BIG XII Doing Texas Dirty

[Rhode Irish]

I'll have to look into all the details, but I just saw on Sports Center as I was about to go to bed that the conference is going to prohibit the Longhorn Network (an ESPN property) from showing any high school football games (it was scheduled to show 18 of them) because other conference schools feel it would give Texas a recruiting advantage. (Note: Duh. They already have a recruiting advantage. They're Texas.) Also, the Longhorn Network will be limited to one of Texas's football games (vs. Rice); the conference will not allow the Network to show any conference games.

I have a serious problem with this. Like I said, I'm not about to research this whole situation at 1:00 am, but I will at some point. For now, my instant reaction is that it is a snake move by the Big XII to not make their position clear while Texas was in the process of establishing the network, then make this announcement less than a month before it was to go on the air. Also, nice loyalty from the Big XII. Who the hell are they to tell Texas anything? Maybe someone should remind them that if it were not for Texas there would be no Big XII right now. Texas held the conference together with its leadership and loyalty to the other conference members. This is how they are repaid?

Here is the link to the USA Today piece on the subject.

I will have more thoughts on this over the weekend after I have time to research the details. For now, though, what are your thoughts, IE?

 

[irishog77]

Crap...and here I was finally hoping to get to see Tim Riggins and Smash Williams play some live games on TV for a change

 

[G_Rob_B]

Here are some good articles from the other perspective:

Complicating the Issue

Will A&M trigger the next realignment explosion? | TexAgs

 

[IrishMoore1]

If Texas A&M decides to jump ship and join the SEC, this could be very, very bad for ND. Another conference re-alignment/destruction of the Big 12 could spell the end of our independence.

 

[chgocub23]

and now people are starting to realize why Nebraska wanted to get the heck outta Dodge. Well played Tom Osborne, Well played.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Personally I love the move. The Big XII might as well be called the Texas Ten, they run that place unfairly and it's why the other members don't want to be there.

Colorado literally sprinted to the Pac-10 (12), Nebraska and Missouri were drooling for Big Ten/CIC membership. It didn't turn out how Missouri had hoped. Now they're stuck in a baaaad situation. Even Texas A&M nearly decided to test the SEC waters.

I can see Texas becoming an independent. The real question is how do Oklahoma/Oklahoma State feel about it. They are not borderline mid-majors like Iowa State/Baylor/etc, they are legitimate football programs (Oklahoma more than OSU, clearly).

If I were omnipotent I'd let Texas go independent rather than let them sh*t on the other members of the conference not coached by Bob Stoops. I'd let Texas A&M go to the SEC in exchange for Arkansas (which dislikes being in the SEC as it is). I'd pick up Boise State (the wrestling program is a great fit and they are a legitimate football power believe it or not). See if Texas Christian and/or BYU want to hope on board too. It wouldn't be a bad conference at all with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Boise State, and Texas Christian all being very solid programs. Texas Tech, BYU, Kansas, and Kansas State are also decent enough to provide some depth in the conference.

Of course, this won't happen as BYU will have every Mormon in the country buy their own network and Texas Christian will have a berth in the BCS every season via the Big East. Sadly, Texas will have ever Longhorn fan buy their network AND have Notre Dame treatment from the BCS--only Texas will load their schedule up with Rice, Tulsa, Baylor, and UL-Lafayette and cruise to national championship berths and moneyyyyyy for Austin, TX and ESPN. Starting to get the picture?

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

i presume that there are already contracts in place that control the rights to broadcast these games. the original deals were made through the conference with a specific network, which seems fair bc that's what all other schools are dealing with. texas probably already contracted with the conference regarding the broadcast rights of its games. for them to say they deserve to alter that contract now is like a pro athlete asking for millions extra after a breakout season during a long term contract. live with the deal you signed. wait until the contract runs up and renegotiate at that time.

if they get to broadcast the games then it dilutes the value of advertising on the major network which is the most substantial source of revenue for networks. i see lots of pissed off parties to the prior deals that have helped make college football so lucrative today.

perhaps it would be fair to broadcast games out of market subject to blackout restrictions in the same manner as the mlb and nba. that would help build a national audience when the bigxii contract limits their games to a region limited to the south.

the recruiting violation concern is legitimate too. i think it's self explanatory, aside from the jokes about them not needing the help.

i could be wrong about the contracts in place, since i've never bothered to check them. however, i think my position is logical based on current conference affiliations with both schools and networks. the way i see it, the denial of broadcast rights is fair because they already agreed on how those rights would be handled over a set term.

