Texas, Oklahoma reach out to SEC about joining conference

[Chewbacca2099]

It's gonna be an incredibly tough basketball conference that's for sure... Maybe the best. I prefer they take UCF, Houston, Memphis, UC. You have to take UCF because they are a potentially powerhouse football program waiting to explode but the others would make the Big12 the best bball conference while still being relevant in football and hopefully hanging on to P5 status.

This is all assuming the ACC & B1G don't expand due to the "Alliance"

[True Bearcat]

After the Pac-12 decided not to expand at this time, it gave the Big XII an opportunity to look at all available schools. There is an Athletic article stating that the Big XII is seriously considering BYU and rightfully so. I think an addition of BYU, Cincinnati, UCF, and a pick of Houston/Memphis/USF or Temple make a lot of sense.

BYU - huge following and competitive programs.
Cincinnati - a good following, in BIG territory, and will compete immediately for championships in football and basketball.
UCF - a good following in ACC and SEC territory will competed in football, be a bottom feeder in basketball. Is not an island due to hundreds of easily accessible flights to Orlando daily.
Houston - with A&M and Texas leaving there is a need for the Big XII to cover Southeastern Texas and a need to have the 5th largest city in the nation in the conference, but will old grudges hold them back? Football will be middle of pack, basketball will compete day 1.
Memphis - a decent following with decent football and basketball, but on could be on the verge of basketball prowess with Hardaway. Football will be a top tier, but not championship caliber for awhile. Although its not a sexy splash it would be a good stash.
USF- Ties you to Florida hotbed recruiting. Sports would be way behind for awhile, but could be competitive with the right hires, and on campus football stadium.
Temple - to complete an eastern wing. Maybe bball rises to the its old glory days, and football is always tough, but just not there. They would be my last option.

A Big XII that looks like this would be a fun league

BYU
Kansas
Cincinnati
Iowa St
Kansas St
West Virginia
Texas Tech
Oklahoma St
Central Florida
Houston
Baylor
TCU

[Greg7173]

I’m not willing to join the B12 unless a new TV contract is worked out giving equal shares to all the teams, with a significant jump from the current AAC money. Even then I’m skeptical about it, especially if BIG 12 will be looked at as Gang of 6. All of the AAC teams should take the same stance.

Or, maybe the AAC boots ECU and Tulane, and absorbs the BIG 12.

In reading opponent evaluations, Tulane has upped their game and might be competitive starting now. ECU, well ...........

[red_n_black_attack]

The Alliance handshake deal didn't last long, or hasn't started yet. Announced today.

LSU versus USC in 2024 kickoff classic

[longtimefan]

we know a statement doesn't really matter... but makes it more likely we are headed to the Big12... travel is gonna SUCK if that happens... It would be kinda neat to get OK St., Iowa St (if they stay relevant), and to a lesser extent Texas Tech at Nippert. Also miss our rivalry with WVU if they don't bolt to the ACC. Beats ECU and Tulane...

I’m not willing to join the B12 unless a new TV contract is worked out giving equal shares to all the teams, with a significant jump from the current AAC money. Even then I’m skeptical about it, especially if BIG 12 will be looked at as Gang of 6. All of the AAC teams should take the same stance.

Or, maybe the AAC boots ECU and Tulane, and absorbs the BIG 12.

[GoBearcats31]

Heather Dinich of ESPN on Twitter: "As one Big 12 source told me this past weekend, 'We better all be committed to making this Big 12 - whatever it looks like - the best dang conference that we could possibly be.'"

[Chewbacca2099]

we know a statement doesn't really matter... but makes it more likely we are headed to the Big12... travel is gonna SUCK if that happens... It would be kinda neat to get OK St., Iowa St (if they stay relevant), and to a lesser extent Texas Tech at Nippert. Also miss our rivalry with WVU if they don't bolt to the ACC. Beats ECU and Tulane...

