ESPN Reporting Colorado Already Has PAC Invite

[East Coast Mustang]

Yeah I'm not saying that I like our chances in a new Big 12 but I like them more than trying to squeeze into the last MWC 9 spots with 5 Big 12 Leftovers and Boise, Nevada and Fresno out there.

I think we may be SOL either way, except for the vaunted "secret handshake agreement" ace we supposedly have up our sleeve! Orsini and Turner better pull out those naked pictures of Dan Beebe ASAP...

[East Coast Mustang]

I mean, who in the "new" Big 12 is doing us any favors? Baylor? No. TCU? No. I wish I could be optimistic about this but I think when the dust settles we're not going to have a seat at the dinner table.

[Stallion]

probably

but the other day I had it

MWC12- 5%
MWC14-10%
MWC16-25%

I think if the Big 12 went to 14 or 16 we might have some reasonable chance.

[Samurai Stang]

It looks good, but if, for example, SMU, Houston, TCU, Utah, BYU, Colorado, and Boise St. went to the remnants of the Big XII, we'd still lose the AQ status since there wouldn't be 6 teams that have played together for 5 years.

Based upon the 8 team Big East losing 3 schools, a conference only needs 5 schools to maintain its AQ status. The 5 remaining teams in the Big 12 should be enough on their own to preserve the AQ, and can then simply add those that they desire.

[East Coast Mustang]

Based upon the 8 team Big East losing 3 schools, a conference only needs 5 schools to maintain its AQ status. The 5 remaining teams in the Big 12 should be enough on their own to preserve the AQ, and can then simply add those that they desire.

We need to whore out whatever we can to get in that conference. Do the Hunts have an extra $50 million laying around? How about Gerald Ford, Sewell, etc?

I just don't think we match up very favorably with the other candidates for those last spots. Unfortunately, I don't think academics will really matter. This will be a move of desperation by the new Big 12 (assuming it stays together). Academics are a great buzzword to throw around when you're being proactive about expansion, but when it's desperation time, only one thing matters and it rhymes with honey.

[East Coast Mustang]

I really hope Turner doesn't have his thumb up his [deleted] right now. We've all heard the mantra about SMU being prepared and proactive in the next wave of conference realignment, well now it's time to walk the walk.

[Samurai Stang]

I just don't think we match up very favorably with the other candidates for those last spots.

Realistically, I can only imagine ten true candidates for Big 12 expansion.
1. BYU
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. Houston
5. Colorado State
6. SMU
7. Air Force
8. New Mexico
9. UTEP
10. Wyoming

I do not forsee Wyoming or UTEP being desirable to the Big 12. Wyoming offers a small television market, while UTEP does not fulfill the need that would be expected of a Texas school in that El Paso is not known for its production of outstanding high school athletes. That leaves SMU to compete with New Mexico and Air Force. SMU has a horrific basketball team, while its football team is on the rise and is capable of competing financially. New Mexico is strong in basketball, but the television market is weak and the football is worse. Air Force is an American service academy, and as such brings a national fan base. Assuming Colorado State is already taken by the Big 12, though, this may be considered overkill. Thus, SMU must be more attractive than one of its two main competitors: Air Force or New Mexico. All three schools certainly have their weaknesses, although it is my honest opinion that SMU offers much more to the conference in television and recruiting. That being said, the decisions being made are not always the most intelligent ones.

And yes, I did not include Boise State. The MWC does not want them, and I do not see why the Big 12 would be different.

[Stallion]

yep scratch Wyoming and UTEP. That leaves 13. Maybe Boise

[East Coast Mustang]

I just don't think we match up very favorably with the other candidates for those last spots.

Realistically, I can only imagine ten true candidates for Big 12 expansion.
1. BYU
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. Houston
5. Colorado State
6. SMU
7. Air Force
8. New Mexico
9. UTEP
10. Wyoming

I do not forsee Wyoming or UTEP being desirable to the Big 12. Wyoming offers a small television market, while UTEP does not fulfill the need that would be expected of a Texas school in that El Paso is not known for its production of outstanding high school athletes. That leaves SMU to compete with New Mexico and Air Force. SMU has a horrific basketball team, while its football team is on the rise and is capable of competing financially. New Mexico is strong in basketball, but the television market is weak and the football is worse. Air Force is an American service academy, and as such brings a national fan base. Assuming Colorado State is already taken by the Big 12, though, this may be considered overkill. Thus, SMU must be more attractive than one of its two main competitors: Air Force or New Mexico. All three schools certainly have their weaknesses, although it is my honest opinion that SMU offers much more to the conference in television and recruiting. That being said, the decisions being made are not always the most intelligent ones.

What about Boise?

The thing is, how much of the DFW market do we really offer, especially considering Baylor and TCU are already in? Why not expand to New Mexico and the Albuquerque market rather than add a 4th Texas team (I'm assuming UH gets in over us as well)

[Texafornian]

And add Boise St. and you have 14.

[Samurai Stang]

The thing is, how much of the DFW market do we really offer, especially considering Baylor and TCU are already in? Why not expand to New Mexico and the Albuquerque market rather than add a 4th Texas team (I'm assuming UH gets in over us as well)

With the small private schools it is even more important to have local rivalries, thus creating interest in the area. I believe it can be agreed that TCU does not own the Dallas market, and even with the addition of SMU, the Big 12 would still not do so entirely. However, this combination would likely still be greater than would that of TCU and New Mexico. Also, factor in that the northern teams have come to depend on Texas recruiting.

[Samurai Stang]

And add Boise St. and you have 14.

Were I the decsion making body of the Big 12, I would be very interested as to when Texas State will go division 1.

[ponyinNC]

Somebody answer this -

What are the realistic chances that Big 12 leftovers form new conference and MWC adds others??...this I think is our only chance. If MWC takes Big 12 leftovers, we're done for.

[East Coast Mustang]

Somebody answer this -

What are the realistic chances that Big 12 leftovers form new conference and MWC adds others??...this I think is our only chance. If MWC takes Big 12 leftovers, we're done for.

I think it just makes sense, both from a geographical and financial standpoint, to combine the Big 12 leftovers and the big boys in the MWC. Funny thing is, if the Whorns really wanted to keep the Big 12 alive, they could have just replaced Nebraska with Utah or BYU and kept right on ticking.

[Samurai Stang]

Somebody answer this -

What are the realistic chances that Big 12 leftovers form new conference and MWC adds others??...this I think is our only chance. If MWC takes Big 12 leftovers, we're done for.

It will not happen. This is an opportunity of the MWC to lose those that do not desire victory or cannot attain it. Additionally, it is a chance to replace the undesirable clans with others that would be deemed desirable.

Then, consider that the Big 12 will maintain its BCS AQ status. Additionally, by leaving, those schools that remain would be forfeiting a tremendous amount in buyout payments from defectors. The Big 12 schools will not leave, and several of the MWC schools will join. Pretending it can be otherwise will only make it more painful when it actually happens.