Tuberville: Expanded Pac-10 would be “No. 1 and toughest” league
After Big 12 and Pac-10 bigwigs met a month ago in Phoenix and discussed helping each other with television and non-conference scheduling, someone wondered aloud to Tommy Tuberville if the talks might mushroom into something more.
Not possible, the new Texas Tech coach replied, dismissing the idea of a merger. Too hard to pull off.
“It goes to show you how quickly things can change,’’ Tuberville said Thursday. “I had no clue. And I’m still a little amazed that this is going on.’’
With that said, Tuberville is excited about the likelihood of his program soon joining the Pac-10 Conference. Colorado accepted an invitation to the Pac-10 on Thursday.
An announcement out of Nebraska about its future plans is next. If the Cornhuskers leave for the Big 10 Conference, Tech, Texas and Texas A&M are gone, too, a high-ranking Tech official told the A-J on Wednesday.
“It’s inevitable,’’ Tuberville said. “You know what’s driving the whole thing is money and TV contracts. The Pac-10 needs a boost. We (in the Big 12) need some help with TV negotiations. Our contract’s not near what the Big 10’s is and the SEC’s is. It’s about getting a group of teams together that’s got a good sales value on it, and it definitely would do that, now.
“I hate to see the conference break up,’’ Tuberville added, “but it’s inevitable if you’ve got teams that are looking to other conferences, it’s not ever going to be the same.’’
A high-ranking Tech official told the A-J on Wednesday that Pac-10 officials had contacted six Big 12 schools and expressed an interest in inviting them aboard soon. The source said when Nebraska leaves, so too will Tech, Texas, Texas A&M and three others.
Tuberville said he’s a traditionalist who wishes the Big 12 could survive. But he can’t find fault with a merger of the Pac-10 and the Big 12 South minus Baylor.
“I think the way they’ve got it set up, my understanding of the Pac-10 or Pac-16 is it would be pretty much a Big 12 scenario — just the addition of Arizona and Arizona State (in an eastern division),’’ Tuberville said. “The travel there is excellent because of weather and the airports and being able to get in and get out for the fans.
“I think just looking at it as a football fan for teams in this league, that would be a much more attractive scenario than any other that I can think of.’’
That includes going east to align with the Southeastern Conference, though Tech has not been talked about in any discussions pertaining to SEC expansion.
A number of college football analysts have suggested that the game at the top level could be headed toward an upper tier of four 16-team conferences.
Tuberville said it doesn’t make sense for the SEC to expand. He just came from that league, where he was a head coach for 14 years at Mississippi and Auburn.
“They just signed a huge contract for 15 years,’’ he said. “If you start bringing other teams in, it’s going to cost them another chunk of the pie, so to speak.
“I don’t think the timing is right. Not at the moment. Not after they’ve got 12 teams and they’re getting $20 million a year each. Not unless TV would go back and renegotiate.’’
Tuberville said he would expect a Pac-10/Big South 12 merger to yield a scheduling format of seven games a year within the division and two games against teams from the other division on a rotating basis. That would leave room for three non-conference dates in a 12-game schedule.
He said that schedule format is only his speculation.
One consequence of the expected league could make coaches squirm: In a 16-team league, overzealous fans and boosters will be able to find fault with 14 or 15 teams each year that don’t win the conference, or at least a division championship.
More pressure on coaches?
“It would immediately (do that),’’ Tuberville said. “And again, I don’t know whether it’s going to happen, but it would immediately be the No. 1 and the toughest conference in the country — (reason) No. 1 being the 16 teams, and No. 2 being the quality of the teams. It’d be a dang slugfest every week. I just came from one of those. I know how they are.’’
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735
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craig james, what should we do what should we do what should we do??????? Please let us know….
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The Craig James take earlier this afternoon was that the state of Texas is in ‘disbelief than an inferior conference (Pac-10)’ is raiding our powerhouse football state and robbing us of our national recognized recruits and historical traditions.
Whether you feel that way or not — that was his argument. Of course, all the other analysts argued how superior the Pac-10 is to the Big 12.
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Scheduling? Would a 16-team superconference really play 9 conference games? Seems the teams are going to beat up on each other, wouldn’t they want to play 8 and let that be that? That’s the argument the SEC makes when it’s certainly feasible for them to play 9-11 conference games instead of 8.
