Big 10 Report: Conference Realignment

[Mr. Laz]

A source in St. Louis familiar with the situation told NewsCenter 16 Thursday afternoon that Missouri will leave the Big XII and soon join the Big 10. Other schools expected to follow the Tigers are Syracuse, Pitt, Rutgers and Nebraska.

Many have speculated that such an expansion would include Notre Dame but ND athletic director Jack Swarbrick told me today that the Irish prefer to stay independent in football and in the Big East for other sports. Swarbrick said maintaining football Independence is such a part of what Notre Dame is.

He went on to say the Big East is a great partner for the University in other sports.

"We do have to monitor what is going on," Swarbrick said. "There will be significant shifts. "Hopefully we can navigate them by keeping our football independent and keeping our Big East affiliation because that is what we care about."

The move of Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers to the Big Ten from the Big East could categorically change the landscape of the Big East itself. Thus, what Swarbrick is referring to when stating the University must continue to monitor what is going on.

The interview with Swarbrick was done before the late afternoon announcement.

http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/92447574.html

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Don't respond. Honestly, if it is down to that being their angle, you've already won the argument. KU fan can't comprehend a school making a decision based in large part on academics and it isn't difficult to understand why.

Elaborate.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Don't respond. Honestly, if it is down to that being their angle, you've already won the argument. KU fan can't comprehend a school making a decision based in large part on academics and it isn't difficult to understand why.

Which is why the move couldn't be more exciting. It's tremendous for past graduates and current and future students.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Braincase

Well, if you can't beat 'em, join a different conference. At least you'll get paid more to be a sparring partner.

We've beat your ass plenty, Padawan.

Move along people; nothing to see here.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by ROR

We've beat your ass plenty, Padawan.
.

Well, sure. Almost exactly the same number of times we've beat your ass.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Don't respond. Honestly, if it is down to that being their angle, you've already won the argument. KU fan can't comprehend a school making a decision based in large part on academics and it isn't difficult to understand why.

Still not seeing your being a jerk about the KU stuff, right? Of course, that's part of the rationalization those considering the move would offer...doesn't necessarily make it true those, does it???

Heh.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Still not seeing your being a jerk about the KU stuff, right? Of course, that's part of the rationalization those considering the move would offer...doesn't necessarily make it true those, does it???

Heh.

So you really think that the decision to change conferences (if invited, of course) would be left to the athletic department for the most part?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Brock

Well, sure. Almost exactly the same number of times we've beat your ass.

Exactly. It's a dumb take.

[AustinChief]

If they both leave, I could see OSU and OU moving to the north division and UH and TCU being invited to join the south. That would actually work out well for everyone... not a HUGE talent dropoff and both have solid academics

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

If they both leave, I could see OSU and OU moving to the north division and UH and TCU being invited to join the south. That would actually work out well for everyone... not a HUGE talent dropoff and both have solid academics

No way they move OU to the North that would mean no more Texas OU game every year. Nebraska alone probably brings in more revenue then both UH and TCU.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

If they both leave, I could see OSU and OU moving to the north division and UH and TCU being invited to join the south. That would actually work out well for everyone... not a HUGE talent dropoff and both have solid academics

Only issue with that is that it even further weakens the Big 12's ability to negotiate a new TV deal. Adding more Texas schools doesn't improve the conference's ability to deliver TV sets.

The Big 12 would have to add new markets to survive, or partner extremely closely with the Pac-10. Or both.

I think the most likely thing is the Big 12 dies as its pieces are bitten off by conferences with competant leadership.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Only issue with that is that it even further weakens the Big 12's ability to negotiate a new TV deal. Adding more Texas schools doesn't improve the conference's ability to deliver TV sets.

The Big 12 would have to add new markets to survive, or partner extremely closely with the Pac-10. Or both.

I think the most likely thing is the Big 12 dies as its pieces are bitten off by conferences with competant leadership.

Yep...as much as they hate to admit it, losing MU would be very difficult to overcome in terms of negotiating a new TV contract.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by billay

No way they move OU to the North that would mean no more Texas OU game every year.

There would still be an annual Texas vs OU game. It would be played at Reliant Stadium or Texas Stadium and would be called the Big XII Championship Game.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

There would still be an annual Texas vs OU game. It would be played at Reliant Stadium or Texas Stadium and would be called the Big XII Championship Game.

Touche

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Braincase

Well, if you can't beat 'em, join a different conference. At least you'll get paid more to be a sparring partner.

That is pretty much how I see it for Missouri.

But the Nebraska issue is different, they will be missed, and they have won something numerous times. The glory days are fading in people's memories, but they were one of the top programs for many years.

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by kepp

So you really think that the decision to change conferences (if invited, of course) would be left to the athletic department for the most part?

No, but it's driven more by money than anything else. It's just transparent and lame then to rationalize it further by adding...'oh, yeah; we like the academics too' when the difference isn't nearly that big of a deal.