The Pac-12 Conference Staying Put With 12 Schools!

Oklahoma laid out its terms for the Big-12 conference, to have only a nine team conference. Then saw it trumped Tuesday night when the Pac-12 conference said, that they decided not to expand after all. The news from the Pac-12 has given the Big-12 conference a chance to survive in this round of conference realignment.

Improbably, the Big-12 conference looks to be a survivor in this round of conference realignment, the conference could be looking for other schools to expand with them. Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech no longer a destination for them in the Pac-12 conference. The Pac-12 conference said, they will stay with just twelve schools.

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, "After careful review, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our member institutions , student-athletes and fans to remain a 12-team conference."

"While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals are financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve."

Oklahoma's leverage to enact major reforms in the Big-12 as a price for staying, may have taken a severe hit. The only option Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have, which has a regents meeting on Wednesday, appear to be joining Texas A&M and perhaps Missouri in the SEC. Otherwise, Oklahom and Texas along with other members of the Big-12 conference will need to resolve their differences. Sources said, that Texas and Oklahoma will meet soon to negotiate a deal that could keep each team in the conference for five years.

Oklahoma president David Boren said, "He wasn't surprised by the Pac-12's action and the Sooners would push for "changes which will make the [Big-12] conference more stable for the future."

"Big-12 appears to gain upper hand in face of OU's threat to bolt."

"OU LAYS ALL ITS CARDS ON TABLE, BUT WILL IT MATTER?"

"TEXAS AND OU WILL ALWAYS BE DIVIDED...WILL THEY EVER SEE EYE TO EYE?

Will Texas and OU be able to agree during their negotiations?

Will the Big-12 now survive this round of conference realignment?

Will the Big-12 not only survive the realignment, but will they expand as well?

Will OU and Oklahoma State join the SEC with Texas A&M, and perhaps Missouri?

"All these questions should be answered very soon, when Texas and Oklahoma regents start their negotiations."

UT and OU Have Been Approved To Leave The Big-12!

The Big-12 schools Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State were originally invited to join the Pac-10 conference, to make up a "Super Conference." The University of Texas was a key school involved, along with the University of Oklahoma. The Pac-10 confence thought they had a commitment from the University of Texas. However, the University of Texas decided against the move at that particular time, the next day.

The University of Texas has worked five long years to get their own network, that caused problems with their inter-state rival Texas A&M. Since then the aggies have been approved to join the Southeastern Conference, when the legal issues have been resolved. Baylor University and other schools in the conference have threatened to sue Texas A&M for turning their back on the Big-12 conference.

The University of Nebraska and University of Colorado have already found new homes. The University of Nebraska has joined with the Big-10 conference, while the University of Colorado has joined the Pac-12 conference. Now Texas A&M will be heading to the Southeastern conference, once their legal matters are over.

Today both Texas and Oklahoma Board of Regents met together. Texas and Oklahoma have been cleared to leave the Big-12 conference. Texas wants to stay in the Big-12 conference, but is willing to move if the conference does not stay intact. The University of Oklahoma has expressed their interest in joining the Pac-12 conference the past few weeks. Bob Stoops said, "he was intrigued about moving out West to join the Pac-12 conference." Stoops also added that the University of Oklahoma would do what is in the best interest of their school.

Even though Texas would like to stay in the Big-12 conference, the appetite would not be the same without their two rivals Texas A&M and Oklahoma in the same conference. However, before the aggies left to join the Southeastern conference, Texas said, if the aggies left the Big-12 conference their rivalry game will not continue. Since Texas A&M is going to move to the Southeastern conferenc, the rivalry game with Texas will most likely come to an end after this season.

However, it seems like the University of Texas wants to be in the same conference as the University of Oklahoma, so their out of state rivalry will continue. It was mentioned that the University of Texas was looking at going to the Atlantic Coast conference, where they could keep the "Longhorn" network. However, the significance of losing the out of state rivalry game with the Sooners, looks to have change the "Hearts" of the University of Texas.

"If Texas and Oklahoma leave the Big-12 conference, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State will follow their inter-state schools."

