OU and OSU Fans: What’s Next for Big 12?

And another thing, Notre Dame and Arkansas are NOT coming to the Big XII. I don't know why people keep saying that. Arkansas left the SWC because of Texas so why come back? That's like going out with an ex you can't stand. Notre Dame? Please! They LOVE their Independent status in football and their special privlages in the BCS. They also enjoy the Big East for their other sports. Why would they give this up? BYU? Maybe. TCU? Committed to Big East and they can dominate that conference is football.

Some of the comments on here are good to absolutely insane (like the Big-16 comment absorbing ACC/Big East Schools). For the betterment for OU and OSU, I would shop myself to PAC-12, SEC, and Big 10 to see where I can get the best deal. Forget what Texas does/wants because Texas only cares about Texas. If Texas truly cared about the Big XII they wouldn't have pulled the garbage they have been and wouldn't have set themselves up to be an Independent. Let's look at my three scenarios ranked from first to third: 1. SEC: Best case scenario. Joining the best football conference, you still get Texas high school exposure because of A&M (assuming Red River Rivalry were to die), and it is the most "regional" of the three. You stay in the Central and Eastern time zones. Big-10: Least Discussed, if even discussed, Scenario. You can reunite with Nebraska, play in a solid conference that has high academic standards and stay in the Central and Easter time zones (a huge deal). Okie State and Ohio State can have the "Who is the REAL OSU" game. PAC-12: Most commonly discussed but in my opinion least desirable of the three. You can play with storied programs like USC, UCLA and can establish a recruiting foothold on California. However, you jump to the Pacific time zone which hurts for night games especially. The travel is longer, much longer. You do get Oklahoma vs Oregon for the "Who is the REAL OU" game though.

And who might that 3rd power school be.

I agree with Jenny. BYU doesn't stir much excitement. Out of who they have a chance to bring in, I'd say leaving the Big 12 would be the best option. Pac-12 is beyond stupid. Bebe has everybody in a mess. Big 12 is down to 3 power schools.

Heading west would kill the the current BIG 12 schools...time diffence and travel...look to the east schools like Central FL, South FL, Georgia Tech, FSU, Louisville.

The Big 12 is toast, people. Beebe is an idiot. He had a chance to land TCU and he just let them go to the freakin' Big East instead! Kansas and K-State should go west to the PAC, OU and OSU should go southeast to the SEC, Missouri and Iowa State should go north to the Big 10. Texas should just go...Independent, that is--no conference will put up with their bull. Good riddance, A&M. Don't really care where Baylor or T-Tech go--it's the four Texas schools that ruined the old Big 8.

The Big X wanted to expand. Missouri thought they would surely be the target and wanted to be. I presume they thought they would get more money. Maybe they thought they would be more competitive. But Nebraska got the offer. Nebraska couldn't beat Texas in football and that just totally broke their Cornhusker hearts. They were used to dealing strings of losses out, not having to live with them themselves. And, I don't care what anyone says I think that's a big part of why Nebraska left. And then too, the fact Missouri so obviously wanted to leave left some doubt about the Big XII's stability. But, it wasn't just the stability issue for Nebraska. Colorado left because it looked like several teams might join the Pac 16 and Baylor was getting ready to lobby the Texas legislature to make them get included at Colorado's expense. So, Colorado jumped to head that off. Texas A&M and every other school in the Big XII had a huge moral right to be unaccepting of an LHN that would broadcast high school games. But, the NCAA rightly nixed school networks carrying high school games. So, it looks like A&M left just because they couldn't endure Texas having more 'status' than A&M thought it was left with. So, none of the 3 defections was just purely about money. Therefore, get the right new partners and the money thing is probably still manageable even now. The biggest question for me is what does Missouri really want? There is some sentiment in that state that the SEC wouldn't really be a good deal for them even if they could get into it - that they would have a better chance for significant success staying with the Big XII. If that's how it really is, things are workable. The next question is Texas. Texas maybe owes everybody else in the Big XII a straight answer. Are they committed to the Big XII or not. If Texas is hedging on that question, that should be a clear signal to everybody else that this isn't going to work and there is no real point in trying to make it work. If Texas wasn't really committed to the Big XII, then what ? Truth be told, the Pac 12 probably isn't really interested in OU, OSU etc. without Texas. And even if both OU and OSU could get into the SEC, there's the fact that the SEC schools appear to cheat like crazy. OSU has a past worth avoiding repeating. So does OU. So, I don't think the state schools need that association personally. And that leaves as your final option trying to make a conference in this part of the country work - just as has been possible for so long in the past. I'd rather my OSU keep ties with Texas. But if Texas is honestly committed to the Big XII, then I guess you just try to form a new conference without Texas from whatever the best schools within 800 miles of each other that you could get would be. Still, I think it's in Missouri's best interest to stay in and in Texas' best interest to try to make things work with the Big XII. And I think there's a genuine chance those schools see it that way too. So, if the Big XII is surviving, to me the best bets for schools to add are - if they would consider it - : TCU, Houston and Air Force. They all have better than 32,000 average attendance at their games. Houston's more viable in that respect than some AQ schools. You could ask, would Air Force help with TV ? If they were combined with BYU, would that make both help with TV better ? BYU would be good to have too. They're too far away, but they'd have reasons to want to make things work for them. And, they apparently would help with TV. Notre Dame and Arkansas etc. - they aren't coming so why worry about it ? As for trying the Pitt, Cincinatti, Louisville and/or West Virginia angle - geography and region do matter. Besides travel considerations for fans and minor sports, geography and region also help with conference `identity` which I think is more important than it might get credit for. Sure, those Eastern schools are nice schools. But most of them aren't especially close even to Missouri, let alone anybody else in the conference. If you were in a TCU-type situation, then you'd whatever you had to do. But the Big XII's situation still seems better than that. So, I'd say try to add 3 of these 4: Air Force, TCU, Houston, BYU

