oriental andrew

August 25th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

I think it's more like a separation.  "We're still married, but things aren't working out so I'm exploring my options."  Once TAMU finds some young hot stud, she'll file the divorce papers. 

BlueAggie

August 25th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^

Looks like you posted while I was typing.  Hopefully this is a small shift and not something that results in a 16 team superconference landscape.

turd ferguson

August 25th, 2011 at 3:17 PM ^

I'm all for a playoff, but wouldn't this go a little too far in removing controversy and debate from college football?  You'd immediately eliminate every school other than the 64 in these conferences (e.g., no more TCU/Boise debates), and the conference champions would be determined mechanically through conference schedules and championship games.  You'd also introduce games for top teams that clearly wouldn't mean anything from a national championship perspective (e.g., teams that have clinched a division could rest players for their conference championship games).

Granted, college football's status quo isn't great, but I'm not sure that the other extreme is that much better.

NateVolk

August 25th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^

Your system would be ideal. The big conferences hate your system because once it starts, they can't turn it back to the exclusion they prefer. It's pure greed and power by them. They sincerely believe that their product is so much bigger and more essential to the greater whole, that it would be unfair to have a pool playoff NCAA-wide which includes smaller conferences.

The playoff door would get blown wide open today with maybe up to 16 teams, as long as the super conferences can totally control the participants (their members).  They are about making big money, which the current system isn't doing. They are more about making it all for themselves now and in the future. Until they can figure out how to create the super elite football division of 4 or 5 conferences with their own playoff, and not get sued by the States and Feds, we'll get a lot of nothing as far as a playoff (aka The BCS).

 

Wolvie3758

August 26th, 2011 at 7:01 AM ^

Super conference type schedule 12 weeks a year then and ONLY then will they

"deserve" anything....Plain and Simple playing One perhaps 2 big games and 10

cupcakes is RIDICULOUS to be in the same Playoff or bowl conversations as SEC, Big10.

Pac 12 teams...

freernnur5

August 25th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^

I don't really get the move. They want to get out of Texas' shadow, but no matter the conference if they play and lose to Texas every year that would not be escaping the shadow.

 

Also what conference are they going to look for now? The SEC said thanks, but no thanks.

blacknblue

August 25th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^

I'm sure the first big xii has the option of kicking a&m out and the SEC can still leave the Aggies out in the cold. This act of faith can very much leave them petitioning for a WAC membership.

psychomatt

August 25th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^

The SEC told A&M they would not take any formal action or have any formal discussions while A&M was still in the B12. Why? Because the B12's recently negotiated TV deal with ESPN and FOX is null and void if the B12 drops below 10 members and the SEC was afraid they would be sued for tortious interference with contract if they actively induced A&M to leave. They might get sued anyway, but this way they are on much better legal ground.

cutter

August 25th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^

Since Texas practically runs that conference, I figured Dodds would at least merit a copy of the letter send to Beebe.

Seriously, though, the lawyers have been working on how and at what cost it will be for Texas A&M to leave the Big XII and move to the SEC.  We're still in the preliminary stage, but it's pretty apparent that it's going to formally happen within the next 30 days or so. 

That puts ATM into the SEC for perhaps the 2013 season with the conference looking at getting at 14th member to even out the numbers. 

If the SEC is really aggressive and the opportunity arises, they may even opt to go to 16, but I suspect that's goind to depend on the university presidents' appetite and the willingness of the television networks to support the move. 

EJG

August 25th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^

You've been sleeping with my big brother (texas) and I can no longer handle the shame.  I know I can't trust my brother, but I will forgive him because he is family.  But as for you (big 12) good riddance to you, you filthy rotten whore!

Chi Go Blue

August 25th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^

Texas A&M's actions are kind of like going on Jerry Springer to tell someone you're cheating. In A&M's case, everyone in the world knew that something was fishy weeks ago. Now they're just admitting it publically to the Big 12. HUGE SHOCKER!

 

BlueinTC

August 25th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^

but, just throwing this out there, even though Big Ten has said they are done expanding (for now) would TAM be a fit for us.  Geographically, no, but it throw in Missouri and who knows... Might get some more looks from all those Texas athletes.

profitgoblue

August 25th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^

Dear Big 12:  I think we need some time apart.  We are two different institutions than when we first got together.  We've grown apart and, to be honest, you're a completely different institution than the one I fell in love with so long ago.