Houston wants into the Big XII

[8timechamps]

Here's a portion of the article, and they actually make some valid points:


The Legislature should pressure the presidents of the Big 12 schools to "step up" and let the University of Houston into the conference, the chairman of UH's Board of Regents, Tilman Fertitta, said Thursday.
"Put pressure on the presidents;, say, 'If you don't do this, we're not going to fund you for this,'" Fertitta said in a meeting with the Houston Chronicle's editorial board Thursday. "It's just the way it is. That's the way to do it."
Fertitta said it's "an embarrassment" that the namesake university of the fourth largest city in the United States has not been welcomed into the conference.
"Be a big boy, step up and put this school that has almost 50,000 students and is so high profile, has so many of the top schools in the United States, it's a tier one university -- we belong in the Big 12," he said. "We're a big, major school with an unbelievable history in athletics and academia."


Here's a link to the rest of the article. (http://www.chron.com/local/education/campus-chronicles/article/UH-should-be-in-Big-12-board-chair-says-6089909.php)

[SicEmBaylor]

No.

[KantoSooner]

No

[WA. Sooner]

No more Texas schools!

[bluedogok]

As the sole owner of the Landry's restaraunt group which includes The Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Rainforest Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Saltgrass Steak House, Claim Jumper, Chart House, The Oceanaire, Mastro’s Restaurants, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse and many others Fertitta is used to getting his way. I can see why he would push for it. He started out selling Shaklee vitamins, I remember when they had a plant and warehouse out on Highway 9.

[BoulderSooner79]

Houston, you have a problem.

[olevetonahill]

Let the state of Saxet have their OLD SWC back.

[Breadburner]

Bring them on....And Arky too.....

[KantoSooner]

Arky 100x before houston

[SicEmBaylor]

Let the state of Saxet have their OLD SWC back.

I wish. =(
SWC! SWC! SWC!

[Eielson]

TU wants to join the Big XII. So do UNT and Rice. Maybe UTEP.

[aurorasooner]

We might as well let them in, along with 3 or 4 more directional "east popcorn state" type schools. It's about the only choice we have now due to mismanagement by this conference school's Prezs and ADs. Although personally I'm not for any more schools from the state of Texas being admitted, I'm not sure if we have any other choice now beside the Houstons, SMUs, Texas States, Tulsas, or Colorado State, if we want to get back to having a conference CC game in FB.

I read somewhere earlier tonight that the Prez or AD of USCe said that each school in the SEC would get ~ a 5 mil share each from the 1st year payout of the SEC network, and this conference still doesn't have a combined TV network up and running even though Weiberg originally proposed that this conference start the 1st conference network.
Sitting on their azzes and not looking past their noses to the long term future of the Big 12 by this conference's administrators will probably be studied in business schools 30 years from now as one of the biggest ""fails in sports.
Texass (because of their ESPiN LWhN gift) and to a lesser degee OU (Fox) and KU (due to BB) are somewhat insulated short-term, but in the long term, if this conference even survives, I'm afraid all of this conference's top sport's schools will be sucking hind tit financially to even the doormats of the other power-5 conference schools in sport's revenues.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Prestige will be added to U of H, to help them in recruiting, as if we need more recruiting competition.

[soonergirlNeugene]

Go home, Houston. You're drunk!

[Breadburner]

Like they don't recruit here already.....???

[SoonerMarkVA]

Let the state of Saxet have their OLD SWC back.

Yes! A 1000 times, YES!

[EatLeadCommie]

Like they don't recruit here already.....???

But they recruit as a member of whatever lame conference they're in and not as part of the BXII, which is to our advantage. No to Houston, and no to any other SWC schools.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

But they(U of Houston) recruit as a member of whatever lame conference they're in and not as part of the BXII, which is to our advantage. No to Houston, and no to any other SWC schools.What, you don't want Rice and SMU too? How rude!

[Breadburner]

Bring them all on......

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Bring them all on......After the old SWC is reconstituted, THEN would be a good time to jump ship(and NOT take orange aggy with us)

[stoopified]

No more Texas schools!EXACTLY

[REDREX]

Why would anyone want them ---they bring nothing

[8timechamps]

I want to be clear that I have NO interest in bringing in Houston, but they did make a point or two about the possibility.

The truth is we wasted time when there were some decent options for expansion, and we're left with finding the "best of the worst". It doesn't sound like the conference is planning any near term expansion, so it doesn't really matter much anyway.

[yermom]

i'd take Bye State at this point, if it got us back to 12

i can't believe we let the teams we had leave. what morons.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

i'd take Bye State at this point, if it got us back to 12

i can't believe we let the teams we had leave. what morons.How and why would we have stopped them?

[REDREX]

I would rather leave and beg our way into the SEC----Tell Texas to kiss off

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

I would rather leave and beg our way into the SEC----Tell Texas to kiss offLikely orange aggy would be included, and I'm not aware of any other conference wanting them.

[SoonerMarkVA]

Likely orange aggy would be included, and I'm not aware of any other conference wanting them.

That is a huge anchor around our necks, and if we allow it to stay it will drown us.

