This sounds crazy (and wonderful) RE: Big Ten(11) expansion!?!?!?!
According to this link Texas is in preliminary talks with the Big Ten Conference about joining the conference.
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/11/report-big-ten-texa…
Sounds crazy. Check
Offseason. Check
Crazy internet speculation. Check
Chance in hell?
February 11th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
I hope Texas to Big Ten happens, and the Pac ten adds Colorado and Utah, and the Big 12 adds Boise State and TCU and meanwhile everyone's head asplode.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^
If this happens, how do they split up the conferences? If we add Texas would they do it by region? If it's East-West that probably still puts UM, MSU, OSU, and PSU all in the same (east) division. Ouch. Texas would destroy the hypothetical "Big Ten West" Division every year.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
World's worst and most unoriginal question is asked over, and over, and over...
February 11th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
Texas would be a huge get, and not just athletically.
From what I've heard, they're most interested in our TV revenue and being able to tap into the CIC.
The academic wing at the University would salivate at getting membership in the CIC.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
I read it, but it doesn't make any damn sense. I thought the Big 12's revenue system heavily favored Texas. What would leaving for the Big 10++ give them?
February 11th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
Even with the revenue system favoring them, they still made $10 million less in TV revenue than every team in the Big Ten last year.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
Even with that revenue set up they still aren't making the kind of TV revenue that Big 10 schools make. Add on the BTN expansion into millions of new homes in Texas and you get a lot more money for Texas.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^
My Thoughts exactly. Texas may make less now, but the next TV deal should heavily favor them again and put them beyond the Big 10.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^
The current Big12 has an unequal revinue sharing set-up, Texas go more than any other school but still made significantly less than Northwestern made last year. Any new contract they get will not significantly upgrade that, the problem the Big12 has is that viewership outside of Texas is nil, they won't get a bigger contract. Signing on to the Big Ten would give them a much larger share of viewership and money. They were not interrested in the Big 12 honestly when it formed, it was thier 3rd choice. If they can change this they will.
They can still schedule Oklahoma as a NCG each year, just like they did before they joined the Big 12.
Further if the Big Ten really wants to pick the Big12 and move to a super conference, take Missouri as well, throw in Pitt from Big East and call it a day.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
What will become of the Red River Rivalry?
February 11th, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^
Well for 90 years Texas and Oklahoma were not in the same conference and still played the game. I think they could make it work.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
I thought you had to have snow in the winter to even be considered for the Big Ten
February 11th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
Its snowing today. I live 5hrs away from Austin in Louisiana and its called sneaux.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
don't know why, but I can't stop laughing at this!!! a +1 to you!!!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
If I was computer savvy I would put a video of David Spade on here saying "road"...row ad....road...and so on.
GEAUX SNEAUX.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
We got a couple inches over night about 3 hours from Austin. My sister at UT said they just got sleet. They did get recordable snow at least once this winter.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:26 PM ^
My GF got a couple inches overnight too!
OH! Did I say that out loud?
February 16th, 2010 at 2:37 PM ^
dude in another post you said you were in your 50s. don't pretend
February 16th, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^
That she just got a couple of inches...
February 11th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
I really don't want Texas. I don't understand why we'd want this right now. We already recruit fairly well in Texas and kids down there know who we are. Why do we want to give up that advantage to Minnesota and Wisconsin as well?
And why, when we're trying like hell to get back to the Rose Bowl, would we want to have a (forgive me) Texas-sized obstacle in the way?
Plus it's geographically idiotic, and I'm biased toward getting the geography right. South Florida to the Big East is one thing, but I'd be afraid of opening up a nasty trend in which geography means nothing to conferences any more.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^
+1 for the pun.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
A) It's not Michigan's decision. It's a Big 10 decision.
B) Adding more strength to the conference can only be a good thing for the whole Big 10, even if it does mean one more hard win per year.
C) In the era of relatively cheap air travel, it won't matter.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
When I said "we" I didn't mean the Big Ten, I meant the actual "we" who gather here on this board because we're Michigan fans.....and nothing you mentioned convinces me that we as Michigan fans should consider it a good thing to add Texas.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
We should just play the easy teams and get cheap wins and get to good bowl games solely based on the fact that we weren't really better than other teams, rather they just weren't that good. And you wonder why the Big Ten has had so much trouble in bowl games before this past year.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:12 PM ^
Tell me, O idealistic one, why aren't you screaming for us to play Alabama, USC, Texas, and Florida every single year in the OOC?
And what kind of twisted logic assumes that adding Texas to the Big Ten will make us better at recruiting in two of the states in opposite corners of the country? What the hell do CA and FL have to do with Texas?
February 11th, 2010 at 2:51 PM ^
You don't need to start name calling just b/c I called you out on your comment. And if you had actually read my post, you'd have the answer to the question you just asked. But since you insist on making a fool of yourself, I will repeat myself for your your benefit. Adding Texas helps recruiting b/c it enhances the national image of the Big Ten. Do you think that teams in the SEC only get recruits from SEC states? No, they don't. And do you think that only the best teams in the SEC get national recruits? No, they don't. Other teams get them too. And why? B/c recruits across the country want to play in those power conferences. Conference strength is a major factor in attracting top recruits. If it weren't, you'd be seeing Boise State consistently getting top-tier recruits. But you don't. In fact, I don't think I've seen Boise get any. Why? Because of the conference they play in and their strength of schedule. Furthermore, what twisted logic makes you think that I'm not screaming for Michigan to play more powerful OOC teams? I didn't know that we knew each other on such a close level that you can say with authority that I'm not "screaming" for those games. In fact, I would like to see Michigan play more BCS teams OOC. At least one more quality game on our schedule each year would thrill me. I know that it doesn't thrill you, and I can see that you are fine with the country continuing to dog the Big Ten. But just b/c you want cheap wins and fake roads to glory, doesn't mean that it's a bad idea to add Texas to the schedule. Some people actually take pride from having earned what they've gotten. Some people don't like to take the easy road all the time and then pretend like they've accomplished something when they really haven't.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
Look, first off, your "innocent victim of name-calling" schtick is weak when you're the one setting up straw men about my argument. "Oh, you don't want Texas in the way of the Big Ten championship route? You must like the cheap and easy way of doing things."