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I don’t like to see the Big 12 break up. I guess I am a traditionalist like Coach Tubberville, however I do agree that the 16 Pac is interesting. I saw a story on ESPN that they said the new superconference might look for 2 BCS bids and then the two divisions wouldn’t even need to play each other unless in the National Championship game. I think that would be stupid. If you are going to do that then just add two teams to replace Colorado and Nebraska and keep the Big 12 together. Add Boise and Utah or maybe TCU.
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Don WIlliams, I was hoping for a little more…
SPECULATION. As much as I like Tubs as our new man in Lbk, he didn’t see this coming so how can he see how this is gonna end? HE CAN’T FOLKS.
I’m not sure why we think we can ride the coat tails of Texas and A&M, are they looking out for our best interests, HELL NO. IF Texas and A&M choose to, they’ll go their own merry ways. The almighty dollar is talking here, and apparently Tech isn’t holding as much clout as Texas. No surprise there, noone does. This is about media markets, Tech doesn’t have a stronghold on any media market that anyone is interested in. We’re lucky to have done as well as we did in the Big12. But unfortunately I do see this ending as I (or any self respecting Red Raider) would like it to.
Why would Texas A&M and Texas do something that helped Texas Tech? Out of the kindness of their heart? Not likely. If they have the opportunity to chase dollar bills, they will. Baylor’s got no chance, ut & atm can sigh a deep relief that they don’t have to fight for Baylor with the inclusion of CU. If they don’t have to deal with a “Tech Problem” as reported recently, they’d breathe a second sigh of relief.
Please end differently… please prove me wrong… I like roadtrips in around this part of the country… Cali, Oregon, Washington, really?!?!?!?!?!
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Personally, I think this realignment to the PAC 10 sucks. I got my PhD out at the U of A and football is simply different out there; the tradition of Texas football simply doesn’t mesh with how they look at the game as fans there. Additionally, how is this going to work with divisions made of 8 teams each? Are we going to have 8 yrs pass prior to playing all the remaining schools in the conference?
What seems odd to me, given all the money talks, is why not create a conference of TX and OK only with 8 teams (by adding TCU and UH)? The conference could then play everyone each year, maintain/renew old rival games, and add conditions that could make nonconference games extremely lucrative (e.g., require all teams to play Div. I schools for all non-conference games while simultaneously requiring any school desiring to play one of the teams in the conference to be open to all – explained below).
If a stipulation was made within the conference by-laws, the conference could require any/all teams seeking to play a conference member to “put their name into a hat” with the willingness to play whomever a lotto paired them with. I would think that this could then protect the entire TX and OK markets for money while ensuring that all members maintain competitive/attractive schedules. Anyone that sought to air their games routinely in the two states would thus necessarily have to abide by the open competition. Further, why would someone not want to show their toughness by playing anyone in a conference that would be made up entirely of teams (minus ATM) that have made runs at the national title within the last yrs.
Sorry for the long post but had to get insights given this has been in my head for the last few days.
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scareltblood said: If you are going to do that then just add two teams to replace Colorado and Nebraska and keep the Big 12 together. Add Boise and Utah
I love the idea. I had thought about Boise but had TOTALLY forgotten about Utah. Seriously this is better that my idea above. D’oh!
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well it is about time are fearless leader made a public comments. maybe he is a real person and not a drone for the stooges.
seroiusly folks, I am a long term tech fan with season tickets in section 108. we aught to stay in the big 12, we will be assured of a BCS bid every year.
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UT is seriously consider petitioning for special permission to enter the NFL. It is a no brainer, there is not one team in the NCAA that is on par with our facilities, devoted fanbase, and a war chest that rivals fort knox gold reserves.
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This just in! To remain competitive in the years to come, Tech has decided to join the Southland Conference. Citing local sources, Tech is already beating up on the Conference’s basketball schools so it was logical to join the SC so they can beat up on the football teams as well!!!!!
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Well all I got to say is Ariz and Ariz State are getting the short end of this stick. Welcome to the Big 12 South boys! Get in line for the weekly can of whup- a## coming your way!
