Your Morning Conference Realignment Update

((ht: statesman.com))

Well, the next dominos to fall in the "Galactic Realignment" of College Football should fall if not today (Monday), then sometime in the next couple of days.

We, along with the rest of the universe, reported both Texas and Oklahoma regents would be meeting today to discuss their options. Those options, at least from their perspective got a bit clearer this weekend when Pitt and Syracuse committed to the ACC.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, substantive talks between Texas and others with the Pac-12 occurred this weekend. Made more convenient due to Texas playing UCLA in Los Angeles. This despite Pac-12 commish Larry Scott saying just last week, "We're happy where we are". And we will say, these schools are coming to the Pac-12, not the other way around.

Statesman reporter Kirk Bohls reports Texas would prefer to stay in the Big 12, but that may not be possible.

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

What it appears will happen is this: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Texas Tech and Texas appear all but certain to head to the Pac-12. Scott is doing his best to try and accommodate/fold in, the Longhorn Network. We are reasonably certain, that will work out.

The only question really is when?

In light of this weekends moves, we expect this all to go down this week. There has been speculation that the Big 12 will try and absorb some schools from another conference. (The Big East football schools?).

Initially, we thought it would be the Big East and ACC who would have to combine to make their own super-conference, we don't think that now. It will end up being the remnants of the Big 12 combined with the Big East. It has to be. There's no other choice for any of the remaining schools to survive in the new landscape.

There are still questions out there. There is no guarantee Missouri or Kansas will sit for a combined conference. Though they certainly could and be just fine.

The other wild card is West Virginia. There's been a lot of speculation they want in the SEC. In a bad way. They question is: "Does the SEC want them?". And really, nobody knows the answer to that.

A Sports-Talk radio host in Pittsburgh tweeted Sunday that the Mountaineers have already sent their paperwork to the SEC. And the interest is mutual.

We could go on forever discussing the repercussions of all this. There are a lot of teams and a lot of people who are anxiously awaiting the fallout. The seismic shift is coming and while Saturday's announcement was big and in some ways, very surprising, it won't be the biggest. That friends, is a rose that has yet to be delivered.

We don't watch this show, though the Lovely Bride does, and don't totally understand this, but it is the best analogy would could think of visually to go along with this story, because these schools and conferences are essentially doing the same thing.

Change in the air: Oklahoma regents talk realignment on Monday

((ht: newsok.com))

Could the conference realignment dominoes start falling on Monday? It's possible.

According to multiple published reports, the University of Oklahoma board of regents will meet on Monday and one of the topics of discussion: Conference realignment. Word is they will try and figure out which conference situation is best for them.

Read the story from NewsOK.com RIGHT HERE

As most of you know, despite Texas A&M handing withdrawl papers to the Big 12/10, the chips won't fall...or move in any form until Oklahoma does something.

A&M can't do anything due to the SEC's no legal action stipulation. One brought on by most of the remaining Big 12 teams to protect themselves. They've threatened to file a suit to stop them from moving. Oklahoma didn't make that threat. 

The general consensus is that Oklahoma will go to the Pac12, despite commissioner Larry Scott saying they aren't "Looking" to do anything. Oklahoma State will go with them. That in turn will be the death knell for the Big 12, who'd be left with Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa State. It would be the sad end, to a once proud conference.

We'll spare you are rant as to why this is happening, we agree with OutKickTheCoverage's Clay Travis that ESPN has become the root of all this.

The funny thing is, it all came about due to Texas and their "Longhorn Network" had they not done that, we may not be having this discussion. Now Texas is a "Major" program with limited options. They too can't do anything until Oklahoma decides too. And yes, we join the chorus of pundits who are highly amused at the thought of Texas being placed in the "2nd Class Citizen" category in all of this.

Pac 12 to Oklahoma: Not right now

Pac 12 Logo

((ht: orangebloods.com))

It appears, at least from the perspective of Pac-12 conference commissioner Larry Scott, that conference expansion is not currently on the table.

Scott told reporters at Friday night's Arizona State/Missouri game that he's happy where the Pac-12 is. Though he qualified it by adding if the SEC grew, he'd certainly have to look at keeping up with them.

The esteemed Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com takes it a step further, quoting sources who say that Scott has told Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to cool there heels, they aren't expanding right now.

