Who will be left in the Big 12?

[Charleston Pony]

KU hoops would make it in as an independent

[stc9]

If the Big 12 really wanted to save itself, I have a wacky plan that would make it happen.

1) KICK OUT the University of Texas. (No, I am not crazy. Slightly delusional and I can't get those damn voices to stop telling me to do evil things. But HEAR me out on this one).
2) Beg the TV Networks to stay with you. Yes, you are going to get less money in the short run. The conference gains long term stability and loses the jealous bickering that is tearing them apart.
3) Do whatever you have to do to get A&M to stay - I think they would appreciate the opportunity to kick out UT. They might just stay for that.
4) Add two more Texas teams (SMU and Cougars) and Boise St. (Dallas, Houston and partial Mtn markets)
5) Get rid of this ridiculous exemption that allows schools to have their own TV networks and create a Big XIII Network.
6) Never schedule UT again in any sport. Make them use their $$$ to travel everywhere. Sure Rice and UTEP will still play them, but will TCU? So given this, how appealing will the LHN be to cable carriers compared to the new Big XII Network? This will make up for the loss of the Network contracts. By blackballing UT, the Big XII would starve the LHN of content and increase the value of their asset.
7) UT's only option will be Independence since the Pac 12 and SEC won't take them with the LHN and the Big XII would start owning TV sets.

[planoponyfan]

The sad reality is that the Pac-16 is going to happen. We'll have 4 or 5 super-conferences that have access to the big money and big bowl games. The rest of the schools and conferences will be left hunting for table scraps.

SMU brings only one thing to the table: The DFW TV market. If one of those super-conferences is looking for an entrance into this top-5 TV market, they might be interested in SMU. The problem is that Texas already has this market wrapped up for whichever conference it goes to. TCU has it tagged for the Big East. The cartel probably wouldn't want to see this market spliced up 3 ways among the super-conferences. Besides, if Texas says "no," SMU won't go to any of the super-conferences. It's just that simple.

I'm glad Orsini is making the case for SMU. Perhaps if we can get with one of the conferences before the Pac-16 happens, then we'll be okay. But I am not optimisitc.

[leopold]

If the Big 12 really wanted to save itself, I have a wacky plan that would make it happen.

1) KICK OUT the University of Texas. (No, I am not crazy. Slightly delusional and I can't get those damn voices to stop telling me to do evil things. But HEAR me out on this one).
2) Beg the TV Networks to stay with you. Yes, you are going to get less money in the short run. The conference gains long term stability and loses the jealous bickering that is tearing them apart.
3) Do whatever you have to do to get A&M to stay - I think they would appreciate the opportunity to kick out UT. They might just stay for that.
4) Add two more Texas teams (SMU and Cougars) and Boise St. (Dallas, Houston and partial Mtn markets)
5) Get rid of this ridiculous exemption that allows schools to have their own TV networks and create a Big XIII Network.
6) Never schedule UT again in any sport. Make them use their $$$ to travel everywhere. Sure Rice and UTEP will still play them, but will TCU? So given this, how appealing will the LHN be to cable carriers compared to the new Big XII Network? This will make up for the loss of the Network contracts. By blackballing UT, the Big XII would starve the LHN of content and increase the value of their asset.
7) UT's only option will be Independence since the Pac 12 and SEC won't take them with the LHN and the Big XII would start owning TV sets.

I'm sorry, but this isn't feasible on any level. The Big XII needs UT. It just does. The other schools, outside of OU (and even OU may need some help from UT to go to the PAC 12), have no other realistic options on their own, save MAYBE the Big Eat, and they want no part of that conference. If the Horns leave, the conference dies. And the SEC will take UT and it's netork in a heartbeat - Florida has the Sunshine Network, they have no problem with the LHN. It's UT that has repeatedly turned down the SEC, not vice versa.
It sucks to say this, but this is the honest truth - it's up to DD and UT to decide the Big XII's future.

[Topper]

Stick a fork in the Big 12. It was ill-conceived to begin with. UT got what it wanted-control of a multi-state conference that was rid of SMU, TCU, Houston, and Rice. This put them in a very enviable position to recruit the DFW and Houston areas without a local school in their way. Now the tv networks and the big schools are in a position to rid themselves of schools that don't generate huge ad revenues. The chase for the $ drives this whole process. The only way any of the non BCS schools will move up will be if there is an economic reason to do so.

[leopold]

Which is exactly why it still might. It still offers UT something. The only question is what does it offer UT once any school that wants out gets out.

[NavyCrimson]

planoponyfan: "The sad reality is that the Pac-16 is going to happen. We'll have 4 or 5 super-conferences that have access to the big money and big bowl games. The rest of the schools and conferences will be left hunting for table scraps."

You're right unless the spineless presidents of the 'have-nots', all of a sudden, get a spine & fight this. Otherwise, I hate to say, you're right.

[Charleston Pony]

you mean we aren't already hunting for table scraps?

[NavyCrimson]

I think SMU & their other brethren have hoisted the white flag of surrender & accepted that the cartel is here to stay.

[Water Pony]

Houston Chronicle:

"If Texas can be persuaded to stay, can the Big 12 be saved?"

http://blog.chron.com/sportsjustice/201 ... -be-saved/

[UConn-SMU]

Some Big 12 schools have been talking with the Big East for about a year. From what I've read, the Big East is very interested in Kansas & Missouri. There may be some interest in Iowa State and Kansas State. I've heard nothing about Baylor.

It appears Kansas would like to join the Big East. Missouri would obviously prefer the Big 10, but the feeling is not mutual. The Big East is probably Missouri's second choice.

The Big East has also been patiently waiting to see if Villanova will move up from 1-AA. And UCF is probably getting looked at as well.