Second, it seems you didn't learn the lesson from the ACC's addition of Miami and VT. You see if that's boosted ACC recruiting against the rest of the country one bit. (Hint: No.)
February 11th, 2010 at 3:24 PM ^
"O idealistic one" really qualifies as name calling on here now? Boy, are we getting thin-skinned around here, or what..?
February 11th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
sarcasm meter reaches 15.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
The point is for Michigan to be the best in the country. Why would you only want them to do well based on the fact that they don't play anyone? Would you just rather Michigan were in the Big East or Mountain West? Bringing Texas into the Big Ten is good for everyone. It will also help Michigan's recruiting b/c prospects from places like California and Florida, where we also get recruits, would be more enticed by playing in the Big Ten.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
Plus in most seasons Penn State, ND, and whatever Big Ten teams are peaking at the moment. I don't think you can really say that Michigan "doesn't play anybody" because Texas isn't in the league.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:54 PM ^
Road trip
February 11th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
Texas actually approached the Big Ten shortly before the Big12 was formed. They were turned down by the PAC-10 as well. The Big Ten wanted to make sure it could handle PSU first. Now that that has been called a success Texas would be a great fit. They have pretty good academics, they are far and away the most research/academic school in the Big12. This could work.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
I was ready to trash a bleacher report link, but my guess is that the preliminary talk went like this...
Q: "You want to join the Big Ten?"
A: "No."
I'll believe it when Texas acknowledges interest.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^
Location, location, location.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
Babes, Babes, Babes! Gentelman were talking about the women of Austin Texas here...Unless your Greg Louganis we should all be saluting midnight!
February 11th, 2010 at 12:40 PM ^
I thought to be included in the Big Ten the school would have to be in a state that bordered another big ten state? Unless Texas has recently acquired Arkansas and Missouri, this criteria isn't met.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
This has been talked about time and again, but there is no clause stating that you have to border another Big Ten state. Even if there was, that's a dumb rule that I'm sure almost every school would be willing to change for a chance to add Texas to the Big Ten.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
Think bigger. As Mizzou is already in play I suggest we slice through the Big 12 like Sherman through the South. Add Mizzou, Texas AND Oklahoma, thus making the whole thing geographicaly contiguous while leaving the burnt-out remains of the formerly Big 12 on its knees never to rise again. Send in the Carpetbaggers!
February 11th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
If we are doing that why not just take Nebraska instead of Mizzery?
February 11th, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^
soooooooooooooooooooo stupid
edit: How is this not stupid to everyone else? They're no where near any of the other Big Ten teams, they have a bunch of rivalries in the Big XII already, and they would destroy everyone in football (at least for now), probably basketball, and baseball!
February 11th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
They bring huge television exposure and prestige to the Big Ten, along with great programs in all sports. Anytime you could add a program of Texas' caliber that meet all of the Big Ten "requirements" for admission you snatch them up.
This is the ultimate best case, win-win scenario for Big Ten expansion. If this happens we should all REJOICE!
February 11th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
People like you realize how much conference perception has to do with recruiting. If people start thinking of the Big Ten as the best or second best power conference again, that will only greatly improve recruiting for us.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
Rittenberg speculates that there might need to be another team added in addition to Texas so that they can keep their rivalries alive with A&M and OU. As far as the border school hypothesis, it's not an actual law, just a traditional idea put forth during the beginnings of the conferences. The conferences were made based on geographic region, and, given the state of Big East basketball, that idea has largely gone down the tubes. While I agree that we should probably aim for a "footprint" instead of a "foot and handprint", the idea of Texas might be too big to ignore. Top notch athletics in almost all areas, a great academic institution, and a shit ton of money.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
I wish it came from someone other the the Notre Dame network.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
I would be happy with it. Other than location, Texas is a great fit for the Big 10. To me, it doesn't even make sense to expand if they are going to add Missouri or Rutgers. There would be a great deal of mutual benefit if Texas joined.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
Four FAKES out of five...
February 11th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
except for the Texas part.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
I love it. It would be good for us, and good for UT. The only thing maybe if the legislature decides to block the Longhorns from joining another conference unless they bring TAMU with them (or Texas Tech, etc). I'm not certain we want another Texas school. Although that might cut travel costs for olympic-type sports if they get to play two teams down there instead of just one.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
I half wonder if the different conferences have each hired different media hype machines to throw out random information or partial or no real substance to get attention lately. The PAC10 saw a chance to steal some of the off season discussion yesterday, so now the BigTen is releasing Texas rumors to get more talk their way. Tomorrow, the BigXII and the SEC will both let slip rumors about Arkansas headed toward the BigXII under the new (old) name of a SouthWest Conference so they can get attention. The next day the ACC will come up with something about stealing Pittsburgh. Then the BigEast, trying to top them all, will announce Notre Dame is signing with them for football. This will slowly trickle down to the MAC where they will claim they're poaching Michigan Agricultural College from the BigTen. Then the BigTen will claim Boise, then, finally, we'll all understand that all of these are hoaxes, but not one scenario earlier.