Which of course, comes on the heels (and reported here as well as other places), of Oklahoma president David Boren saying he expects to make a decision within the next couple of weeks about changing conferences.

Read the Orangebloods.com report...RIGHT HERE

Ok.

Pure and simple, we fully believe this is Scott calling Texas A&M and the SEC's bluff. Without making Oklahoma have to play the bad guy...for now.

If you parse words, Scott only said "Right Now" he didn't say next week, next month or next year. This will happen, it is just a matter of when.

What has happened is nobody wants to be the one everyone blames for the collapse of the Big 12. Texas A&M went all in on the poker game by announcing they are leaving. Oklahoma essentially raised the pot. And yes, that also means Baylor, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State have all said "Call".

So, you can consider your expansion talk on hold--for now. Now we play chicken. We wait to see who blinks first.

With the amount of money involved here--and Oklahoma poised to lose some by the Big 12's proposed equal revenue split. Our money goes on them. And yes, they'll go to the Pac-12.

OSU Denying Any 12/10/9 Shenanigans

((HT: KWTX-TV Waco, Newsok.com))

Mike Sherman's Open Mike blog at Newsok.com has the newest angle in all of this eventual Texas A&M moving to the Ess-E-Cee despite protestations of a school (probably Baylor) and possibly the addition of other schools in some nebulous lawsuit that has no bearing and wouldn't hold up in any court of law...

Oklahoma State's Gary Schutt released the following statement... since they played Arizona and he knew everyone was going to ask...

"Speculative reports using unnamed sources implying Oklahoma State University would join others in a lawsuit against the SEC and Texas A&M were incorrect."


Here's team coverage on Baylor's blocking of the whole deal- it's all about looking out for number one, yo...


Jenni Carlson talks to Travis Haney about Oklahoma's angle in all this...

DEVELOPING: Offer made to Texas A&M and 14th team being lined up

Texas A&M Football

((ht: Saturdaydownsouth.com))

Well, to the surprise of nobody, the presidents of the SEC, meeting in semi-secretness, agreed late Tuesday night to extend an invitation for Texas A&M to join the conference.

A press conference is expected sometime during the day today (Wednesday) where A&M prez R. Bowden Loftin will say pithy words and use lots of descriptive adjectives to describe his warm, fuzzy feelings for now being a part of the SEC.

And....supposedly SEC commissioner Mike Slive has been given the go ahead to find team 14. And according to Saturday Down South, West Virginia and Missouri are the two teams he's been permitted to extend a dance card to.

The Saturdaydownsouth.com story RIGHT HERE

The ever diligent Chip Brown at Orangebloods.com reports the invitation had a stipulation to it. The stipulation is that the agreement is good, as long as no Big 12 team or the conference decides to sue the SEC. Brown says the conference has agreed to this, the member schools. Well, that decision hasn't been made clear.

Read Brown's story RIGHT HERE

We also found something humorous about the Baylor University pledge to "Don't mess with Texas Football". The first part being: Baylor Who? Don Baylor?

The school is asking fans to make a pledge to tell the schools in the state to clear-headedly think about the state's future. They should be loyal first and foremost to Texas and the citizens.

Unfortunately, Baylor is the school that may hold this all up. It appears everyone else is willing to waive the legal action claim, Baylor hasn't decided. Really? Baylor?

Uh...sorry. Loyalty will only get you so far in football. And this is Baylor trying to rally the troops. Of all schools and all teams to be the sticking point....Baylor?

Read the Baylor "Pledge" RIGHT HERE

Anyway, be on the lookout for team 14 and expect that announcement sometime after the football regular season ends. We don't expect team 14, no matter who it is, to go through this while playing.

We do raise a furrowed eyebrow to the suggestion that it might be West Virginia for the simple reason...why? There is not enough T.V eyeballs for that to feasible in our humble opinion. Yes, they have a decent football tradition and yeah, the Big East isn't exactly known for its football prowess. But why them?

Look for Missouri to be the team. They have to protect themselves and if the projected defection of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech from what is left of the Big 12 happens, they are on an island by themselves, the SEC would be a nice rescue boat to jump aboard.

