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...

Big 12 vs. SEC--Legal action takes the lead

The impetus of Change

((aol.sportingnews.com))

This is getting uglier by the hour.

The tectonic shift of college football teams has been put on hold--because of the threat of legal action.

And while we aren't big fans of the potential "Mega-Conferences" that are expected to form when the shift does finally occur--and it will, the current battle between the SEC and the Big 12 over Texas A&M is just getting stupid.

By now, we all know the SEC agreed to offer A&M membership in their league, so long as nobody in the Big 12 would sue. Early yesterday, the only one who didn't agree to this was Baylor.

That changed.

You can now add Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oklahoma State to that list.

Put simply, what you are seeing now is not so much a protest against the SEC or Texas A&M, you are seeing schools trying to cover their collective asses. Because if the A&M leaves, Oklahoma is right behind them. And if Oklahoma goes, OK State is right behind them...and suddenly you no longer have a Big 12 and all the above schools have to find a home.

And yeah, they have all said they would be willing to waive those claims if Oklahoma agrees to stay. Something the Sooners have "Said" they will decide in the next two weeks, but now could drag out as long as they feel like.

In the meantime, now Texas A&M is pissed at Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and most of their soon to be former conference mates. Though Beebe insists the conference won't do anything to stop A&M. The SEC isn't pissed at anyone (we think), they are just shaking their collective heads. And the rest of us are quickly tiring of all this.

In reality, there are no lawsuits that could be filed against anyone here that could hold up in a court. But that isn't the problem. It's all image right now. Nobody wants to be perceived as being the the bad guy and yet everyone involved really is. It's a shame to see the landscape of college football change like it is about to, but it is going to happen. Apparently it won't today, but it will happen and happen in the next couple of months.

It's become a battle for money and it is getting more and more competitive by the day. Everyone wants a piece of the ESPN pie, because truly, as Clay Travis has so eloquently put it in his OutKickTheCoverage.com blog, that is what now drives college football. It has nothing to do with what is best for the fans. It has nothing to do with what is best for the players and it has nothing to do with what is best for the alumni. It's all about the greenbacks and the only one's waving those things around right now (see Longhorn network--which is what started all this) is the folks in Bristol.

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."

DEVELOPING: Ess-E-Cee Meet In Atlanta... Wonder Why...???

Might have something to do with that whole expansion thing...

Here's your proof... thanks to our friends at WAGA-TV and MyFoxAtlanta
FOSG Ken Rodriguez sits at the adult table...

SEC Officials Meet in Atlanta, Texas A&M Announcement Expected: MyFoxATLANTA.com

There's also talk via Big 12/10 writer Brent Zwerneman's twitter feed that the Zone Club at Texas A&M has been reservedfor the next few days...

Now, all that is next is figuring out who Dance Partner #14 is...
Speculation begins anew...

Rice to Texas: That's SEC with a dollar sign

((ht: various))

At least the Rice band has a sense of humor. At Saturday's game versus the University of Texas, they of the now "Longhorn Network, the band had a message.

During their show at halftime, they decided to spell out S-E-C...with a dollar sign on the "S". Nobody is really sure if it was a dig at Texas for their greed or at Texas A&M for bailing out of the Big 12...which I'm pretty sure Rice isn't in.

Either way, it's funny, so like everyone else, we'll post it.

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."

Could FSU be joining Texas A&M in the SEC?

FSU Mascot Chief Osceola

((ht: OrlandoSentinel))

Well, this is one scenario we hadn't really thought much about, though Brother Jon did bring it up in a discussion when the A&M story started leaking out.

Could Florida State bolt the ACC and head to the SEC?

It seems to be a topic more popular on the Internets than we thought. Oddly, we are rather well versed in most topics Sports related here on the Internets, but we had not heard this discussion, yet according to the Orlando Sentinel, it exists.

Read the Sentinel story by clicking RIGHT HERE

**UPDATE**12:09 pm.--The Palm Beach Post quotes a source as saying about the move "This is real". Interesting.

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

In some ways this does make some sense. FSU has been a bit of an odd fit in the ACC, a conference known very well for its basketball heritage, but somewhat of a punchline in football.

For their part, FSU dominated the ACC in football when they 1st arrived in 1991. They haven't dominated it much in the past few years. Though we will say, they'll be awfully good this coming season.

Basketball wise, they are good, not great like most SEC schools.

If you think about it, logistically, it makes perfect sense. With A&M, the SEC needs a school to keep the number of teams even. It also would balance the whole east/west thing.

