Stop the insanity. Just stop for a moment, take a deep
breathe and think logically about the rumors you heard today. Stop thinking
like a fan; stop thinking like a booster – and start thinking like a
businessman.
The Big 12 has not passed on Clemson. Clemson has not passed
on the Big 12. The wheels continue to turn and the process continues to play
out.
Television deals are being finalized, BCS playoff formulas
are being debated and nothing has changed.
BYU is a fine institution but the Big 12 has eastward
expansion on their minds. Expansion into the talent-rich recruiting hotbeds of
Florida and South Carolina and the prospect of millions of households tuned
into Big 12 football and the ancillary coverage of the thousands of newspapers
and radio stations in the south that eat, sleep and breathe college football.
BYU has national appeal. They have a dedicated fan base and
a commitment to winning, but they are not in the southern United States. Utah and the surrounding region is not
a hotbed of recruiting as is Florida and South Carolina.
BYU’s recent fortunes also mean the Cougars just don’t have
the same appeal as FSU or Clemson.
Think like a television programming executive – which
matchup please you more: Texas – FSU or Texas – BYU? Which game is more likely
to be picked up nationally: Oklahoma – Clemson or Oklahoma – BYU?
To anyone who has ever tied a Windsor knot around their
throat the answer is clear.
If you still doubt remember this: FSU isn’t coming without
an old ACC partner. The Seminoles would never leave the ACC if BYU was #12
instead of Clemson.
If the Big 12 drops Clemson they lose FSU… its as simple as
that.
The Notre Dame rumors are even more unbelievable. Clearly
the Fighting Irish are dead-set on remaining independent and their potential
new contract with NBC/Comcast provides them the cash to remain that way.
Notre Dame could well join the Big 12 as an associate member
in basketball and Olympic sports but never at the expense of adding Clemson and
FSU.
The Big 12 isn’t going to expand for expansions sake.
Oklahoma and Texas like the conference at 10 just fine and the prospect of a
championship games only moves their needle when they see the dollar signs
associated with the game.
And as much as I respect and value the BYU program the
Cougars are not one of the institutions the Big 12’s television partners would
pay additional money for -- and
why expand if it doesn’t provide the cash?
The Big 12’s leaders get up in the morning and put their
suits on just like the guys running the show at ESPN. They understand how to
tie their Windsor knot and they understand the mechanics of the college game –
its now a business.
Passing on Clemson and forcing FSU to pass as well just
isn’t a good business decision and the rumors you heard today just are not
true.
Miscellany
Take a break. Relax. Train for a bike race or just walk your
dog. Tune back in late July and
see what’s shakin’ – until them its all just rumor and innuendo.
One more time - Clemson and FSU are a package deal. Nothing has changed.
My interpretation of how people from each conference view expansion, whether their view is true or not:
ReplyDeleteNon-FSU ACC Fans: "No, only an idiot would leave. If you believe a school would leave the ACC you are insane or delusional. Don't be silly, everything will be fine in the ACC if you win every game every year!"
B12 Fans: "We are one team away from being the new age SEC. We are a big dog and get what we want, and if you don't jump ship FSU, Clemson, etc, your school will be dead as the Big 4 Conferences laugh at you!" Then you hear a thumping at the door, and 9 universities scurry around, while Texas walks in and says "WTF is going on in here, we said no expansion...oh hey ND that doesn't apply to u, please join... Oh FSU is interested well let me see, hmmm"
SEC: "Yawn, oh are we still talking about expansion. Hey Va Tech and NC State here is a bid if you want it...or not, whatever no biggie just let us know" Meanwhile UF, UGA, and South Carolina are in the corner snickering at FSU, Ga Tech, and Clemson, Slive sees this and snaps "hey you all shut it, we let you black ball them, and now we are stuck with Mizz & TAMU, and no one wants 14 schools now!"
Non-AQ/BE: "Come on FSU! Daddy needs the dominoes to fall so he can get the hell up out of this sinking boat!"-borrowed this one from someone, thought it was good.