 

[johnnykillz]

If Texas A&M decides to jump ship and join the SEC, this could be very, very bad for ND. Another conference re-alignment/destruction of the Big 12 could spell the end of our independence.

No way. You are far-fetched here my man. Texas is headed independent now. No doubt about it.

Personally I love the move.

I can see Texas becoming an independent.

Sadly, Texas will have ever Longhorn fan buy their network AND have Notre Dame treatment from the BCS--only Texas will load their schedule up with Rice, Tulsa, Baylor, and UL-Lafayette and cruise to national championship berths and moneyyyyyy for Austin, TX and ESPN.

Yes, they will independent. But I disagree with the scheduling you mentioned. Oklahoma will work out ways to schedule their rivals. So will Texas Tech. They'll try to play us and A&M as often as possible with an Arizona team. They may pick up Rice, Baylor, or Tulsa but we all know not to disregard a FBS team of any sort. There is no "cruise to the NC."


Guys, don't panic. We have our own network inbound in less than 5 years that will revolutionize college sports networks.

In the meantime, enjoy watching the makings/history of the sport of CFB's future.

A&M to the SEC isn't a bad thing.

If, at any point in time, we want in a conference, they will roll out the red carpet for us: We're a guaranteed cash cow. But I truly think independent is where we'll stay. Texas is coming our way...

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

I don't see it as the Big XII -II doing Texas wrong as much as I see the BXII finally saying no to Texas. Why should other conference members have to subscribe to the LHN just to see their team play? And why should Texas have anymore of an advantage than it already does in recruiting?

As for A&M going to the SEC, that's just dumb. They may, I just don't see it as a smart move. They have a chance to gain more national prominence in a weaker Big12 than they do if they move to the SEC. Think big fish small pond, or little fish in a shark infested sea. Sure the money is better, but is it worth not going to bowl games anymore?

Finally, if the BigXII falls I don't think it would hurt your independence anymore. In fact it may help it, so long as Texas goes independent. Think about it, you could play all the independents: Texas, BYU, Navy, plus your games with SC and Stanford, that's a pretty solid schedule. And that's not even including your B1G games.

 

[phork]

The advantage is not in playing the Texas games, its in playing the High School games of teams that Texas has high value recruits on. They have stated that these games will not be just Texas based HS teams, but national HS school teams.

"Heh kid we really like you, care to see your mug on the Longhorn network this season? Tune in Sept 9 to see yourself!"

 

[Buster Bluth]

Yes, they will independent. But I disagree with the scheduling you mentioned. Oklahoma will work out ways to schedule their rivals. So will Texas Tech. They'll try to play us and A&M as often as possible with an Arizona team. They may pick up Rice, Baylor, or Tulsa but we all know not to disregard a FBS team of any sort. There is no "cruise to the NC."

Ohio State found a scheduling model that worked perfectly: a bunch of duds and two powerhouses. Texas will play Oklahoma and a few solid teams, but don't let teams fool you they want the easiest possible schedule that will still allow them to be in the championship.

As for Oklahoma working out ways to schedule their rivals, how about Nebraska?

While there is no "cruise to the NC," there are easier ways and I would assume Texas will o that route once they're independent.

 

[johnnykillz]

Ohio State found a scheduling model that worked perfectly: a bunch of duds and two powerhouses. Texas will play Oklahoma and a few solid teams, but don't let teams fool you they want the easiest possible schedule that will still allow them to be in the championship.

As for Oklahoma working out ways to schedule their rivals, how about Nebraska?

While there is no "cruise to the NC," there are easier ways and I would assume Texas will o that route once they're independent.

Nebraska and Oklahoma aren't comparable where Texas is concerned. Nebraska was fodder for those two.

Texas will have no easier schedule than our beloved Irish.

Re-freakin'-lax man.