Stop suggesting that ARKANSAS is an attractive Big XII target. They are not leaving the SEC. Arkansas alums would revolt. No team is leaving the SEC. That would just be stupid. And all these insane conference realignments are showing how uninformed many of you are. For starters, no team that is in the SEC, the Big 10 or the PAC 12 are leaving any of those conferences, especially the sinking ship that is the Big XII. Those conferences offer stability and financial security. And none of those conferences are kicking out any members. You sound like morons even suggesting such a thing. Here are the facts: There will eventually be four 16-team super conferences. The SEC, the Big 10 and the PAC 12 will form the foundation of three of them. All the teams currently in those conferences have assured themselves a place at a 64 seat table. With the addition of Texas A&M to the SEC, 37 of those seats have been filled (12 from the PAC 12, 12 from the Big 10 and 13 from the SEC). That leaves the members of the ACC (the next strongest conference after the Big 3), the Big East and the Big XII, plus Notre Dame. That's 30 teams for 27 spots. That sounds promising at first glance, but keep in mind that when these three conferences expand and a fourth is created, it is a HUGE mistake to assume all 27 will come from those three conferences. They won't. Other schools from Conference USA, the Mountain West and the WAC, not to mention other independents like BYU, Navy and Army, will be in the mix as well. Here is what I think the situation is for the remaining Big XII schools: OU is in a strong position. Why they don't offer much in terms of a TV market, it is a strong program and won't get left out. In my opinion, they need to have the courage to leave Texas and do what's best for them. OSU might be in trouble if it weren't for OU. But ultimately, these two will go somewhere together, probably the PAC or SEC. OSU needs to convince OU to move sooner rather than later. OU will be able to take care of itself, but the sooner they leave the better the options are to do something together. If they don't do something together, OSU could be in real trouble. Missouri is also in a strong position. I beleive they are in a geographically good situation where they could join the SEC, Big 10 or if super conference 4 is an alliance among the Big East and ACC, they may be able to figure in there. Texas is in a Big XII or bust situation. Bust means they go independent. I don't see the Big XII as emerging as the 4th super conference because it is too dominated by UT and that inhibits its ability to attract the right schools to make it a strong, viable conference. Remember, 16 is the number you ultimately need to get to and they are having a hard time finding 10, 11 and 12 without having to really consider some sub-par programs. I think Texas is destined for independence, because no other conference will allow the LHN, and that will ultimately keep the Big XII from being viable. I think they will find they are not Notre Dame. The rest of the Big XII is pretty much screwed. Texas Tech will ultimately lament the fact that the deal to go to the PAC fell through last year. That was there last best chance to matter. Kansas and Kansas St. may pull a rabbit out of their hat, but they need to be actively looking for that now. I honestly don't know what that is. Baylor and Iowa St., what can you say. You haven't mattered in the Big XII, and unlike Kentucky and Vanderbilt, your just aligned with the wrong schools. Too bad.

To those who want to keep Your conference together it's understandable. But the problem is you're not gonna get any teams from the PAC 10,sec or acc period. Why would they want to leave a conference that's going well for them to even consider this league. Who would even want to watch any of these games in head to head ratings other than the t sippers and okie and maybe a couple others. Texas a&m made a good choice for them and got tired of being the longhorns puppet. Now it will soon be time for you to so the same. Sec,PAC 10, or big 10.

Get out of the Big12 If OU and OSU went to different conferences you would have a the potential for two state schools to compete for the National Championship against each other. You will get burnt trying to please Texas. Why you think they wear burnt orange:) Remember OU recruited Texas pretty good when OU was in the Big 8. And I think Barry Switzer recruited Oklahoma better than Stoops. Make the move now while you have the chance. Texas will destroy the Big12 in time. Get out while the gettin is good. Or get burnt by the Burnt Orange.