UPDATE:

Here a statement released by the from Dr. Bernie Machen, Chair, Southeastern Conference Presidents and Chancellors:

"After receiving unanimous written assurance from the Big 12 on September 2 that the Southeastern Conference was free to accept Texas A&M to join as a new member, the presidents and chancellors of the SEC met last night with the intention of accepting the application of Texas A&M to be the newest member of the SEC. We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action. The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure. The SEC voted unanimously to accept Texas A&M University as a member upon receiving acceptable reconfirmation that the Big 12 and its members have reaffirmed the letter dated September 2, 2011."

TWTW: Iowa State Barely, Barely Beats Northern Iowa

So if the Big 12/10/9 goes away where will Iowa State end up?

The Cyclones barely defeated FCS Northern Iowa 20-19 Saturday night in Ames.

Not a very impressionable audition for another conference.

Here are the highlights. (Thanks ISU)



And some post-game sound for you Cyclone fans.

University of Oklahoma: We have options--UPDATED

University of Oklahoma

 Updated--It appears the options consist of the Pac 12 and the Pac 12. News OK in Oklahoma City reports Saturday afternoon that Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott is in Dallas at the Oregon/LSU game and said he didn't need to go to Oklahoma and visit the Sooners. Rather, the papers sources say, Scott will concentrate on convincing Texas to join as well, along with Oklahoma State and Texas Tech to make the Pac 16.

Read the story RIGHT HERE
------------------------------------------------------
Original Story--

((ht: kcstar.com))

Will Oklahoma be the next team to bail out on the conference known as the Big 12 who now has 9 members?

Maybe they will, maybe they won't, but it sure sounds like they are fully exploring their options. Sooner president David Boren spent the bulk of his time during a ceremony to celebrate a donation to the school answering questions about the school's future.

Boren told the Kansas City Star the decision wouldn't take long, "I don't really think this is something that is going to linger on beyond two or three weeks at the outside."

Boren also said that the Sooners have opportunities with more than one conference should they choose to move.

Read the entire story from the Kansas City Star RIGHT HERE

Interesting.

While Boren hasn't ruled out trying to resuscitate the Big 12 and stick around, he clearly is exploring all his options. Oklahoma's brand is certainly strong enough that they can pick and choose where they'd want to go. We are quite sure the Pac 12 would be happy to have them and so would the SEC, though the Sooners have rebuffed them. The Big 10 and a host of other conferences would jump at the opportunity as well.

We would not be surprised to see Oklahoma bail out either, the only surprise is that they would try and make a decision during the season. Yes, it would make things disruptive. We think they'll go and smart money is on the Pac 12. We think the Big 12 will be the 1st of the "Big Conferences" to shrivel up and go away. They might be able to survive for awhile with Texas and a variety of others, but in the current atmosphere, we don't think that would last. But we could be wrong.

Texas A&M buys its way out of the Big 12/10

Texas A&M Football

((ht: nytimes.com))

The dream is over. Or at least the debate is about to be.

To the surprise of very few, Texas A&M is about to put the finishing touches on what would essentially be the University buying its way out of the Big 12/10 (soon to be 9).

According to the New York Times, the school's president sent a letter to the conference board chairman that the Aggies are walking away, probably on Tuesday. That does however come with a cost. About $15 million.

Read the New York Times story RIGHT HERE

This is your 1st step in what promises to be another, and bigger round, of conference realignment. It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that A&M will get an invite from the SEC. The SEC had to wait for them to withdraw so the Big 12/10 (soon to be 9), couldn't sue them.

A&M would like to play SEC sports in 2012 and may very well do that. Whether that gives Mike Slive and his boys a chance to add another team to make the conference 14, remains to be seen. It's understood that is the next step, but the timetable is still in question.

As for the Big 12/10 (soon to be 9), don't expect them to sit around and wallow in the loss. They won't. There is already rampant speculation they will go after Arkansas, which we don't buy. We think they'll end up staying in Texas with either Houston or SMU or try and go after Brigham Young to keep things at 10 teams.

The other question is who becomes SEC #14. The answer isn't a short one, but here are your contenders: Virginia Tech, North Carolina or North Carolina State and quite possibly Louisville.

Stay tuned reader, because this is only going to get more interesting.

So, enjoy your Texas 2-step.....



UPDATE:

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas A&M denies sending a withdrawl letter to the Big 12 Conference.