Do we think it will happen? No. But we (actually me), have been wrong about such things before.

The Sentinel makes a somewhat convincing argument, but we think it is just throwing stuff against the wall and seeing what sticks. The site "Noles247" says "No way", they are a subscription site, so we can't read why they say it...and we've never heard of them either.

So, while the SEC has a ton of money to throw around and attract teams, ultimately, FSU will stay loyal to the ACC. Commissioner John Swofford will help find another revenue source to keep them around. As intriguing as the thought is, the ACC will find a way to keep them happy...and we aren't so sure they aren't happy now.

**UPDATE**12:09 pm.-- But then again, if enough people are saying FSU is intrigued by the money, the shoe definitely fits. We've got no problem going out on the limb in the previous paragraph, but in the interest of covering our proverbial rears, we'll add that we did say it makes a lot of sense.

Either way, we guess only time will tell.

Seminoles.com gives us a Fall Practice Report from Thursday:

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...

Governor Perry: "As far as I know, conversations are being had..."

((HT: Dallasnews.com/Carlton))
Not that this is a shock or anything, but it seems Texas governor Rick Perry is up-to-date on the whole A&M to the Ess-E-Cee thing...

From Carlton's piece when beat reporters asked the guv about the idea this morning in Austin...

"I'll be real honest with you. I just read about it the same time as y'all did. ... As far as I know, conversations are being had. That's frankly all I know. I just refer you to the university and the decision makers over there."

Perry is a former "yell leader" at A&M... soyaknow...

And when the university was pressed on the idea, they really didn't give a denial...

"President Loftin is committed to doing what is best for Texas A&M not only now, but also into the future. We continue to have wide-ranging conversations regarding all aspects of the university, including both academics and athletics."

So, is this what the Ess-E-Cee West is getting sooner ((oops)) rather than later...
((HT: AggieAthletics))


Uh, yeah...

Meanwhile Big 12 Commissioner Dan Bebee is keeping an eye on things in College Station and taking it seriously.

Beebe told the Austin American Statesman "I'll put it this way, I'm taking it very seriously. I've been talking to a number of people. Obviously, there are a significant number of Aggie supporters who are interested in going in that direction."Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin released this statement Wednesday:

President Loftin is committed to doing what is best for Texas A&M not only now, but also in the future. We continue to have wide-ranging conversations regarding all aspects of the university, including both academics and athletics.

When you read between the lines of Loftin's statement you get the impression the SEC is on the table.

The "Longhorn Network"...business deal or NCAA violation?

The Longhorn Network Logo

((ht: collegefootballtalk.com))
((ht: mysanantonio.com))

We wondered the other day about reports Texas A&M was having meetings with their Board of Regents regarding the University of Texas's foray into cable programming with the "Longhorn Network".

Now we have a better idea why.

For those of you new to the story, Texas has a 20-year, $300 million deal in place with ESPN to create their own cable network. And our friends, the pillars of journalistic integrity, at ESPN are trying to come up with ways to program said network. It won't have a lot of Texas football, because most of those games are on the "Mothership" or ABC. It won't have a lot of basketball games, because the Big 12/10 has a deal with Fox Sports for that.

So they've come up with, what appears to be a plan. And that plan is to televise Texas High School sports. And the question the folks at A&M, and now the rest of us want to know: Is that not an NCAA violation? It sure seems like a recruiting advantage.

Gary Blair, the women's basketball coach at A&M tells the San Antonio Express News "If Brittney Griner was coming out of high school today and all of a sudden they decided to televise 8 of her home games, don't you think that would put Texas a leg up in recruiting".

A very good question.

Read the entire story from MySanAntonio.com RIGHT HERE

Even more eyebrow raising after our pal Brooks at Sports by Brooks transcribed a radio interview with ESPN Programming VP Dave Brown, who coincidentally will run the new network, done by an Austin, Texas radio station.

In that interview, Brown talked at length about bringing High School games to the network that featured players the Longhorns would be recruiting. Hence, the questions begin. Is the network to help Texas make money or exploit a recruiting advantage?

Read the entire Sports by Brooks story (it's revealing) RIGHT HERE

There are several questions here that we hope are being brought to the attention of the thus-far very quiet NCAA. Yeah, we get the network needs programming. It's hard to program a 24-hour network if you don't have a lot of original programming. We work in the TV business ourselves, we get that.

