Big XII Info...

May 29, 2012, 1:52 PM

Hello Tigernet. I have enjoyed reading the thoughts of all the posters on here the last few weeks. The decision to stay or depart the ACC is not something to be taken lightly. As a Jayhawk fan, it has been very tough the last couple of years. We lost 3 long time rivals and were almost left without a big-time conference. I have no idea what Clemson should do. It seems to me that history, tradition, academics and geography all favor the ACC. Money, playoff access and a passion for football would favor the Big 12. Another factor is the perceived instability of the Big 12 and the thought that the conference is controlled by Texas. Many people have said 4 schools left because of Texas. That is wrong. I would like to share a few thoughts on this.
First, when the Big 12 was formed, it was a new conference and every member had to commit. It was doomed to fail in its original form at some point because 3 members were hesitant to join at the beginning. The 4 who left:
Colorado - had wanted to join the Pac for years, even in the old Big 8 days. Their alumni are west coast based and they recruit the west coast. They were the only school in the mountain time zone. They had no real big-time conference rivals. It feels like they just "went home". However, they were a well respected conference member, and I don't think anyone feels ill-will towards them. As a matter of fact, KU is renewing the BB series with them this year.
Nebraska - a shame that they left. They belong in the Big 12 and not the Big 10. A lot of hypocrisy on their part, spurred on by Tom Osborne. UNL was the king of the Big 8 and saw Texas as the king of the Big 12. They didn't like that. They also didn't like that they were only 1-9 vs the Horns. Nebraska was upset about 2 things. The Big 12 CCG moving to Dallas and the eligibility elimination of partial qualifiers. The CCG move was a no-brainer, but Neb didn't like it. The second thing is what killed their program. When the conference was formed, Texas wanted to raise academic standards. The conference voted to eliminate the eligible of partial qualifers and this was what Nebraska's program was built on. Once this rule finally took its toll, their program went down and never recovered. Neb said they left for better academics and equal revenue sharing. Can you say hypocrisy? They lost AAU status and voted to keep partial qualifers. In addition, they voted EVERY time to keep UNEVEN revenue sharing.
Missouri - in the early 90's, delayed committing to the Big 12 to court the Big 10. No one could really figure out why MU thought so much of themselves. Until this past season, they were tied for last with K-State in all sports conference titles. This is from a school which is the only BCS school in a decent sized state. They had just always wanted to leave. Good luck in the SEC.
A&M - flirted with the SEC before joining the Big 12. Suffered from "little brother syndrome" and probably left because of Texas. The last straw was supposedly the Longhorn Network. However, UT offered A&M a partership in the network before it was formed. A&M declined because they didn't have the money to invest in the start-up. All in all, just wanted to get out of UT's shadow.
Random fact: Texas wanted the conference to form a Big 12 network. They were outvoted 11-1. That is when they decided to form LHN. The next time it is said that UT controls the conference, remember this fact.
I'm working on some money differences and will post later.

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Big XII Info...

Welcome to Tnet. Hope Clemson is in the BIG 12 soon!!!***

Nice post, thanks for the info***

Thanks for that perspective***

Thanks for the info! Go Tigers! Go Jayhawks!

Thanks for this and welcome***

This data is correct***

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.***

Good post and very informational***

Good info!***

Re: Big XII Info...

Interesting point about partials....

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