madtadder

September 21st, 2011 at 11:55 PM ^

This is not surprising. I thought I read somewhere that Oklahoma's (tentative) agreement to stay in the Big 12 was dependent on new leadership. As Ira said, "he should have been gone the moment Colorado and Nebraska left."

G0B1U3

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:13 AM ^

this could be looked at as the beginning of the new era. If Oklahoma stands by their word (halol) then this could be the start of calm waters for a while. I still forsee the big east and big 12 working something out if Mizzou, TAMU, etc. keep good on their intent to leave. We'll see, getcha popcorn ready because this is nowhere near over.

HALOL

September 21st, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^

at this point it looks like the Big 12 is going to stay together, if the missouri to the SEC rumors are true that puts the Big12 at 9  members, anyone have any guess on who they would add to get back to 12 teams? I mean adding Big east teams isn't going to happen if the Big East plans on staying together as well.

Maize_in_Spartyland

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:00 AM ^

I like to think Houston and SMU are the logical picks, and maybe TCU.  Goes back to the days of the Southwest Conference.

Tulsa is an option, I suppose, but doubtful.  Wouldn't be surprised to see Boise State thrown around as a possible, but stadium is too small and media coverage is lacking.

HALOL

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:28 AM ^

with the idea of houston and SMU, but TCU is going to the big east next year. I think  the Big12 does need to snag a good BCS school especially when they have to replace the likes of Nebraska and MIzz and Texas A&M. I wouldn't count out West Virginia probably a long shot but they seem like they are desperate to seperate themselves from the weak Big East.

Maize_in_Spartyland

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 AM ^

TCU is sending out signals that they may back out of the Big East.

As it stands, the Big East is: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Rutgers, South Florida, TCU, West Virginia.

The only way I see TCU staying is if the Big East adds another member, if not two. But this may be the solution.

Then again, Connecticut is giving signs it too wants to leave.

Brodie

September 22nd, 2011 at 3:17 AM ^

Houston and SMU would be like the Big Ten adding Cincinnati and Central Michigan... sure they might win some football games and sell some tickets, but they bring nothing in terms of revenue. Even TCU is pushing it slightly, but they've been so good for so long that they're probably worth taking.

BYU is almost certainly in... TCU would accept if invited. I think the only reason they're after Air Force is geography, it's a shame Colorado State fell off the map because they'd be a better fit. Or they could go the insane route and take WVU, Louisville and Cincy but the geography there only works with Mizzou (keeps things nice and contiguous)

Maize_in_Spartyland

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:27 PM ^

Don't forget that rivalries create revenue too, and those teams harken back to the Southwest Conference days. Its not just media that brings in money, rivalries do, too.

I'd be VERY surprised if BYU joins. Yes they are independent in football, but they already have a very lucrative deal with ESPN to have their games televised and they are committed to the West Coast Conference in basketball. It simply wont happen.

Air Force stays in the Mountain West or joins the Big East; they will not join the Big 12. The move simply makes no sense. Air Force would like to be in a conference with the other service academies if possible. Why? Allows them to schedule more non-conference opponents.

Example, Air Force schedule 2011:

South Dakota; TCU*; Tennessee State; at Navy; at Notre Dame; San Diego State*; at Boise State*; at New Mexico*; Army; Wyoming*; at Colorado State*. 5 non conference games and 7 conference games.

Potential Air Force Schedule in a service academy joined Big East:

Louisville, Rutgers, Connecticut, Cincinnati, West Virginia, South Florida, Army, Navy, TCU.

 

TCU and Connecticut may still leave the conference and WVU is still shopping around. Even if those teams don't leave, AF plays 9 conference and 3 non conference. More likely that UConn leaves and TCU heads to the Big 12, putting it at 7 conference and 5 non conference (with Army and Navy already on the schedule).

Brodie

September 22nd, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^

I know you're just spitballing here based on your own epinions, but I'm not. The head of the Big XII expansion committee already came out and said who they were targeting (BYU, Air Force and TCU). BYU came out and said they had an offer a month ago and the current rumor is that they could join as soon as next week.

Resurrecting the whole SWC is the last thing the non-Texas schools want. It does nothing but give Texas more power and more votes. Texas doesn't want it either because it's more dead weight shackled to them if the whole thing collapses again. So even if it would bring back some rivalries, it's much less likely to happen then, say, Air Force.

mgoSk

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:05 AM ^

It's tough to say. Maybe they'll give Houston a look? Lateral moves (BCS conf - BCS conf) will be hard given the instability of the Big XII at this point, so I'm going to guess they could get one BCS school, and grab two non-BCS schools. Or just get lucky with one solid addition and stay at 10.

Tater

September 22nd, 2011 at 12:34 AM ^

Beebe's background is in NCAA enforcement.  I would imagine he still has connections there, and could end up back there.  OK would be in a position like Ohio, but in reverse: instead of having a BFF running the show, OK would have an enforcement official with a major grievance toward their program.  

They better hope Beebe finds another job somewhere else or that the megaconferences end up breaking away from the NCAA.

Brodie

September 22nd, 2011 at 3:21 AM ^

the current rumor is that the non-Texas schools are trying to bring in the final Big 8 commissioner, Chuck Neinas, to run the conference. It'll be an interesting experiment. One interesting thing is that he's Colorado based, so might he favor bringing in BYU and Air Force over some potential Texas expansion targets?

bluebyyou

September 22nd, 2011 at 5:23 AM ^

Regardless, the Big 12, with or without Beebe is still wounded and this whole mess can reopen at a moments notice.  If what we have heard is true, it is all about Texas and their network.  Texas has been the source of a lot of angst.  They ought to set up a two team conference with Texas and ND.  The schools deserve each other.

GunnersApe

September 22nd, 2011 at 7:03 AM ^

As noted above, Texas is trying to bend somewhat an revenue sharing but will not budge on the LHN (douche bags). The BIG XII looking to add Air Force, TCU and BYU. Beebe is leaving according to K.C. Leger.

 

I don't see why the rest of the BIG XII plus the new schools don't start their own network, maybe a sweeter deal and show anti-UT programming like infomercials all night ala "Juice Tiger".

Brodie

September 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^

The revenue from the LHN isn't the issue in the Big XII

What they want is equal Tier I and II revenue sharing and concessions on the programming on the LHN... showing high school games and Texas insisting on showing a conference game on it. Texas will bend on those things.

dennisblundon

September 22nd, 2011 at 7:10 AM ^

I think the only logical hire for the Big 12 right now is Isiah Thomas. If you are going to burn your conference to the ground, go all the way with it. Maybe even let Notre Dame vote on important matters concerning their conference? They seem to have a grasp on those sort of things.

goblue20111

September 22nd, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^

I don't get why he'd leave.  With the Pac-12 telling OU no, they lost whatever leverage they had in forcing his hand.  Before they could say, "Resign and modify the Big 12 or we're going to the Pac-12".  Now, what can they say?