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

[bobbything]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

http://www.baylor.edu/nation/index.php?id=84714

Since when is the state of Texas a sovereign nation, thus having its own "citizens"?

[eazyb81]

Very interesting update.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/college...ant-to-expand/

*** If massive realignment occurs with the Oklahoma schools, Texas and TTU joining the Pac-12 … and with A&M and Missouri headed to the SEC … then Kansas probably goes to the Big East, likely in tandem with Kansas State.


The Big 12 schools in the biggest trouble would be Baylor and Iowa State.


“They might have to go backwards,” said a source — meaning Conference USA or the Mountain West.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Very interesting update.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/college...ant-to-expand/

Still seems like little more than speculation at this point.

We'll know something when we know something. It appears to be mostly a lot of guessing right now with some guys (like Gregorian in STL) just grinding axes where they can.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Very interesting update.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/college...ant-to-expand/

I found this quote interesting....which is what I have been arguing with HH all along:

But …

*** If Texas A&M becomes the SEC’s 13th team, that sets the superconferences in motion.

“The SEC won’t stop at 13, or even 14. And if the SEC is at 14 or 16, the Big Ten will do it,” a source said. ”At that point, (the Pac-12) would be crazy not to entertain the idea of expansion.”

(Multiple sources said the SEC’s 14th team would most likely be Missouri. Combine untapped TV dollars with geography, and the schools that make the most sense for the SEC are Texas A&M, Missouri and Virginia Tech.)

Only if the SEC goes to 13 would the Pac-12 evaluate its options.

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Still seems like little more than speculation at this point.

We'll know something when we know something. It appears to be mostly a lot of guessing right now with some guys (like Gregorian in STL) just grinding axes where they can.

This entire thread is speculation.

I wouldn't take anything as concrete until schools are voted in as new members of conferences. This stuff is fluid and seems to change by the day, if not the hour.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

I found this quote interesting....which is what I have been arguing with HH all along:

But …

*** If Texas A&M becomes the SEC’s 13th team, that sets the superconferences in motion.

“The SEC won’t stop at 13, or even 14. And if the SEC is at 14 or 16, the Big Ten will do it,” a source said. ”At that point, (the Pac-12) would be crazy not to entertain the idea of expansion.”

(Multiple sources said the SEC’s 14th team would most likely be Missouri. Combine untapped TV dollars with geography, and the schools that make the most sense for the SEC are Texas A&M, Missouri and Virginia Tech.)

Only if the SEC goes to 13 would the Pac-12 evaluate its options.

Multiple sources also believe VaTech is the most likely 14th.

I don't think there's any question that Mizzou will find a soft landing if everyone goes to 16. But there's absolutely no assurances that anything of the sort will happen.

I think there's a decent chance the B1G tells everyone to take a flying leap and sticks at 12 (they're just snobbish enough to do it). And if they're at 12 and the PAC is at 16 - the SEC fills a 'niche' so to speak right in the middle at 14 - they have no real drive to expand to 16 because both sides of them are covered.

There's rampant speculation from all sides right now. I don't think anyone truly knows anything.

[Saulbadguy]

The only person to follow in this mess is Chip Brown from Orangebloods.

Haven't you guys learned your lesson from last year?

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

There's rampant speculation from all sides right now. I don't think anyone truly knows anything.

I heard Bob Fescoe may know something.

[Pants]

Sounds like the Conference Armageddon is finally upon us.

/bracing myself

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Pants

Sounds like the Conference Armageddon is finally upon us.

/bracing myself

LETS DO THIS

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Pants

Sounds like the Conference Armageddon is finally upon us.

/bracing myself

Yup. Seems like the drugs have been loaded into the syringes. They have strapped my team/university onto the gurney.

I'm just waiting on the governor to call for the stay of execution.

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

That's unnecessary. I believe five or six schools are needed to even have a conference per NCAA rules. If those schools all leave, there is no conference.

But what if they have replacement schools in place or can pull them together? Do all those schools have a place to go?

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I heard Bob Fescoe may know something.

According to Fescoe and his guest this morning, it's an absolute fact that Texas will make sure that KU is taken care of. Texas needs KU for legitimacy.

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

According to Fescoe and his guest this morning, it's an absolute fact that Texas will make sure that KU is taken care of. Texas needs KU for legitimacy.

Somebody needs to lay off the meth.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

According to Fescoe and his guest this morning, it's an absolute fact that Texas will make sure that KU is taken care of. Texas needs KU for legitimacy.