The Pac-12 conference:

If Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State go to the Pac-12 conference to make up the "Super Conference" (Pac-16), the Pac-12 will finally get their wish.

Other Conference Realignment News:


The Atlantic Coast Conference:

Today sources said, that Pittsburgh and Syracuse will join the ACC, moving from the Big East conference. Both Pittsburgh and Syracuse will join Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Miami, who were also taken from the Big East conference in past years. The addition of Pittsburgh and Syracuse, will give the ACC fourteen teams.

Road Tested Weekend-(1) Oklahoma vs (5) Florida State

The way things are going on with the Big-12 Conference issues these days. Getting a pre-Red River rivalry should be a good thing for the Sooners. However, you can bet the Seminoles won't forget the 47-17 beat down they received in Norman last year.

Christian Ponder had a horrible game for the Seminoles last year, throwing two interceptions and sacked four times. E.J. Manuel came into the game late last year, to replace the hurt Christian Ponder. Manuel threw for a late touchdown. This season E.J. Manuel is the main man and he has thrown for 581 yards, in two blow-out games. However, Oklahoma is not the same defense, as the other defenses Manuel has faced thus far this season.

The Seminoles' coach Jimbo Fisher was asked how will Manuel prepare for this weekends game against Oklahoma. Fisher said, far as preperation nothing different than usual. Manuel's preperation is to play against Oklahoma as he prepares in practice against the Seminles defense.

"Out of all the Road Tested Games this weekend, this game should be a classic. It will be interesting to see how E.J. Manuel and the Seminoles respond from last years disappointing loss to the Sooners."

OKLAHOMA vs FlORIDA STATE in Tallahassee, FL ON ABC (HD) AT 7:00 (CST)

Road Tested Weekend-Texas vs UCLA

The first game on the dockett on Saturday, of ranked teams going on the road will be Texas at UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. UCLA leads the series against Texas 3-2. The last two meetings UCLA beat Texas in Austin, TX. Texas has struggled with the Bruins in the last two meetings. In 1997 quarterback Cade McNown ripped the Longhorns 66-3, which was then called "route 66." Last year the Bruins went into Austin, TX and took complete control of the game early, continuing to put pressure on quarterback Garrett Gilbert. UCLA defeated Texas 34-12 in last years meeting.

Texas' Garrett Gilbert struggles continue, Mack Brown pulled him from last weekends game against BYU. Mack Brown switched out Case McCoy and David Ash to lead them to a 17-16 come from behind win. Texas will start Case McCoy against the Bruins and if he can't fully get the job done, then they will go with David Ash, and possibly Garrett Gilbert could see some action. Texas is ranked twenty-third in the nation at 2-0.

UCLA is 1-1 and have a similar situation at quarterback as the Longhorns. UCLA is still uncertain as to who will be the starting quarterback for the Bruins. UCLA is not sure if Kevin Prince is quite ready for game play against the Longhorns. If Prince is not ready then Richard Breaut will be the Bruins leader. The Bruins lost their first game of the season to Houston 38-34. The Bruins struggled against San Jose State last weekend, but managed to win on a late surge to defeat the Spartans 27-17.

"This should be a good game, really not knowing how the offensive production will be for each team. The Bruins defense has been porous, so far this season."

TEXAS vs UCLA at PASADENA, CA ON ABC 2:30 PM (CST)

Boise State Meets Toledo In The Glass Bowl Tonight!

Boise State is the highest ranked team to go into the Glass Bowl to face Toledo. Boise State is leary about playing Toledo tonight. Last weekend Toledo became the talk of the entire country narrowly upsetting Ohio State in Columbus, OH.

If Toledo did not play so well against Ohio State last weekend, this would be looked at as another Boise State opponent. Now everybody seems to think this might be one of those trap games for Boise State going into the Glass Bowl. How good is this Toledo team? Did Ohio State look pass the Toledo game last weekend? Was Ohio State focusing on their match-up against Miami this weekend?

Perhaps maybe Toledo is better than anyone thought. Whatever it might be this game for Boise State has them a little bit leary. We can only watch this game to see how good the Toledo Rockets really are.