 

[G_Rob_B]

Here's another article. Texas' Longhorn Network creating drama with Texas A&M, Big 12 - Andy Staples - SI.com

There needs to be a Notre Dame Network up soon so it can broadcast high school games of recruits before the NCAA clarify the rules. We don't have any conference to stop us.

 

[Rhode Irish]

My biggest problem with this isn't that I don't think A&M has a point, its the timing of it. It isn't right to sit back and watch time, money and effort expended to set up this network, then voice concerns about it at the last second. Bush league on their part.

 

[ACamp1900]

No way. You are far-fetched here my man. Texas is headed independent now. No doubt about it.

This was my thought as well... time will tell.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Re-freakin'-lax man.

I have not be worried. I simply feel Texas could afford to have a weaker schedule like Big Ten teams have had recently.

Bush league on their part.

Well, they are in Texas.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Well, they are in Texas.

Touché.

 

[kmoose]

Another conference re-alignment/destruction of the Big 12 could spell the end of our independence.

Only if it spawns the 4 16 team superconferences that have been talked about.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If Texas A&M decides to jump ship and join the SEC, this could be very, very bad for ND. Another conference re-alignment/destruction of the Big 12 could spell the end of our independence.

It could actually go the other way. Texas' independence could cause others to follow suit, thereby securing ND's position as an independent.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Here's another article. Texas' Longhorn Network creating drama with Texas A&M, Big 12 - Andy Staples - SI.com

There needs to be a Notre Dame Network up soon so it can broadcast high school games of recruits before the NCAA clarify the rules. We don't have any conference to stop us.

Ha i dig the idea, my only problem is the NCAA would jump on the chance to shut that down. PURE BUSH LEAGUE

 

[IrishMoore1]

It could actually go the other way. Texas' independence could cause others to follow suit, thereby securing ND's position as an independent.

I don't think you guys understand what I'm saying. If Texas goes independent, other teams won't follow suit. What will happen is Texas A&M will join the SEC, and we all know how the conference wants to expand. Chances are, they they'll take more teams. Oklahoma might try to join the SEC as well. This inevitably means that the Big 12 will fall apart. Perhaps the other Big 12 teams will be absorbed into other conferences.

You have to remember independence isn't that easy. There is only one Notre Dame clause in the BCS qualifier and there is only one Notre Dame.

This is very bad for ND because it will make our independent scheduling incredibly difficult. How are we going to schedule games if every team in the country is required to schedule 8-10 conference games. Then we'll have to resort to playing scrubs like Boise State does, and get left out of the NC talk every year.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I don't think you guys understand what I'm saying. If Texas goes independent, other teams won't follow suit. What will happen is Texas A&M will join the SEC, and we all know how the conference wants to expand. Chances are, they they'll take more teams. Oklahoma might try to join the SEC as well. This inevitably means that the Big 12 will fall apart. Perhaps the other Big 12 teams will be absorbed into other conferences.

I don't think that's necessarily true. Losing Texas would hurt, but they could pick up Boise State, BYU, etc. Claiming that an entire conference will disintegrate if one program leaves is alarmist and unlikely.

You have to remember independence isn't that easy. There is only one Notre Dame clause in the BCS qualifier and there is only one Notre Dame.

It also comes with some pretty serious perks, which is one reason we fight for it. BYU isn't stupid.

This is very bad for ND because it will make our independent scheduling incredibly difficult. How are we going to schedule games if every team in the country is required to schedule 8-10 conference games. Then we'll have to resort to playing scrubs like Boise State does, and get left out of the NC talk every year.

As was posted earlier, that nightmare scenario only occurs if the four mega conferences start to emerge, and we're still a long way away from that.

 

[BGIF]

It's moot.

In 20 years the Texas electorate will have voted to rejoin Mexico and the "no hands" football aka soccer will be the state pastime.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

It's moot.

In 20 years the Texas electorate will have voted to rejoin Mexico and the "no hands" football aka soccer will be the state pastime.

"Them's fightin' words." -Texas

 

[Rhode Irish]

Revenge of the Longhorns

Revenge of the Longhorns

Texas to A&M: Get Bent (title is mine, obviously).

Texas is so clearly my #2 CFB team. In my view, A&M screwed Texas (and the rest of the Big XII) because they couldn't accept their position relative to their "big brother". Texas owes them nothing.

A&M = Fredo.