The Dude speaks this morning....

May 23, 2012, 10:51 AM

http://dudeofwv.blogspot.com/2012/05/house-undivided.html

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012

A House Undivided

How many of you out there really believe the Big 12 is divided on taking FSU and Clemson?

Do you really think that the Big 12 would pass on two football giants with storied histories and national championships?

Do you really believe that Deloss Dodds is so concerned about power-mongering that he would deprive the conference of an economic windfall and the chance to put a dagger through the heart of the ACC?

Do your really think that given the chance to take FSU, Clemson and Georgia Tech the conference would bicker and argue over which of the three teams to take?

They would take all three.

The national media was slow to the Big 12 expansion story because they know the history of the conference. They know the Big 12 was a whisker away from collapse last year and they know the internal conflicts and drama generated by the University of Texas dominating the league. They just couldn’t believe the Big 12 could get their act together enough to be the hunter instead of the hunted.

But this isn’t your father’s Big 12.

This is a new conference with a renewed purpose and strong leadership. Thee grant-of-rights does more than lock conference members together it ensure that all institutions are treated equally – one school, one vote.

I’m, not naïve to think that Texas and Oklahoma don’t wield tremendous influence I the conference, but I’m certain both have to play by the rules simply because they don’t have any other choice.

Yet its not the grant-of-rights behind the new found unity of the Big 12. It’s the prospect of eastward expansion and the pot of gold at the end of the expansion rainbow.

The Big 12 sees the SEC as the model for what they want to become. They see the SEC as an “ongoing business concern” whose export product happens to be great college football.

And that’s why, despite what you may hear and read, the Big 12 is in total agreement on the additions of FSU and Clemson.

If Georgia Tech continues to show interest, interest that seems to wax and wane almost daily, then the Big 12 will have no problem following the SEC model and adding all three.

Big 12 members may gripe and complain about expansion and their hesitancy to their local media but its all just posturing. Privately they all behind the addition of any institutions that add economic value and improve their football product.

And don’t you think that a conference that has Texas, Oklahoma, WVU, TCU, Oklahoma State, FSU, Clemson, and Georgia Tech would be enough to lure Norte Dame into the fold?

I’ve said repeatedly I’m reluctant to write about Notre Dame and I’m not ready to do that just yet. Let’s just say those rumors floating about concerning Notre Dame and the Big 12 are more fact than fiction.

Musings…

The Big 12 will not expand (beyond 12) unless the teams add real value - think Georgia Tech and Notre Dame .

VPI and UNC have reached out to the SEC. In VPI’s case it’s more than reaching out.

I have to believe that if UNC goes to the SEC then NC State joining the Big 12 becomes a real possibility. Expansion to 16 fits within the Big 12 model if the teams would add value and teams like NC State and Maryland would add valuable TV markets to the footprint.

*I leave Miami out of the discussion because I believe they are not under consideration by mutual consent.