Thoughts from a Nebraska fan: Although we are no longer part of the conference, I'm still interested in what happens to the Big 12. Too many good schools to just fall by the wayside. Personally, I would like to see OU, OSU, Kansas, and Missouri join the Big 10. Probably not going to happen but who knows. Concerning the Big 12 and their strong arm tactics- sad a conference has to have 20 million dollar exit fees to try to keep teams from leaving; nothing wrong with consideration of revenues lost, but the fees seem a little high.

I'd like to see the Big 12 release a statement that "The league will decide by January 2012 whether Texas A&M is still a member of the Big 12". We know they are leaving. Start rolling up the welcome mat.

I get a little tired of Barry Trammel always always always pushing for BYU. He feels the league has to get a "notable" replacement for aTm. Yes, you want a notable replacement if you are looking to renegotiate a bigger TV contract. But that is greedy, and not what the league needs. The league just needs a 10th member that WANTS to be in the league. I'm not convinced BYU wants in. They just want to say they were invited. Get a 10th member, SMU or Houston, and save the league. If they want to THEN go for the money and increase to 12 teams, get BYU and TCU.

Anywhere without aggie state. It's a no-win situation for OU every year. You're supposed to win; lose and it's a disaster.

Jenni: OU should join up with Kansas and Missouri and join the Big Ten. West division would be: Oklahoma Nebraska Mizzou Kansas Wisconsin Iowa Minnesota Illinois OSU would be welcome too but I doubt they would get an invitation. In the Big Ten OU could keep the Texas rivalry and would still have the inside track recruiting Texas high schools versus their conference mates. The Texas H.S. pipeline was what gave OU its edge over the old Big 8 schools. Culturally and geographically the Big Ten makes so much more sense than the wacky Pac-16. Look at the map http://frankthetank.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/big-ten-map-expansion-usa.png

I would love to see everyone bail and leave Texas holding the....whatever. Their arrogance has cause this catastrophe, and they need to pay the consequences somehow.

BYU SAYS... PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 Sports) - In response to speculation that BYU will eventually be invited to join the Big-12 Conference, the school issued the following statement: There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. As we enter the 2011-12 athletic season, BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference. The university will have no further comment.

As I said yesterday...Folks, I'm from South Bend originally, and from family and friends up there they say it is clear that Notre Dame has no interest in being affiliated with Texas or the Big XII. Ultimately its roots are in the Midwest and when it is necessary to make their move in realignment they will settle in up there where they have had long term rivalries for years which they want to continue. Sadly, "A" list schools are just not going to commit to a shaky conference situation no matter how much money and promises Texas makes in appealing to them. This might pop some bubbles but other schools around the country in stable conferences don't need Texas, I guess that would be quite a newsflash for folks in Austin.

Its either SEC or Big-10 for OU and OSU. Going to the Pac-Whatever doesn't make sense. I don't want to stay up till 10pm to watch a West Coast game. Regardless, we need to get way from ut before we get screwed.

The Big 12 is saying they are going to be VERY agressive -- OK Big 12, consider this --- you still have this --- A BCS ticket to the big dance. Stare down Texas and tell them it's EQUAL distribution of cash, or they're gone. The conference forms a BIG 12 (14) network and next; invite Arizona Arizona State both step-children of the Pac 10/12 Arkansas -- they would be more likely to join without UT&aTm BYU --- for the BCS ticket If some dont come of going for a super conference, consider; Houston --- third largest TV market Texas A&M --- their reasons for leaving are gone Nebraska --- same as above Air Force --- fun to watch, great following TCU --- if all else fails The Big 12 has LOTS of options --- It could be a much better conference than it is today, with or without Texas and/or the Aggies. All that's left is to decide if we want a 12 or 14 team conference

I want OU to go to the SEC. Would love to play those guys year in year out. Only the wimps want to go to the Pac 16.- Jim

OU should do whar is best for OU. Let everyone else sink or swim. As far as Texas, screw 'em. Leave them and let them live in their own little world where they are as superior to everyone else as they think they are.

Big 12 North Illinois (great recruiting base, large population, decent in other sports, has no real rivalry in Big 10 and should appease missouri) Missouri Kansas Kansas State Arkansas (will never win SEC west, addition should appease missouri) Iowa State Big 12 South OU OSU TT Texas Baylor TCU (good program, FT Worth means viewers)

I think the Big 12 can survive. It's a dominant conference in all sports - football included. The risk is Texas may go some day. But my recommendations on 3 teams to go after: Louisville (helps the conf in football and basketball), Boise State, and TCU. I don't think SMU adds anything except a footprint in the DFW market but TCU has shown they can run with the big boys. And while we're at it, how about shipping Baylor off and making a run to get BYU or Colorado State to come in? The remaining 9 schools need to make a strong stand to hold the conference together. I'm an OSU fan - and I'm not at all interested in starting a new tradition with the current Pac 12 teams. (But I'm sure going to enjoy the rematch with Arizona next week!)

