**************************************************

Texas Says No to the Big Ten

February 24, 2010

Not that the Big Ten has even approached Texas yet, but it is no secret the Big Ten is looking to expand. It is also no secret that any conference would love to have Texas. Good academics, strong athletics, great following, huge TV market…great for any conference. But the Athletic Director at Texas has said they like the Big 12 and are just fine. So even if the Big Ten does come knocking, they already know the answer. There’s probably only one Big 12 school the Big Ten would consider, and that’s Missouri.

Missouri is a natural fit in the Big Ten for its natural rivalry with Illinois, strong academics and generally good athletics. The Texas AD said that even if Missouri or another school should leave the conference (see Colorado for Pac-10) then it would be fine because he thinks the schools would stick together and get another team to replace them.

And who can blame them? You have Texas, Nebraska and Oklahoma in the same conference. Those are easily 3 of the best programs of all time…not to mention largest fan bases. Any conference with those three will be just fine. But what if Missouri bolted for the Big Ten and Colorado fled to the Pac-10? Could they replace them with two teams?

Quite simply, yes. Their first target would be Arkansas. They would love the old Southwest rivalry to heat up again. But the Hogs seem to be doing just fine in the SEC. Still, there is some appeal to the Big 12, so it might be a tough decision for them. In the end I think they stay in the SEC, but not after long consideration.

So who is on the long list to replace Missouri and Colorado should both teams leave? New Mexico, Houston, TCU, Louisiana Tech, Air Force and Colorado State. Who is on the short list? New Mexico and Louisiana Tech. You see, sports in college is all about money and recruiting. You want to expand the conference. How does adding TCU or Houston accomplish that? More presence in Texas? Not happening. They don’t need it. None of those schools offers anything to the Big 12. Air Force? Too small of a school. They don’t compete in enough sports. Colorado State? Maybe, but why would a school really want to go from middle of the pack in a mediocre conference to bottom dweller of a good conference? That won’t help them at all.

The natural choices seem to be New Mexico and Louisiana Tech. The Big 12 has no recruiting stronghold in Louisiana, and they produce great football players. LA Tech is currently in the WAC (yeah, the W stands for western) so they are a geographic anomaly. They have been an up and coming program, but we’ll have to see with their coach leaving for Tennessee. New Mexico opens up a new market the Big 12 is currently not in. UNM has been a solid basketball school as well.

Continue reading this post HERE

Alabama as the Preseason Number One?

February 24, 2010

Many pundits are already praising Alabama as the preseason number one favorite. While I admit this is likely going to happen, should it? They did win the BCS championship, although controversially, and they do return a bunch of those same players. I’m sure their recent success has seen an increase in Alabama merchandise sales, but should it see an increase in their preseason ranking? I think not.

Look, Alabama lost their starting quarterback and big Mount Cody. They return a good running game and a decent secondary and that is it. No experience at quarterback, the defensive line will be…well who knows. On the other hand, Boise State, who beat the team many considered best in the land last year, also finished undefeated and returns 21 of 22 starters, including the best passer in the game last year. Is there a reason they aren’t considered the all out favorite? Oh yeah, there is, they play in the WAC.

The BCS perpetuates its unfair system by discriminating from the very beginning. I GUARANTEE you that Boise State will start in the preseason top 3. I also GUARANTEE you that during the course of the season they will drop from that spot and not by losing. They will win every game. And they will still lose spots in the rankings. This regular season “playoff” has eliminated them before it has begun!

Alabama will start at number one. They will lose a game but still win the SEC and play for another national title. After all, the only real form of a playoff is the SEC championship game. It seems all you have to do is win that and you play for the national championship.