Tech's best possible, REALISTIC conference movement

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Originally Posted by Bulldog Tom

For anyone interested here is what the Big 12 will look like when everything shakes out. They will be a coast-to-coast conference, with a west and east division.

East division – West Virginia, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, UCF, Memphis, and Cincinnati.

West division – Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, Houston, BYU, Boise State, San Diego State, and Colorado State.

In the west Arizona and Arizona State may replace San Diego State, and Colorado State. The remaining Big 12 Presidents are working their connections hard to get the Arizona schools. Seems Louisiana and Tech are out of the running. Just joking neither were ever in the running.

We could end up in the new AAC.

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16? Why would the new Big XII go to 16 and have to split the smaller pie so many more ways? I don't see this happening.

I think the Big 12 adds 4, and stop at 12. Most likely adds will be BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UCF. Each has a strong case for receiving an invite. So, it will look like this:

East Division - West Virginia, Kansas, KSU, Iowa St, Cincinnati and UCF

West Division - Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, OSU, BYU & Houston

I think that's a really good conference, and should open up 3 spots in the AAC, but only one in the "west".

Likely replacements for the AAC losses will be:

UAB - to replace UCF)
Marshall - to replace Cincinnati)
Rice (60% chance) or LA Tech (40% chance) - to replace Houston

And no, I don't like our odds since conference presidents typically love academic havens such as Rice. Furthermore, with Memphis being "left behind" in the AAC, it will be tougher for Tech to get in. But, I assume we hired "Dr Eric Wood" for a reason, and if anyone should have good connections in the AAC, it's him.

I think LA Tech's chances of getting an AAC invite increase exponentially, if Memphis is no longer a member. So, Tech fans would be wise to hope and pray Memphis gets picked by the NEW Big 12. And the only way I see that happening is if the Big 12 and BYU can't work out the "Sunday" thing.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

I think LA Tech's chances of getting an AAC invite increase exponentially, if Memphis is no longer a member. So, Tech fans would be wise to hope and pray Memphis gets picked by the NEW Big 12. And the only way I see that happening is if the Big 12 and BYU can't work out the "Sunday" thing.

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I just posted this on the CUSA Board.

IMO, the CUSA teams that will be targeted for membership by the new AAC will depend greatly on the geography of the AAC teams that are picked for the new Big 12, as well as the geography of the remaining teams left in the AAC.

I think the consensus is that likely Big 12 targets include Cincy, Houston, Memphis and UCF from the AAC. If those 4 teams are invited to the Big 12, likely replacements will be:


Cincy > Marshall
Houston > Rice
Memphis > LA Tech or USM (or most likely both, to get to 12)
UCF > UAB


That's 5 new teams to replace the 4 AAC teams that are leaving.


Most of the above CUSA schools have a previously established "conference relationship" with most of the "leftover AAC" teams, and they all have their own "market", not shared by any existing AAC team. These "candidate" CUSA teams are well known commodities to SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, and East Carolina. Not so much with Temple, Navy & USF. Back to the "geography".....I can't see the AAC adding a second team (e.g., ULL) in the same market (south Louisiana) that's already covered (Tulane). Likewise, SMU isn't going to want to share their Dallas market with UNT, etc... So, that leaves the NEW ACC looking like this:


The New AAC 12:


West:
SMU
Tulsa
Rice
Tulane
LA Tech
USM


East:
UAB
USF
Marshall
East Carolina
Temple
Navy

Why would the Big 12 bring in four more mouths to feed when their media rights revenue looks to drop as sharply as expected?

If they can get BYU and Cincinnati to say yes, I think they add those two and stop there at least in their initial expansion round.

BYU is not an option

The Baylor board is reporting that Houston is no longer an option for B12 expansion. I am not sure the reasoning with that though. Boise is under consideration along with the others mentioned above.

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Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

The Baylor board is reporting that Houston is no longer an option for B12 expansion. I am not sure the reasoning with that though. Boise is under consideration along with the others mentioned above.

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I guess adding Houston would make too much sense, and give the NEW Big XII a real shot at picking up a larger share of Houston Metro's 7 million TV viewers. They can't do things the easy way. :laugh:

For the life of me, I can't see the Big 12 adding Boise. It's a long, long way to Boise from everywhere in the Big 12.

The Big XII has to consider:

- It's over 1,600 miles from Dallas, TX to Boise, Idaho.
- It's approximately 2,000 miles from Cincinnati to Boise, Idaho
- It's over 2,200 miles from Morgantown, WV to Boise, Idaho - Just the flight alone is 9 hours and 18 minutes ONE WAY, with 2 stops. LOL!! Ain't no way THIS is happening.
- It's a 5 hr and 30 minute flight from Waco, TX to Boise Idaho. Again, ONE WAY!

These are very long airplane flights. Comparatively speaking, it's only 1,358 miles from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA. That's a 3 hour and 8 minute flight.

IMO, adding Boise State to the Big XII is a pipe dream. I truly believe Boise St officials will receive a "courtesy interview", and then quickly shown the door.

ESPN is reporting: BYU, Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF to the Big 12

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Originally Posted by revf

ESPN is reporting: BYU, Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF to the Big 12

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I see them listed as top candidates...

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...ources-confirm

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Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

I see them listed as top candidates...

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...ources-confirm

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Don't tell PawDawg that BYU is in the club. He'll just deny it. :laugh:

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Don't tell PawDawg that BYU is in the club. He'll just deny it. :laugh:

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PD is right that the the Sunday thing is a BIG deal at BYU (Brigham Young also founded University of Utah). If I were the Big XII, I'd tell them they can play whenever they want. They're the only slam dunk out there.

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Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

I see them listed as top candidates...

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...ources-confirm

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They would certainly be a better candidate than Boise. That really makes no sense to me. Here is the link for the board and Twitter Houston reportedly out of the running for Big 12 expansion | SicEm365 People are doubting the source. I guess if ESPN is reporting differently, it may not be true. Houston certainly makes the most sense there.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

I guess adding Houston would make too much sense, and give the NEW Big XII a real shot at picking up a larger share of Houston Metro's 7 million TV viewers. They can't do things the easy way. :laugh:

For the life of me, I can't see the Big 12 adding Boise. It's a long, long way to Boise from everywhere in the Big 12.

The Big XII has to consider:

- It's over 1,600 miles from Dallas, TX to Boise, Idaho.
- It's approximately 2,000 miles from Cincinnati to Boise, Idaho
- It's over 2,200 miles from Morgantown, WV to Boise, Idaho - Just the flight alone is 9 hours and 18 minutes ONE WAY, with 2 stops. LOL!! Ain't no way THIS is happening.
- It's a 5 hr and 30 minute flight from Waco, TX to Boise Idaho. Again, ONE WAY!

These are very long airplane flights. Comparatively speaking, it's only 1,358 miles from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA. That's a 3 hour and 8 minute flight.

IMO, adding Boise State to the Big XII is a pipe dream. I truly believe Boise St officials will receive a "courtesy interview", and then quickly shown the door.

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I agree. I can't see Boise academics fitting in as well. But, I guess it's all still subject to change. I have been surprised at the Houston hate people on that board have. I don't go to the paid sections, but there is about half of the people that want no part of Houston. I would think that would be an easy option. Whatever happens, I hope that TECH benefits from the shake up.

The Big 12 can tell BYU whatever, but when one of the networks is forced to find another team to play a contracted Sunday game that BYU is supposed to be in it is a problem for the Big 12.

Again, baseball alone is a huge issue to work around, but I can see basketball also being a big deal.

I don't see the Sunday thing as that big of a deal. In baseball, you play BYU THU/FRI/SAT, basketball schedules can easily be made to accommodate them. The only issue is when it comes time for Conference Tournaments, then it will just not include Sunday.

Last year, their baseball opponents had no problem playing them Thurs-Sat - including Texas, Oregon State, & Utah.

Only 2 Big 12 basketball conference games were on Sunday last year (both on 3/7). Their basketball championship was on a Saturday.

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

I don't see the Sunday thing as that big of a deal. In baseball, you play BYU THU/FRI/SAT, basketball schedules can easily be made to accommodate them. The only issue is when it comes time for Conference Tournaments, then it will just not include Sunday.

Last year, their baseball opponents had no problem playing them Thurs-Sat - including Texas, Oregon State, & Utah.

Only 2 Big 12 basketball conference games were on Sunday last year (both on 3/7). Their basketball championship was on a Saturday.

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If BYU does not join the Big 12, it will because BYU leadership believes the Big 12 is too big of a gamble due to membership instability (possible, but highly unlikely) or the Big 12 decides not to expand.

There is a rumor that BYU will be extended a bid before the Baylor game this season, with BYU initially going in as a FB-only member and full membership starting once TU and OU are gone and the AAC teams join. The AAC schools will have a 27-month waiting period from the time they accept a bid until they can join if they don't want to pay an exit fee.

Also, there is validity about Arizona and Arizona State talking with the Big 12 (I have a good source.) The Pac 12 is a dying conference and USC is looking to bolt either to another conference or go Indy. The rumblings from USC started a few years ago and are getting louder. USC is not happy. If the Big 10 or SEC calls on the Trojans, the only question is who goes with them: Oregon or Washington? As for the state of the Pac 12, UCLA is giving away tickets for the lsu game, Wazzu is a mess, Stanford is cutting sports, and a number of the athletic programs are in serious debt.

All the sudden LaTech looks pretty good.

BYU isn’t going to Big12 with potential Pac12 reshaping in the horizon.
Houston has been axed from Big12 consideration.

That leaves the door wide open for Memphis. As HD said, if Memphis goes, so does LaTech.

The regional non P4 pods scenario that has been floated around on the interwebs is starting to take shape.

All up to our AD - but I think the script has already been written.

I guess once they are making money in the NFL, the convictions about playing on Sunday just disappear?

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Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

The Baylor board is reporting that Houston is no longer an option for B12 expansion. I am not sure the reasoning with that though. Boise is under consideration along with the others mentioned above.

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I think that's been pretty well refuted at this point. The tweet it was based on was from a guy who has been generally unreliable for info. The most recent thought is that the B12 might be looking at add four schools -- BYU, Cincy, UCF and Houston.

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Originally Posted by TechDawgMc

I think that's been pretty well refuted at this point. The tweet it was based on was from a guy who has been generally unreliable for info. The most recent thought is that the B12 might be looking at add four schools -- BYU, Cincy, UCF and Houston.

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Agreed. Their board is calling the guy a troll reporting this. Looks like Houston may get the nod. Hopefully that helps us!

Don’t tell Pawdawg…

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32141325/byu-houston-ucf-cincinnati-planning-submit-applications-big-12-sources-confirm

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Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

They would certainly be a better candidate than Boise. That really makes no sense to me. Here is the link for the board and Twitter Houston reportedly out of the running for Big 12 expansion | SicEm365 People are doubting the source. I guess if ESPN is reporting differently, it may not be true. Houston certainly makes the most sense there.

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Yup I heard that Boise was eliminated from consideration because they did not have the academic resume

Looks like it's a done deal!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nca...DHP&li=BBnbfcL

Not ideal

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Originally Posted by revf

Don’t tell Pawdawg…

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...ources-confirm

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I've based my opinion on why BYU didn't move or the Big12 didn't take them before. Those circumstances have not changed other than the Big12 getting desperate. Who ever thought the Big12 would be taking "football only" members? Still lots of things to work through.

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Originally Posted by revf

ESPN is reporting: BYU, Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF to the Big 12

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What??? I thought the Big 12 was dead? I was hearing they were terrible before Texas and Oklahoma left. Now they are taking the four best G5 athletic programs? Surely BYU and Houston are not going to join the Big 12. BYU cannot join because the week has seven days, including Sunday. And, it was reported right here that Houston "blew it" the last time and would never be invited to the Big 12. I thought the AAC was going to add the remaining Big 12 teams?

Of course, all of this is unoffical. All from unnamed sources. Almost seems like the Big 12 is trying to control the narrative, doesn't it? Releasing information only once hand shake agreements are in place.

Now there are two more schools the Big 12 would like to add. Long shot territory for sure, but who knows? I haven't seen this reported anywhere, but I heard this through the grapevine. At least, a couple of Big 12 Presidents really want to add these other 2 schools. Going to be interesting for sure.

On UCF...

turn back the clock to the late 90's. Don't remember the exact year, 1997? 1998? 1999? but UCF was an independent as were we. Both Tech and UCF were being actively courted by the Belch. In 1998 a 9-2 UCF was bypassed by all the bowls as being "too much of an unknown." Well...the UCF president and AD went public when an invitation was extended by the Belch. They said they had little to no interest to joining the Belch and certainly wouldn't unless Louisiana Tech also joined.

Now UCF will likely be joining the Big 12. Yes, it's a mere shadow of its former self and not really a P5 "power" conference anymore, but still, it is a step up for UCF. In 25 years they went from being essentially in the same boat (a row boat) as us to having achieved a lofty status.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

On UCF...

turn back the clock to the late 90's. Don't remember the exact year, 1997? 1998? 1999? but UCF was an independent as were we. Both Tech and UCF were being actively courted by the Belch. In 1998 a 9-2 UCF was bypassed by all the bowls as being "too much of an unknown." Well...the UCF president and AD went public when an invitation was extended by the Belch. They said they had little to no interest to joining the Belch and certainly wouldn't unless Louisiana Tech also joined.

Now UCF will likely be joining the Big 12. Yes, it's a mere shadow of its former self and not really a P5 "power" conference anymore, but still, it is a step up for UCF. In 25 years they went from being essentially in the same boat (a row boat) as us to having achieved a lofty status.

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UCF also went from being a small commuter school to one of the largest universities in the country (and the largest university in Florida!) with huge student fees on their 65k plus enrollment.

Meanwhile Lincoln Parish finally decided to allow alcohol sales…

So you are comparing apples to oranges.

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Originally Posted by revf

UCF also went from being a small commuter school to one of the largest universities in the country (and the largest university in Florida!) with huge student fees on their 65k plus enrollment.

Meanwhile Lincoln Parish finally decided to allow alcohol sales…

So you are comparing apples to oranges.

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No, I am not. Well, it might be apples and oranges today, but it wasn't 25 years ago, which is my point. You said it yourself "UCF also went from being..." They CHANGED! They took the steps necessary to elevate themselves, while Tech did not. There was a time we were in the same boat. Now they are being invited aboard a luxury ocean liner and we are stuck on a 25-foot fishing boat.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

I've based my opinion on why BYU didn't move or the Big12 didn't take them before. Those circumstances have not changed other than the Big12 getting desperate. Who ever thought the Big12 would be taking "football only" members? Still lots of things to work through.

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Desperation can lead to flexibility. BYU may have the best media market infrastructure in the new Big XII. The LDS church has always understood media, markets, and management.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

No, I am not. Well, it might be apples and oranges today, but it wasn't 25 years ago, which is my point. You said it yourself "UCF also went from being..." They CHANGED! They took the steps necessary to elevate themselves, while Tech did not. There was a time we were in the same boat. Now they are being invited aboard a luxury ocean liner and we are stuck on a 25-foot fishing boat.

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With holes in the bottom while we paint the sides

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Originally Posted by Lotsudo

Yup I heard that Boise was eliminated from consideration because they did not have the academic resume

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Riiiiight......LOL! I'm sure those 9 hour and 15 minute flights to Boise had nothing to do with their decision to deny Boise.

Like I said last week, Boise will receive a "courtesy interview" from the Big 12, and then quickly shown the door.

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

I've based my opinion on why BYU didn't move or the Big12 didn't take them before. Those circumstances have not changed other than the Big12 getting desperate. Who ever thought the Big12 would be taking "football only" members? Still lots of things to work through.

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No. You were just in denial.

Fact is, the Big 12 just lost their most "politically correct" members in Texas & OU, and the decision-making process has now shifted to members who see upside in adding BYU. Like I told you all along, they'll make it work.

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Originally Posted by Bulldog Tom

What??? I thought the Big 12 was dead? I was hearing they were terrible before Texas and Oklahoma left. Now they are taking the four best G5 athletic programs? Surely BYU and Houston are not going to join the Big 12. BYU cannot join because the week has seven days, including Sunday. And, it was reported right here that Houston "blew it" the last time and would never be invited to the Big 12. I thought the AAC was going to add the remaining Big 12 teams?

Of course, all of this is unoffical. All from unnamed sources. Almost seems like the Big 12 is trying to control the narrative, doesn't it? Releasing information only once hand shake agreements are in place.

Now there are two more schools the Big 12 would like to add. Long shot territory for sure, but who knows? I haven't seen this reported anywhere, but I heard this through the grapevine. At least, a couple of Big 12 Presidents really want to add these other 2 schools. Going to be interesting for sure.

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Who are the other two schools? And why would you leave your readers hanging without revealing the other two schools?

Also, FIM was the BB&B poster who insisted Houston "blew it" the last time" and would "never be invited to the Big 12". I am still waiting for an explanation for both of those comments. That said, I will proactively say in his defense that removing the University of Texas from the decision making process in the Big 12 likely improved Houston's chances drastically.

The New Big 12 is going to be just fine. Furthermore, the remaining members are probably going to find that the conference is much easier to manage without "big brother" Texas calling all the shots and insisting on unreasonable demands being met.

I assume he is talking about Arizona and Arizona St. Those are the ones rumored to be in discussions as well-those do seem like long shots though.

So, if the three AAC schools leave, will the AAC remain at 8 schools?

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

So, if the three AAC schools leave, will the AAC remain at 8 schools?

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I believe you have to have 10 to play a championship game, so I think they go back at least to 10, and likely to 12. As you get more spread out, it becomes better to have divisions rather than round robin.

I am sorry the two schools are Arizona and Arizona State. Brad said he heard the same thing (post #116). I had mentioned this as a possibility in an earlier post (#99). Not sure if Brad and I heard this from the same source, but I do think it might have originated from the same, outspoken Big 12 school president.

My opinion is if the two Arizona schools go to the Big 12, Boise and Memphis also go, to make it 16 teams. Big 12 presidents want to make the new Big 12 as strong as possible. I agree travel will be a hassle, but they want to be in great shape if WVU leaves for the ACC or Iowa State and Oklahoma State leave for the Big Ten.

They feel they will accomplish this by taking every good G5 football program (Memphis brings basketball history). Keep in mind, WVU would leave for the ACC in a minute, even though the payout would be less. Oliver Luck was AD at WVU when they entered the Big 12 tried everything possible to get the Mountaineers in the ACC at the time, but under the current landscape the ACC will never accept WVU. I laugh when I hear or read otherwise. The reason is totally academics, WVU is nowhere near ACC level.

I think the two Arizona schools are longshots, but anything is possible. The Big 12 has a lot more fight in them than most people realize, I still feel the Pac 12 is the weakest P5. I have no information of what is in store for Iowa State an Oklahoma State, although my gut says they are stuck in the Big 12.

Here is what I understand about Houston. The deal with Houston is they were never invited to the Big 12 the last time, period. They really didn't bring much to the table that the Big 12 did not already have.
Tilman Fertitta, a Texas billionaire, is board chairman or something like that at Houston. He threw a Texas sized fit saying Houston should be in the Big 12 blah, blah, blah. This rightfully so, upset the Big 12 presidents. Speculation was Houston would never be in the Big 12. Well, you have lived long enough to know things change and desperation sometimes make strange bedfellows. I expect Fertitta will be marginalized in Big 12 affairs moving forward, at least initially. He runs Houston athletics like it is his pro team. Think Bobby Lowder at Auburn. BTW he owns the Houston Rockets, they were 17-55 last season. I am not sure what any other poster meant by their statements about Houston, but this is my understanding about what went down. You probably knew all of this about Houston, perhaps not everyone else did.

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Originally Posted by Bulldog Tom

I am sorry the two schools are Arizona and Arizona State. Brad said he heard the same thing (post #116). I had mentioned this as a possibility in an earlier post (#99). Not sure if Brad and I heard this from the same source, but I do think it might have originated from the same, outspoken Big 12 school president.

My opinion is if the two Arizona schools go to the Big 12, Boise and Memphis also go, to make it 16 teams. Big 12 presidents want to make the new Big 12 as strong as possible. I agree travel will be a hassle, but they want to be in great shape if WVU leaves for the ACC or Iowa State and Oklahoma State leave for the Big Ten.

They feel they will accomplish this by taking every good G5 football program (Memphis brings basketball history). Keep in mind, WVU would leave for the ACC in a minute, even though the payout would be less. Oliver Luck was AD at WVU when they entered the Big 12 tried everything possible to get the Mountaineers in the ACC at the time, but under the current landscape the ACC will never accept WVU. I laugh when I hear or read otherwise. The reason is totally academics, WVU is nowhere near ACC level.

I think the two Arizona schools are longshots, but anything is possible. The Big 12 has a lot more fight in them than most people realize, I still feel the Pac 12 is the weakest P5. I have no information of what is in store for Iowa State an Oklahoma State, although my gut says they are stuck in the Big 12.

Here is what I understand about Houston. The deal with Houston is they were never invited to the Big 12 the last time, period. They really didn't bring much to the table that the Big 12 did not already have.
Tilman Fertitta, a Texas billionaire, is board chairman or something like that at Houston. He threw a Texas sized fit saying Houston should be in the Big 12 blah, blah, blah. This rightfully so, upset the Big 12 presidents. Speculation was Houston would never be in the Big 12. Well, you have lived long enough to know things change and desperation sometimes make strange bedfellows. I expect Fertitta will be marginalized in Big 12 affairs moving forward, at least initially. He runs Houston athletics like it is his pro team. Think Bobby Lowder at Auburn. BTW he owns the Houston Rockets, they were 17-55 last season. I am not sure what any other poster meant by their statements about Houston, but this is my understanding about what went down. You probably knew all of this about Houston, perhaps not everyone else did.

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Thank you for the explanation. It kinda brings things into better focus. Yes, and I am familiar with Tilman Fertitta, and his influence over UH athletics. However, I had not heard a blip about the Arizona/Arizona State thingy. I can't really see that one happening UNLESS the Pac 12 implodes by losing USC, UCLA, Stanford and CAL. Then, and only then, I could see UA and ASU considering a possible move to the Big 12 with Utah and Colorado possibly in tow.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Thank you for the explanation. It kinda brings things into better focus. Yes, and I am familiar with Tilman Fertitta, and his influence over UH athletics. However, I had not heard a blip about the Arizona/Arizona State thingy. I can't really see that one happening UNLESS the Pac 12 implodes by losing USC, UCLA, Stanford and CAL. Then, and only then, I could see UA and ASU considering a possible move to the Big 12 with Utah and Colorado possibly in tow.

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Agreed. No way UA and ASU leave the PAC 12, especially for the flailing Big 12. When Nebraska and Colorado, and Texas A&M, and Missouri and Arkansas (from the original SWC) all left that told you all you have to know about the former Big 8, SWC, then merged Big 12. It has been the most unstable of all the major conferences, and it's not done changing yet.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Thank you for the explanation. It kinda brings things into better focus. Yes, and I am familiar with Tilman Fertitta, and his influence over UH athletics. However, I had not heard a blip about the Arizona/Arizona State thingy. I can't really see that one happening UNLESS the Pac 12 implodes by losing USC, UCLA, Stanford and CAL. Then, and only then, I could see UA and ASU considering a possible move to the Big 12 with Utah and Colorado possibly in tow.

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HD: The "problem" with Houston you've seen posted previously both here and elsewhere on social media is simply a fear by the other Texas schools of what might happen if Houston was allowed into Big 12. Houston has gone from a commuter school 30 years ago to a research university that's garnered a lot of respect.

Also, the only way Arizona and ASU leave the Pac 12 for the Big 12 is, as you stated, if the Pac 12 were to lose schools to the Big 10 and fall apart. But that's not going to happen. The Big 10 presidents have publicly stated they have no intention of raiding the Pac 12 and killing it off. If anything, the 2 conferences will be working together over the next decade.

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Originally Posted by TechDawgMc

I believe you have to have 10 to play a championship game, so I think they go back at least to 10, and likely to 12. As you get more spread out, it becomes better to have divisions rather than round robin.

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In an interview prior to the AAC championship game last season on SiriusXM, Mike Aresco said that the AAC presidents wanted to get back to 12. He said that number just worked better for the league.

We'll soon find out if the remaining schools still feel that way.

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Originally Posted by The Historian

In an interview prior to the AAC championship game last season on SiriusXM, Mike Aresco said that the AAC presidents wanted to get back to 12. He said that number just worked better for the league.

We'll soon find out if the remaining schools still feel that way.

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It's good to hear from you again, Historian. Do you think the Big 10 is doing the right thing by choosing NOT to raid the PAC 12, etc..?

With the SEC going to 16 (and maybe more), it seems to me that the Big 10 could raid the Pac 12 of USC, UCLA, Stanford and CAL, and add 4 great programs to their portfolio, putting them at 18 total. Your thoughts?

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

It's good to hear from you again, Historian. Do you think the Big 10 is doing the right thing by choosing NOT to raid the PAC 12, etc..?

With the SEC going to 16 (and maybe more), it seems to me that the Big 10 could raid the Pac 12 of USC, UCLA, Stanford and CAL, and add 4 great programs to their portfolio, putting them at 18 total. Your thoughts?

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There was talk for several days in early August that perhaps the Big 10 would raid the Pac 12 of their California schools as well as Oregon and Washington.

Within days those rumors began to be shot down by writers and broadcasters close to the presidents within the Big 10. Those presidents just don't have the stomach for it. The idea of killing the Pac 12 and all the tradition the conferences share just isn't something they're interested in. And I understand where they're coming from.

Why not attempt to help save the Pac 12, help fix their TV situation, and move forward in a way that saves the tradition of the sport!!!

Here is one take.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...wer-structure/

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Originally Posted by Bulldog Tom

Here is one take.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...wer-structure/

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BYU is out. They not woke enough.

Concerns about BYU have been addressed, sources tell CBS Sports. Because it is a faith-based institution it does not play Sunday. That will not be a problem in the Big 12. Also, its 2016 candidacy for the Big 12 may have been scuttled by a letter to Bowlsby raising concerns about LGBTQ equality. BYU has participated in an NCAA initiative called Common Ground.

Nice to see La-Laf get the recognition for the AAC.

Their public relation work to get to a bigger, better conference has been a non-stop media and PR campaign.

They are claiming they are the flagship UL school and the second best public university in the state with all the booster, revenue, research numbers, tv numbers, demographics, relation to major cities, etc. etc.

Not because the are better….but because they have pushed the narrative to then being the #2 public school in the state will get them moving up the chain more quickly than us…because the media is all in on the “Louisiana” naming / position.

Our guys played a nice round of golf the other day and had chicken salad sandwiches for lunch.

My wife makes a killer chicken salad! We would fit right in. :icon_roll:

Tech is Tech.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

Nice to see La-Laf get the recognition for the AAC.

Their public relation work to get to a bigger, better conference has been a non-stop media and PR campaign.

They are claiming they are the flagship UL school and the second best public university in the state with all the booster, revenue, research numbers, tv numbers, demographics, relation to major cities, etc. etc.

Not because the are better….but because they have pushed the narrative to then being the #2 public school in the state will get them moving up the chain more quickly than us…because the media is all in on the “Louisiana” naming / position.

Our guys played a nice round of golf the other day and had chicken salad sandwiches for lunch.

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We got our ass whipped and our leaders seemed to enjoy it. Not a single one stood up to the BS UL system. Why?

Drop down to FCS and join the Southland.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by supermel311

Drop down to FCS and join the Southland.

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Go away you f'ing POS troll!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by supermel311

Drop down to FCS and join the Southland.

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I’m glad to see you guys have realized where you should be, are embracing it, and have decided to come out and say it out loud. Acceptance is an important step. Now you can F off back to the sludge pit and watch LSU with your friends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

We got our ass whipped and our leaders seemed to enjoy it. Not a single one stood up to the BS UL system. Why?

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None of them have the balls that F. Jay Taylor had.

Reneau and Guice have always been afraid of political consequences for pushing back, but nothing is any different whether they push back or not.

I really think we shoulda exited the UL system and joined the LSU system a few years ago when those talks where happening.

Would have been a huge gamble but there is no future for us in the UL system.

The Cajuns have whipped us in the Public relation department and that is all that really matters in today’s world.

Who wants potato chips with their chicken salad sandwich?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

None of them have the balls that F. Jay Taylor had..

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FJ was also mobbed up to his eyeballs and had protection from the familia. Which is to say, he was on the same payroll as plenty of legislators.

DR and LG, for all their faults, are least not mafiosos.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

FJ was also mobbed up to his eyeballs and had protection from the familia. Which is to say, he was on the same payroll as plenty of legislators.

DR and LG, for all their faults, are least not mafiosos.

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Prove it. Links?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Thank you for the explanation. It kinda brings things into better focus. Yes, and I am familiar with Tilman Fertitta, and his influence over UH athletics. However, I had not heard a blip about the Arizona/Arizona State thingy. I can't really see that one happening UNLESS the Pac 12 implodes by losing USC, UCLA, Stanford and CAL. Then, and only then, I could see UA and ASU considering a possible move to the Big 12 with Utah and Colorado possibly in tow.

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USC is the key. For the past two years, there has been a number of articles in Pac 12 country about how unhappy USC is. The Trojans strongly believe they can make more money as an independent. They know they would make much more money in the Big 10. IF USC leaves (either alone as an independent or with a conference mate to another conference) Arizona and Arizona State are jumping ship.

You are right, HogDog, UA and ASU will not move unless the Pac 12 as we know it is diminished. But, the possibility of the Pac 12 suffering a major membership blow is greater than what many realize. (Personally, I will be shocked if the Big 10 does not make a move to get USC and at least one of the following: Washington, Oregon and UCLA.

Of course, USC could demand a bigger share of TV revenue, and the Pac 12 could agree to that. But as we all know, that will create more hostility within the conference, which will eventually blow up the Pac 12.

The Pac 12 TV deals are ending in 2023 or 2024, and negotions should start next year. We will have a good idea within 18 months what will happen on the Left Coast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bulldog Tom

Here is one take.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...wer-structure/

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This guy is totally out of touch. SMU isn't going to let UNT join the ACC, and neither is Tulane gonna let another south Louisiana team (ULL) in either. The AAC isn't going to put a second team in the SAME market(s). Why would they do that?

This guy Dennis Dodd is not even half smart if he hasn't figured this out by now. He's way off the mark on a number of things.

One, two, three
Turn it up

Big dreams keep on turnin'
Carry me home to see my kin
Singin' songs about the Southland
I miss Nichols State once again and I think it's a sin, yes

Well I heard LA Tech sing about her
Well I heard the Bulldogs put her down
Well I hope LA Tech will remember
Conference USA don't need them around anyhow

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

None of them have the balls that F. Jay Taylor had.

Reneau and Guice have always been afraid of political consequences for pushing back, but nothing is any different whether they push back or not.

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Bingo. F Jay was a real man. ‘Excellence” was his code. And “Win” was the word , not this milquetoast “Compete” baloney.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Prove it. Links?

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Dirty laundry. Would be happy to talk more off line.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

FJ was also mobbed up to his eyeballs and had protection from the familia. Which is to say, he was on the same payroll as plenty of legislators.

DR and LG, for all their faults, are least not mafiosos.

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What. Ever.

WW2 Navy Pilot, Pacific theater, Lt. Commander.
Innovator. Pioneer. Leader. MAN.

You can engage sports fans all across this country and when you mention you are a Louisiana Tech grad, you always get a favorable comment: “you guys are good in all sports”.

Much of the reason we have respect nationwide is due to a lot of innovations F Jay led on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rama Jama

What. Ever.

WW2 Navy Pilot, Pacific theater, Lt. Commander.
Innovator. Pioneer. Leader. MAN.

You can engage sports fans all across this country and when you mention you are a Louisiana Tech grad, you always get a favorable comment: “you guys are good in all sports”.

Much of the reason we have respect nationwide is due to a lot of innovations F Jay led on.

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Amen. Sounds like someone on here had an unresolved issue with Dr. Taylor. I have nothing but respect for him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Dirty laundry. Would be happy to talk more off line.

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Seems like you have already hung out dirty laundry. Tell us all what you know, and tell us how we can investigate your issues with him.

Fine. Forget it then.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Prove it. Links?

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You don’t want to go down this road. It ain’t for the faint of heart.

I did not know Dr. Taylor was a Naval Aviator. If he was a carrier pilot, he did have balls. Those early days flying was much different than
than to day. Had an exec officer who earned the NAVY CROSS during the 2nd Marriana turkey shoot. Flying a Curtis SB2c (son of a bitch 2nd class) dive bomber, dropped a 500 lb. bomb down the stack of a Jap cruiser.

Anywhere where Holtz isn’t allowed to follow the team, is there such a place as that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

You don’t want to go down this road. It ain’t for the faint of heart.

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My heart ain't faint. I am ready to hear the "dirty laundry".

Time to move on past EWE. The last two have not been able to overcome the corruption but they should have put Tech ahead of Lafayette in the name game pecking order.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

Time to move on past EWE. The last two have not been able to overcome the corruption but they should have put Tech ahead of Lafayette in the name game pecking order.

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They are (and were) bureaucrats. That's all. They aren't going to move the needle. Being a successful bureaucrat is all about collecting your paycheck and NOT rocking the boat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

They are (and were) bureaucrats. That's all. They aren't going to move the needle. Being a successful bureaucrat is all about collecting your paycheck and NOT rocking the boat.

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exactly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BullPupN'46

I did not know Dr. Taylor was a Naval Aviator. If he was a carrier pilot, he did have balls. Those early days flying was much different than
than to day. Had an exec officer who earned the NAVY CROSS during the 2nd Marriana turkey shoot. Flying a Curtis SB2c (son of a bitch 2nd class) dive bomber, dropped a 500 lb. bomb down the stack of a Jap cruiser.

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Awesome! Did not know that about FJ...just makes me respect him even more.

Welp it looks like the AAC is going to have a few openings...

It's nut cuttin time yall

Hopefully there’s not a “what have you done for me lately” approach and the consistent above average performance of our football, men’s basketball, and baseball will be viewed favorably.

Let's pray that we are prepared for this go round. Otherwise its back to the Gulf States err Sunbelt for Tech.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

Let's pray that we are prepared for this go round. Otherwise its back to the Gulf States err Sunbelt for Tech.

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Sunbelt is better than CUSA in football.

Maybe right now, but do you want to play with ULM and ULL every year? I would rather play SMU and Tulane instead.

I've made peace with this not really being in our control. If they're looking for markets, what were we going to do? Move to Dallas?

If they're looking for on-field production? Well, I'd think the smart play would be medium to long term reliability (which we'd have). And there aren't a whole lot of schools in the pool better on consistency than us, even if some of the highest highs have been higher than ours.

If they're looking for geography, well - nothing we can do about that.

If it's about budgets or eye-balls? Again, what were we supposed to do? Double our enrollment?

I'd love to play in what's left of the AAC, especially if they were to also bring in some schools we like being around (Rice, USM, just generally good programs). I could probably be ok with the Sunbelt (especially if like a USM came too). But I'd also be ok with just staying in CUSA so long as the AAC doesn't take a certain 3-4 schools. If we're getting left in a CUSA that lost, like, ODU and the F_U twins? I could live with that. Heck, I'd like it better than current CUSA (but not as much as AAC of course).

I guess my bottom line is that I've accepted that it's not really a question of "not being ready" or anything like that. There are some scenarios where we'd be worse off, but still plenty with more or less the same situation or even better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Welp it looks like the AAC is going to have a few openings...

It's nut cuttin time yall

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We lost ours a couple of decades ago. And the scotoplasty has eroded.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

Maybe right now, but do you want to play with ULM and ULL every year? I would rather play SMU and Tulane instead.

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Never said I wanted to play ULM or ULL. You equated Sunbelt to Gulf States. I just pointed out that was a dumb statement.

But I would prefer ULM or ULL to Grambling, NSU, Southern, or Southeastern.

Racism!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inudesu

I've made peace with this not really being in our control. If they're looking for markets, what were we going to do? Move to Dallas?

If they're looking for on-field production? Well, I'd think the smart play would be medium to long term reliability (which we'd have). And there aren't a whole lot of schools in the pool better on consistency than us, even if some of the highest highs have been higher than ours.

If they're looking for geography, well - nothing we can do about that.

If it's about budgets or eye-balls? Again, what were we supposed to do? Double our enrollment?

I'd love to play in what's left of the AAC, especially if they were to also bring in some schools we like being around (Rice, USM, just generally good programs). I could probably be ok with the Sunbelt (especially if like a USM came too). But I'd also be ok with just staying in CUSA so long as the AAC doesn't take a certain 3-4 schools. If we're getting left in a CUSA that lost, like, ODU and the F_U twins? I could live with that. Heck, I'd like it better than current CUSA (but not as much as AAC of course).

I guess my bottom line is that I've accepted that it's not really a question of "not being ready" or anything like that. There are some scenarios where we'd be worse off, but still plenty with more or less the same situation or even better.

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I think if we'd won some key games over the last decade we could have some say over what happens next. As it stands, youre right - most we can do is just let the chips fall.

Is Memphis our biggest obstacle from current members in the AAC? They were the member against us last time weren't they?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

Is Memphis our biggest obstacle from current members in the AAC? They were the member against us last time weren't they?

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So was Tulane and those two will probably vote against us again.

SMU and Tulane not likely to
be our friends, either.
I agree that it will
probably be about market size.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

Is Memphis our biggest obstacle from current members in the AAC? They were the member against us last time weren't they?

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Correct. Their president, Shirley Raines, and AD R.C. Johnson were very opposed to us joining C-USA in '04. Neither are still at Memphis.

So who would be "Yes" votes on us, and who would be "No" votes on us for AAC? I was very hopeful that our past relationships with Tulsa, SMU and Tulane (hosting them after Katrina) would be helpful to us.

Market size may be used as an excuse, but it no longer matters since the entire delivery of product has changed over the past 15 years. Never really mattered before, but it was the excuse our people used when UTEP got the nod over us for CUSA.

Tulane voted for us in both 2004 and 2012.

SMU was our biggest advocate in both 2004 and 2012. Their longtime president and DR were friends.

Exactly. Memphis led the charge against us and their leaders in that area are long gone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

I think if we'd won some key games over the last decade we could have some say over what happens next. As it stands, youre right - most we can do is just let the chips fall.

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I disagree. Of course I'd have preferred that we win any games we lost over the last 20 years but unless we're talking about like all of them, I think it wouldn't matter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Tulane voted for us in both 2004 and 2012.

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That is not what I was told. Maybe they did in 2012...post-Katrina as a payback, but not in 2004. But my source says Tulane voted no both times and my source was incensed they did, given what Tech did for them re: Katrina. Water under the bridge now, what's important is how Tech will fair this go-around.

Despite my recent stint as the resident irrational optimist, I don’t see it happening. That said, if Historian says we’re in a better spot than we’ve been in previously, we must be.

The tussle between the Belch and the CUSA left overs will be epic.

I just hope we are trying.... We need to pull out all the stops and go for it full speed! If we are not doing that, then our new A.D. is not worth anything. I believe that our President can definitely see the benefit, so he should be arranging meetings now with those Presidents. We may have no idea if he is or isn't, though. Those would be in private.

Out of the CUSA teams right now, believe it or not, it is us, Rice, and Southern Miss that have the most name recognition. No directional school (including North Texas) has that. Next would be Marshall, UTEP, and maybe ODU. 3rd tier would be UAB (mainly because of them winning games, but they are definitely a baby brother and perceived that way), and UTSA. Last tier would be all the rest (FIU, FAU, North Texas, etc..)

Please note, I am just going on national name recognition, not records, market size (which is stupid right now), or anything else. This is just my opinion. Who did I leave out? If I left them out, they probably don't have much name recognition anyway. :laugh:

We’ve been working on it since the day we heard about Texas and Oklahoma being the first dominoes

Quote:

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Originally Posted by champion110

I just hope we are trying.... We need to pull out all the stops and go for it full speed! If we are not doing that, then our new A.D. is not worth anything. I believe that our President can definitely see the benefit, so he should be arranging meetings now with those Presidents. We may have no idea if he is or isn't, though. Those would be in private.

Out of the CUSA teams right now, believe it or not, it is us, Rice, and Southern Miss that have the most name recognition. No directional school (including North Texas) has that. Next would be Marshall, UTEP, and maybe ODU. 3rd tier would be UAB (mainly because of them winning games, but they are definitely a baby brother and perceived that way), and UTSA. Last tier would be all the rest (FIU, FAU, North Texas, etc..)

Please note, I am just going on national name recognition, not records, market size (which is stupid right now), or anything else. This is just my opinion. Who did I leave out? If I left them out, they probably don't have much name recognition anyway. :laugh:

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Generally agree. But Marshall needs to be in the top tier for name recognition.

They're the only CUSA school with a movie with their name in it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Generally agree. But Marshall needs to be in the top tier for name recognition.

They're the only CUSA school with a movie with their name in it.

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Not to mention one of the coolest nicknames for any sports team....thundering herd. Just kind of rolls off the tongue.

There was a scene shot in “the Joe” in a movie about Doug Williams? :D