BIG EXPANSION NEWS ON RIVALS

[RGV Pony]

A basketball conference with Kansas, K-State, Baylor, Memphis, a resurgent Houston...instantly good for Memphis of CUSA adds those schools and UCF bolts to the Big East.

Though I wonder if MWC would skip over UTEP and SMU and take Houston.

[DiamondM75]

Well who is going to be the first to comment on what impacts this has on SMU ? Is there anyway this works to our advantage ? Would Kansas, Kansas St Baylor move to Confernce USA ? I have real concern that any of this works to SMU advantage ?

Wouldn't the MWC need to expand to 16 members to replace the Big 12 and become the next BCS automatic qualifier. That means the MWC would need to add 4 teams. Kansas, Kansas St, [Baylor and SMU] or [Houston and SMU] or [Houston and Baylor]. I don't think television markets make much difference here, but the automatic rivalry of SMU vs. TCU, the financial status of alumni and the academic level of SMU might give us an advantage over Houston.

[East Coast Mustang]

This would be terrible for SMU.

With minor shifts, we were in the conversation for MWC with Houston, Fresno St., Tulsa...If this happens, then all of the big 12 leftovers move ahead of us on the list. Actually our best shot was probably for the MWC to lose BYU and Utah which would force the MWC to consider a more regional approach with a 16 team conference by including some of the CUSA - West Teams.

Disagree- I think it's hard to speculate on what will happen at this point. If Boise becomes the 10th MWC member, do the four Big 12 leftovers (Baylor, KU, KSU, ISU, assuming Neb. and Mizzou go to the Big Ten) go to the MWC? Or is a new conference formed with the forgotten four, MWC, and CUSA members? SDSU is talking about dropping football, and I don't know how much a school like Wyoming adds to a conference, so there could be a bigger shakeup than we think.

[RE Tycoon]

Makes me sick that Tech (and A&M to an extent, but they have a history), are riding UT's coat tails into more money.

This brings up a great question of what to do with the BIG 12 leftovers. I don't think Baylor, Kansas and KU drop down to CUSA. At first blush I feel this bad for SMU b/c I can see the BIG 12 leftovers trying to join with the best of the MWC and make a go at it. That scenario would leave a lot to be desired as far as media markets, but would create a conference of decent "name" schools.

Can anyone paint this with a brush that puts SMU in a better conference? Short of a wealthy alum putting up an exorbitant conference entry fee, I fear the only thing we have going for us is the illusion that we bring a large media market. I guess we can sell it as access to a large media market.

[Hoop Fan]

are you kidding? OU and A&M make a heck of a tandem for the SEC, including the SEC competing for televisions in Dallas and Houston. think the Hogs would be happy and trying to make that happen?

[shadowman]

Texas still drives the bus, just because the invite has been made does not mean that they will accept. Like the author said, Texas' number one option is to keep the Big 12 together, I still think that it will. Texas would not be willing to share power and control with USC and all those Ginormous state universities in the Pac 10.

I say the invite was given, but UT will ulitmately decline, meaning the deal is dead.

[Stallion]

As I've mentioned before-Texas A&M may find some value in recruiting especially to being able to claim that it is the only Texas affiliate in the Nations most competitive and loyal conference. I've always felt that the Texas legislature would let A&M and UT go separate ways as long as they were both happy and Tech got dragged along. Its going to suck for the rest of us though because its going to siphon media attention and recruits. I hope they don't go to the SEC but I've always been afraid it kinda makes sense for A&M-the good thing is they will get their [deleted] handed to them every week.

[East Coast Mustang]

Texas still drives the bus, just because the invite has been made does not mean that they will accept. Like the author said, Texas' number one option is to keep the Big 12 together, I still think that it will. Texas would not be willing to share power and control with USC and all those Ginormous state universities in the Pac 10.

I say the invite was given, but UT will ulitmately decline, meaning the deal is dead.

Why would they willingly turn down an offer for more cash, unless they're holding out for the SEC?

[Mestengo]

Look out Sunbelt!

[DiamondM75]

Look out Sunbelt!

Never happen. UNT would blackball us.

[shadowman]

Texas still drives the bus, just because the invite has been made does not mean that they will accept. Like the author said, Texas' number one option is to keep the Big 12 together, I still think that it will. Texas would not be willing to share power and control with USC and all those Ginormous state universities in the Pac 10.

I say the invite was given, but UT will ulitmately decline, meaning the deal is dead.

Why would they willingly turn down an offer for more cash, unless they're holding out for the SEC?

There are certainly still untapped revenue fields in the Big 12, such as the formation of a Big 12 network, plus there are other considerations, such as their natural footprint. Money is important, but by no means the only factor involved. I may be totally wrong, but I think Texas would rather rule the Big 12 than share power in the PAC 16.

[Hoop Fan]

the danger for UT here is that OU and ATM get sick of their crap and bolt for the SEC with our without UT. They have to play this right or else they are gonna have no choice but to join the Pac anyway.

[ponyboy]

The sticking point is UT is going to demand a disproportionate share of TV money. The PAC 10 will choke on that and the deal will die.

[Stallion]

If Texas confirmed that Missouri and Nebraska were going to the Big 10 and Colorado to the PAC as has been rumored-then the BIG 12 is History-PERIOD. If you study revenues and access it simply could never compete with the SEC and the Big 10 and it faced a duel to the death with the PAC. The way it works out is essentially a merger between the Top programs with a few Northeastern teams along for the ride

[Hoop Fan]

The sticking point is UT is going to demand a disproportionate share of TV money. The PAC 10 will choke on that and the deal will die.

so what do OU and A&M do at that point? Let UTs stubborness to cost them money? It has long been thought that UTs central location was a great advantage for them, but ironically it might mean the walls are closign in on them from both sides and they are gonna have to make a choice.