DMN: Big "12" Not to Expand Beyond 10

by **RE Tycoon** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:48 am

Not shocking news, but the first time I've seen an "official" position. DMN link

In statement released Saturday evening, the Big 12 said â€œthe other nine members reaffirmed their long term, unconditional and unequivocal commitments made to each other and the conference last summer.

â€œAlthough the board [of directors] hopes Texas A&M remains in the conference, the board is prepared to aggressively move forward to explore expansion opportunities. In doing so, the board recognizes the strength of the Big 12 Conference national brand and the opportunity to capitalize on it.â€

Conference members also decided not to expand beyond 10 if the Aggies leave as expected. Specific candidates were not discussed, sources said. The Big 12â€™s first preference is to somehow retain A&M.

by **StallionsModelT** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:51 am

I think the Big 12 makes a serious run after ND.

by **RGV Pony** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:56 am

StallionsModelT wrote:I think the Big 12 makes a serious run after ND.

Agree. I'll bet they offer ND, then #2 on their list if ND declines is BYU; if BYU declines then Air Force. One of them (I'll bet Air Force) accepts..

..and CUSA stays the most stable conference

by **StallionsModelT** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:08 am

If all they do is add Air Force that is going to get a collective yawn after the splash of A&M to the SEC. Adding AF might be the domino that sets off Mizzou to either SEC or Big 10 and the Kansas schools to BE. Maybe not but I could see Mizzou wanting to get out.

by **GiddyUp** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:26 am

CoxMustangFan wrote:
StallionsModelT wrote:If all they do is add Air Force that is going to get a collective yawn after the splash of A&M to the SEC. Adding AF might be the domino that sets off Mizzou to either SEC or Big 10 and the Kansas schools to BE. Maybe not but I could see Mizzou wanting to get out.

I just wish it would all be over. If you rank every school based on the range of possible upside vs. possible downside (as a result of conference re-alignment), the schools I follow would be in the top 5 of widest ranges. I'm more than ready for this to be over...good, bad, or somewhere in between.

I am very tired of all this realignment but it's only going to continue

by **SMU89** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:41 am

ND plus political pressure to bring in another Texas school to replace ATM forces move to 12.

by **StallionsModelT** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:48 am

UT won't succumb to political pressure to get to 12. If the SEC goes to 14 that would be the pressure to add teams. However, it's HIGHLY unlikely ND joins the house of cards that is the Big 12.

by **Charleston Pony** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:14 pm

only advantage to having 12 members is having a championship game...and possibly giving your champion a strong enough resume to make the National Championship game. In the current system, if Texas or OU went unbeaten and was left out of the title game, that might cause them to react...much like the Big 10 finally did.

by **Hoop Fan** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:22 pm

if the Big 12 wont add a champ game, they really need to move the OU UT matchup to Thanksgiving weekend to give the winner momentum to a BCS title game chance. might finally be impetus to the series going home and home and leaving the Cotton Bowl in October setup.

by **Hoop Fan** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:26 pm

also didnt the Big 12 just sign a new TV deal last summer? Cant imagine they can get the same money by replacing A&M with UH, Air Force. Perhaps BYU. I hate to say this but i think they take TCU because the Big 12 needs to worry about strenght of schedule at this point and TCU helps that right now.

by **ponyscott** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:37 pm

In all due respect, TCU could give a total crap about The Big 12 now...they have fully committed to the BE and are full speed ahead and could dominate the Football side of the equation on a National stage and will elevate their basketball program nationally with the new top level competition. Its a perfect fit for them. This is just total folly to think that TCU would make any conference changes for the foreseeable future.

by **mrydel** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:49 pm

Considering they are reaffirming an " unconditional unequivocal "previous agreement to stay together, which has obviously been broken, how" unconditional and unequivocal" can this one be?

by **westexSMU** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:57 pm

I heard TCU has already said thanks, But No Thanks to the Big 12 about joining now. Why would they join now when they are already in a bcs conference ? I mean the Big 12 is certainly not anymore stable now than the Big East. I think UT/OU are probably staying in Big 12 for now, but who knows for sure ? If we were invited, obviously we jump if we can put together money for increasing size of our stadium. It would be great if we could just get in with Tech, Baylor, and Okla. St. if nothing else. Personally, I think they will take BYU over UH. I just don't see UH,for a variety of reasons, getting an invite.

by **StallionsModelT** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:01 pm

I think BYU turns down the Big 12. Already have a TV deal and don't need to join the Big 12 Titanic.

by **Hoop Fan** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:40 pm

how would TCU have said 'thanks but no thanks' yet? They wish. Its not like the Big East is stable either. I think you are nuts if you don't think TCU would bail on the Big East and join the Big 12 in about 2 seconds if UT said they wouldnt go indy. And i was one that 3 years ago predicted TCU would go to the big east, but not if given chance for big 12.