Let the Big XII fall apart. Start a new super conference (Elite Eight) with OU, Texas, Notre Dame, USC, OSU, Texas Tech, Alabama and LSU. :)

If we get 3 teams to join it will most likely be Air Force, and BYU in the north and Houston in the South. A couple other options I've heard thrown around are Cinnci and Louisville for the north and Memphis for the south. I kind of like the second of these two options. Additionally I'd like to se OU and Texas go to the Big 10 to rejoin Nebraska in the best three way rivalry ever. And I think OSU would do well to join KSU, KU, and Mizzou heading to the Big East to make an outstanding BB conference and solid Football Conference.

I say get Illinois for big 12 north). They are a central time zone state, have a very large population and that means television viewers. I would also poach Arkansas (north). Then I'd go after TCU (south).

Look before you talk mess learn how to spell Kyle H. But you do have a good point. Booting Texas will only make the Conference that much weaker. Its going to be a hard enough time to find 3 worthy teams to make the conefernece BCS friendly but keeping an Oklahoma team like Tulsa will and SMU would not be a good choice their first chance was thrown out the window and i think they just be a win on everyone schedule.

If the SEC wants to grow to a 16-team conference, then UT, OU and OSU can join them. You would have a Western SEC division of Arkansas LSU OU OSU A&M UT (they would have to shelve their Longhorn Network plans) Mississippi Mississippi State Eastern Alabama Auburn Florida Georgia Kentucky Vanderbilt (Vandy could be tossed for Florida State) South Carolina Tennessee I think those TV rights could be worth something. Also, the SEC Network would be HUGE.

Look before you talk mess learn how to spell Kyle H. But you do have a good point. Booting Texas will only make the Conference that much weaker. Its going to be a hard enough time to find 3 worthy teams to make the conefernece BCS friendly but keeping an Oklahoma team like Tulsa will and SMU would not be a good choice their first chance was thrown out the window and i think they just be a win on everyone schedule.

The fact of the matter is, a conference like the Big XII with a school like Texas running it, is never going to be as good of an option as the SEC, PAC 12 or Big 10. Those conferences share revenue and that makes all the teams in those leagues stronger. Think about it: What is the most popular and financially healthy sports league in the world? The NFL. Compare how they operate with MLB and the NBA. They share revenue equally and that's why small market teams like the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburg Steelers compete on equal footing, and with great success, with the Jets, Patriots and Cowboys. We at OU should (and many of us do) envy Texas A&M having the courage to tell Texas that enough is enough. We should act now, and we could do so in a way that would collapse the Big XII, therefore exit fees may not be an issue. This should all be laid at the doorstep in Austin. This is all Texas' fault for their greed and their lack of a sense of fair play. We can join the SEC (it is the best conference) or the PAC, and we could probably drag OSU along. But we neeed to act fast and make the 2011 Big XII season its last!

I think the best thing for college football is to keep the Big 12 intact. It allows for the extra champion for qualification for championship tournaments or BCS bowls. If you send OU, TX, OSU and TTU to a Pac 16 you lose the option of a Southern Cal and OU/TX match-up for a national championship because they would have had to decide it for a conference championship. We all lose. Who does the Big 12 add? I like the idea of BYU, they can keep their network deal in the Big 12 which is appealing to them. They bring world-wide exposure with that network and they are good in basketball as well. I think you have to bring Houston in to keep the Houston and San Antonio TV markets from being SEC only markets. TCU or Boise St would be a great fit but I would go with Boise since TCU is signed with the Big East and yet to start there. I finally would give the SEC a little taste of their medicine and make a run at Arkansas. It is old SWC, has great ties to our region and it would make the SEC think twice about offering A&M or any other school in the future. Plus, Arkansa is playing really good football now and would really upgrade the competition. If Arkansas said no you still get the other three and have 12 teams but a message would be sent about raiding the conference. Pete

I would like to see OU and OSU stay together. I think the Pac-16 makes the most sense. I have no interest in adding teams and trying to save the league. What would SMU, Houston, or BYU really add to the league? How would OU and UT benefit from making the conference weaker than it already is? Whatever happens OU and OSU need to stay together for logistical and recruiting reasons. I know nobody in OK wants to have to watch 10pm games every week.

Good Bye TA&M. Let's focus on rebuilding the big 12 with better schools than some have listed on here. SMU ( Seriously? ) Houston ( NOT! ) How about inviting Tulsa, Arkansas, and TCU. Not that would be an interesting conference.

A super conference of 16 teams MUST be geographically sensible for each division.

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