***OFFICIAL BIG 12 EXPANSION THREAD 2.0***

[UNIGuy4Cy]

The Dude just put out an update:
Expansion Update: Georgia Tech on the Clock & the Big 12 Makes a Push | Eers Authority

(NaCl for those who need it: grains, truckloads, or mines...)

I actually enjoy reading the Dude, MHver3, etc. on the Twit, just have to remember it's only entertainment. A superficial episode, as life continues to unfold...

I keep saying Miami is a darkhorse in all this. And I believe him on the buyout funding and on BYU. We have the upper hand on BYU not vice versa things are crumbling around them.

[OSUnISU]

This. OU and UT have it as good in the Big 12 as they can have it anywhere, so they are staying put. Any league with OU and UT will have a seat at the big boy table. Whatever happens around that as far as additions and defections doesn't really matter. If scoring some ACC schools pays out, great, but we don't need it to protect our existence.

This is exactly what concerns us on the Cowboy boards. Because OU & UT can go anywhere, we feel the rest of us are most vulnerable if the conference does not expand. Last I checked there are 10 schools in this conference, not just UT & OU. IMO, If KU left, the conference is toast and UT & OU would not be far behind.

Sorry to jump in on your board, but was curious what opinions the Cyclones had toward expansion or the lack of it.

[UNIGuy4Cy]

What KU board is saying they are leaving for sure? If this information came from a solid source I would believe it but you can believe bloggers.

[scyclonekid]

If the networks think we need to expand and we will get more value then I see us doing so, but if not then stay at ten. This is like watching a monkey **** a football.

[scyclonekid]

This is exactly what concerns us on the Cowboy boards. Because OU & UT can go anywhere, we feel the rest of us are most vulnerable if the conference does not expand. Last I checked there are 10 schools in this conference, not just UT & OU. IMO, If KU left, the conference is toast and UT & OU would not be far behind.

Sorry to jump in on your board, but was curious what opinions the Cyclones had toward expansion or the lack of it.

Welcome, I am just as concerned as you are if we have anymore defections at this point in the game. I like the round robin with ten teams, but in the back of my mind think it will leave us behind if and only if these 14-16 team conferences succeed and keeps everyone "actually happy." If we expand it has to be with teams that add value so we are not getting less money at the end of the day. I trust our new commish and hope he is more proactive than Beebe, but this **** is just getting old don't you think?

[OSUnISU]

Agreed. It was great with 8. I wish that we could just get this all settled!!!!

And I really hope that there is no fire over in Lawrence.

[aeroclone]

This is exactly what concerns us on the Cowboy boards. Because OU & UT can go anywhere, we feel the rest of us are most vulnerable if the conference does not expand. Last I checked there are 10 schools in this conference, not just UT & OU. IMO, If KU left, the conference is toast and UT & OU would not be far behind.

Sorry to jump in on your board, but was curious what opinions the Cyclones had toward expansion or the lack of it.

I really don't see the concern. I don't see any scenario where OU and UT leave. Why go to another far flung conference and share the power when you can stay here and ensure you remain top dog? The money gap has basically closed, and their path to a future playoff birth seems to be as easy here as it would be anywhere else. Nobody else is letting UT keep their Long Horn Network. They just don't have any better options than staying here. As long as you keep those two anchored here, the Big 12 will be fine. Anybody else that could leave would be easily replaceable. If KU left tomorrow, at a minimum we go snatch Louisville away from the ACC to fill the hole and life goes on.

[CycloneErik]

At this point, it's the discussion and paranoia that are getting old.

2 years ago was a major threat. Last year was a little scary, but fairly secure. This time, we have the GOR. Nobody is going anywhere.

Schools are moving around. All of these non-profits are making themselves more money. The players that produce the product still aren't paid for the money they make the non-profit companies. All goes on the way it has been, with the possibility that the Big 12 adds teams, but probably does not.

[scyclonekid]

Can you imagine the effects this has on teams going here and there and teams not knowing where they will end up does to recruiting?

[OSUnISU]

Thanks for the welcome. I have always been a big fan of the "STATE" schools. Obviously OSU, but also KSU, ISU, and even Missouri State. It's too bad that MIZZ-WHO has held down Missouri State all of these years. They could have been a viable candidate. I really hope that our commish is playing some cards!

[CycloneErik]

Can you imagine the effects this has on teams going here and there and teams not knowing where they will end up does to recruiting?

Good thing we're not one of those teams.

[OSUnISU]

Thanks for the read guys, there are some excellent point posted here. I'll come back and visit from time to time.

[UNIGuy4Cy]

Agreed. It was great with 8. I wish that we could just get this all settled!!!!

And I really hope that there is no fire over in Lawrence.

Have we seen any solid evidence out of Lawrence?

[im4cyclones]

The truth is (as much as it pains me to say) the B10 is really the king of college sports right now. I think just about any school in any other conference east of the Rockies (PAC schools would have too many logistical headaches) would gladly accept a B10 invite with a few exceptions (ND, UT and a few schools in the SEC). But I imagine a few SEC schools would also jump at the chance (Missouri, Vanderbilt, maybe Kentucky). And, if an outside school had an invite from both the B10 and SEC, I imagine nearly all would choose the B10.

So, stability isn't about our conference numbers or a conference network. It is about two things... (1) how much money our schools are making and (2) the desires of the B10. If they want KU, and can offer more money than we are paying, I imagine KU or any other school would figure out a way to go, GOR or no GOR. We need to do everything we can to keep our payouts as high as possible. If that means 10 schools, then keep it at 10. Don't dilute the payouts by expanding for the sake of expansion or we are in trouble.

[Wesley]

Have we seen any solid evidence out of Lawrence?

Maybe someone needs to let Kansas win some fball games and they may want to stay more.