Is the Big 12 shortsighted for not inviting TCU?

**UNIGuy4Cy** · 01-05-2011, 02:56 PM

Pretty good article. The Big 12 with BYU and TCU would be tough! There is a little slam at ISU but a big one at KU at the end.

Berry Tramel: Big 12 was shortsighted in shunning TCU | NewsOK.com

**ce1** · 01-05-2011, 03:01 PM

Great article. I'm not certain i totally agree, but it's very persuasive.

**Al_4_State** · 01-05-2011, 03:01 PM

That's exactly why TCU shouldn't have been invited. They're a very good program that would absolutely NOTHING in terms of TV revenue to the Big 12. ISU adds more in the way of TV sets than TCU because the state of Texas is totally locked down by the other 4 schools.

Another loss for most of the schools that doesn't add TV revenue? That's idiotic.

BYU, on the other hand would be a GREAT addition. Then you just have to find a 12th team, and one that adds a new market.

**Rhoadhoused** · 01-05-2011, 03:02 PM

It is in ISU's best interest to not have TCU join. No more Texas schools.

**chuckd4735** · 01-05-2011, 03:05 PM

What does TCU add as far as TV revenue? The Big 12 already has the entire Texas TV market, so why would they add another school from that State?

If the Big 12 looks at expansion, it will need to do so with a school who brings greater national exposure or a school from a large TV market which is not already part of the Big 12. TCU does not fall into either of those categories.

**alarson** · 01-05-2011, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

What does TCU add as far as TV revenue? The Big 12 already has the entire Texas TV market, so why would they add another school from that State?

If the Big 12 looks at expansion, it will need to do so with a school who brings greater national exposure or a school from a large TV market which is not already part of the Big 12. TCU does not fall into either of those categories.

Agreed. If youre defining TCU an elite program, but saying adding TCU would bring viewers because they would add better games... that assumes all of TCUs games are in that 'great game' category, and not in lopsided matchups that they say the big 12 is harmed by in the new lineup. Are 4-5 more good football games worth the millions lost to the other schools by having to split the revenue pie another way without bringing in any additional viewers? Unlikely.

**Stormin** · 01-05-2011, 03:14 PM

The writer made a compelling article for NOT inviting TCU to the Big XII.

His plan was to bring in TCU and BYU so ISU will NOT appear on TV and get TV revenue money. His plan is to bring in TCU and BYU so ISU will get a Smaller cut of the pie.

The Big XII plan is NOT shortsighted at all. It recognizes that when you divide by 12 instead of 10 you get LESS not more. And it also recognizes that the Big Guns of the Big XII are Texas and Oklahoma........period. And some pretty decent competitive games on the side. But the National audience isn't interested in TCU football. You put TCU in a BCS conference and they do NOT go undefeated. They might go 10-2 or 9-3 at best but certainly not run the table in a BCS conference like the Big XII.

When the Big XII was formed there were probably 5 or 6 teams that were Top 15 at that time. But when you play against each other, in any conference, there will only be 1 or 2 teams with stellar records followed by some very good teams. If you are fortunate to have 3 teams with stellar records they will most likely be followed by teams with mediocre records. That is what happens when the best play the best. They beat each other up.

TCU is fortunate they are going to the weak Big East. They might continue to have good success. I just don't see the greatness in BYU being independent.

**mt85** · 01-05-2011, 03:17 PM

TCU may be the flavor of the month as long as GP is their coach, but they are a very small school in terms of enrollment. There should be more that goes into adding members then the recent win loss records.

**jbhtexas** · 01-05-2011, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Stormin

The writer made a compelling article for NOT inviting TCU to the Big XII.

It seems that Barry's articles often have that effect...making a better case for the point he is arguing against...

**CyJack13** · 01-05-2011, 03:23 PM

No, I think the B12 did the right thing in not panicking and immediately inviting two teams to replace Nebraska and Colorado. It's all about TV revenue and TCU just doesn't add much.

Also, it's not like the B12's shot at TCU has passed. TCU has been in the SWC, the WAC, Conference USA, the MWC and the Big East in less than two decades, they have no reason to be loyal to the Big East, the Big East only wants them to save their BCS berth. If the opportunity arises where it would be advantageous for them to in the B12, I think they would jump in a second. The chance to play all the major Texas schools again is something TCU wouldn't pass up.

**jbhtexas** · 01-05-2011, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by CyJack13

Also, it's not like the B12's shot at TCU has passed. TCU has been in the SWC, the WAC, Conference USA, the MWC and the Big East in less than two decades, they have no reason to be loyal to the Big East, the Big East only wants them to save their BCS berth. If the opportunity arises where it would be advantageous for them to in the B12, I think they would jump in a second. The chance to play all the major Texas schools again is something TCU wouldn't pass up.

Very well stated.

**cyfan15** · 01-05-2011, 03:30 PM

The only people who think the Big 12 should invite TCU are TCU fans and people with zero understanding of what drives conference expansion.

**Stormin** · 01-05-2011, 03:42 PM

I think there is just as much demand for the Big XII TV Football package Without TCU as with TCU.

Since TCU wouldn't Increase the Revenue the Conference would get in a new TV contract, it would be insane to invite them to the Party so the rest of us could get a smaller piece of the pie.

Face it. The only reason the Forgotten Five are still in the Big XII is because Texas and Oklahoma Have to have someone else to play. We have an automatic BCS berth and we can fetch a large amount of revenue for the product. That is it. Period. Dividing a Big Pie by 10 is much better than dividing a slightly bigger pie by 12.

And these Mega Conferences of 16 teams. It won't happen. They will only pay so much for a contract. Or else they will go with a cheaper option like a Notre Dame and get some games.

**alarson** · 01-05-2011, 03:42 PM

That said... in a perfect world where tv revenue wasnt a part of the equation, and things were more geographically based, TCU would be able to get into the big 12. Then again, in that perfect world, we'd be in the big 10.

**Al_4_State** · 01-05-2011, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Stormin

I think there is just as much demand for the Big XII TV Football package Without TCU as with TCU.

Since TCU wouldn't Increase the Revenue the Conference would get in a new TV contract, it would be insane to invite them to the Party so the rest of us could get a smaller piece of the pie.

Face it. The only reason the Forgotten Five are still in the Big XII is because Texas and Oklahoma Have to have someone else to play. We have an automatic BCS berth and we can fetch a large amount of revenue for the product. That is it. Period. Dividing a Big Pie by 10 is much better than dividing a slightly bigger pie by 12.

And these Mega Conferences of 16 teams. It won't happen. They will only pay so much for a contract. Or else they will go with a cheaper option like a Notre Dame and get some games.

This post is dead on, especially that last paragraph. The Super Conference was a pipe dream of the ESPN talking heads and others in the media. No one who is actually involved in making these decisions wanted any part of it. Sure, Jim DeLaney floated it out there, but DeLaney can only go as far as his member schools and their administrations allow him to, and they don't want mega-conferences, and probably never will. Quite honestly, they offer nothing but headaches, increased expenses and a higher likelihood of total irrelevance to member institutions.