[Soonerjeepman]

hey look at the bright side...

we'd get 2 more bb wins. Good grief I was watching Houston and Cinnci in bball last night...nothing else on...and they are absolutely horrible. They had like 12 fans in the building. This is the 2nd time I've seen them on TV. KS must be hatin life.

[SoonerorLater]

It sounds like the PTB in Texas are trying to resurrect the SWC in the form of the Big 12. We really soiled the sheets by not bolting when we had the chance.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

It sounds like the PTB in Texas are trying to resurrect the SWC in the form of the Big 12. We really soiled the sheets by not bolting when we had the chance.We need out ASAP, and somehow prevent little brother tagging along.

[SoonerorLater]

We need out ASAP, and somehow prevent little brother tagging along.

Yep but I'm afraid the train may already have left the station.

[SoonerStormchaser]

Good grief I was watching Houston and Cinnci in bball last night...nothing else on...and they are absolutely horrible. They had like 12 fans in the building. This is the 2nd time I've seen them on TV. KS must be hatin life.
...then he whipped out his iPhone!

[SicEmBaylor]

We need out ASAP, and somehow prevent little brother tagging along.

I agree. I'm ready to bolt.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

I agree. I'm ready to bolt.You're ready for Baylor to bolt, or OU, or both?

(what happens in texas stays in texas)

[SicEmBaylor]

You're ready for Baylor to bolt, or OU, or both?

(what happens in texas stays in texas)

Ready for Baylor to bolt.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Ready for Baylor to bolt.Maybe there will be a new league with only private schools...

[SicEmBaylor]

Maybe there will be a new league with only private schools...

No. That's a horrible idea. I'd like to see us go to the ACC.

[Salt City Sooner]

hey look at the bright side...

we'd get 2 more bb wins. Good grief I was watching Houston and Cinnci in bball last night...nothing else on...and they are absolutely horrible. They had like 12 fans in the building. This is the 2nd time I've seen them on TV. KS must be hatin life.

Probably so, considering the fact that what he thought was his best player when he took the job is now putting the ball in the hoop of his old playground.

[TheHumanAlphabet]

As the sole owner of the Landry's restaraunt group which includes The Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Rainforest Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Saltgrass Steak House, Claim Jumper, Chart House, The Oceanaire, Mastro’s Restaurants, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse and many others Fertitta is used to getting his way. I can see why he would push for it. He started out selling Shaklee vitamins, I remember when they had a plant and warehouse out on Highway 9.

We want nothing of Houston and Tillman Fertitta... He is a gaudy rich guy who is all about making money. He Ruined the Kemah boardwalk and is ruining Galveston, of course IMO. Kemah boardwalk used to be a sleepy gulf coast hangout with great LOCAL restaurants. He came in, got rid of the locals, put in his chains and then built rollercoasters and trains. The coaster comes within 10 feet of a house that has been there for decades. How would you like the track next to your window??? He didn't care. He is about taking over every money producing restaurant in Galveston. We don't need him or Houston.

[badger]

Push Houston to join the SEC. Threaten Texas A&M's state funding if their president doesn't make it happen.

See what I did there? Why is it the Big 12 Texas member's responsibility and not the SEC's Texas member's responsibility to get UH into a big boy conference?

[Tear Down This Wall]

Push Houston to join the SEC. Threaten Texas A&M's state funding if their president doesn't make it happen.

See what I did there? Why is it the Big 12 Texas member's responsibility and not the SEC's Texas member's responsibility to get UH into a big boy conference?

SEC is maxed out...10 team "Big 12" is not. Besides, Houston sees that Big 12 takes on schools with crappy athletic traditions like theirs.

They also see that the Big 12 has already become so watered down that Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State have won three of the last four conference titles. Their chances in a crappy conference such as the Big 12 are far better than in the SEC.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

If OU would just bolt, and go to ANY other major conference ASAP, we would be well positioned. (Not that I would want to go to the BIG)

[badger]

In case anyone's curious, what the other Big 12 big boy fanbase thinks about this:

http://www.shaggybevo.com/board/showthread.php/156479-Tilman-Fertitta-want-to-blackmail-Cougar-High-into-the-Big-12

[SicEmBaylor]

In case anyone's curious, what the other Big 12 big boy fanbase thinks about this:

http://www.shaggybevo.com/board/showthread.php/156479-Tilman-Fertitta-want-to-blackmail-Cougar-High-into-the-Big-12

You clearly pasted the wrong link. Here you go: http://www.baylorfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289708

[badger]

You clearly pasted the wrong link. Here you go: http://www.baylorfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289708

Siccy, you hate BF.com and that's why you hang out here. :P

[8timechamps]

hey look at the bright side...

we'd get 2 more bb wins. Good grief I was watching Houston and Cinnci in bball last night...nothing else on...and they are absolutely horrible. They had like 12 fans in the building. This is the 2nd time I've seen them on TV. KS must be hatin life.

All they had was Tayshaun Thomas...whoops.

[8timechamps]

Adding UH would greatly help their program, and be a determent to the rest of the conference. Look at Baylor as a perfect example. Even TCU to an extent (although they had a history of playing and beating tough teams prior to joining. The last thing I want to see is the conference turning Houston into the next Baylor.