What we don't get is why this would be allowed. Sure, they are certainly within their rights to do a TV Network. If the 4-letter is willing to pay $300 million for some Longhorn love, they are entitled to do just that. But they need to play by the rules. The same rules everyone else is supposed to.

There is a lot of concern that this will be new ground. That this will set the precedent for the other "Mega-Schools" to do the same thing. And it probably will. If Texas can get that kind of money, think about what, say, Alabama could get. Not only will they get paid, if the precedent is set, they'd get a built in recruiting tool that most of the rest of the conference wouldn't.

Let's hope A&M speaks "Loudly" to the NCAA about this. Especially since Oklahoma, who's also currently in their conference is about to do something similar. The only good thing is having two networks like that so close to each other is they'll cannibalize themselves for programming.

Listen to Matthew McConaughey sound like Darth Vader in the Death Star promo:

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.

Upset Saturday In NCAA's... How Many Ranked Teams Fell...???

((HT: KSL-TV))

First off, BYU couldn't keep their momentum after knocking off San Diego State as they lost to New Mexico at The Pit...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Louisville got a hold of UConn, but it took double overtime to do it...
((HT: WHAS-TV))


Arkansas, somewhat inexplicably, knocked off Vandy in Nashville, thanks KARK-TV...

Penn State surprised 17th-ranked Wisconsin, thanks WISC-TV in Madison...

Nebraska upsets Texas A&M...


Miss State beat Florida, thanks to MyFoxMemphis

And Marquette upset Syracuse ((but isn't everyone these days)), thanks cbs58...

Kansas State's Game Heading Souht...

((HT: ESPN/Youtube))

Number 10 Texas A&M took out 24th-ranked Kansas State Saturday, but the real issue was with the spellchecker on the Wildcats jerseys...

You foul out, it's because they can't stitch correctly...
Evidence below...


At least, here on our computers we're told when things are going wrong...
Not on television, the HQ guesses...

TWTW Bowling: LSU Takes Care Of A&M

And any other consonant that showed up at JerryWorld Friday...

Someone masquerading as Jordan Jefferson threw 3 TD's to Terrence Toliver and ran for another one to help the 11th-ranked Tigers win 41-24 victory over 18th-ranked Texas A&M.

Noted grass-eater Les Miles doesn't know about his future in either Baton Rouge or Ann Arbor at present...

"We trust Les Miles and we trust his word," Jefferson said. "His word was he's not going anywhere and he'll be our coach next year."

LSU (now 11-2) has its fourth season with at least 11 wins in Miles' six seasons as head coach. The Tigers had only two 11-win seasons- period- in their history before that.

"I don't want to talk about me. This is really about LSU," Miles said. "I told (the players) I have not had any conversations with Michigan at this point. And if I did, I would communicate with them very effectively."

Here's your first half highlights...
((HT: TheCottonBowl))


Good dodging by the head coach...

More highlights from the Cotton Bowl (Thanks LSU.net)

With Aggie Victory Texas Has A Losing Season And No Bowl

The season from hell is officially over for the Texas Longhorns. Texas A&M's 24-17 win over the 'Horns assured a 5-7 season for the boys in burnt orange and won't be playing in some kind of corporate sponsored bowl this December or January.

"It's not our standard at all." Texas head coach Mack Brown said.

No it's not the Texas way. The last time the Longhorns had a losing season John Mackavic was run out of Austin and Mack Brown was brought in.

"I've learned I don't like losing." Brown said. "It's been 20 years since I haven't been to a bowl.

Meanwhile Texas A&M are relevant again.

"You don't want to be irrelevant, we have had some tough seasons the last couple of years and it kind of puts you out of things." Aggie quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. "We have been focused on winning the whole time and this year we were able to turn it around and this is exciting for our program."

The 'Horns couldn't stop Cyrus Gray who gained 223 yards and two touchdowns. That performance was the best by an Aggie running back against Texas in the long history of the rivalry.

"I can't say enough about him." Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman said. "It is fun to watch him because he does things he has never done before each time he steps out on the field. He has tremendous humility and respect for his teammates in spite of his own tremendous talents."

Texas A&M has a chance to go to a BCS bowl but its a long shot. Should Oklahoma defeat Oklahoma State in the Bedlam game then the Aggies would share the Big 12 South title but the tiebreaking system is based on BCS standings and that might do the Aggies in.

Here's a game report from John Hygh of My Fox Austin. (Thanks KTBC-TV Austin)



Photos Courtesy: AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Karen Warren and AP Photo/Eric Gay