What is compelling Texas?

[HawkiJon]

Sitting here, intrigued by all the possibilities, I started wondering what are Texas' motivations for what many believe to be the next move in the row of dominoes.

If their intent was to start their own network why, at this point, do they want to jump to the PAC 11? Isn't the Big 12 still viable with 10 teams? Why don't they just slide a team from the south to the north to balance things and be content with that?

I doubt any of the remaining Big 12 teams are going to give Texas much grief over the proposed network. They would be overjoyed to have survived their near-death experience.

Had Missouri jumped ship, things would be different. Without the seismic shift in the landscape that the PAC 16 would create I am not sure that Notre Dame makes a move either. I can see things settling in right as they are.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

I think the Big10 moves to 14 teams...and Texas won't be one of them. The Big10 shares their wealth while UT wants a share based on them being UT and having a huge market share...I'm thinking the Big10 stops at 14, with the additions of ND and Rutgers, unless the other conferences really do explode to 16 and force the Big10's hand in matching them.

 

[HawkiJon]

OK, but why do you think ND will join? Unless they are forced into it by the "Seismic shift" I think they would much rather stay independent.

 

[imported_ankle23]

Sitting here, intrigued by all the possibilities, I started wondering what are Texas' motivations for what many believe to be the next move in the row of dominoes.

If their intent was to start their own network why, at this point, do they want to jump to the PAC 11? Isn't the Big 12 still viable with 10 teams? Why don't they just slide a team from the south to the north to balance things and be content with that?

I doubt any of the remaining Big 12 teams are going to give Texas much grief over the proposed network. They would be overjoyed to have survived their near-death experience.

Had Missouri jumped ship, things would be different. Without the seismic shift in the landscape that the PAC 16 would create I am not sure that Notre Dame makes a move either. I can see things settling in right as they are.

The new PAC 16 will have a network that pays $20MM per school - reportedly. They have the population centers that will drive that income.

look at the existing big 12. no population centers other than KC or STL outside of Texas. So not near the money and Texas doesn't want to share it given they have the population and the majority of eyes are on Texas (in their mind).

So they won't grant a conference wide network as they want their own.

i think that is what this whole thing is about - texas seeing if the conference would blink on their own network.

 

[HawkiJon]

And .. I don't think what is left of that conference has enough leverage to stop Texas from creating the network. Texas stands to make more money from their own network than what the PAC 16 would provide.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

OK, but why do you think ND will join? Unless they are forced into it by the "Seismic shift" I think they would much rather stay independent.

Of course they would...but if the Big12 dissolves and joins other conferences, that "shift" is on and ND won't be stupid about it...if there are 4 bigger, badder "BCS" conferences to come, who's going to take on ND in the non-conference when their conference just got that much tougher?

It would be harder on ND to fill out their schedule with enough quality opponents to even make the BCS if everyone backs out on them. Not to mention they just cancelled their 2013 game with Army...not sure if anyone has said why, or if it is still under the radar.

 

[HawkiJon]

Of course they would...but if the Big12 dissolves and joins other conferences, that "shift" is on and ND won't be stupid about it...if there are 4 bigger, badder "BCS" conferences to come, who's going to take on ND in the non-conference when their conference just got that much tougher?

It would be harder on ND to fill out their schedule with enough quality opponents to even make the BCS if everyone backs out on them. Not to mention they just cancelled their 2013 game with Army...not sure if anyone has said why, or if it is still under the radar.

I think you missed my point. I am raising the question why does Texas move and then without all the shuffling why would Notre Dame want to change their status. You are basing your assumptions that the Big 12 is going to dissolve. I am wondering if that is a given. I agree that if the PAC 16 comes to fruition that the ND to the Big 10 scenario becomes likely.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

I think you missed my point. I am raising the question why does Texas move and then without all the shuffling why would Notre Dame want to change their status. You are basing your assumptions that the Big 12 is going to dissolve. I am wondering if that is a given. I agree that if the PAC 16 comes to fruition that the ND to the Big 10 scenario becomes likely.

Fine then...to your original question...$$$

Thread over.

