I’m thinking Texas is still looking at the BXI the most closely (as far as athletics are concerned). They’d get a better product, with better exposure and better acedemic peers. With the Pac10 they get to play a sactioned USC once a year (or UCLA in basketball) in not-ready-for-primetime.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 4, 2010 10:58 AM CDT reply actions
It's an internet post
with no sources that has been picked up by everybody else. So saying the PAC 10 threw their cards on the table is a pretty strong statement. Probably just one more BS story, but I do think discontent in the Big 12 is very, very real.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Chip Brown's legit, though.
Like, if Dochterman (god forbid) had his position eliminated and had to go to HawkeyeInsider or something and then wrote an article like that, would you still dismiss it as bullshit since it wasn’t in a paper?
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
A bit jaded at this point
His sources may be legit and believe what they are saying, but that doesn’t mean that they are right. At some point it becomes like the telephone game.
I think the PAC will expand, I think it will grab at least 1 Big 12 team, but 6 at once after a fairly short time to study this issue seems like a bit of a stretch.
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
Within the illusion of progress...
…if the Pac10 didn’t immediately back away from these stories they legitimised them in the minds of fans across the country.
[And it seems that the story was given more legitimacy over the weekend with tWWL’s “coverage.”]
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jun 7, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions
It occurs to me
Colorado can go anytime it wants. But nobody else moves without Texas.
Again, assume for a second that all this is real. At this point the Pac 10 is at 11 teams, with the assumption that Colorado wants in, and their hand is shown. If Texas says no, or even hesitates, nobody else changes seats right now, and the Pac 10 looks foolish.
It never gets to be easy
That is awesome
and, like, totally true.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 4, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
GENIUS
Iowa State: HI IOWA. YOU GOING TO CALL ME THIS WEEKEND? /crackle/
/Iowa shields face with hand, all his Big Ten friends laugh at him/
Facts sometimes have a strange and bizarre power that makes their inherent truth seem unbelievable. - Werner Herzog
OH MY GOD!
That is SIMPLY AWESOME!
Master of the convoluted IOWA cheers!
by EnergizerHawk on Jun 4, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
WOWFUCKINGWOW
That needs to be FanPosted or linked on the main page or whatever – all literate bipedal mammals need to read that.
"Enough of your borax, Poindexter! We need action!"
by Bucketochicken on Jun 4, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Oops, there is one flaw though
Colorado already wears cords made out of hemp, not to mention the dreads, Birkenstocks, etc. that go with it.
Indeed.
Which is why Colorado belongs in the Pac 10 anyway. They have way more in common with the schools out there than with the Texans and midwesterners taht dominate the Big 12.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Exactly
From the first Pac10-Colorado rumor I thought it was a perfect fit. With all the CA and AZ expats that have flooded Denver in the last 20 years the state front range is like a west coast state on the wrong side of the continental divide now.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Black Heart Gold Pants
Related FanShots on Black Heart Gold Pants
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