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@ forty. Good Point. UT has just as many if not more players in jail than Cincinatti. Don’t let the door hit ya….. Dumba$$
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I say recreate the Southwest Conference.
Tech
Baylor
New Mex
Houston
TCU
SMU
Rice
Kansas
Kansas St.
Okie St. or UTEP
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Not possible, the new Texas Tech coach replied, dismissing the idea of a merger. Too hard to pull off.
“It goes to show you how quickly things can change,’’ Tuberville said Thursday. “I had no clue.
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Hey Forty Acres Bulletin: Remember before yal can enter the NFL you have to be able to beat Alabama. You can’t barely beat Tech, Colorado,OU, and Nebraska to be in the NFC EAST. you can’t lose to K State and Texas A&M twice in a row.
Now if you want to be a member of the (National Fools League) that might work for you wimps down in Austin!
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I don’t see that some of the suggested alternatives that some of the readers are offering up have much TV appeal. The driving force is coming up with at TV package that can rival what the Big 10 and SEC are getting these days. The old Big 12 couldn’t do it even with Texas and Nebraska, and would fall off even more without them.
Texas now holds the cards, i.e. the big TV market attraction. Tech has no choice, from a dollars and cents perspective, but to tag along on their coattails. The Big 12 is toast without Texas.
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I think that Texas and Texas A&M should go! TCU, Houston, and Boise State should come over to the Big 12.
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i say the big12 north add miami and florida state to replace nebraska and colorado and the big12 should still remain a power confrence.
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It doesn’t matter what conference Tech goes to because wherever we go we’ll Wreck ‘em good.
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I second that! Texas Tech Fan from Austin!
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Hey you two. HUH? Like 63-21?
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I like Tech to PAC. We are an emerging program that has started to gain national notoriety. I personelly would like to see USC, UCLA and some of the big dogs of the PAC play here. This conference would make us have to play a higher level of competetion, something that we did not have outside the Big 12 south. Personelly I hope A&M goes SEC, and turns into another Arkansas in that conference good, but not great. What ever happens Tech will continue to grow and develop a larger fan base and everyone knows that our clothing would look good on the people in Cali.
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Tech going to Pac 10 with UT is great for us, people. Do you know how much more money we’ll automatically get in this conference? Also, UT can’t be the only one taking 2/3 of the profits as they did with Big 12…they’ll finally have to share a bit.
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a&m was always the 5th or 6th best team in the big 12 south year in and year out, if they choose to go to the sec they will be the laughing stock of that confrence no dout about it…….GO TECH GUNNS UP!!!!!!
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Hey OU Mark: HUH! I think 41-13 will work LOL! Wreck Em Tech!
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well I see Tech does not want to stray far from the cash cow. take the plunge, go SEC!!! Or are you all afraid of some rough and tumble football?
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@12th man….. If A&M goes SEC, I will personally fly down to college station and help you pack and/or load the bus. You talk about us not getting too far away from the cash cow yet your entire university revolves around UT and how much you want to be them. It’s the biggest case of Pen!s envy I have ever seen. i.e: check your fight song. Which is the real reason why A&M won’t go the SEC. The fight song wouldn’t make much sense….not that it ever did.
As for that rough and tough football, how did that Arkansas game turn out for you in Cowboy Stadium again? You sure ya’ll want to go again? They weren’t even the best team in that confernce
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aggie yell
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Aggies…. Yall can “yell” when you make a rough “tumble” to last place in the SEC, LOL!
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Yew mean them New Yark TV boys holds all the cards?
Hell they ain’t got no cards, without the “Universities” allows it.
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Yew say all them “University” Presidents/Chancellors/Crooked Lawyer Lobbyist/Politicians
is workin for a Tee Vee Station up in Connetikut? Fooled me. I thought they was akademics.
Yew mean, they all on the take fer money, an don’t care how they git it. Lord O Mercy.
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1. One of the reasons the SWC broke up years ago was the death penalty on SMU….Craig James.
2. Tom Osborne has had his panties in a wad towards Big 12 since it was formed. He was tired getting his @ss kicked by Tech, UT, etc…
3. So long crybabies, don’t let the door hit you in the backside!
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What is war hero Jason 55′s take on this? If TU moves to the PAC 10, they’ll be closer to a permanent source of bongwater.
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