Pac 12: "Crap! If everyone goes to 16 what the hell do we do? All we have left out here are Mormons, Smurf Lovers with crappy academics, and Cali schools that no one gives a crap about (Fresno & SD St)!"
Big 10: "ND wtf man, you are a tease! Baby, you know and I know its going to happen sooner or later. Oh well at least we can keep leading on the northern ACC schools. Truth is we likey the money we have now, no rush! We are more busy trying to ensure the Big 10 has a spot every year in the playoff, peace out. Hey, I just bought a golden toilet bowl!"
ND: "Do I here $20 mill?...Oh, I have got $22 mill, anyone got $23 million?...Hey Big 12, the ACC is offering us $24 million and access to UM's beach house, what you got?...Oh, and the winning bid goes to NBC with $25 mill...Hey 30 Rock you got something on the side of your mouth, here let me wipe it off."
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI think you give these guys way to much credit. Remember, these are the same leaders that almost destroyed what was arguably the best all around athletic conference in the country. These guys are idiots and could not manage their way out of a wet paper bag
I don't think this move is going to happen and here's why. One of the major reasons that Texas and arguably Oklahoma didn't accept a move to the SEC is because of the steep competition curve. Now I'm not calling them cowards like everybody else, I think that they just recognized that the more quality teams you have to play yearly the less likely you'll get to the big dance. If they moved to the PAC-XX they only really had to worry about USC & Oregon. This is important because schools and conferences a hell of a lot of money in BCS games. So if they didn't want to join more competition, then why on earth would they want to let more in? FSU is historically a superb team, and Clemson is usually quality as well. I also think all the talk of getting into the southland is a bit overstated. If FSU and Clemson join the Big XII, the local media won’t be talking about Big XII ball as much as you think. In SEC country, all the local radio stations talk about many of the different SEC teams because their fan bases overlap, families have members in different bases and so are their neighbors. In my own family there are Georgia, FSU, Florida, and Alabama fans! Media in east Texas will start talking about SEC ball because A&M’s base now overlaps with Arkansas and LSU and don’t be surprised how quickly Kentucky will become a Basketball rival with Missouri. But there is no overlap with the Big XII fanbases in SC of FL. FSU and Clemson will still get major coverage, but other than talk about Texas and Oklahoma/State nobody’s going to talk about the Big XII at large.
ReplyDeleteWhat I hope happens is that the Big XII adds BYU and Louisville. BYU will not be invited to the Pac-12 because they don’t like religious schools. The Big XII has two, and BYU has a looong history of playing Big Eight and Southwest Conference (pre-Big XII) teams. By adding Louisville, while it the same reasons against FSU/Clemson apply, you help speed the destruction of the Big East. A Big East with South Florida as their big ticket is not going to last long. Also, you add a buddy for WVU that they have history with. If you take FSU/Clemson, GT, NC State, Miami, Va Tech would now be conference shopping, which would cause massive realignment again. Killing the big East would only really cause Notre Dame for find a new home, which is a good thing.
BCS Records by Conference
ReplyDeleteMWC 3-1 .750
SEC 16-7 .696
WAC 2-1 .667
P12 10-4 .600
BE 7-7 .500
B1G 12-13 .458
B12 8-11 .421
ACC 2-13 .188
One provable fact. The ACC is where football teams go to die. Only 2 ACC teams have ever won a BCS bowl game. VT, once and FSU, once. And the lowly Big East ranks above both B1G and the B12. Granted conference composition has changed since these numbers have been amassed but the fact remains, ACC teams play a cushy schedule and they get hammered in the Bowls.
Honus, everything still the same since you last blogged?
ReplyDeleteThis guy is the biggest idiot I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteNo sir, you are for posting such an unnecessary comment. Make your point or stay off this site, please.
ReplyDeleteAnd why is it OK for the site's operator to spout off falsehoods?
ReplyDeleteHas WVU officially joined Big XII? I mean, is there time to back out if they wanted to?
ReplyDelete