Mudslinging in the Big XII hit a new high yesterday. Notre Dame and Texas to the Big Ten?

by Aaron Musfeldt on Sep 8, 2011 10:17 AM CDT in Conference Realignment

Apparently everyone in the Big XII now hates everyone else and everyone is going to sue everyone else. It's like reading Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" only the capitalists are going at each other throats instead of the socialists. Part of me feels really bad but I can't help but laugh. It really sounds like an awful break up. All the crap that has come out on twitter and the national media yesterday/today paints a picture of everyone taking shots at everyone else.

How can they possibly mend the fences this time around? Even yesterday morning, with all the super conference rumors that have been floating lately, I still believed that the only move that would happen this time around would be A&M leaving and the Big XII holding together. Maybe they pick up another school, but that would be about it. I just can't see that happening this time around.

What we heard/learned yesterday:

Arkansas had a brief discussion with the Big XII that ended fairly quickly with them saying, "Thanks, but no thanks.

Baylor decided not to "wave its legal right to file a lawsuit against the SEC or A&M." They are really throwing a hissy fit because they are worried that they will be left out. Hmm. Where were they 15 years ago when SMU, Houtson, TCU, etc., were being left out while they were included?

Iowa State also decided to do this.

A&M is a hostage now.

Dan Beebe doesn't know what's going on.

Apparently everyone else in the Big XII found some brain cells and decided not to "wave their rights" to sue as well.

Oklahoma is giving the rest of the league the middle finger and says, "A&M can leave". Apparently they are tired of it. It's too bad the B1G will miss out on getting the Sooners.

Lot's of statements from yesterday here.

And lastly, Texas conspiracy theories abound regarding them "pulling the strings" of Baylor et. al.

And today:

Apparently the Big XII has come to a handshake agreement to let A&M leave without lawsuits. Will the SEC be ok with this or will they want it in writing?

And a big one that was under the radar from Northwestern's Rivals site: Texas and Notre Dame present Terms needed for them to join the conference.

Take it for what it's worth. Most of it is just officials just trying to spread rumors to get people in line, but all they are really doing is just pissing each other off. The clock is ticking.

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RE: the rumored Texas and ND to B1G terms.

They more or less sound ok to me if they’re accurate. But, keeping an 8-game schedule in a 14-team league will be difficult. That leaves only one cross-division game. I don’t see how that can work without rotating divisions. I don’t have a problem with rotating divisions, but I know lots of people don’t like the idea.

by Trey Hillman's Chin on Sep 8, 2011 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

No way the Big Ten lets Texas and Notre Dame dictate terms of number of conference football games.

Jim Delaney just announced the nine game schedule last month on August 4th. If Texas and Notre Dame were making a case against that, Delaney would have held back on that change. Not like there was a pressing reason to make that announcement last month. Delaney didn’t get where he is by being wishy-washy.

So I’m not buying that Northwestern Rivals report. Does. Not. Compute.

by Husker Mike on Sep 8, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I don’t think anyone gets to dictate terms to the Big Ten.

That and the idea that Texas and Notre Dame would hold on to broadcast rights just sound like BS to me. The whole idea behind the B1G is equality in revenue from broadcasting, which has kept the conference pretty unified and strong.

Why would Delany allow such a disruptive concept?

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by Jon Johnston on Sep 8, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Memo To Jim Delaney:

When dealing with Texa$ and Notre Dame (especially Texa$), head the words of this man:

You can have my answer now, if you like. My final offer is this: nothing.

Paddle faster, I hear banjos!!

by Section 37 on Sep 8, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually, 2 cross division games.

7 teams in each division yields 6 intradivision games.

by Albino Tornado on Sep 8, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I assume one protected cross-division

meaning only one non-protected opponent. With fixed divisions, you’re rotating 6 teams through one slot.

by Trey Hillman's Chin on Sep 8, 2011 4:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I don't think Arkansas even said thanks

considering that 1) the SEC is going to be be left standing, 2) they get more money in the SEC anyway, and 3) that they don’t need to kneel before ~~Zod~~ Texas. Beebe is lucky the Arkansas AD didn’t just laugh at them.
This is some high quality drama.
As far is Texas and ND go, it’s as plausible as anything else I’ve seen floated. Like Trey just said, that 8 game schedule is going to make it a little more difficult. I’m not sure I would want either team at this point, but from a money standpoint, there is no question adding them would be a winning proposition.