Texas A&M Informs Big 12 Conference They Are Exploring Their Options, SMU Wants Their Slot...

The Texas A&M to the SEC courtship has reached another level.

Thursday Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe informing Beebe that the University is exploring its options.

Here's the letter:

Dear Commissioner Beebe:

As you know, the Texas A&M Board of Regents has authorized me to take action relating to Texas A&M University's ("Texas A&M") conference alignment. While this letter is not a notice of Texas A&M's withdrawal from the Big 12 Conference (the "Conference"), we are exploring our options. There has been a great deal of speculation and comment in the media about Texas A&M leaving the Conference, including discussions of other institutions joining the Conference.

If Texas A&M withdraws from the Conference, we want to do so in a way that complies with the Bylaws and is supportive of your efforts to seek a new member of the Conference. We would appreciate your conferring with the other member institutions and outlining for us the process to be followed by Texas A&M should it withdraw from the Conference.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

R. Bowen Loftin
President

This is the strongest indication yet that Texas A&M has no interest in staying in the Big 12 Conference. While president Bowen did not say that Texas A&M is withdrawing from the Big 12 the administration wants information on the process.

Nebraska sent a similar letter to Commissioner Beebe before they left for the Big Ten Conference.

Texas A&M has not applied for membership into the SEC but you have to think the application is on president Bowen's desk. The SEC has not extended an invitation either and doesn't seem to be in any hurry to accept Texas A&M into the conference.

The drama in College Station, TX continues

As does Dallas, since SMU AD Steve Orsini now thinks his 'Stangs are ready to play in a Bee-Cee-Ess conference- and would like to explore the idea with the folks in the 12/10...

Craig James discusses that, but does not discuss the EDSBS claim of offing people when he was on campus... *wink*
((HT: ESPN))

Your Sunday College Conference Armageddon Update: Summer 2011 Edition- Not Right Now, Thanks...

Okay, so it's "not right now with Texas A&M..."

But that doesn't mean that it won't be in the future...

The conference big-wigs with the Ess-E-Cee voted to stay 12 for the moment

University of Florida president Dr. Bernie Machen said the conference's presidents and chancellors met on Sunday and "reaffirmed our satisfaction with the present 12 institutional alignment."

"We recognize, however, that future conditions may make it advantageous to expand the number of institutions in the league," Machen said. "We discussed criteria and process associated with expansion. No action was taken with respect to any institution including Texas A&M."

So, that leaves the door open...
The four-letter's Joe Schad introduces us to the issues with an immediate exit if both A&M and the Ess-E-Cee agreed to one...
((HT: ESPN))


All of which the HQ completely gets...

Texas head football coach was a guest on ESPN Radio with Amy Lawrence and FOSG Adnan Virk and sayrh quote:

"A lot of people are worried about that," Brown said. "Texas will be fine. I think the Big 12 will be fine regardless of what comes out of this, and we'll move forward."

"Number one, it's been a great rivalry with Texas and Texas A&M, so I hope it stays," Brown said.

Next up: The Board of Regents Meeting tomorrow...

UPDATE:

Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin released this statement after the decision from the SEC Presidents:

"As we have seen over the past several days, there has been a considerable amount of misinformation regarding these discussions and any associated timelines. The chairman of our board has indicated that the regents will proceed with tomorrow’s agenda item, which authorizes the president of Texas A&M to take all actions related to athletic conference alignment. I will also accept Chairman Branch’s invitation to participate in his committee’s hearing on Tuesday. These are extremely complex issues, and it is imperative that we proceed methodically and in the best interests of Texas A&M.”

The soap oprea continues......

Your Daily College Conference Armageddon Update: Summer 2011 Edition

Let's start where it all began earlier today...
Doug Gottlieb and David Lloyd setting the world on fire...
((HT: ESPN))


Now, life as we know it...
Texas A&M's Mike Sherman knows nothing- he's focused on football...
((HT: KBTX-TV))


There are conflicting reports on whether or not Ess-E-Cee officials are actually meeting secretly Sunday as a set-up to the Regents meeting for A&M Monday and the discussion of Item 15 on the Agenda...

Let's take stock...
From Tallahassee...