Boise State is favored to win this game by 20 points.

 

BOISE STATE vs TOLEDO ON ESPN (HD) AT 7:00 PM (CST) TONIGHT!!

3 LSU vs 25 Mississippi State Start-The Road Test For Some Highly Ranked Teams

Thursday night starts off a great weekend of college football. The twenty-fifth ranked team in the nation Mississippi State Bulldogs, will host the third ranked LSU Tigers. Mississippi State has not been able to beat anyone in their division of the SEC, since Dan Mullen arrived. Tonight would be a good time to start by upsetting the third ranked LSU Tigers. The only team Mississippi State has beaten in their division, since Dan Mullen arrived is Ole Miss.

For all the good things the third year coach has done, Mississippi State has been 2-9 against the Western Division foes of the SEC. The Bulldogs have not beaten Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama and LSU. LSU has won 11 straight games over Mississippi State. Tonights game is nationally televised on ESPN at 7:00 pm (CST).

Will This Be The Last Red River Shoot-Out Game?

Texas and Oklahoma has been one of the most intriguing rivalries in college football. Could this rivalry be coming to an end? Questions keep arising what is going to happen to the Big-12 Conference? Will both Texas and Oklahoma still be in the same conference, to keep the rivalry going? Nobody knows? However, Oklahoma is looking to go out West to join their membership with the Pac-12 Conference. Texas is trying to keep the Big-12 Conference intact. Texas could be looking to go out East or West, if the Big-12 Conference can’t be salvaged.

Texas would like to stay in the Big-12 Conference, so they can keep their Network. Texas’ other rival Texas A&M has applied for membership to join the SEC, so that they could receive better recognition. The aggies were not invited to be a part of the Longhorn Network, where they invited all the other schools in the conference.

Oklahoma was not happy with Texas’ Network either. It was said, “Oklahoma knows a good recruit tool when they see one.” Therefore, Oklahoma decided that they would look at the option to go out West to join the Pac-12 Conference.  If Oklahoma does go to the Pac-12 Conference, Oklahoma State would follow them.

Bob Stoops said, he was intrigued by the idea moving out West to join the Pac-12 Conference. The Pac-12 Conference originally invited Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. The other school was Colorado and they are now in the Pac-12 Conference. The Pac-12 thought they had a commitment with Texas until the next day Texas pulled out to be one of the teams to go to the Pac-12 Conference.

However, the question is will the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners rivalry continue? Bob Stoops said, even if Texas joined the Pac-12 Conference with Oklahoma, their rivalry could be in jeopardy depending on how the Pac-12 or Pac-16 scheduling process is.

College football is all about rivalries. We have inner-state rivalries, conference rivalries, and non- conference rivalries. What is happening to college football? Jeopardizing all the classic rivalries we’ve seen for all these years. Texas and Oklahoma started out to be a rivalry when both schools were in different conferences. Every October at the State Fair of Texas, the red river shoot-out was a classic. The fans could enjoy the atmosphere of a “Great” football game, along with eating corny dogs, hot dogs, cotton candy, and all the rides.

“What will happen to the State Fair of Texas, without a rivalry game between Texas and Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl?”

Will it matter if Texas and Oklahoma play in the same conference, due to the realignment of conferences? Who knows what will happen? “I feel that all these conferences that want to be Super Conferences, recognize the rivalry games and they would do everything they could to continue the rivalries.”

Great Rivalry Games:

UCLA and USC

Ohio State and Michigan

Notre Dame and USC

Florida and Florida State

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State

“There are much, much more, all inner-state rivalry games.”

I just don’t see where college football can forget about all the rivalry games, and cut them off. Tradition is tradition! Why give up a good thing? I know that it’s all about the money. That is what is ruining major college sports.

The question is: What’s happening to college football, and all major college sports?

The Sooners, Seem To Be Holding The Cards, Not Texas!