[Eielson]

SEC is maxed out...10 team "Big 12" is not. Besides, Houston sees that Big 12 takes on schools with crappy athletic traditions like theirs.

They also see that the Big 12 has already become so watered down that Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State have won three of the last four conference titles. Their chances in a crappy conference such as the Big 12 are far better than in the SEC.

You do realize that OSU went on to beat Stanford (the top 5 team that was led by #1 pick Andrew Luck) in a BCS bowl, and that TCU beat Ole Miss (the mighty SEC team that beat Bama and was rated in the top 10) 42-3?

[tycat947]

Adding UH would greatly help their program, and be a determent to the rest of the conference. Look at Baylor as a perfect example. Even TCU to an extent (although they had a history of playing and beating tough teams prior to joining. The last thing I want to see is the conference turning Houston into the next Baylor.

Isn't THAT the truth? We've allowed Hypocrite U to leech off of the public schools in the Big 12 for too long! Their fan base couldn't fill Wacko High School stadium so due to all the stupidly generous other Big 12 schools they've gotten exposure they couldn't dream of before (and a helluva lot of money!). Inviting that lowlife school was the absolute worst thing the Big 12 did! I know the Sun Belt would LOVE to have that hypocritical university back where they belong! Some day.............

[SicEmBaylor]

Isn't THAT the truth? We've allow Hypocrite U to leech off of the public schools in the Big 12 for too long! Their fan base couldn't fill Wacko High School stadium so due to all the stupidly generous other Big 12 schools they've gotten exposure they couldn't dream of before (and a helluva lot of money!). Inviting that lowlife school was the absolute worst thing the Big 12 did! I know the Sun Belt would LOVE to have that hypocritical university back where they belong! Some day.............

lolz

[badger]

The only way I'd be OK with another Texas school is if we dump an existing one (or if they leave on their own)

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

The only way I'd be OK with another Texas school is if we dump an existing one (or if they leave on their own)IMO the Big 12 is in the midst of becoming the old SWC, and our best move, especially for recruiting Texas, is to GTFO and ASAP.

[badger]

so you're saying we're all going to have to learn how to spell SCE over and over?

S-C-E! S-C-E!

:mad: i can't do it i can only spell two-letter words over and over.

O-U! :P

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

so you're saying we're all going to have to learn how to spell SCE over and over?

S-C-E! S-C-E!

:mad: i can't do it i can only spell two-letter words over and over.

O-U! :Pspoken like a lake stater. You're referring to a brand new league?
South Central Eh? South Central Eh? South Central Eh?

[kbsooner21]

After all the Big 12 has done to screw the conference up, why not?

[badger]

Let's dump two teams and go back to being the Big 8.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Let's dump two teams and go back to being the Big 8.I nominate Tech and Baylor

[SicEmBaylor]

I nominate Tech and Baylor

Smart move. Cut out the bottom and the top -- keep the middle.

[badger]

I nominate us and Texas. The rest of ya'll fend for yourselves, Big 8, heh heh. We go indy or leave together to a far better place

[bmjlr]

this^^^

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Smart move. Cut out the bottom and the top -- keep the middle.not quite. Waco and Lubbock should belong to a conference other than where OU plays.

[8timechamps]

IMO the Big 12 is in the midst of becoming the old SWC, and our best move, especially for recruiting Texas, is to GTFO and ASAP.

At this point, I'd support a move. However, I don't see that being a reality. With the current structure within the Big XII (and penalties for departing), and the albatross around our neck (OSU), I don't see a quick/clean move in the neat future.

[SicEmBaylor]

I want in the ACC.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

At this point, I'd support a move. However, I don't see that being a reality. With the current structure within the Big XII (and penalties for departing), and the albatross around our neck (OSU), I don't see a quick/clean move in the neat future.who said it was a reality??! We are just passing time on this place. If Boren stays at OU, and obviously has control and power over any moves we make, it appears he requires Stoolville academy to join us at the hip.

[KantoSooner]

I find it hard, Rush, to fault him. He's only responding to the political realities in OKC. The BOR and Legislature would come down on OU and Boren's lil punkin' head so fast if he tried anything like that it'd make all our heads spin. And given a choice between keeping overall university operations rocking along and pleasing football fans, Boren would be insane to do other than what he's done.

[8timechamps]

who said it was a reality??! We are just passing time on this place. If Boren stays at OU, and obviously has control and power over any moves we make, it appears he requires Stoolville academy to join us at the hip.

Well, I can wish it were reality. The only program worth taking with us would be Texas, unfortunately, I think we're stuck with OSU.

[8timechamps]

I want in the ACC.

Baylor should be happy as pigs in **** by being in the Big XII. If it would have collapsed, the Bears would be wearing Big East championship rings right now. As good as things have been going for the sports programs at Baylor, there's still very little chance they are an 'attractive' addition to any other P5 conference. They simply don't bring anything (in terms of eyeballs).

