Big 12 Commissioner-Not Likely to Expand with Texas Schools

[CalallenStang]

I think there is an opportunity for SMU being in DFW to actually be an asset to a conference of the Leftovers-for a lack of a better word. As Calallen simply puts it we ain't getting into a Big 12 as long as UT or A&M are in it. Why? Because they own the market. But the Leftovers may be a collection of small media markets spread across states with little TV saturation or marquee media sites. No one knows for sure but could a major conference survive in a conference composed of markets like Lubbock, Stillwater, Ames, Manhatten, etc. In such a situation the prospects of adding teams from media markets like DFW and Houston become an asset to such a conference. I think almost more important is the fact that DFW and Houston are 2 of the Top 5 recruiting goldmines in the country. Without Texas or A&M those small market schools would be almost invisible unless they make a play for the big media markets.

Great post Stallion and that pretty much sums up everything I've been saying.

[westexSMU]

I agree with you on this Stallion. As I have said, I think with the changes in the big 12 North, that Texas will leave the big 12 and will probably take OU etc. with them. SMU's hope lies in some sort of new leftover conference of certain teams from the MWC, big 12, and Texas CUSA teams in big media markets. I just don't see where tulsa and utep bring much TV revenue value and $ to any new conference.

[huskerpony]

In this case should Texas not simply become an independent?

I don't have any inside information on that, but I honestly believe that is their backup plan. The kicker probably is the BCS. There are at least 75 schools that won't be stupid enough to get burned on a special expemtion like Notre Dame again.

[huskerpony]

No one knows for sure but could a major conference survive in a conference composed of markets like Waco, Lubbock, Stillwater, Ames, Manhatten, etc. In such a situation the prospects of adding teams from media markets like DFW and Houston become an asset to such a conference.

Sure. Look at the Mountain West. Granted they have Salt Lake, sort of Denver, and Ft. Worth, but a "leftover" conference could easily encompass Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Denver, Kansas City--maybe a couple more medium-sized markets in the region you could scrap together with the non-markets you mentioned. That could definitely be viable from a TV standpoint. Then it is all about the quality of the product on the field. Look at the MWC vs the Big East. One has better football, one has better tv markets. The one with the better product was just poised to take out the other in the BCS.

I've had a drink or three, so I don't know if that was really a coherent thought, but the bottom line is this--add a couple of schools in major markets with a couple that have some name recognition, and you could have something.

Does this look so bad as a conference?
Kansas
Kansas St
Iowa St
Colorado St
Air Force
Wyoming

Texas Tech
SMU
TCU
Houston
New Mexico
Memphis

Not outstanding, but not too shaby for drunk in the middle of the night. A couple of schools with football history on each side, a couple of basketball powerhouses on each side, a couple of major markets, some teams with fans that travel. Just demand every school have a baseball team to get invited.....man, I should really be a commissioner!

[Stallion]

add Baylor-but realize the peril SMU might be in the smaller that conference is.

[mrydel]

add Baylor-but realize the peril SMU might be in the small that conference is.

Yoda?

[EastStang]

And that's not a bad basketball conference either with KU, UNM, and Memphis as marquee teams. My view is the SMU's only hope is that it is a cheap alternative to any conference that wants access to the Texas market (and that includes the SEC). TCU's BCS credits mean nothing to the SEC, but would mean something to the BE or to a depleted Big XII (without UT, MO, NE, or OU).

[davidpaul123]

No one knows for sure but could a major conference survive in a conference composed of markets like Waco, Lubbock, Stillwater, Ames, Manhatten, etc. In such a situation the prospects of adding teams from media markets like DFW and Houston become an asset to such a conference.

Sure. Look at the Mountain West. Granted they have Salt Lake, sort of Denver, and Ft. Worth, but a "leftover" conference could easily encompass Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Denver, Kansas City--maybe a couple more medium-sized markets in the region you could scrap together with the non-markets you mentioned. That could definitely be viable from a TV standpoint. Then it is all about the quality of the product on the field. Look at the MWC vs the Big East. One has better football, one has better tv markets. The one with the better product was just poised to take out the other in the BCS.

I've had a drink or three, so I don't know if that was really a coherent thought, but the bottom line is this--add a couple of schools in major markets with a couple that have some name recognition, and you could have something.

Does this look so bad as a conference?
Kansas
Kansas St
Iowa St
Colorado St
Air Force
Wyoming

Texas Tech
SMU
TCU
Houston
New Mexico
Memphis

Not outstanding, but not too shaby for drunk in the middle of the night. A couple of schools with football history on each side, a couple of basketball powerhouses on each side, a couple of major markets, some teams with fans that travel. Just demand every school have a baseball team to get invited.....man, I should really be a commissioner!

You’re going to want Boise State in that conference because of their record.
I guess this assumes BYU and Utah head to the Pac-10, cause if not you’re going to want them and their records too.

[gostangs]

You dont add Boise state just because they have a currently good record - you add them if they bring market share or a market (SMU brings no market share - but does bring a market). They really dont bring either and are an outlyer geographically - so you skip them. I think you would love UTAH and BYU (market plus market share (Mormans)) - but they will go Pac 10 probably.

You add Baylor becauue it makes sense - and they have great basketball -

This would be great for SMU - it would put us in a position of having a very good shot at any player not picked by UT and ATM. If we are even with Baylor, TCU and Tech in a conference I dont know why we wouldnt get the next shot after the big flagship state schools pick. Our entire program would take a giant step back to relevance.

however - i dont expect this - i predict the big 12 will back fill their empty slots and thats it for now.....

[BIGHORSE]

ESPNU said that most likely Boise St. would join the Mountain West.