The rivalry between Texas A&M and Texas seems to be no longer. Texas had told the aggies if they leave the Big-12 conference they will never play them again. When Texas was in the Southwest conference and Oklahoma was in the Big-8 they had the "Red River" shoot out. The best part of the Texas State Fair was the state of Oklahoma against the sate of Texas. With that October game at the state fair, with corny dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, and all those rides. The next best thing was Texas and Oklahoma fighting it out to see which team or state had all the bragging rights for a year.

Most of the time it could have an affect on which team could play for the National Championship. When the Southwest conference disolved as a conference Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor joined the Big-8 conference to make up the Big-12 conference. When the Big-8 conference was expnded to twelve teams, they had a championship game. What has happened to the Big-12 conference? The once powerful conference is now down to ten teams, next year would only have nine teams. If Oklahoma and Oklahoma State move out west their would only be seven teams, and the Big-12 conference will be no longer.

Last Friday Oklahoma's coach Bob Stoops was excited tohave a chance to move out west, to joing the Pac-12 conference. Stoops felt like it would be a great opportunity for the University of Oklahoma, but also for college football.. If Oklahoma decides to move out west to joing the Pac-12 conference, their inter-state rival Oklahoma State would join them. Not only was Texas A&M upset about Texas having their own network, Oklahoma was to. Oklahoma can see a good recruiting tool, when they see one.

Oklahoma the other big school that carries a lot of weight is going to do what is best for their program no matter what Texas plans on doing. Oklahoma knows, if they move west and take Oklahoma State with them it would force Texas and Texas Tech to make a decision on what they are going to do. Oklahoma said that the Texas/OU rivalry could already be in jeopardy even moving to the Pac-12. If Oklahoma moves west, and Texas ends up in the Pac-12, the rivalry game could be determined on how the Pac-12 conference does their scheduling of opponents within the conference.

Texas and Texas Tech could stay, hoping that Dan Bebee would get some other schools to be like the old Southwest conference. The conference would not have the same clout as other BCS conferences.. Whether Texas and Texas Tech move to the Pac-12 or another BCS conference. It's hard to imagine Texas and Texas Tech staying around to try to keep the conference together.

Texas has been working on getting the "Bevo" network for five years. If Texas moves to the Pac-12 conference or any other conference, they would not be so quick to grant Texas their own television network.
Texas and Texas Tech staying would not really be in the best interest for their programs. Since the conference would not have the same clout as a BCS conference, it would hurt both schools rather than help them.

Questions Still Arise: 

What about the other schools in the Big-12 conference?

Where would Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri, go?

"Texas A&M can move to the SEC conference, if no other schools in the conference or moved out of the conference did not sue them." That could cause a huge problemm, Baylor already wants to sue the aggies for turning their back on the conference. Nebraska and Colorado, who have moved to different conferences already, had to pay their way to move to a new conference.

Texas A&M was allowed to move to the SEC, without paying their way.

Will Colorado and Nebraska come back and sue the aggies?

"What a BIG mess!"

Too much greed messed up one of the best conferences up. "If Texas did not want their own network none of this would have happened." The best rivalries Texas and Oklahoma in the traditional "Cotton Bowl" at the state fair every October and Texas and Texas A&M every Thanksgiving weekend. Both games had people turning on their televisions to watch two of the fierces rivalry games every year. Regardless of their records.

"Hard to believe, it could be NO MORE!"

"THE RIVALRY GAMES MAKE-UP, THE EXCITEMENT OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL"

"The Sooners and Longhorns are not only divided rivals on the field, their both rivaling on which team is going to play in what conference. They still may be going to play in the same conference the "Pac-12." Only time will tell! Time will be coming up "real, real soon." I'm afraid "SOONER" than the Longhorns would like!!

What's Going To Happen With The Big-12 Conference?

When the realignment for college football conferences started, the Pac-10 conference invited six major teams from the Big-12 to come West to join them. The Pac-10 would make up a "power" conference and become the Pac-16. Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns did not feel it was the right time for the Texas schools to move and go out West. Apparently at that time Mack Brown, Texas' coach was the savior of the Big-12 conference when they denied their invitation to move to the Pac-10.