The ACC might see a positive in adding a Texas footprint, but it's so small that I don't think it would even register.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but Baylor (for all the recent success) isn't a hot commodity in the grand scheme of conference realignment.

[SicEmBaylor]

Baylor should be happy as pigs in **** by being in the Big XII. If it would have collapsed, the Bears would be wearing Big East championship rings right now.
I agree, and that was absolutely true back then. I was and have been a huge Big XII cheerleader; however, the Big XII has since proven itself unwilling and incapable of furthering and protecting the interests of member institutions (i.e., us).


As good as things have been going for the sports programs at Baylor, there's still very little chance they are an 'attractive' addition to any other P5 conference. They simply don't bring anything (in terms of eyeballs).
I don't know what this means, but I know it's too idiotic for you to possibly have uttered it.


I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but Baylor (for all the recent success) isn't a hot commodity in the grand scheme of conference realignment.
Whether we are or are not isn't something I'm really interested in trying to measure as it's largely irrelevant to my position -- I want out of this conference and in the ACC. I assure you that if the deck chairs need re-arranging again and the ACC needs to expand, it's almost unfathomable that they wouldn't take us.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

I find it hard, Rush, to fault him. He's only responding to the political realities in OKC. The BOR and Legislature would come down on OU and Boren's lil punkin' head so fast if he tried anything like that it'd make all our heads spin. And given a choice between keeping overall university operations rocking along and pleasing football fans, Boren would be insane to do other than what he's done.It's prolly the main reason I want him gone. I would prefer a Sooner president fight for OU rather than kiss aggy a*s, to our detriment.

[KantoSooner]

Would you then prefer that OU lose about half its operating budget?
Mebbe Joe could raise ticket prices to cover the difference.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Would you then prefer that OU lose about half its operating budget?
Mebbe Joe could raise ticket prices to cover the difference.If OU was invited to go to another conference and we accepted, you contend we would lose half our operating budget? Elaborate, pls.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

If OU was invited to go to another conference and we accepted, you contend we would lose half our operating budget? Elaborate, pls.Is that what happened to Lassie Aggy when they went SEC SEC SEC?

[Eielson]

We can make fun of Baylor and OSU all day long, and I don't discourage it, but those are our #3 and #4 schools behind OU and Texas, and I really don't know that it's very close.

ISU sucks. Their football team is awful, and probably always will be. Their basketball team is randomly good every few years, but not great. If Hoiberg were to stick around for the rest of his career, I think the basketball team would be something, but I expect Hoiberg to be in the NBA within the next few years.

KSU sucks. Their basketball team had a nice run there, but it appears to be fizzling out. Snyder is the only thing keeping their football team from collapsing (as evidenced by his brief departure), and even he can't do more than make them above average. He'll soon be gone, and they'll go back to full suck.

Kansas sucks. They have the kind of football team that back up freshmen running backs on 8-5 teams set records against. They have a great basketball team, and I'd miss it if they were gone, but nobody is all that excited about adding Duke, and Duke actually has a respectable football program (and academic...if you're one of the geeks that actually thinks that matters).

Tech sucks. LOLOL

WVU is that awkward team. They actually contribute, though, as they're solid in basketball and football. It has taken their football time to adjust, but I think they're starting to, as is their basketball team. They're still lightweights compared to OSU and Baylor, though. I'd give them #6.

TCU is the only competition to OSU and Baylor, but I think they're clearly behind as #5. I'm not going to get carried away with their recent success, but they look like they may contribute in football. Basketball is another story.

[8timechamps]

I agree, and that was absolutely true back then. I was and have been a huge Big XII cheerleader; however, the Big XII has since proven itself unwilling and incapable of furthering and protecting the interests of member institutions (i.e., us).


I don't know what this means, but I know it's too idiotic for you to possibly have uttered it.


Whether we are or are not isn't something I'm really interested in trying to measure as it's largely irrelevant to my position -- I want out of this conference and in the ACC. I assure you that if the deck chairs need re-arranging again and the ACC needs to expand, it's almost unfathomable that they wouldn't take us.

I'm with you (in terms of wanting out). While I think the conference (as it stands right now) is sustainable for the near term, I serious don't think it'll survive if/when another round of realignment occurs. There was a time when the ACC looked like it was on it's last breath, but that time has passed and they now look more stable/built for the long haul than the Big XII.

What I meant about Baylor not bringing eyeballs to the table is all about television sets. I strongly suspect any further expansion is going to be all about adding market share (viewership). I don't know exactly what Baylor looks like (in terms of eyeballs watching them on TV), but it can't be huge and they're sharing the state with Texas, A&M, TCU and to a small degree Tech. Those are the big names battling for viewers. If the ACC were to add Baylor, I don't think it would be because they know they'll get a big market share and increase in their TV contract. So, from that standpoint, I don't see them adding value. *that's what I was trying to say* Why do you think the ACC would be so quick to take Baylor? If it were between KU, KSU, Baylor and Tech, then I could see them wanting Baylor ahead of those (with the exception of possibly KU), but I strongly doubt Baylor would be near the top of the list of schools to grab.