FSU head Coach Jimbo Fisher said Saturday the only things he's heard about schools leaving for the SEC is from the media. University President Eric Barron said that no one affiliated with the school has had any discussions about leaving the ACC.

Clemson University President James Barker said that the school is not changing leagues, despite reports the Tigers might head to the Ess-E-Cee.

"We are committed to the ACC," he said in a statement. "We have had no contact with the SEC."

But the OBC would dig it if they showed up...
((HT: WLTX-TV Columbia))


The folks at UK have also chimed in on the almost-movements... thanks again to our friends at KBTX-TV... Coach Cal likes 16 or 18 teams...

Missouri, Kansas, and Virginia Tech are all waiting to be heard from now... and the HQ is not surprised that the Hokies have been silent this entire time...

The 12/10 sent out a press release Saturday night saying they'd like the Aggies to stay, but if they don't the league will expand themselves...

The HQ thinks Houston and SMU are on the clock at that point...

The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors conducted a teleconference meeting today to discuss the future of the Conference given recent developments regarding Texas A&M University. The Board strongly conveyed to Texas A&M its unanimous desire that it remain a Big 12 member, and acknowledged its value to the Conference. The Board noted that Texas A&M expressed concerns about institutional networks and that the athletics directors worked together and took actions, which the Board has approved, to adequately address those concerns. The other nine members reaffirmed their long term, unconditional and unequivocal commitments made to each other and the Conference last summer. Although the Board hopes Texas A&M remains in the Conference, the Board is prepared to aggressively move forward to explore expansion opportunities. In doing so, the Board recognizes the strength of the Big 12 Conference national brand and the opportunity to capitalize on it.

Texas A&M To Say Goodbye To Big 12?

[HT:texas.rivals.com, theeagle.com, aggieyell.com]

Hum the tune of the Texas A&M fight song:

"Goodbye to Texas Uni-ver-sity
goodbye to the Big twelve---elve----elve----elve."

That appears to be the case in College Station Texas.

Monday at 3pm the Texas A&M System's board of regents will meet and with the final agenda of the meeting is "Authorization for the President to Take All Actions Relating to Texas A&M University's Athletic Conference Alignment, The Texas A&M University System."

It appears to that the A&M board of regents could vote as early as Monday to authorize a move into the SEC.

Their has been no confirmation from Texas A&M or the SEC that any discussions have been conducted between A&M and the SEC.

OSG favorite Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com cites a source indicating the nine member board of regents will vote to leave the Big 12 for the SEC.

The SEC remains very quiet on this subject however, rumors are flying about the domino effect Texas A&M's move to the SEC would create.

Florida State, Clemson, Missouri and Virginia Tech have been rumored to be on the SEC's short list should the conference feel the have to expand now.

Before Texas A&M votes to leave the Big 12 for the SEC consider this, Do you really want to make the move?

Does Texas A&M feel like it could challenge on a yearly basis for the SEC West title? Here's the Aggies record against the SEC West:

Texas A&M has an all-time record of 53-72-4 against the current six members of the SEC West.
24-40-3 all-time vs Arkansas
20-26-1 all-time vs LSU
1-3 all-time vs Alabama
2-0 all-time vs Auburn
4-0 all-time vs Mississippi
2-3 all-time vs Mississippi State
(Thanks FOSG Tony Barnhart of CBS Sports.com for those numbers.)

Keep in mind the NCAA favors Texas A&M's beef against Texas and the Longhorn Network as far as airing high school games and receiving the competitive advantages that go with it.

We will find out Monday if Texas A&M is moving on to the SEC and collectively says "To Hell With Texas."

Get It Over With Texas A&M, Bolt For The SEC

Its a forgone conclusion now, Texas A&M will bolt the Big 12 for the SEC.

The powers that be that includes Texas A&M alum Rick Perry, the Governor of Texas, are in full "To Hell With Texas" mode and ready to separate from their rivals in the burnt orange.

All because Texas has gone into bed with ESPN to launch the Longhorn Network in a few weeks.

The Aggie fateful have cited competitive balance in their flirtation with the SEC. You have to think ego plays a role in this.

A&M's biggest rival is guaranteed millions of dollars from their brand new TV network and a recruiting advantage with a 24/7/365 infomercial on cable systems throughout the state of Texas.