"'Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic." - Lewis Caroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass

by chitownhawkeye on Sep 8, 2011 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

Big IIX Soap opera

so will this saga be picked up by Hollywood anytime soon? “the rise and epic fall of big IIX” based on actual bickering, back stabbing, finger pointing, he said she said and I want this and i don’t care what you think events that happened in the life of the big IIX. even Hollywood couldn’t make this stuff up, it’s like a real life soap opera

by 48bugeater on Sep 8, 2011 11:30 AM CDT reply actions

Big 12 north schools responded with this comment

So glad we’re out of this crap. :)

by davereid on Sep 8, 2011 11:49 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Dan Beebe is the most epic failure of a commissioner ever

Seriously, he looks dumber every day. It seems like he’s just staring out his office window wondering when the next time Dodds is going to invite him over for a sleepover. Who knows what’s actually happening in the Big 12 office, but it seems like nothing is being done except standing there with their hands in their pockets.

by Billgrip on Sep 8, 2011 12:18 PM CDT reply actions

I'm not a lawyer

or trained in law, but how is the letter from the Big 12 (-2) not considered a verbal contract/agreement? Just asking?

And with that, if the Big 12 (-2) is poison does the the B1G look east? Maybe to 14; VT and PITT?

by Grixxly on Sep 8, 2011 12:55 PM CDT reply actions

I was wondering that myself. Beebe essentially replaced WHICH entity had waived rights in the second letter.

Then again, I guess each school could sue the Big 12 for speaking out of turn which should then allow them to sue the SEC/AtM as necessary.

I have no idea. Really, I just saw “Dan Beebe” and said, oh, well that’ll end well.

"I did dumb things." - Tim Beck, Nebraska's new OC

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Sep 8, 2011 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I Think A New Name For Baylor Is In Order

“Baylor decided not to “wave its legal right to file a lawsuit against the SEC or A&M.” They are really throwing a hissy fit because they are worried that they will be left out."

Folks, I give you the Baylor Fighting “Hissys”

"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

by UltimaRatioRegum on Sep 8, 2011 1:55 PM CDT reply actions

Please keep them away, Jim Delany.

Please?

"I did dumb things." - Tim Beck, Nebraska's new OC

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Sep 8, 2011 2:45 PM CDT reply actions

See Picture

That is an actual picture of Beebe with his tail between his legs!

by goTigers on Sep 8, 2011 2:49 PM CDT reply actions

Ok cornation world please don't yell

But part of me would like Texas and norte dame in our conference. We have enough storied programs to offset Texas ego. It makes our other sports look better especially baseball. And can you imagine the rivalry between us and Texas?

by huskermic on Sep 8, 2011 3:04 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Not going to yell, but don't want any more to do with Texa$

Period. End of story. Let them rot in independence purgatory.

by Wolvie on Sep 8, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

The only good

I see of texas moving to the B1G is the fact that Dan Baby won’t be calling the shots in the conference and that may make them a little more hesitant to start puffing out their chest and bullying other programs

Nebraska, The Good Life
Keith Stone, always smooth

by Beranek5225 on Sep 8, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I will be surprised if the B1G acts first

Baylor is not going to stop the inevitable from happening. Pac 12 is waiting on A&M to go to the SEC and then it will pick up OU, OSU, TT, and UT. B1G is waiting for all of this to happen and will most likely pick up Missouri (they have been very quiet during this whole debacle) and push for Dame to join now or never.

All of this teeters on A&M being the first domino. Expect the PAC to change their name to The Wild West Conference or something like that.

Good luck to who ever is left in the former Big XII. You can’t say you did not see this coming and you should get no pity because you threw your lot in with UT….what did you expect? I recall the score for ruining conferences is Texas 1 and everybody else 0.

The positive in all of this you ask? Goodbye BCS and hello postseason tourney!

by BledRed on Sep 8, 2011 4:19 PM CDT reply actions