If I were to guess, the next round of realignment (whenever that happens) will be one or two of the other P5 conferences folding the Big XII into their existing framework. I don't think all 10 will end up in the same super conference, but I think it's only a matter of time until we see super conferences.

[8timechamps]

We can make fun of Baylor and OSU all day long, and I don't discourage it, but those are our #3 and #4 schools behind OU and Texas, and I really don't know that it's very close.

ISU sucks. Their football team is awful, and probably always will be. Their basketball team is randomly good every few years, but not great. If Hoiberg were to stick around for the rest of his career, I think the basketball team would be something, but I expect Hoiberg to be in the NBA within the next few years.

KSU sucks. Their basketball team had a nice run there, but it appears to be fizzling out. Snyder is the only thing keeping their football team from collapsing (as evidenced by his brief departure), and even he can't do more than make them above average. He'll soon be gone, and they'll go back to full suck.

Kansas sucks. They have the kind of football team that back up freshmen running backs on 8-5 teams set records against. They have a great basketball team, and I'd miss it if they were gone, but nobody is all that excited about adding Duke, and Duke actually has a respectable football program (and academic...if you're one of the geeks that actually thinks that matters).

Tech sucks. LOLOL

WVU is that awkward team. They actually contribute, though, as they're solid in basketball and football. It has taken their football time to adjust, but I think they're starting to, as is their basketball team. They're still lightweights compared to OSU and Baylor, though. I'd give them #6.

TCU is the only competition to OSU and Baylor, but I think they're clearly behind as #5. I'm not going to get carried away with their recent success, but they look like they may contribute in football. Basketball is another story.

I guess it depends on what you're basing that on...

West Virginia would probably rank ahead of Baylor and OSU in overall attractiveness. I'm not considering how successful their programs have been in the past couple of years, just what kind of value they'd add if they were to join a conference other than the Big XII.

KU has basketball, which can't be discounted, but isn't enough to offset their horrid football program. KSU could make a run at #3 or #4 in the conference in overall value, but I don't think they currently sit ahead of OSU or Baylor.

It's Texas and OU 1 & 2, and nobody is anywhere near the value of the top two. After that, it's kind of a mesh for the next 4 or 5 programs.

[Eielson]

Even right now, I don't think KSU is as good as OSU and Baylor in football. The only reason I think they even compete is because Snyder is their coach, and the guy is 75 years old. As soon as he leaves, I expect they'll fall to about ISU's level. He thought it was time to retire when he was 65, so I can't imagine he'll be coaching at a high level at 80.

As far as the Big XII is concerned, I think Baylor is a great asset. When I think of their football program, I can't help but think of Oregon from a few years back. As far as OU is concerned, though, it doesn't help us. Baylor, TCU, and A&M's (SEC!) rise in recruiting is not doing us any favors. There is plenty of talent to go around, though, if we recruit the right way. We just don't want any more competitors (like Houston). While on the topic of recruiting grounds, I'm going to take this moment to annoy everybody again about my dream of adding Miami and FSU to the Big XII. Hopefully TCU and Baylor will convince them that we play at a high enough level that it's worth it to leave the ACC.

[tycat947]

Would you then prefer that OU lose about half its operating budget?
Mebbe Joe could raise ticket prices to cover the difference.

Exactly! The loons on Lincoln would do everything possible to destroy OU and not only would we not have a football program/athletic program, but OUr University would become a Tech/UTEP/UTSA, etc. It's not worth it. We have everything we need to win in Big 12.

[8timechamps]

Even right now, I don't think KSU is as good as OSU and Baylor in football. The only reason I think they even compete is because Snyder is their coach, and the guy is 75 years old. As soon as he leaves, I expect they'll fall to about ISU's level. He thought it was time to retire when he was 65, so I can't imagine he'll be coaching at a high level at 80.

As far as the Big XII is concerned, I think Baylor is a great asset. When I think of their football program, I can't help but think of Oregon from a few years back. As far as OU is concerned, though, it doesn't help us. Baylor, TCU, and A&M's (SEC!) rise in recruiting is not doing us any favors. There is plenty of talent to go around, though, if we recruit the right way. We just don't want any more competitors (like Houston). While on the topic of recruiting grounds, I'm going to take this moment to annoy everybody again about my dream of adding Miami and FSU to the Big XII. Hopefully TCU and Baylor will convince them that we play at a high enough level that it's worth it to leave the ACC.

No question that Baylor is a great asset to the conference currently. It would help if they would win a premier bowl game, but they have done a solid job of helping keep the conference up front nationally. So has TCU (although Baylor has done it in other sports too). My point was (and I didn't do a good job of explaining it initially) that adding Houston could very well be another Baylor situation. Baylor was the bottom dweller for a long time. Being part of the Big XII gave them credibility (in sports) that enabled them to recruit better athletes and attract better coaching. They took full advantage of it, and now sit with the big boys of college sports. TCU is doing the same thing (although they were a little more established prior to joining the Big XII).

The Big XII would gain nothing from Houston joining, while Houston would gain everything.