 

[lightning1]

Texas doesnt want to move to a bigger conference. Sharing isnt one of their strengths. There is no way the PAC 10 takes them unless it is on equal footing. Same as the B10. The best case scenario for Texas is to find a couple of programs to add to the B12. Then they get their own TV network, keep the lions share of the money and the Txas Legislature can keep all the programs together.
I think Texas is going to have its hand forced in this deal, same as ND.
What surprises me is the fact that Texas allowed it to come to this. They could have carved out a little bigger piece of the pie for the other B12 schools or spear-headed a B12 TV network and made that viable.
Texas = 24.7 mil
OKL = 3.7 mil
KAN = 2.8 mil
MIZZ = 6 mil
IOWA = 3 mil
NEB = 1.8 mil
TOTAL = 42 mil
Thats more than enough cable scrips.

 

[tm3308]

I think you missed my point. I am raising the question why does Texas move and then without all the shuffling why would Notre Dame want to change their status. You are basing your assumptions that the Big 12 is going to dissolve. I am wondering if that is a given. I agree that if the PAC 16 comes to fruition that the ND to the Big 10 scenario becomes likely.

Texas is leaving for the money, period. And why bother operating under an assumption that's not feasible? Sure, Notre Dame would stay independent if all the shuffling wasn't happening. And if I had wheels, I'd be a wagon. It IS happening, and it's time Notre Dame folds and joins the Big Ten. They're going to get left behind if they don't.

 

[IcomeInPeace]

If what we hear is true and the South BigXII split to the Pac10, it will be just a matter of time before Texas pulls some shenanigans that rock that conference. The Pac10 sees $$ but in reality they are dancing with the devil. It may take some time to happen, but just wait and see. The pain train is coming.

 

[tm3308]

If what we hear is true and the South BigXII split to the Pac10, it will be just a matter of time before Texas pulls some shenanigans that rock that conference. The Pac10 sees $$ but in reality they are dancing with the devil. It may take some time to happen, but just wait and see. The pain train is coming.

Which is EXACTLY why I don't want them in the Big Ten. Even if they'd accepted the Big Ten's terms for joining, I wouldn't trust Texas as far as I could throw them. And have you ever tried throwing a 350-acre university? You won't get it very far.

 

[IcomeInPeace]

Which is EXACTLY why I don't want them in the Big Ten. Even if they'd accepted the Big Ten's terms for joining, I wouldn't trust Texas as far as I could throw them. And have you ever tried throwing a 350-acre university? You won't get it very far.

I agree with you, tm3308. Texas, if they joined the BigTen, would never really fit because they are incapable of thinking of themselves as equal partners, as part of a collective, which is the foundation of the BigTen and why every school in the nation is clamoring for entry into our conference.

Texas looks out for its self. Period.

 

[keokuk1]

I think that the reason that Texas don’t stay in the remaining big 12 and form a TV network is because they would be forced to split the money with the other Texas schools. I keep thinking to myself why doesn’t Texas just stay in the big 12 and do just as you said, or just become an independent. I’m starting to think that Texas is permanently linked to their little brothers. Their screwed but they don’t want to admit it. I think that we all have been looking at this all wrong. I’m starting to think that the state of Texas is a very divided place with multiple groups fighting over the resources that is the state of Texas. Yes Texas is the biggest but combine all of the other schools down there and you have a very large pie being divided up so many different ways that everyones piece is very small. Yes the University of Texas has the largest piece but if Texas moves to make their piece bigger then I think the other schools down there start to revolt and that is the last thing Texas can afford because then the other schools start to poach on the piece that Texas already has. I think the reason Texas hasn’t moved is because it’s in a bad situation.

 

[DBorwig316]

Of course they would...but if the Big12 dissolves and joins other conferences, that "shift" is on and ND won't be stupid about it...if there are 4 bigger, badder "BCS" conferences to come, who's going to take on ND in the non-conference when their conference just got that much tougher?

It would be harder on ND to fill out their schedule with enough quality opponents to even make the BCS if everyone backs out on them. Not to mention they just cancelled their 2013 game with Army...not sure if anyone has said why, or if it is still under the radar.

In the end, I believe Texas is going to stay put. I truly believe that they would rather remain the big fish in their pond, rather than risk actually having to cooperate with conference members. If Texas stays, ND remains independant. The Big Ten will then stay at twelve teams, because any other expansion will only happen if ND is a part of it, IMO.