How can Texas A&M counter? Join the best conference in college football and enjoy a financial windfall from the SEC's lucrative media deals.

The SEC has been tight lipped saying they have no plans to expand but Texas A&M would be mighty attractive. Arkansas would finally have a natural rival in the league and the SEC would have in-roads in the state of Texas plus inherit the Houston market.

Would this permanently kill the Big 12? I don't think so. Should Oklahoma remain on Texas' side the Big 12 will survive.

The Big 12 could beg and plead TCU to resist their Big East invite and join their league. Houston and SMU have stepped up their football programs and could be targeted to join too.

Before you know it you almost have a reunion of the Southwest Conference.

As for Texas A&M they've got to go, the Aggies have huffed and puffed to much to remain in the Big 12.

Mark August 22nd On Your Calendars... Movement Afoot For A&M...?

((HT: Orangebloods.com))

The man who knows everything Longhorns, Chip Brown, is of the feel that on the aforementioned date, the folks over at Texas A&M may go ahead and vote on their future in the Big 12/10 and start the process on moving to the Ess-E-Cee...

The A&M folks are denying anything and everything- of course. No comment could be grabbed from former A&M yell leader, and current Texas Governor, Rick Perry since he was tied up with seven other master debaters in Iowa.

From Brown's piece:

An A&M source told Orangebloods.com the Aggies are having their lawyers look at everything, including the exit fees A&M would have to pay to leave the Big 12.

Under the current bylaws, Texas A&M would be required to relinquish 80 percent of revenues over a two-year period if the Aggies left with only a year's notice.

Nebraska and Colorado were able to pay substantially less than that by settling with the Big 12.

Sources said Thursday the SEC would be interested in adding Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech in addition to Texas A&M to form a 16-team super conference. Florida State has also been mentioned as a possible target of the SEC, according to Big 12 sources.

More, obviously, when we know more...

No High School games this year on Longhorn Network

The Longhorn Network Logo

((ht:star-telegram.com))

Okay, so they held off the propaganda network for a season. We just kind of wonder if any of the teams in the Big 12/10 have some buyers remorse now.

If you are asking about what we are cryptically talking about, it's the University of Texas's attempt at adding money to their coffers: The Longhorn Network.

Monday afternoon, Big 12/10 athletic directors decided to not allow high school games to be shown for at least the 1st season. Something that over the past couple of weeks has become a highly talked about issue. And something that created a rather unecessary pall over the conference's recent football media days week.

Read more from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram RIGHT HERE

No, we aren't sure why they waited this long to voice their concerns over this, the decision to start the Network came months ago when they agreed to allow Texas to do this whole network thing. Yes, we know they did it to keep the Big 12/10 from folding, but in the process have seemingly created a monster.

And the fact that ESPN, the Longhorns partner, talked--no bragged openly about showing high school games with potential recruits, that apparently tipped the barrel so-to-speak.

Supposedly the NCAA is looking into the viability of team specific or conference specific networks airing High School games and they should. While you can say all you want it "Doesn't give an advantage", anyone who follows recruiting knows that is a load of crap. It's all about the advantage. Don't think for a minute having a kid showcased in a "Game of the Week" on the Longhorn network would give them a leg up in recruiting. Of course it would.

Anytime kids can be on TV, they are captivated and by putting them on a team specific or conference specific network, you can brand them early. Think about it. We've got an entire generation of athletes who've be raised on ESPN highlights. Thankfully, ESPN doesn't take up for specific schools (...wink).

Enjoy your Longhorn Network Promo spoof courtesy of The Shick and Nick show:

Texas A&M Exploring U of Texas' "Horns Of Plenty" From the 4-Letter

Since ESPN and the University of Texas partnered in the "Longhorn Network" cable channel, coming to your cable soon very soon, it was common knowledge that this is all about making Texas' pockets much deeper in cash and solidifying the Texas athletic program as all powerful in the slimmed down Big 12 Conference. (Down to 10 teams.)

Down at Texas A&M, Texas' longtime rival, the new money making cable channel devoted to the Longhorns isn't passing the smell test in Aggieland.

