ChiefsPlanet - View Single Post - Other Sports Big 10 Report: Conference Realignment

Archie Bunker · 06-14-2010, 10:34 AM

Free article from powermizzou

http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094094

Another Option Emerging?
Gabe DeArmond
PowerMizzou.com Publisher

Over the last week, the options in the race for conference realignment for Missouri seem to have dwindled nearly by the hour. PowerMizzou.com has learned that there may be a new option emerging now.

The latest word is the possibility that Texas A&M and Missouri could be courted as a pair by the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies have been connected with the SEC for quite some time now. In fact, multiple media outlets have reported that the Aggies have an offer on the table and AggieYell.com has reported that A&M will join the SEC.

The latest information, which was relayed to PowerMizzou.com late last night is that the Aggies may have told the SEC they would like Missouri to be included in that league's expansion as well. The first reaction would be why would A&M go to bat for Mizzou? However, there are reasons it makes sense.

If the SEC does indeed add A&M, the league would be at 13 teams. Clearly, at least one more school would need to be added. Based on the way divisions are aligned in the league, that team would likely need to be a school to the West. Southernpigskin.com has advocated the Tigers and Aggies be added to the SEC and lines up possible divisions this way:

SEC West

Alabama
LSU
Texas A&M
Arkansas
Missouri
Ole Miss
Mississippi State

SEC East

Florida
Georgia
Auburn
Tennessee
South Carolina
Kentucky
Vanderbilt

In addition, the Tigers are the only team that makes sense that is really not tied to anyone else in the league. Texas is not going to the SEC. Oklahoma has expressed its desire to stick with the Longhorns, as has Texas Tech. Oklahoma State looks to follow those schools. In addition, neither Tech nor OSU brings the television sets or the AAU membership and accompanying academic prestige that Missouri would. Furthermore, ESPN reported earlier this week that if the SEC did expand, it would not pursue teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

At this point, Missouri athletic department spokesman Chad Moller has said that Missouri will neither confirm nor deny any rumors about other conferences. Following a Board of Curators meeting last night, Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton repeatedly stated that Missouri was "committed to strengthening the Big XII."

The wrench in all this from Missouri's standpoint is that the decision does not seem to be theirs to make at this time. Orangebloods.com reported this morning that the University of Texas will commit to staying in a 10-team Big XII as soon as this afternoon.

Should that take place, it is clearly a statement to the Aggies that a decision must be made. Would A&M remain in the Big XII and keep things afloat as a ten-team league? Or would the Aggies forge their own way regardless, moving to the SEC?

A contact at A&M told PowerMizzou.com that "At this point, they're more interested in telling Texas to take a flying leap than they are staying unified with the other Texas schools."

The question then becomes whether the Texas legislature would allow the Aggies to leave on their own. A committee meeting has been called for Wednesday with officials from multiple Lone Star State schools to discuss the realignment carousel and its impact. Sources in Texas say that if the legislature chooses to force the Texas schools to stick together, it has the power to do so. The question is whether it would reach that point, as it did in the mid-1990's when the Big XII was originally formed. Texas governor Rick Perry is an A&M graduate, but is also in an election year in the state, so forces could be pulling him in multiple directions.

"He has said multiple times that any smart politician is staying out of this," the A&M source said. "We'll find out if he's a smart politician."

If Texas indeed pledges its loyalty to the Big XII, the Orangebloods.com report indicates that Fox has promised the remaining teams a television contract that would be worth approximately $17 million to each school. Other sources have confirmed that number as accurate to PowerMizzou.com.

The ball now seems still to be in a court in the state of Texas. But now the next move may very well belong to A&M.

06-14-2010, 10:34 AM	#5695
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $-701022	Free article from powermizzou http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094094 Another Option Emerging? Gabe DeArmond PowerMizzou.com Publisher Over the last week, the options in the race for conference realignment for Missouri seem to have dwindled nearly by the hour. PowerMizzou.com has learned that there may be a new option emerging now. The latest word is the possibility that Texas A&M and Missouri could be courted as a pair by the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies have been connected with the SEC for quite some time now. In fact, multiple media outlets have reported that the Aggies have an offer on the table and AggieYell.com has reported that A&M will join the SEC. The latest information, which was relayed to PowerMizzou.com late last night is that the Aggies may have told the SEC they would like Missouri to be included in that league's expansion as well. The first reaction would be why would A&M go to bat for Mizzou? However, there are reasons it makes sense. If the SEC does indeed add A&M, the league would be at 13 teams. Clearly, at least one more school would need to be added. Based on the way divisions are aligned in the league, that team would likely need to be a school to the West. Southernpigskin.com has advocated the Tigers and Aggies be added to the SEC and lines up possible divisions this way: SEC West Alabama LSU Texas A&M Arkansas Missouri Ole Miss Mississippi State SEC East Florida Georgia Auburn Tennessee South Carolina Kentucky Vanderbilt In addition, the Tigers are the only team that makes sense that is really not tied to anyone else in the league. Texas is not going to the SEC. Oklahoma has expressed its desire to stick with the Longhorns, as has Texas Tech. Oklahoma State looks to follow those schools. In addition, neither Tech nor OSU brings the television sets or the AAU membership and accompanying academic prestige that Missouri would. Furthermore, ESPN reported earlier this week that if the SEC did expand, it would not pursue teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference. At this point, Missouri athletic department spokesman Chad Moller has said that Missouri will neither confirm nor deny any rumors about other conferences. Following a Board of Curators meeting last night, Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton repeatedly stated that Missouri was "committed to strengthening the Big XII." The wrench in all this from Missouri's standpoint is that the decision does not seem to be theirs to make at this time. Orangebloods.com reported this morning that the University of Texas will commit to staying in a 10-team Big XII as soon as this afternoon. Should that take place, it is clearly a statement to the Aggies that a decision must be made. Would A&M remain in the Big XII and keep things afloat as a ten-team league? Or would the Aggies forge their own way regardless, moving to the SEC? A contact at A&M told PowerMizzou.com that "At this point, they're more interested in telling Texas to take a flying leap than they are staying unified with the other Texas schools." The question then becomes whether the Texas legislature would allow the Aggies to leave on their own. A committee meeting has been called for Wednesday with officials from multiple Lone Star State schools to discuss the realignment carousel and its impact. Sources in Texas say that if the legislature chooses to force the Texas schools to stick together, it has the power to do so. The question is whether it would reach that point, as it did in the mid-1990's when the Big XII was originally formed. Texas governor Rick Perry is an A&M graduate, but is also in an election year in the state, so forces could be pulling him in multiple directions. "He has said multiple times that any smart politician is staying out of this," the A&M source said. "We'll find out if he's a smart politician." If Texas indeed pledges its loyalty to the Big XII, the Orangebloods.com report indicates that Fox has promised the remaining teams a television contract that would be worth approximately $17 million to each school. Other sources have confirmed that number as accurate to PowerMizzou.com. The ball now seems still to be in a court in the state of Texas. But now the next move may very well belong to A&M.
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