 

[keokuk1]

I think that the reason that Texas don’t stay in the remaining big 12 and form a TV network is because they would be forced to split the money with the other Texas schools. I keep thinking to myself why doesn’t Texas just stay in the big 12 and do just as you said, or just become an independent. I’m starting to think that Texas is permanently linked to their little brothers. Their screwed but they don’t want to admit it. I think that we all have been looking at this all wrong. I’m starting to think that the state of Texas is a very divided place with multiple groups fighting over the resources that is the state of Texas. Yes Texas is the biggest but combine all of the other schools down there and you have a very large pie being divided up so many different ways that everyones piece is very small. Yes the University of Texas has the largest piece but if Texas moves to make their piece bigger then I think the other schools down there start to revolt and that is the last thing Texas can afford because then the other schools start to poach on the piece that Texas already has. I think the reason Texas hasn’t moved is because it’s in a bad situation. Any way Texas moves is going to cause an all out revolt amongst all the other Texas schools which is exactly what Texas wants to avoid because then they will have to give up move of their own pie putting an end to their dominance over the state. No matter which way they move they lose money and their just trying to think of a way to hold on to what they have.

 

[IcomeInPeace]

Yes the University of Texas has the largest piece but if Texas moves to make their piece bigger then I think the other schools down there start to revolt and that is the last thing Texas can afford because then the other schools start to poach on the piece that Texas already has. I think the reason Texas hasn’t moved is because it’s in a bad situation.

True. This is why Texas is in a bit of a tizzy over the fact that A&M might bolt to the SEC. Texas doesn't want Alabama, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee etc... coming into their own back yard with a recruiting pitch, it threatens their dominance of a state that annually produces 350 division I football players. Yes you read that right, one state produces 350 annually and Texas wants them all staying home.

 

[imported_ankle23]

Texas doesnt want to move to a bigger conference. Sharing isnt one of their strengths. There is no way the PAC 10 takes them unless it is on equal footing. Same as the B10. The best case scenario for Texas is to find a couple of programs to add to the B12. Then they get their own TV network, keep the lions share of the money and the Txas Legislature can keep all the programs together.
I think Texas is going to have its hand forced in this deal, same as ND.
What surprises me is the fact that Texas allowed it to come to this. They could have carved out a little bigger piece of the pie for the other B12 schools or spear-headed a B12 TV network and made that viable.
Texas = 24.7 mil
OKL = 3.7 mil
KAN = 2.8 mil
MIZZ = 6 mil
IOWA = 3 mil
NEB = 1.8 mil
TOTAL = 42 mil
Thats more than enough cable scrips.

Big 12 conference members would have to concede to Texas having their own network, and I don't see that happening. I think Texas had this end goal in mind when causing this conference shake up, but I do not see the Big 12 members biting. See Colorado and Nebraska. Now, if they can get the rest of the weak sisters to allow them to as it is better in the sisters mind to stay in the Big 12 with Texas having it's own network v. having to play in the Mt. West, then they'll accomplish their end game.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

Texas is about dominating. If they joined the Big Ten as an equal partner that would a very good deal for the Big Ten. No other arrangement would work.

Texas needs to calculate it's move here wisely. One of it's biggest leverage points is they own the state of Texas and have their foot on Texas A&M who is their closet rival. To me a big move is the potential for A&M to move to the SEC while Texas goes to the PAC 11+. If this happens that could really change things for Texas on some levels. This would give A&M a recruiting tactic against going to Texas by offering prime recruits a chance to play in the SEC. This would also give the SEC a valid footprint into Texas. Yes Texas would still be Texas but if they had some competition within the state that could change things a little for them. I see a key for them as keeping A&M with them.

Now for the Big Ten from a strategic standpoint..... how do we get a footprint into our rival conferences?

# 1 Rutgers + Maryland (East)
# 2 Georgia Tech (SEC)
# 3 Houston

Yes how about taking a chance on Houston as a 'project' selection. It's a huge market with a footprint into Texas. They are not academically on par but could the Big Ten partnership put them on a 10-15 year course to expanding their credentials and relevance?

Long shot yes but one way to neutralize Texas is to create competition within. A&M to the SEC and our selection of Houston would have Texas freaking out. Put that on the table for them... join us as an equal or we are courting Houston.

 

[IcomeInPeace]

Yes how about taking a chance on Houston as a 'project' selection. It's a huge market with a footprint into Texas. They are not academically on par but could the Big Ten partnership put them on a 10-15 year course to expanding their credentials and relevance?

Though I like the way you're thinking here, it will never, ever happen. The BigTen HQ has a sign out front of its head quarters it says "You must be 'this' tall to enter". We don't want to babysit.