The Texas A&M Board 0f Regents had already scheduled a meeting Thursday and Friday however there will be a closed door session with the agenda item to be discussed is "Big 12 Conference."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/texas/7659012.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Fspcoll+%28HoustonChronicle.com+--+College+Sports%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

The executive session is informative only as the A&M Board of Regents want to explore the competitive advantage Texas will have under the 20 year, $300 million dollar deal with the 4 letter and IMG College which also plans to potentially air high school games.

According to a Houston Chronicle insider no action will be taken.

From the outside looking in this doesn't look good for the long term health of the Big 12 (10) Conference. Texas A&M sees a competitive disadvantage to Texas with ESPN money helping to fund the Longhorn program and their is no sugar daddy with that kind of big bucks ear marked for Texas A&M's athletic department.

This makes you wonder talk will begin to surface in College Station and among the Texas A&M alums that "The Hell With Texas" and begin exploring bolting to the SEC again.

Fox, Big 12/11/10 Sign TV Deal

The Big 12 Conference and Fox Sports announced a 13-year cable TV deal..

Sports Business Journal is reporting that the contract, which starts with the 2012 football season, will pay the conference $90 million a year. The Big 12 also has a deal with ABC-ESPN running through 2015-16 that would raise the conference's total TV rights revenue to a reported $130 million annually.

The 40 Big 12 regular-season football games that will be carried by Fox nearly doubles the number under the current agreement(s). Most games will be distributed through the regional FSN networks- which reaches more than 85 million homes. Several other games will also be scheduled on FX, which is in 99 million households.

Every Big 12 home football game will be broadcast on ABC, a Fox network or the new Longhorn Network. Big 12 schools will have the option to retain rights to one home football game for distribution as they see fit.

Odds are, that the Pac-10/11/12 will go to the FCSPacific channel for the Pac's own network over time. It will also not surprise the HQ if the Big 12/11/10 gradually works its content to the FCSMidwest channel. This would still leave the FCSAtlantic channel for any and all incidental Fox programming and/or reruns. This would also trim the extra content that is already shown on the FCS chain- boxing out the smaller schools that have their current space there.

More when we know more...

This now leaves who for the open market...???

BREAKING: Oklahoma Set To Hire Lon Kruger As Head Coach

[HT: The Daily Oklahoman]

FOSG Barry Tramel of the Daily Oklahoman cites multiple sources that UNLV head coach Lon Kruger is expected to be named head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners.

After Buzz Williams turned down OU's offer earlier this week and decided to remain at Marquette it appears Kruger was Plan B. Kruger is expected to make between $2.2 million and $2.3 million per year.

He will return to the Big 12/10 conference where he was an outstanding player at Kansas State and then went on the coach the Wildcats. Those of us at the OSG HQ wonder what kind of direction is the OU program going? Hiring a 58 year old coach whose career has been mediocre at best doesn't make sense. Sure Kruger coached Florida to the 1994 Final Four but that's about the only success he's had. Those of us in the ATL have already forgotten Kruger's brief tenure as the Atlanta Hawks head coach.

So many good young coaches out there (Shaka Smart, Brad Stevens, etc.) and Oklahoma settles on a retread.

Good Luck.

Newsok's Dave Morris tracks down Tramel


Photo Courtesy: AP

Big 12 closing in on its own TV Network

Big 12 (with only 10)/Courtesy: csmonitor.com

((ht: sportsbusinessdaily.com))

Hmmm. Sure seems like the cable networks are throwing a ton of money at NCAA Power conferences.

Word is now coming out that the Big 12 and Fox are about to finalize a $60 million a year TV rights deal. That deal would create a channel for only 8 of the leagues 10 teams. (Yeah, its confusing). Texas has their own deal with ESPN for their own network and Oklahoma is planning on having their own too.

Mind you, Texas and Oklahoma will still get their cut of this deal too.

Read the story from SportsBusinessDaily.com RIGHT HERE

The funniest part of this is they may not be able to call it "The Big 12 Network", in part because their would only be 8 teams participating in it...and there's only 10 teams in the league. Confused, yeah. You should be.

We don't begrudge the league for making a deal like this and it should tell you how much money the cable networks actually have when you consider the amounts of money they are throwing around. The only question at this point is when will all the "Power" NCAA conferences have their own networks and when will viewers be subjected to an endless loop of re-runs of Gymnastics since they won't have a whole lot of "Big-Ticket" programming (Football), to choose from.