The Columbus Dispatch is reporting this morning that they have obtained emails between Ohio State President Gordon Gee and Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany in which they discuss adding Texas to The Big 10. While it is no secret that the Big 10 has been eying Texas for some time, the emails provide an interesting insight into the soon to be changing world of college football.
According to the Dispatch article, Gee had spoken to University of Texas president William Powers and that there was interest in talking to the Big 10. The emails discuss money, branding and what was termed by Gee a “Tech problem.” And although the Dispatch wasn’t able to confirm what Gee meant by a “Tech problem,” it appears that Texas Tech may not meet the academic standards desired by the Big Ten.
Academic standards…wow, leave it to President Gee to keep college athletics somewhat grounded in academics.
No question the addition of Texas to the Big 10 would make for some serious college football. Bringing Texas into the mix would mean that the Big 10 (or whatever we call it) will include the two largest schools in the country with the two most financially lucrative athletic programs in the same league (yes, I’m talking about Ohio State and Texas).
And then there’s the Pac 10
Not to be left out of the fun, Rivals.com is reporting that the Pac 10 may try to jump the gun by offering expansion opportunities to Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado. Along with the offer comes a new Pac 10 television network which means big revenues for the schools involved.
Bob Condatta of the Seattle Times and ESPN’s David Ubben take it a step further this morning suggesting that a full blow merger between the Pac 10 and Big 12 may be in order.
Whatever the case, if the Big 10 doesn’t move quick, the Pac 10 will. The power of restructuring will be determined by the first to the jump.
The money brought in by the Big 10 Network is one of the advantages of joining The Big 10. According to the Rivals.com article, the BTN brings in about $20 million per school. If however, the PAC 10 could bring in Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado, just think of the instant audience and massive revenue of the affiliated “Pac 10 Network.”
To be honest, although I’ve been trying to keep up with all the possible league changes, I’m losing track. Chip Brown, who wrote the Rivals.com article, breaks it down much better than I. He rejects Gee’s optimism regarding Texas and breaks it down like this:
So the Big Ten continues to focus on Notre Dame and is seriously considering whether to invite Missouri as well as three schools from the Big East (Rutgers, UConn and either Syracuse or Pittsburgh) . Such a move would likely collapse the Big East, where Notre Dame plays its sports other than football, and might cause the Irish to finally acquiesce to joining the Big Ten.
If that happened, there would be a strong likelihood that four super conferences of roughly 16 teams could emerge: the Big Ten, the SEC, a collaboration of the Big 12 and Pac-10 as well as a collaboration of the Big East and ACC.
Whatever happens, college football is about to change–forever. It may not happen this year (although it could) but it’s going to happen soon. Leagues like the Big 12 may be left in the dust as the Big 10, Pac 10 and SEC become massive, revenue producing football powerhouses. If it has to happen, I’d much rather see Texas in the Big 10 than schools from the Big East. Nothing like the potential rivalry with St. Petersburg Bowl Champion Rutgers.
Back in the early days of the Big Ten Network, I used to write on this blog how I hated the BTN. At the time, my hatred was based on the frustration of the availability of Buckeye broadcasts. Now that the BTN has made almost all games available, a revaluation may be in order because the success of the BTN may forever change the world of college football that I so dearly love.
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All I can say is, if the Pac 10 gets Texas over the Big Ten, I might vomit. If the Pac 10 gets Texas over the Big Ten because Tech isn’t part of the AAU, I will definitely vomit.
Texas is in a position where they hold all of the cards. The Rivals article also stated that Texas wouldn’t mind staying in the Big 12 and do a television alliance with the Pac-10. The problem in all of this is the Big 12 is not all on the same page as seen from the meetings in KC, and it could be interesting going forward. Clearly the north teams in the Big 12 feel slighted due to the unbalanced television money and conference title game in Dallas every year. So there’s a lot to work out there.
The Pac-10 looks like they are going to beat the Big-Ten to the punch though.
Seems like all the sights are set on Texas, Oklahoma, and OSU, but remember there are 12 teams in the Big Twelve. What happens to Baylor , K St, Kansas, Nebraska, and etc. There other quality programs in the Big Twelve. I also understand the Big Twelve is having their annual meeting as we speak to decide their fate. I don’t see a Pac 10- Big Twelve merger, because no one has thought about the travel involved, flying halfway across the country to play football isn’t too appealing. Travel would be much easier to the Big Ten schools. I don’t see any mergers or teams switching conferences for at least a couple of years. Remember schools schedule 2 to 3 years in advance. Nice to be talking college football again. Tony in Beaverton all these new teams to the Pac 10 would really put you at the bottom of the heap.
As the prettiest girl without a date, Texas is in a very powerful position. I also think getting the first jump will have a big impact. Once someone flinches, everyone will be forced to act, including the Big 12.
If the Big 12 does get broken up and Texas makes a move, I’d much rather have Texas than Rutgers. The Big Ten has enough trouble justifying themselves in the eyes of the media. Bringing Texas into the mix would help take care of that problem. Pittsburgh…not so much.
Dispatch has another story on it this morning. Apparently, the powers that be in the Big Ten met yesterday. Looks like the word coming out of the Pac 10 has got their attention.
Dispatch story here