Consider it a case of the Big 12 little kids running off with their footballs in a huff. Texas was the powerhouse. Nebraska took its ball and vamoosed today to the Big Ten, pending final approval from the conference. Colorado slipped away to the Pac-10 yesterday.
But the big trophy in college football’s high-speed re-alignment remains the Texas Longhorns whom the local daily contends are already gone along with Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State in the mass exodus to the Pac-10.
UT regents will meet Tuesday morning to hammer out: “Discussion and appropriate action regarding athletic conference membership.” Stay tuned.
Will Texas A&M join Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State in the mass exodus to the Pac-10 or will the Aggies end up in the SEC? Barring insanity, the Ags will go west. Who would want to endure the brutal conference schedule with the likes of Florida, Alabama, and LSU?
For Texas, the next step will be a downgrade in conference leadership, but probably a big upgrade in cash. The Horns ruled the Big 12 roost, something that will be more difficult to swing in the Pac-10. But the move will shift the recruiting base and did I mention the scads of cash?
A bigger question is, given this is all about attracting eyeballs to a television screen and thus money into the wallet, why is Texas Tech a lock over Kansas to make the Pac-10 move? Kansas has a larger potential television market and a history of basketball excellence. (No, this shouldn’t be entirely about football. Just mostly.)
An interesting side note today was the defection of Boise State from the WAC to the Mountain West today. Consider it a pre-emptive move to muscle past the god-fearing Baptists of Baylor. Yesterday’s Colorado announcement was all about the same thing. Baylor fans, led by school President Ken Starr (yes, I cant’ quit reminding you that this is that Ken Starr), are fated to join the WAC. Hey, it comes with a free trip to sinful Hawaii, hula dancing optional.
This article appears in June 11 • 2010.