[Lobot]

The PAC 12 has released a statement that they are not expanding per Dan Wolken

[red_n_black_attack]

He should've approached the Alliance commissioners and let them know he is on board with what he is hearing and ask directly to be included. This should've been done last week when rumors started circulating en masse. Yeah, he was promoting the league, but it was whiny and without actionable merit. I'd rather hear that he reached out, had a conversation and agrees with the educational emphasis on student part of student athletes. Then add in a large chat about the educational programs at AAC institutions, and how they match the values and deliverables of ACC, Big 10, and Pac. He could close with quick mention that AAC was not in the handshake scheduling deal with the Alliance; however; we are and will continue to engage in contractual agreements to play Alliance member institutions.


Instead he complained about not being invited to the party. Sometimes you have to invite yourself self and state your philosophical alignment.

[London 'Cat]

He’s being an advocate for his league, what’s wrong with that?

Right? Isn't that what he's paid to do? If he just sits back and takes it from the other conferences, then people would be criticizing him for being weak. I at least admire his message - we don't know yet what the Alliance will do so how can he analyze its impact. That is a fair point, even if it is stated rather non-eloquently.

[longtimefan]

Yelling, whining, acting out and confusing everyone. This was unnecessary and unwarranted. For the same reasons the AAC is not being picked clean for realignment, though many members deserve it and will do well, making an Alliance with the AAC doesn't add much value to the Alliance. Sure there would be value in a scheduling rotation with some of the top AAC schools, and that would take away from scheduling strength of SEC games, but top to bottom the AAC is not deserving to be included.

We want out for this reason. We have something to offer. As do USF, Houston, Memphis, and UCF. The reality is the top AAC schools are equivalent to the second tier P5 schools, including left behind 8.

He’s being an advocate for his league, what’s wrong with that?

[Bearcats1232002]

Yelling, whining, acting out and confusing everyone. This was unnecessary and unwarranted. For the same reasons the AAC is not being picked clean for realignment, though many members deserve it and will do well, making an Alliance with the AAC doesn't add much value to the Alliance. Sure there would be value in a scheduling rotation with some of the top AAC schools, and that would take away from scheduling strength of SEC games, but top to bottom the AAC is not deserving to be included.

We want out for this reason. We have something to offer. As do USF, Houston, Memphis, and UCF. The reality is the top AAC schools are equivalent to the second tier P5 schools, including left behind 8.

I think Aresco is just trying to talk up his conference and keep them in the conversation. Like when he calls the AAC one of the P6 and when he was touting UCF as the national champion that one year that they went undefeated. I get what he is doing and don't have a problem with it but no one in the Power 4 conferences listens to him or takes him serious. It is nothing against him but they know that the AAC from top to bottom isn't on par.

[red_n_black_attack]

Here's a story about Mike Aresco yelling at the Alliance for leaving out the AAC. ($)

https://theathletic.com/news/aac-com...e/GZxZ6OZTAJ5e

Yelling, whining, acting out and confusing everyone. This was unnecessary and unwarranted. For the same reasons the AAC is not being picked clean for realignment, though many members deserve it and will do well, making an Alliance with the AAC doesn't add much value to the Alliance. Sure there would be value in a scheduling rotation with some of the top AAC schools, and that would take away from scheduling strength of SEC games, but top to bottom the AAC is not deserving to be included.

We want out for this reason. We have something to offer. As do USF, Houston, Memphis, and UCF. The reality is the top AAC schools are equivalent to the second tier P5 schools, including left behind 8.

[Lobot]

Here's a story about Mike Aresco yelling at the Alliance for leaving out the AAC. ($)

https://theathletic.com/news/aac-com...e/GZxZ6OZTAJ5e

[richard k.]

While the OSU game was a sell-out, the Okies drew 58,253 (capacity 65,515) in 2010.

My son, whose degrees were from other (eastern) schools, was with me at the Oklahoma game, and commented that it really felt like "big time football." Just an example of what is achievable even with the Bungles in town - given quality opponents for UC.