Who knows how things will eventually play out, but personally, I'd like to see us join the PAC. Part of it is selfish reasons (I live in PAC territory), but also because I think the bulk of the Big XII could stay in tact. There's probably more of a likelihood that the ACC and Big XII do some kind of merger though.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Posted by KantoSooner-
Would you then prefer that OU lose about half its operating budget?
Mebbe Joe could raise ticket prices to cover the difference.
Exactly! The loons on Lincoln would do everything possible to destroy OU and not only would we not have a football program/athletic program, but OUr University would become a Tech/UTEP/UTSA, etc. It's not worth it. We have everything we need to win in Big 12.i hope OU isn't as paranoid about going somewhere without LosuR as you two are, but as long as Boren is there, I doubt we would even consider it. We blew it bigtime when we weren't willing to abandon lil bro to go to the Pac conference.

[soonergirlNeugene]

I agree that the B12 leadership (though thats a bit of an oxymoron) has been completely fail since making the call to go down to 10. We should have sold our souls to get FSU back when they were considering making the jump. FSU and literally anybody else. Instead it's been nothing but shortsighted inaction from Bowlsby. Now people are talking up Louisville and Cincy like they are anywhere near the same caliber team. We could have grabbed Incarnate Word as long as we had that FSU deal and it would have been miles ahead of any combination of Louisville, Cincy, BYU, or Houston. I have no idea how this conference can right the ship. Breaking into the state of Florida would be a solid move, and it's really the only one we should be thinking about at all unless it's the hell outta this train wreck.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

I agree that the B12 leadership (though thats a bit of an oxymoron) has been completely fail since making the call to go down to 10. We should have sold our souls to get FSU back when they were considering making the jump. FSU and literally anybody else. Instead it's been nothing but shortsighted inaction from Bowlsby. Now people are talking up Louisville and Cincy like they are anywhere near the same caliber team. We could have grabbed Incarnate Word as long as we had that FSU deal and it would have been miles ahead of any combination of Louisville, Cincy, BYU, or Houston. I have no idea how this conference can right the ship. Breaking into the state of Florida would be a solid move, and it's really the only one we should be thinking about at all unless it's the hell outa this train wreck.you got it, girl!




However, if we could pull in St. Edwards or Canisius, we would be sitting pretty...

[KantoSooner]

If OU was invited to go to another conference and we accepted, you contend we would lose half our operating budget? Elaborate, pls.
If we specifically screwed over OSU in the process, as you appear to advocate above, then, yes, the state gov would make sure OU's funding suffered.

[Eielson]

The Big XII would gain nothing from Houston joining, while Houston would gain everything.

Completely agree.


Who knows how things will eventually play out, but personally, I'd like to see us join the PAC. Part of it is selfish reasons (I live in PAC territory), but also because I think the bulk of the Big XII could stay in tact. There's probably more of a likelihood that the ACC and Big XII do some kind of merger though.

Any kind of merger that expands us into California (with games against schools that would quickly turn into exciting rivalries like UCLA and USC) or Florida (with games against teams like Miami and FSU) is fine by me.

If we were to stay together as a conference (which is what I was thinking of), I think the only realistic good scenario is to pluck from the ACC. In all honesty, I'd be fine with just about anything other than merging with the Big 10 or continuing to add schools like Houston.

[Tear Down This Wall]

I agree that the B12 leadership (though thats a bit of an oxymoron) has been completely fail since making the call to go down to 10. We should have sold our souls to get FSU back when they were considering making the jump. FSU and literally anybody else. Instead it's been nothing but shortsighted inaction from Bowlsby. Now people are talking up Louisville and Cincy like they are anywhere near the same caliber team. We could have grabbed Incarnate Word as long as we had that FSU deal and it would have been miles ahead of any combination of Louisville, Cincy, BYU, or Houston. I have no idea how this conference can right the ship. Breaking into the state of Florida would be a solid move, and it's really the only one we should be thinking about at all unless it's the hell outta this train wreck.

"I have no idea how this conference can right the ship."

We shouldn't care what the conference does, we should be concerned with ourselves - and, ourselves alone!

Screw the Big 12. It is now just one step above the Mountain West and sliding. We need out. The Big 12 can implode for all we care; just get out of it.

[SoonerorLater]

The Big 12 has been taking on water since the exodus. Barring some rival conference bitter divorce scenanrio where we land 2-4 major schools then the Big 12 is on borrowed time. There is no viable option to add teams at this point and some contrived conference championship game is not going to do anything to help. As a matter of fact it would be evident any such game would be born out of desperation.

I would love to see OU bolt but not sure where they could land. With the Agriculturists as an albatross on our back our options are slim indeed.

[Tear Down This Wall]

And, now, BYU wants in. More MWC in the Big 12. This is what we've become. Sun Belt schools dream of ascending to the watered down C-USA; MWC schools dream of ascending to the watered down Big 12.

We've got the remnant of Big East in West Virginia, a remnant of every crappy conference known to man after 1996 in TCU. Houston went from Sun Belt invaded C-USA to start up of old C-USA schools, the American. And, BYU spent time between the crappiness of the now defunct WAC and MWC before going independent.

