Fixing the Big 12

With the recent news that Texas A&M making their intentions clear that they are exploring leaving the Big 12. That basically means that they are gone. That would leave the Big 12 with only 9 teams. That wouldn't be awful. They would still have Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri. Those four teams could carry a conference. But it would probably be a wise decision to look towards getting back to 12 teams with a the idea of having a championship game. SMU came out this week saying that wanted to be in the Big 12 if they were looking. That got me thinking. If I was in charge of the Big 12 (heck anybody could be better than Dan Beebe) which teams would I go after?

The teams I would be looking for don't necessarily have to fit geographically. That would be nice, but if you want the Big 12 to grow you need to get more eyes on your product. Notre Dame would obviously be my first choice, but there is no way they join. They want to stay Independent (and why wouldn't they) and if they were forced to join a conference it would probably be the Big 10. So with all that said, here is a look at the teams I would make invitations to.

Boise State Broncos. This would be one of my first choices. Boise isn't a big market, but they are nationally known and would bring a championship contender in. Their facilities are improving and they have a rabid fan base. Plus everybody would be wanting to see if they could make it playing in a big boys league.

TCU Horned Frogs. Along with Boise State this would be one of the first schools I'd target. TCU and Boise State are the top two non BCS teams out there. Plus TCU fits geographically and gives the conference a team in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex which is the #5 media market. Now I am aware that having Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech already gives you Dallas, but having TCU could help even more. I know that TCU has already joined the Big East for the 2012 season, but they would jump at the opportunity to get into the Big 12 where they wouldn't have to travel as much.

San Diego State Aztecs. Now San Diego State doesn't fit geographically, but they are a team that has the potential to make a big time jump. The team has improved under Brady Hoke and now Rocky Long should keep them on that path. Add in that their attendance has been improving lately which shows the interest. But what is most important is having a presence in Southern California. You would get the San Diego market (#28) plus having games in California could help teams recruit the area better.

Central Florida Knights. Much like San Diego State, Central Florida doesn't fit geographically but they are a team that is getting better and better and ready to start making a run at a BCS Bowl. UCF has also put a lot of money into improving their facilities. But what makes this move even better is that it gives you the Orlando market (#19) and a presence in the fertile recruiting grounds of Florida.

Houston Cougars. Here is another team that has had the ability to challenge for a possible BCS berth. Houston under Art Briles and now Kevin Sumlin have had the Cougars as regulars in the Conference USA Title hunt. Put them into the Big 12 and they might not challenge for the conference title right away, but they have proven that they could beat the likes of Texas Tech on a consistent basis. Add in that the Houston market is #10 nationally and they wouldn't require the current teams to travel much. Plus they are another team that has started investing a lot of money into their facilities.

If those teams don't work, here are some fall back options.

BYU Cougars. BYU thought that they would be a perfect fit when the Pac 10 wanted to expand, but they were passed over for Utah. So instead they decided to go Independent. But don't think for a second they wouldn't pass up the chance to join a BCS conference if they were invited. Now BYU is known for being difficult to work with, but they would give you a reputable program and because of the BYUTV network gives you eyes all over the country and some parts of the world. They wouldn't be my first choice but they would be an interesting fall back option.

SMU Mustangs. They have made it very clear that they want in, but they should be the ultimate fall back option. Now SMU has improved under June Jones, but they are no where ready to be competing in the Big 12 conference. The only thing they would bring to the conference is that they fit geographically and gives the Dallas market. But having Texas in the conference probably gives the conference the same amount of the Dallas market as SMU would. The only way I would invite them is if I had to invite somebody and nobody else accepted.

Overall if the Big 12 was able to get Boise State, TCU and either Central Florida or San Diego State they could be set up for a while. Heck even if TCU doesn't come and its just Boise State, Central Florida and San Diego State that would make them even more attractive and a better conference. But that's just my opinion. Let me know yours.

I just don't understand....Texas A&M to the SEC

Over the past couple of months one of the biggest stories in college football has been Texas A&M's desire to leave the Big 12 and enter the SEC. Now on the surface it seems like it would be a great fit. A&M would escape Texas' shadow and the SEC would have a presence in Texas. However when I look at this, I don't understand why this would be a perfect fit for both parties.

For the SEC it is. They would expand into Texas where there are 25 million more eyes on their product. Add in that they'll add one to three more teams to the conference and when they go to CBS and ESPN to negotiate their TV deal they'll pull a much bigger amount of money than they are currently getting. Another benefit for the SEC is that they'll have an even bigger access to the fertile recruiting grounds that Texas has to offer. With a team in the state, coaches will be able to go into there and tell the players that they'll get to play a game in their home state. This will make an already strong SEC, even better.

But for Texas A&M, going to the SEC doesn't make sense to me. Yes A&M will be getting away from Texas, who they feel is controlling the league. Yes they would be entering the premier college football conference in the nation. Yes they'll be going to a conference that is more stable. However, does anybody honestly think that they'll compete for championships in the SEC? When was the last time A&M contended for a Big 12 Title? Sure last year they only lost 2 conference games, but they haven't been to a single Big 12 Championship game in the past 12 years. If they stay in the Big 12 they get annual match ups against the likes of Kansas, KState, Iowa State, Baylor, and Texas Tech. Realistically they have to just beat Oklahoma or Texas. In the SEC only Mississippi, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky could be considered push overs. And they have to go up against Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida, Georgia. They extra money they'd get from the SEC would be nice, but is it that much better than winning? Look at Oklahoma. They are one of the top college football programs in the country. But yet they haven't been going out and looking to leave the Big 12. That's because they get it. They know that all they have to do is win the Big 12 Conference and they'll have their shot at winning the National Title. Yeah they don't make SEC type of money, but because they are consistently playing for championships they get more exposure. You'd think you would see A&M have the same mindset. But I guess that hatred/jealously for Texas is just too strong.

But A&M has their mind already made up. Once they get the invite they'll be gone. They've already gone through the steps to make it happen. I just believe they'll be making a move that will set their program back significantly.

Preseason All Big 12 Team

After doing both the Big 10 and Big 12 Predictions, I've decided to add my preseason all conference teams in with the predictions. So since this wasn't included in with the predictions....here is my Preseason All Big 12 Team.

Offense

QB: Landry Jones, Oklahoma

RB: Cyrus Gray, Texas A&
RB: Roy Finch, Oklahoma
TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
T: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State
G: Austin Wuebbels, Missouri
C: Ben Habern, Oklahoma
G: Lonnie Edwards, Texas Tech
T: Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

Defense
DE: Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma
DT: Kheeston Randall, Texas
DT: Jamarkus McFarland, Oklahoma
DE: Brad Madison, Missouri
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
LB: Emmanuel Acho, Texas
LB: Zavier Goodon, Missouri
CB: Coryell Judie, Texas A&M
S: Blake Gideon, Texas
S: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State
CB: Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma

Specialists
K: Grant Ressel, Missouri
P: Quinn Sharpe, Oklahoma State
KR/PR: Josh Cooper, Oklahoma State