Since that time the Texas Longhorns decided to get their own network and all that did was cause controversy with Texas A&M. Texas did not invite their rival Texas A&M to be a part of their Network. Texas A&M is going to move out of the Big-12 conference and put their application in, to join the SEC conference, which is the most powerful football conference in the nation. However, Friday the Oklahoma Sooners and Bob Stoops said, they like the idea going West and joining the Pac-12 conference. Oklahoma State also likes the idea, to join the Pac-12 conference.

Now the Big-12 is in jeopardy of disbanding as a conference. If both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State decide to leave the Big-12 conference, to move west. What will Texas and Texas Tech do? The Big-12 currently consist of ten teams. Colorado has already moved to the Pac-12 conference and Nebraska moved to the Big-10 conference. Texas A&M is all but gone, but will join the SEC or another conference in 2012.

The Texas Legislature is now in the mix and is concerned that the Big-12 conference will be disolved. The Texas Legislature does not think it would be in the best interest for Texas to be in a conference without major competition in the Southwest. The Texas Legislature does not want to tell Texas or Texas Tech what they should do. They want both schools to do what is in the best interest for their schools. It has been said, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could make up their mind as early as three days or three weeks. However, the decision both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will be very soon. If both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State decided to move west, Texas and Texas Tech may not have much of a choice.

Will the Pac-12 end up getting what they wished for?

Being the Pac-16 and becoming a power conference.

The concern from Mack Brown, was the preperation for conference play, being in extremely different time zones. How will it affect each teams preperation? How would it affect each teams travel? Mack does have some valid points. College football is already doing that for non-conference games. For example Oregon had to travel to Arlington, TX to play LSU, UCLA traveled to Houston.

"In my opinion, i think the preperation is the same, you just adjust to it." I don't think it's any different when basketball teams prepare for games across the United States.

"For example UCLA played Texas in Austin, TX last year. Texas is playing UCLA in Pasadena, CA this year." What's the difference? Each teams preperation should not be any different in non-conference games no matter where the game is played. It happens all the time.

"The only difference is there will be playing in the same conference, but in two different time zones."

Texas A&M is going is wanting to play in the SEC, all those schools are on (EST).

"Texas quit being "babies" and be a part of the Pac-16 "Power" conference." If you can't handle it we will understand. Texas Tech decision will probably be affected by what Texas decides to do.

"However, the Pac-16 is coming more into fruition, the answer now lies on the Longhorns decision."

Week 1-Key Match-Up 3 Oregon vs 4 LSU

College footballs first week of play starts this weekend. The early key match-up game of the week is between the third ranked Oregon Ducks and fourth ranked LSU Tigers. The game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX 7:00 (CST).

The game between Oregon and LSU seems to be a hard fought game, most likely a low scoring affair. Due to suspensions of three key players for both teams, could affect the offensive production. Oregon will really be affected by their two players being suspended. The two Oregon players that are sitting in this game are, Cliff Harris an All-American cornerback candidate and a punt returner. Redshirt freshman Terrence Mitchell will be stepping in for Harris. Terrence Mitchell will be asked to contain a formidable wide receiver corps LSU has. Speedy sophomore wide receiver Josh Huff will be asked to replace the suspended punt returner. Oregon needs to have their two players step up, to beat LSU Saturday night.

LSU's quarterback Jordan Jefferson will sit out Saturday nights game. The loss of Jefferson is not all that big, since his numbers are not that stellar. Last year Jefferson zero 300 yard games, one 200 yard game, and a bunch of sub par 100 yard games. Even though Jefferson had less than stellar numbers last year, LSU still went 11-2. LSU surrounds their quarterback with talented offensive players, that can create opportunities for their quarterbacks. LSU's offensive scheme, is one that does not rely solely on their quarterback.

LSU's Jarrett Lee will step in for Jefferson at quarterback Saturday night. Lee will try to play better in Saturday nights contest, than when he played in 2008. Lee was a redshirt freshman, when he threw 16 interceptions, fans mockingly inserted the words "pick-six." Lee is not bitter about the situation that happened in 2008. Lee said, he's putting 2008 behind him. He's focusing on performing well in Saturday nights game.

My Prediction on Saturday Nights Game:

Oregon 20 LSU 17