It's embarrassing enough to have to write checks to West Virginia and TCU every year. I can't imagine splitting the pot further with their fellow half-as*s journeymen, Houston and BYU.

No major school with any type of real football tradition is trying to get into the Big 12. It's too much of a joke. Texas runs it, allows OU to believe it helps run it because Boren is the biggest suck up you'll find to anyone who will tell him, "Yeah, sure...Oklahoma is absolutely the Harvard of the Midwest!" What a dope.

We can't get out of the Big 12 soon enough. Unfortunately, much like Stoops defenses have become, the school and athletic department's leadership is read and react. Texas will have to jump ship in order for us to make a move.

Pathetic.

[Eielson]

If you were to weight basketball and football equally, and not worry about anything else (because nothing else really does matter for college sports), the Big XII would be the best conference in the country.

If you were to weight basketball about 15% and football about 85% (more realistic), the Big XII comes in second only to the SEC.

There really isn't a concern here about our conference's level of play. This year was supposedly a down year for Big XII football, yet we had 20% of our conference in the top 10, and 70% of our conference went to bowl games. Those are the best conference percentages in all of football, and even the mighty SEC couldn't compete.

The only true concern with the Big XII is that there are only 10 teams, and I'm not sure that's a major concern. It's different, but that doesn't make it worse. Personally, I find 14 team conferences to be a little too bloated, and prefer that we play everybody every year. The CCG is fun, but it's rarely practical. One division almost always overpowers the other, so the fact that the Big XII South teams were even having to put their title on the line was usually a mockery.

[Eielson]

Having 14 teams in a conference is like having a truck that can't haul really heavy things, yet still only gets 10 MPG.

[KantoSooner]

So,TDTW, we get it: the B12 sucks and there is no hope. OU's only hope is to bail.
Taking that logic to heart, why don't you bail?
There are plenty of other schools in much better conferences for whom you could root. Bama, LSU and Auburn come to mind. You might even find USC to your liking.
Why do you voluntarily associate with poopy-head losers like us?

[8timechamps]

Completely agree.



Any kind of merger that expands us into California (with games against schools that would quickly turn into exciting rivalries like UCLA and USC) or Florida (with games against teams like Miami and FSU) is fine by me.

If we were to stay together as a conference (which is what I was thinking of), I think the only realistic good scenario is to pluck from the ACC. In all honesty, I'd be fine with just about anything other than merging with the Big 10 or continuing to add schools like Houston.

We're on the same page.

Honestly, I applaud what Bowlsby did...he took a conference that looked like it was only days away from disintegrating, and solidified it enough to keep the remaining members from leaving. That was no small feat. And I would be fine in the Big XII stayed as is, but I don't think the economics will make that viable long-term. Then again, the Big XII appears to be holding their own when it comes to TV money per school.

I'm with you though, as long as it's not the Big 10, I'm okay with any other move.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

And, now, BYU wants in. More MWC in the Big 12. This is what we've become. Sun Belt schools dream of ascending to the watered down C-USA; MWC schools dream of ascending to the watered down Big 12.

We've got the remnant of Big East in West Virginia, a remnant of every crappy conference known to man after 1996 in TCU. Houston went from Sun Belt invaded C-USA to start up of old C-USA schools, the American. And, BYU spent time between the crappiness of the now defunct WAC and MWC before going independent.

It's embarrassing enough to have to write checks to West Virginia and TCU every year. I can't imagine splitting the pot further with their fellow half-as*s journeymen, Houston and BYU.

No major school with any type of real football tradition is trying to get into the Big 12. It's too much of a joke. Texas runs it, allows OU to believe it helps run it because Boren is the biggest suck up you'll find to anyone who will tell him, "Yeah, sure...Oklahoma is absolutely the Harvard of the Midwest!" What a dope.

We can't get out of the Big 12 soon enough. Unfortunately, much like Stoops defenses have become, the school and athletic department's leadership is read and react. Texas will have to jump ship in order for us to make a move.

Pathetic.Well said. Truth hurts, if it's ugly.

[tycat947]

So,TDTW, we get it: the B12 sucks and there is no hope. OU's only hope is to bail.
Taking that logic to heart, why don't you bail?
There are plenty of other schools in much better conferences for whom you could root. Bama, LSU and Auburn come to mind. You might even find USC to your liking.
Why do you voluntarily associate with poopy-head losers like us?

+1!

[BoulderSooner79]

So,TDTW, we get it: the B12 sucks and there is no hope. OU's only hope is to bail.
Taking that logic to heart, why don't you bail?
There are plenty of other schools in much better conferences for whom you could root. Bama, LSU and Auburn come to mind. You might even find USC to your liking.
Why do you voluntarily associate with poopy-head losers like us?

I don't want TDTW to bail. When I said his prose cracks me up, I wasn't being sarcastic.

[TAFBSooner]

I find it hard, Rush, to fault him. He's only responding to the political realities in OKC. The BOR and Legislature would come down on OU and Boren's lil punkin' head so fast if he tried anything like that it'd make all our heads spin. And given a choice between keeping overall university operations rocking along and pleasing football fans, Boren would be insane to do other than what he's done.

