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Will the Last Team to Leave the Big 12 Turn Out the Lights?

by Brian Cook • Feb 15, 2010 5:00 PM EST

Missouri kicked it off by being publicly interested in a move to the Big Ten. That wasn't a huge shock. That move makes a lot of sense for Missouri geographically and financially; it's even pretty decent when it comes to rivals with longtime foe Illinois hanging around pretending Northwestern is its big intraconference rival. It's something they'd have to consider.

But does anyone want to stay in the Big 12? Even if Texas to the Big Ten was clearly insane and Colorado to the Pac-10 pretty unlikely, this latest salvo from a Big 8/12 icon has to sting:

"We haven't entered into any formal talks with anybody right now," [Tom] Osborne said. "We're focusing on the Big 12. But I don't think that means if somebody wanted to pick up the phone and call us, that we'd hang up on them. You listen."

Standard boilerplate indicating Nebraska would like to keep its options open? Maybe, but Nebraska is clearly not pleased with the balance of power in the conference:

"I would have to say the center of gravity has moved south," he said. "You'd have to say that trend to the south still continues to this day, which is a little concerning sometimes for people in the north part of the Big 12."

The thing about this that's striking is that no one's even talked about Nebraska seriously, or talked to them. A couple of guys bring it up to Osborne in a press conference and he opens up even if gently, on the Big 12 without so much as a phone call from Jim Delany. Would a conference approaching Iowa or Kentucky or Boston College get the same answer? ACC expansion was a cloak-and-dagger affair in which no one was going to say anything until it was done.

Hell, the only quotes about the Big Ten from frequently-mentioned Big East schools are basketball coaches complaining about the prospect as long ago as 1990. No one has gone on the record Even in the BCS' red-headed stepchild conference there's more loyalty than there is in the Big 12.

The reasons are probably the obvious ones: everyone in the North feels ignored. The money is nowhere near that of the Big Ten or SEC, and it's not evenly distributed. Texas and Oklahoma re probably shrugging and saying "if any of you mugs would win the Big 12 ever maybe you'd get some respect," and they're not wrong. But if you're wondering whether loyalty and tradition will win out against ten million dollars, the scale seems decidedly tilted to the money.

(H/T to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.)

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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Comments

The Big 12 Northern teams that mostly compromise the Great Plains offers little to the Big 10 and other conferences. Located mostly in small and medium size TV markets it just not money that motivates the Big 10’s avoidance. What can other Big 12 north schools offer besides just a 12th team in terms of sports. Yes, KS and KS State have successful BBall and IA ST., Wrestling, but for the most part The Big 10 can find these attributes in their own MAC backyard!

by Revkume on Feb 15, 2010 6:59 PM EST reply actions

i’ve said a couple of times now, nebraska would be a great fit, football-wise that is. nebraska has a great tradition, and through a history of success, a national following that i believe would more than offset their small market.

i feel pretty confident that nebraska vs Ohio State, penn st, that school up north, iowa or wisconsin would draw pretty good ratings.

i don’t know much about their basketball program or other sports, but let’s face it, football is king, and it’s the sport that really matters here.

besides, with the additional revenue nebraska would gain from big 10 membership, their other programs would likely improve.

by Buckeyesoldier on Feb 15, 2010 11:13 PM EST reply actions

If I was in charge of the Big 12 I would do everything I can to try to improve my current conference, even if that meant "trading" schools. From a football stand point it would make most sense to pursue Boise State and TCU. If they cant drop a school like Baylor then they should focus on brining in new talent. Living in Big Ten country and being an MSU alumni I have heard all the rumblings about trying to sway Texas to the Big Ten, as well as other big 12 schools. Competition, education and money wise this makes a lot of sense for both parties, but travel reasons this makes no sense. Plus I am confident in assuming Texas would rather be the top dog, than having to conform to the Big Ten. Not saying they would not dominate in football or basketball, but in they are the king in the big 12, no questions asked. I just dont see the Texas, Nebraska etc leaving their territory and tradition http://huebnerj.wordpress.com

by JoshHuebner on Feb 16, 2010 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Memo to T.O.:

You’ve made a good hire with Pellini and returning Nebraska to the respectability.

Now, get on the other schools in your division….

2002: 7-11 vs South, Lose CCG
2003: 6-12, Win CCG
2004: 3-15, Lose CCG
2005: 7-11, Lose CCG
2006: 5-13, Lose CCG
2007: 10-8, Lose CCG
2008: 3-15, Lose CCG
2009: 5-13, Lose CCG

Tell the other schools to get better and don’t blame the conference. I didn’t hear you talking about how moneys needed to be re-distributed in the late 1990’s when the North owned the South.

If you’re going to take the $$$, take the $$$. Don’t expect this to change the dynamics of how money is distributed. Frankly, the South should consider jumping ship anyway by adding TCU and BSU.

by Ark_Razor on Feb 16, 2010 12:03 PM EST reply actions