ut going independent

[Nacho]

about 5:30 am i was watching espnu and caught the last bit about ut considering going independent according to deloss dodds the ut ad. anybody know anything about this?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

I wonder IF this were to happen what would happen to the Big 12?

[BIGHORSE]

I wonder IF this were to happen what would happen to the Big 12?

You would think it might increase our odds of getting in.

[smupony94]

No mention here in Austin

[Nacho]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ ... sion_N.htm

this is the only thing i could find in print. it's all on the table. imo ut would be better off as an independent since they don't play well with others.

[huskerpony]

I heard this yesterday as well. Not sure where they said the interview was (maybe USAToday?) but what I heard relayed was that he only said going independent was one option that they would seriously consider if the Big 12 were to crumble. (Ironic that if it weren't for his own demands, the Big 12 wouldn't be in any real danger.)

I assumed this was his strike back after Stoops said OU would leave if the conference didn't replace the teams that were leaving with schools OU wanted. Quite frankly, I don't think there will be a Big 12 to speak of after the 2011 season. Dodds seems determined to get his Texas-only network, and that just isn't going to work for any other team that actually brings value to the conference.

[EastStang]

Say, you're the athletic director at SMU. And DeLoss Dodds comes to you as an Independent instead of Big XII and offers you a 2-1 deal at Austin. Would you require a huge pay day? Would you say, "no, 2-3 or no deal"? UT is not ND. And without a conference, they would be like a whore without a pimp. They could get picked apart, because they don't have the safety net of 4 home dates with Big XII teams. They would have to make 12 deals and hope to get 6-7 home dates a year out of that. If you're a Big Ten team, a PAC-10 team, an SEC team are you going to agree to a home and home deal with UT? Or are you going to push for 2 home for you and 1 for UT. And October-November dates are tough to fill for Independents, ask Penn State. And if you're UT, you still have to worry about strength of schedule to be considered for the National Championship game. So, you can't play a bunch of FCS, CUSA, WAC, MAC, MWC and SBC teams. You need some red-meat games on the schedule as well. And you don't want to have to play all those meaty games on the road. So, good luck to the Whorns if they want to go Independent. I hope they get picked clean.

[Hoop Fan]

UT is not going independent in this lifetime. this is what you call posturing. no doubt they have an independent view of themselves though.

[Stallion]

The Truth: Texas wants the Big 12 to remain intact-it is the best situationfor Texas by far
The Big 12 may not remain intact because of Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado
If that were to happen the Big 12 may no longer be economically competitive with SEC and Big 10
If the Big 12 is raided Texas will probably consider over the next 1-2 years 1) a PAC alignment if the PAC teams will allow Texas to determine a reasonable southwest division 2) Texas would consider but ultimately reject the SEC and 3) assuming they reject the SEC go independent and launch their TV Network which is already well past the planning stage.

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed for the second time that schools(read business entity) not conferences own TV right so they are entirely within their rights. It will not be unusual for large state universities to have their own TV network at least regionally in the next 10 years or so. Texas would have no problems whatsoever lining up 7-8 home games a year-especially considering the TV money

[EastStang]

Yeah, they'll have the TV money, but they'll pay through the nose for the privilege to any name school they want to play at home. Sure, they can pay well for body bag games against lesser teams. but if they have 8-9 games against drek, they will not be playing for any National championships (and guess what, they may not be part of the BCS championship package) remember ND is only part of the package because the BE lent them a spot. Anybody look at ND strength of schedule lately. Except for their "tradition" games against USC, Navy, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, its not that tough a schedule.

[huskerpony]

It's definitely within their rights, and if it's financially beneficial for them, I don't blame them for doing it. I just don't see how it is workable to negotiate tv contracts as a conference when the team with the biggest market is doing their own thing. After seeing how the Big Ten network has worked, I don't see how it would be more money for them (although they obviously believe it would be.)

[Dooby]

Dodds apaprently threw out the "I" word as a hypothetical possibility a couple of weeks ago in an interview. I think it was tossed out to make it clear to the alums that UT is aware of the changing landscape and keeping its options open and won't be passive. Some alums were a little ticked with the "We wuv the Big XII!!!!' happy talk that is the Texas Admin party line.

I don't see how Texas can go independent successfully. I think the only way ND gets away with it today is the schedule they play and not the so called national following. If ND tried to play a weak schedule without Michigan or USC, I think NBC walks.

[SoCal_Pony]

Texas is in the most monopolistic position in all of college FB; its main competition in-state resides in Waco / Lubbock / College Station, not Dallas / Houston / San Antonio.

Reminds me a little of USC, who controls Southern California. LA / Orange County / San Diego. At least USC has UCLA, but their raising of academic standards over the past decade+ has been a real benefit to the Trojans.

I have held this position all my life...There is only 1 school in this state that can compete against the Longhorns. Only 1 school with the academic reputation, campus setting, location and alumni support (15 donors contributing over $210M during latest 'Unbridled' campaign) that can compete against UT. Would love to be given that opportunity again. UT, of course, will prevent it from ever happening within the same conference, but you never know.

[RGV Pony]

(15 donors contributing over $210M during latest 'Unbridled' campaign)

that is big time.

[NickSMU17]

I was reading my SMU mag today looking at our new physical therapy and sports management majors and was overwhelmed by the donor support in there...New majors top end faculty, and new buildings....

SMU is a special school....I only see good things ahead....