(08-21-2018 03:36 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 02:26 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 02:14 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 01:53 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 01:15 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Well, we could look at it like this.

If the SEC is willing to take Oklahoma and Oklahoma State then the decision becomes much simpler for Texas. If that's the prospect they're dealing with then it's much easier to say "wait a minute, just take us and Texas Tech."

Texas would have to be pretty stubborn to allow themselves to be forced into a corner where they end up making the same move under less favorable terms.

I don't follow your reasoning here. ESPN wants to hold onto to Texas. I think Texas already knows we would be willing to take OU and OSU. There have been enough leaks on this from Big 12 beat writers and Finebaum, etc. If these kinds of matters have been discussed they will never be mentioned publicly because of the GOR. And, if Texas has already expressed that preference they are hardly in a corner as they would be being proactive rather than reactive.

Monetarily and content wise the SEC would probably be more favorable with Texas/Tech over OU/OSU.

So if it is the intent of ESPN to hold onto to Texas (and the LHN contract expires in 2031) and it is the intent of Texas to move to their best advantage, and if they have any kind of political obligation to Tech, then I think given the nature of conversations in the past that these matters have already been discussed.

I agree Texas wouldn't be painted in a corner, I just don't think we need to do anymore with expressing the desire to take Oklahoma and the Pokes. That's what we have already done for the past two or three years. If Texas has an interest they've had ample time already to work out their angles and to have already discussed their interests via back channels, especially since they can talk to ESPN anytime without raising suspicions. And since ESPN is a business partner with the SEC they can easily pass along information should it be in their interest to do so.

My suspicions given the talk out of Norman is that their administration is trying to get out ahead on two issues one of which will not be discussed, they have more limited options now than they thought. The other is the drumbeat of having to move without OSU. Why would their administration push that angle unless they had to. It garners them no favors within their legislature to do so now unless the were having to acclimate people to the idea.

Now position on this is purely speculative, but speculation out of listening to the talking points coming out of Norman who otherwise at this juncture should be talking only about their wonderful multiple options instead of why they may have to move without Oklahoma State. And the silence out of Austin is to be expected. Those who already know what they are going to do have no reason to talk.

So this concept is just my thinking out loud while observing carefully what is and isn't being said, and who it is that is doing the talking. And while the University spokespersons haven't said a word in Norman, the chatter around the program and those claiming inside connections and to be donors are either full of hooey, or they've already been clued in and are merely trying to spin the issue.

Either way it's interesting.

What I'm saying is that if Texas has eyes on going anywhere else then our willingness to take OU and OSU limits their options.

If Texas knows what the end result is then there's no need to let it play out. From their perspective, it's probably better to not wait until their painted into that corner. Just cut OU off at the pass and move along with Texas Tech into the SEC.

That's assuming the SEC prefers to stop at 16. I think they do, but assuming 16 is more feasible then it is to UT's advantage to be #15 rather than waiting for the SEC to move on OU/OSU and force UT's hand further down the line.

Yes I agree with that. But consider another facet of this. How can Texas facilitate Oklahoma's move to the Big 10 with Kansas so that their relationship with OU doesn't get too stressed and the RRR can remain on the schedule? The new OU administration knows there is deep division within their fan and alumni base over whether to change conferences, and if so which conference to go to. And that's before the OU / OSU not heading somewhere together issue even rears its head.

By seemingly waiting after lining things up carefully, if Oklahoma is permitted the dignity of appearing to choose the Big 10, sell it on academics, what's best for the university, etc, instead of making it look like their last best option, then that keeps things on the level between the two schools' administrations. It gives OU time to deal with the "we can't stay tied to OSU issue", time to sell their move to the unhappy portion of their fan and alumni base, and to make it all look like it was their preference.

That's why I have a feeling these matters may have already been decided.

Long term, the B1G will be in danger of losing competitiveness. They need credibility on the field and they need a bell cow that people across the country will watch. The Big Ten needs a school like Oklahoma and I think they probably need OU more than a school like Virginia or North Carolina. Kansas doesn't do a lot for them, but it's suitable under the circumstances.

I do agree that OU will wane a bit with a Big Ten schedule, but if anyone has a shot at maintaining relevance then it will be them. The money will still be nice and with schools like TCU and Baylor and evidently Oklahoma State being relegated, there will be a few more players to go around from the state of TX. If the people at OU are smart then they will parlay that cash into a more national recruiting strategy either way.

I'm not sure what moves the other leagues would be interested in making, but this outcome would work pretty well for the SEC and Big Ten.

It could work out well for the ACC as well. West Virginia and Notre Dame in a P4 that's likely to go champs only would likely round them out at 16.

The PAC can choose to stand pat, or they can pinch their noses and take T.C.U., O.S.U., I.S.U., and K.S.U.. Either way it won't matter a lot.