What is/should UT doing/do?

[Garret]

Chuck Carlton of the DMN seems to indicate that BYU is going to be selected to replace Texas A&M. In fact, he says that the TV networks (ESPN and Fox, with ESPN having a significant relationship with BYU) have already said that replacing Texas A&M with BYU will keep the TV money the same.

Also confirmed through a source that ESPN and Fox agree to leave Big 12 TV deals alone -- if a suitable 10th team is found to replace A&M

Someone asked "what does "suitable" mean? Arkansas? Houston? Tulsa?" The answer:

Think solid FB & BKB, national image, three initials.

https://twitter.com/#!/ChuckCarltonDMN

[StallionsModelT]

That doesn't look good

[Water Pony]

Pick Three, not One:

BYU with its national reputation and following
AFA with FB football program and fast traveling fans
SMU for DFW location, emerging FB/BB quality and a Longhorn Network annual game.

Big12 will maintain BCS, broaden market to Colorado and Salt Lake City and bring teams to DFW routinely.

[StallionsModelT]

BYU will not join the Big 12 IMO.

[Garret]

BYU will not join the Big 12 IMO.

BYU has been positioning itself for a Big 12 invitation for awhile. Helping UT set up the LHN. Preparing a TV studio on campus to broadcast sporting events on BYUTV--only the Big 12 would allow that among the AQ conferences near their location. The Big 12 won't have a problem with BYUTV, but the Pac-12 and Big 10 won't allow it.

However, if the public statements by Texas Tech's commissioner are correct, then the Big 12 is looking to go to 12 instead of just 10. I think BYU has 1 spot, 1 spot will go to Houston or SMU, and the last spot could be Air Force/Louisville/Houston/SMU (or Notre Dame if the Big 12 gets their wish). I wonder if it helps that SMU has the Chair of the Higher Education Committee while Houston doesn't have any alums on that committee...

[Mitch McConnell]

BYU will not join the Big 12 IMO.

Well, then they will get the first opportunity to say no because that's who the conference is going to target first.

[Water Pony]

BYU will not join the Big 12 IMO.

Well, then they will get the first opportunity to say no because that's who the conference is going to target first.

I agree that BYU is the strongest move for both parties. For BYU, it is a win/win, since UT would be fine with the BYU Network. It also give them back some parity with U of UT and their move to the PAC12. Now, two conferences would share SLC fan base and TV market.

[StallionsModelT]

What about the whole refusing to play any sports on Sunday thing? Wouldn't that throw a monkeywrench into BYU joining a major conference?

[StallionsModelT]

Also I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock into what the Texas Tech AD is saying. While going to 12 is certainly an option, I think that the Big 12 will look to add just one member FOR NOW. If the SEC expands to 16 then all bets are off. Big 12 will act fast to protect itself from being raided from other conferences. If it goes to 14 or 16 we are in.

[Garret]

What about the whole refusing to play any sports on Sunday thing? Wouldn't that throw a monkeywrench into BYU joining a major conference?

Last time I checked (thanks to my neighbor who is a BYU law grad), out of all of the AQ conferences the Big 12 plays the least on Sundays. If you look at their basketball schedule for example, they play on Saturdays and rarely on Sundays.

[StallionsModelT]

Thx for the clarification Garret. I guess BYU is best positioned to join the Big 12, but will Texas allow them to have their own network?

[Water Pony]

I believe no Sunday games are a non-issue for Big12 vis-a-vis BYU. Also, I like a western partner for BYU and that is AFA, who is also national. Helps Big12 exposure and gives two Mountain Time zone locations in two good markets. Now you are at 11. At 12, I like our chances better. Either UH and/or us. At 14 or more, we are in.

All of this assumes Texas stays.

[StallionsModelT]

Every indication is that Texas wants to stay in the Big 12. Going independent would be very bad for their non-revenue sports.

[Garret]

Thx for the clarification Garret. I guess BYU is best positioned to join the Big 12, but will Texas allow them to have their own network?

BYUTV fits with the Big 12 very well. Kansas State just launched their network today. Oklahoma has been working on their network and will launch that soon. The more conference members that have a network of their own, the less of an outlier the LHN will look, so Texas of course likes BYU with its network.

When you look at the potential Big 12 North schools to replace Nebraska and Colorado, there aren't that many (maybe just Notre Dame) schools that the Big 12 could get that would be better than BYU. That would leave 1 spot left in the North (Notre Dame would have it if they wanted, and they could keep their NBC deal, otherwise Air Force probably gets it) and 1 spot left in the South...that southern spot could be Houston, SMU, or some other school.

[StallionsModelT]

Solid reasoning. Sounds like BYU is the runaway favorite for the Big 12. As much as it pains me to say it I bet the Big 12 stays at 10 w/ the addition of BYU UNLESS the SEC goes to 14 or 16.