There is one way to finesse that. Bring in any two schools such that the north-south line is between Stillwater and Norman. Now we have a CCG again. That way (for a while anyway) they could "win a championship" every year, and we could beat them twice a year.

You know that aggy reps in the OK Lege are stupid enough to accept that that "keeps the two schools together" without realizing the second part of the result.

[TAFBSooner]

The loons on Lincoln

I'ma use that on the HilaryFest 2016 forum!

[Tear Down This Wall]

So,TDTW, we get it: the B12 sucks and there is no hope. OU's only hope is to bail.
Taking that logic to heart, why don't you bail?
There are plenty of other schools in much better conferences for whom you could root. Bama, LSU and Auburn come to mind. You might even find USC to your liking.
Why do you voluntarily associate with poopy-head losers like us?

Because OU isn't the University of Bob Stoops, the University of David Boren, the University of Joe Castiglione, or the University of the Big 12. It existed long before those did, and will continue on long after they are gone.

I've held season ticket before Stoops, Boren, Castiglione, and the Big 12, and will be a season ticket holder long after they are gone. And, then, because the tickets may be passed down once, they will be my son's season tickets when I'm dead and gone.

I'll always want what is best for Oklahoma. The Big 12 is not the best for Oklahoma. It is sinking, and OU can do better than pretend to helm a sinking ship. Currently, however, the leadership is content to ride Texas' coattails, even to the extent of watering down conference competition.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Because OU isn't the University of Bob Stoops, the University of David Boren, the University of Joe Castiglione, or the University of the Big 12. It existed long before those did, and will continue on long after they are gone.

I've held season ticket before Stoops, Boren, Castiglione, and the Big 12, and will be a season ticket holder long after they are gone. And, then, because the tickets may be passed down once, they will be my son's season tickets when I'm dead and gone.

I'll always want what is best for Oklahoma. The Big 12 is not the best for Oklahoma. It is sinking, and OU can do better than pretend to helm a sinking ship. Currently, however, the leadership is content to ride Texas' coattails, even to the extent of watering down conference competition.We are in a difficult position, especially by having lil sister joined with us on any move we might want to make. The tx schools apparently don't have that problem.

[BoulderSooner79]

We are in a difficult position, especially by having lil sister joined with us on any move we might want to make. The tx schools apparently don't have that problem.

Part of it is just geography. The only other conference that makes sense is the SEC and it is already too full. We could displace one of their weaker sisters, but I don't see any support for that in the SEC. I think it will solve itself in the long run with some sort of super conference of current P5 teams that gets divided into divisions. But I have no idea how long "long term" will take and many things could happen in the meantime to push CFB in a different direction. The best option is to just field a great team in the big12 and be a prized program when change arrives (Duh).

[Tear Down This Wall]

We are in a difficult position, especially by having lil sister joined with us on any move we might want to make. The tx schools apparently don't have that problem.

Do you know why the Texas schools don't have that problem? It's because they act in their own interests - as they should.

Texas A&M is fully capable of holding its own without Texas holding its hand, and vice versa. It should be the same with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Everyone should man up and be big boys if they are going to swim in the big boy part of the pool. Texas A&M did what they had to do to help Texas A&M. The only protest came from the whistling butt scrapers down in Waco...and, they were rightly ignored.

Oklahoma State shouldn't act like p*ssies. It's not our fault that no one gave a rat's fat backside about them until T. Boone Pickens opened his vault and showered them with cash.

Oklahoma Aggy wanted to wave their wrestling and baseball titles in our faces for decades. Fine. But, no one gave a crap about your non-revenue champions except you. It never raised or enhanced your brand. OU concentrated on other sports that happened to make money and build up the brand nationally. You made your choice, we made ours. Deal with it.

If the Oklahoma State contingent were half the men they believe they are, they wouldn't try to tie their fate to ours. That the threat of them doing so exists simply shows that they fully understand their lack of clout and importance in the big picture.

The only thing that chaps me is Boren and Castiglione act as though we have to keep Oklahoma State afloat as well. It's sickening. Show some leadership, you plastic dick shovels!

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Couldn't agree more. The stage is set for independent action of some kind on OU's part, and Boren ain't the guy to get it done.

[oudivesherpa]

As an alumnus and graduate of OU, Houston and Tulsa, the only school, that has been mentioned, that belongs in the Big XII is OU. If the Big XII wants a school from the fourth largest city in the US pick Rice. Rice is significantly academically better than U of H and would never be a threat athletically.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

As an alumnus and graduate of OU, Houston and Tulsa, the only school, that has been mentioned, that belongs in the Big XII is OU. If the Big XII wants a school from the fourth largest city in the US pick Rice. Rice is significantly academically better than U of H and would never be a threat athletically.We could be on our way to adding both? At least Houston is a fun city, with great restaurants.

Hey, it's possible the Big 12 could kick us out, now that we have racist fraternities!

[TAFBSooner]

. . . It's not our fault that no one gave a rat's fat backside about them until T. Boone Pickens opened his vault and showered them with cash.

Well, it's about 1/11th our fault, more or less. :triumphant: