Texas and Texas A&M to the Big Ten?

• purple_rein

  http://northwestern.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?SID=901&fid=57&style=2&tid=143839427&Page=1
  
  This is the thread that the world has been watching - over 43,000 views.
  
  It is confusing because he has been updating throughout the thread and also on his first post so some of the replies in the first couple pages are to earlier postings that are no longer there.
• purple_rein

  He also hints at some seriously juicy stuff such as Texas and Big Ten talking for years and that this is a decade in the making. He says he cannot reveal too much for it could hurt the Big Ten's negotiating power. Says he plans to write a book about it all once its over and done with.
  
  He is either seriously in the know or playing the entire country.
• krambman

  

  Thanks!
• Scarlet_Fever

  

  krambman;386079 wrote:I feel like it's draft day, only there's no draft order and any team (conference) can negotiate a contract with any player (school). Or maybe it's like election day and all of the projections and returns are coming in and constantly changing. I must say, I was getting sick of hearing about all this expansion stuff when it all was still very far off. Now that stuff is actually happening it's becoming quite fun to watch.
  
  purple_rain, do you have a link to this Northwestern guy? I'd be interested in reading what he's saying.

  
  
  Haha it does feel like that. Maybe more like National letter of intent day.
• jordo212000

  

  Manhattan Buckeye;386055 wrote:I'll puke if Rutgers joins the Big 10, lousy athletic department and NO fanbase. People in New York that watch football already watch the Big 10 and ND.

  
  Agreed. I've been saying that all along.
• krambman

  

  This also makes sense for Texas depending on their mindset. It's clear that the Big XII is falling apart so that means that Texas HAS to make a move. If they want to go to a conference where they will have the best chance to dominate annually and have the best chance at competing for a national championship then the Pac-10 is probably their best choice. The two best programs in the Pac-10 are USC who just received two years of sanctions which include a bowl ban and a loss of 30 scholarships, and Oregon just released their best player. Texas would come in and would easily be the best of the conference. If they wanted to be in a conference that would be competitive and had numerous traditional powers (like the Big XII did) then the Big Ten would be the obvious choice (with Michigan, Ohio State, and Nebraska). Also, The Big Ten offers shorter travel for Texas and as far as basketball goes, the Big Ten is miles ahead of the Pac-10 right now, and Texas has a very good basketball program right now.
  
  Also, the Big Ten already has their own network in place and has the best deal with ESPN that could easily be made bigger with the addition of Nebraska and Texas (and Notre Dame). The Pac-10 would still need to create their own network and negotiate with carriers, and negotiate a brand new contract with either ESPN or Fox. The money seem to me that it would be better and more guaranteed in the Big Ten right away than it would be in the Pac-10.
• jpake1

  

  This shit is crazy. I would love Texas in the B10. I've got a lot of respect for that program. Can you imagine... OSU having teams like Oklahoma, ND, PSU, UM, and Texas in the same year? It might just happen. We play OU in a few years. We'd probably play ND, PSU, and UM in regular season. Then if there's a B10 championship game, we might see Texas or Big Red. A playoff would have to follow. The only undefeated teams would be from weak conferences and it'd be real hard judging a bunch of 1-2 loss powerhouse teams.
• End of Line

  

  What a mess this situation has become.
• Ytowngirlinfla

  

  All this conference stuff is crazy and out of control but I love hearing about it in the off season since it's my favorite sport.
• krambman

  

  Scarlet_Fever;386109 wrote:Haha it does feel like that. Maybe more like National letter of intent day.

  
  Another analogy I thought of is that it feels like Saturday at a major championship. Guys are making birdies and boggies, moving up and down the leader board, but at the end of the day we still don't know who the winner is because the tournament isn't over yet.
• WebFire

  krambman;386516 wrote:Another analogy I thought of is that it feels like Saturday at a major championship. Guys are making birdies and boggies, moving up and down the leader board, but at the end of the day we still don't know who the winner is because the tournament isn't over yet.

  
  I'd have to go with the letter of intent day. The Saturday you describe doesn't exist for me.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  The academics (never underestimate how important this aspect is) certainly make sense for Texas to join the Big Ten. There are literally billions of dollars in research money available that they don't have access to any other place.
  
  That said, I'm reading from various sites that Texas may just be using the Big Ten interest to feather a better nest with the PAC 10, where they could remain the clear top dog (like they've been in the Big 12) and not just be "one of the guys" as they would be in the Big Ten, when it comes to athletics.
  
  I hope that's not true and the academics and Pacific start times (which Texas fans say they would hate) are two factors that push them to the Big Ten. But given how this is all unfolding across the country, NOTHING that happens will surprise me.
  
  If Texas decides to go to the West Coast while A&M goes to the SEC, then the Big Ten should definitely take Missouri and ND (if they come to their senses). If some good opportunities arrive later to take the number to 16 (I would like to see Virginia and Maryland added if the ACC further falls apart). Otherwise, keep the number at 14.
  
  At 14, each school would have 6 division games, 3 crossover games that would alternate say every two years, and three out of conference games to pad the bank accounts.
• vball10set

  IMO,ain't gonna' happen--they're going to the Pac 10....Big Ten will have Nebraska & Mizzou,with (pick two) Syracuse,Pitt or Rutgers,with ND jumping on board after the Big East is decimated..ergo the Big 16
• dwccrew

  

  dokken;385930 wrote:The Big 10 NEEDS them badly.

  I don't think the Big 10 needs anyone right now.
  

  tk421;385951 wrote:Hmm, OSU wouldn't be the best team in the Big "10" anymore if Texas joins.

  
  Yeah, we heard that when Penn State joined. 8 Big Ten titles and 1 national title later, we're still the best.
  
  If Texas does join the Big 10 and wants to be considered #1, they'll have to dethrone the Bucks, til then, OSU dominates the Big 10.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Lol the Big Ten doesn't need anyone...they will still be the best overall conference no matter who they bring in (or dont bring in).
• The Equalizer

  

  
• thedynasty1998

  

  The Big 10 doesn't need anyone, but they want Texas more than any other school.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Big Ten is in a great position right now.
• purple_rein

  vball10set;386684 wrote:IMO,ain't gonna' happen--they're going to the Pac 10....Big Ten will have Nebraska & Mizzou,with (pick two) Syracuse,Pitt or Rutgers,with ND jumping on board after the Big East is decimated..ergo the Big 16

  
  You have no faith vball. Let me ask you and everyone else this: Why would Texas go to the Pac 10?
  
  IMO, the top 5 things that Texas is considering when choosing a conference in order of importance:
  
  1. Money - Big Ten has the most of it both athletically and research-wise.
  2. Academic Prestige - Big Ten is 2nd behind the Ivy League which does not play FBS football.
  3. Football - Chance to play in a league with 6 of the top 7 programs of all time with a marquee matchup just about every other week. Not to mention recruiting advantages in state if they are playing with the big boys.
  4. Rivalries - A&M and Oklahoma are the only ones that matter and they can play OOC. Obviously, this is the disadvantage of the Big Ten but A&M could still join.
  5. Geography - SEC makes the most sense, with Big Ten 2nd and Pac 10 a distant 3rd.
  
  Let me know if there is something I overlooked that they should be considering.
• vball10set

  you have valid points,rein,and I would love to see it happen--however,it's just that I believe the Texas schools (Texas,A&M,Tech & Baylor) will stick together and go to a conference that needs them more than they need a conference--aka the Pac 10. This is just my opinion,based on nothing but a gut instinct,but as I said--I'd love for you to be right!!!
• KnightRyder

  

  purple_rein;386919 wrote:You have no faith vball. Let me ask you and everyone else this: Why would Texas go to the Pac 10?
  
  IMO, the top 5 things that Texas is considering when choosing a conference in order of importance:
  
  1. Money - Big Ten has the most of it both athletically and research-wise.
  2. Academic Prestige - Big Ten is 2nd behind the Ivy League which does not play FBS football.
  3. Football - Chance to play in a league with 6 of the top 7 programs of all time with a marquee matchup just about every other week. Not to mention recruiting advantages in state if they are playing with the big boys.
  4. Rivalries - A&M and Oklahoma are the only ones that matter and they can play OOC. Obviously, this is the disadvantage of the Big Ten but A&M could still join.
  5. Geography - SEC makes the most sense, with Big Ten 2nd and Pac 10 a distant 3rd.
  
  Let me know if there is something I overlooked that they should be considering.

  
  big ten football ? marquee match ups? oh lord. the only advantage texas would have by joining the big ten is that they would win the conference every year.
• The Equalizer

  

  Who're the 6 of the top 7 programs of all time?
• LJ

  

  The Equalizer;386972 wrote:Who're the 6 of the top 7 programs of all time?

  
  Yeah I don't get that. Current alignment (including nebraska) the Big Ten has 4 of the top 10... Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, Penn State
• Writerbuckeye

  

  LJ;386973 wrote:Yeah I don't get that. Current alignment (including nebraska) the Big Ten has 4 of the top 10... Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, Penn State

  
  The poster has to be assuming Texas and Notre Dame become Big Ten members for this to be accurate.
• LJ

  

  Writerbuckeye;386976 wrote:The poster has to be assuming Texas and Notre Dame become Big Ten members for this to be accurate.

  
  Still wouldn't be accurate, that would be 4 of the top 7 and 6 of the top 10