Give Us A Break

[Comet]

I'm so excited for what is to come.

I wouldn't say excited...more like scared but very cautiously optimistic that we have the right people in place and the adequate support to at least get in the converstaion. Also, whatever happens, I think there will be even more change a few years from now.

When I said excited, I meant it from a college football enthusiast's perspective, not an SMU fan's. I think we'll find ourselves in a better situation than we are today once all is said and done. Just how much better is the question.

[ponyinNC]

we just might get screwed by a TCU/Baylor/Houston coalition but SURELY in this new reality the lure of Dallas is actually a plus for SMU when it wasn't when Texas, Tech and A&M controlled the market. I've got to think these schools would like access to Dallas even more now

I don't think they would screw us...none of those 3 schools provide access to Dallas market. I know TCU likes to say they do, but there's a reason they call it D/FW

[goldenstang]

It is still possible that the Big East stays together with TCU, CIncinnati, Louisville, USF, and WVU. They may just add Kansas, K-State, Iowa State and Baylor and call it a day. This would obviously be terrible for us.

[Dwan]

I think the ND aspect of this is going to be really interesting to watch. If the Big East falls apart, they are going to need a conference to park their sports other than football. I could see them being forced to join a conference. I think the speed with which this whole thing is moving and the desperation that is coming with that is going to create some strange bedfellows. Things like academic standards, travel costs, and long tern opposition to a particular school will be thrown out the window as everybody looks out for themselves

[goldenstang]

I think the ND aspect of this is going to be really interesting to watch. If the Big East falls apart, they are going to need a conference to park their sports other than football. I could see them being forced to join a conference. I think the speed with which this whole thing is moving and the desperation that is coming with that is going to create some strange bedfellows. Things like academic standards, travel costs, and long tern opposition to a particular school will be thrown out the window as everybody looks out for themselves

They potentially could just stay with the Big East basketball schools.

[Stallion]

Right now is one reason I think SMU fans and especially June Jones should cool it with the whispers about SMU not being committed to football. First of all its not true and only involves extremely minor issues. The clear message should be that SMU saw the light and has made a big time commitment to excell in Football and Basketball-and yet that message was diluted and contaimenated by last years episode. That is in fact the truth. I see this theme all over the internet of fans with the perception that SMU is still hampered by academic restrictions.

[ponyinNC]

I think the ND aspect of this is going to be really interesting to watch. If the Big East falls apart, they are going to need a conference to park their sports other than football. I could see them being forced to join a conference. I think the speed with which this whole thing is moving and the desperation that is coming with that is going to create some strange bedfellows. Things like academic standards, travel costs, and long tern opposition to a particular school will be thrown out the window as everybody looks out for themselves

Totally agree, which is why I think this superconference madness right now is not the end of all this. I can see these schools trying it and realizing that it is not as great as they thought it would be. How the hell do fans/non-rev teams in Austin get to Corvallis? You telling me fans are going to travel from Pullman to Lubbock? Really?

There is going to be so much pushback from fans by year 2 that I think we end up right back where we started and even more regional.

[leopold]

I think the ND aspect of this is going to be really interesting to watch. If the Big East falls apart, they are going to need a conference to park their sports other than football. I could see them being forced to join a conference. I think the speed with which this whole thing is moving and the desperation that is coming with that is going to create some strange bedfellows. Things like academic standards, travel costs, and long tern opposition to a particular school will be thrown out the window as everybody looks out for themselves

The BE football aspect may fall apart, but the basketball school side of it will give ND what it needs. St. Johns, Seton Hall, Villanova, Depaul, etc. will take care of the Irish's needs.

[lwjr]

I think the ND aspect of this is going to be really interesting to watch. If the Big East falls apart, they are going to need a conference to park their sports other than football. I could see them being forced to join a conference. I think the speed with which this whole thing is moving and the desperation that is coming with that is going to create some strange bedfellows. Things like academic standards, travel costs, and long tern opposition to a particular school will be thrown out the window as everybody looks out for themselves

Totally agree, which is why I think this superconference madness right now is not the end of all this. I can see these schools trying it and realizing that it is not as great as they thought it would be. How the hell do fans/non-rev teams in Austin get to Corvallis? You telling me fans are going to travel from Pullman to Lubbock? Really?

There is going to be so much pushback from fans by year 2 that I think we end up right back where we started and even more regional.

ponyinNC,
This has been my feelings for the last several years. Once the novelty of a new conference wears off and the cost of traveling for the fans and schools sets in, there is going to be a big backlash from the fans and athletic departments. UT fans, instead of going to Waco and college station for the day now you have to spend a full day just to travel to Oregon and Washington and a full day to get home. Enjoy!!!
I still think when the BCS cartel really puts the squeeze on the current non BCS, after the super conferences are set, the non BCS schools will take them to court. At that point the NCAA or someone with a spine will finally put together a playoff system so everyone is happy and schools go back to the regional conferences. Of course I could be wrong

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

[leopold]

I think its stupid, too, but whatever. If UT wants to be on the West Coast so bad, let them.

As for the rest of us, I have GOT to imagine that with the leftovers of the Big XII and the Big East, along with C-USA and even one or two MWC schools, there has got to be two separate, geographically sensible BCS worthy conferences between them. Hell, the Big East leftovers are the best football teams in THAT league, and will soon include the reigning Rose Bowl champs!
If these camps would actually get together and TALK TO EACH OTHER, this whole thing would work out. There is enough space for a couple of 14-school leagues that would make sense and make a hell of a lot of people happy, putting an end to this STUPID period of college athletics.

[redpony]

I suspect that many fans will not travel from Austin or Lubbock to Idaho or Wash. They will watch it on TV. This may be exactly what the ESPNs etc. would love. Move viewers for more ad revenue. Of course they would see many of the stadiums only partially full.

GO PONIES!!!

[lwjr]

I think the ND aspect of this is going to be really interesting to watch. If the Big East falls apart, they are going to need a conference to park their sports other than football. I could see them being forced to join a conference. I think the speed with which this whole thing is moving and the desperation that is coming with that is going to create some strange bedfellows. Things like academic standards, travel costs, and long tern opposition to a particular school will be thrown out the window as everybody looks out for themselves

Big East Basketball schools go to Atlantic 10 conference, if Big East imploded. ND, if they remain independent, could move to A-10. I really think the days of schools remaining independent are over. If Big Ten goes to 16 teams, ND gets the first phone call and is told, "it is now or never".

[redpony]

I could see ND going B10 as they are a more natural fit culturally and geographically than KS or some of the other schools. Not sure the B10 wants a Missouri. If they did they would have extended an offer when they added Neb.

GO PONIES!!!

[Hoop Fan]

i'm a little surprised the Big 10 is letting the ACC take Pitt and Cuse without a fight. Those were long thought to be the 2 eastern schools that would make the most sense for the Big 10 to take. Really makes me wonder if the Big10 is willing to dilute any further. Or lookout, Pitt or Cuse or both might have an 11th hour change of heart and go Big 10.

[peruna81]

Texas and Notre Dame have the means to change all the conference pictures at the stroke of a pen...they are the ones to watch, IMO.

Interesting thing is the notion that Texas was caught somewhat unaware and unprepared for the pending A&M exodus...I would think that Texas (from past history) will happily look out for it's own interests, regardless of OU, Okie Lite, or Tech.

I would also think that Tech is in a VERY difficult place, tied to the whim of the Longhorns, and really unable to chart a future on their own.

Grab your popcorn, it is going to be an interesting ride.