40% increase in travel cost vs a vision of unmatched dominance in the Big 12

The issue today, which the writer at this link: http://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1368751, claims will be the decision maker for the move by FSU and other ACC teams to the Big 12 is the increase in travel cost that could be as much as 40%.

When looking at the future culture change in college conferences, the reality that these ACC schools considering defection will have to realize, is that money is the driving force and will make up for any expenses these universities will have to cover if these conference negotiate well. Another, is if two, three, or even four schools were to defect, that 40% increase would go down.

The big picture of the Big 12 is that this conference is trying to get a Big 12 East division and Big 12 West Division. Even though FSU and maybe Clemson were the only two to join now, does not mean the Big 12 would leave them in the east alone.  You can bet the Big 12 would also go after other schools close to FSU and Clemson as well. When all I read are reasons why FSU and Clemson should not join the Big 12, I never read reasons why these schools and the others considering defection, should consider the future.

The Big 12 has West Virginia. Yes the school is a great distance from other Big 12 schools, but the fact that they are also going after FSU and Clemson should show that the Big 12 has their eye on the east.

The Big 12's arm in the United States, if these other schools had vision, would understand the Big 12 could seriously stretch from central United States to the east coast. The television power and strength of the conference would be unmatched. They would clearly surpass the SEC. Though, this can only happen if these other universities had vision.

The BIG 12 takeover?

Digesting the current discussions over re-alignment, I am left with a hypothetical objective of the Big 12; a takeover of TV markets within the Big 10, ACC, Big East, and SEC. 

The major teams within the Big 12 (Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma St.) were always looking to expand their market into different areas of the country, hence, their flirtation with the PAC 12. We all know how that turned out.  Next, came the exits of Colorado, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Missouri. Within two years rivalries ended, and the Big 12 was ready to crumble, or was it?

In reality, what if this was the plan of the two major universities in the BIG 12 (Texas and Oklahoma). They knew that a playoff was inevitable and the only way to survive would be to expand their market, enticing TV Networks to write big money TV contracts. However, they needed to dump teams that offered little to no appeal for other universities to consider joining. They knew rivalries were a thing of the past. That a competitive conference was more appealing not only to its fans, but also TV Networks. Think about it. Did the BIG 12 do all it could to keep those universities from leaving? Texas did not even cry when Texas A&M left. In fact, Texas A&M was still trying to keep their rivalry with Texas.

Following the departure of the four original BIG 12 members, came TCU and West Virginia to the BIG 12. Yes, TCU is not expansion, but TCU was a strong opponent the BIG 12 could not let go, and could bring appeal to the conference. West Virginia on the other hand was the conference's first shot at expansion who not only brought appeal and strength in football and basketball, but also a market dominated by the Big East, who is also surrounded by Big 10 and ACC markets.

Now, let us look at today’s current re-alignment talks. Six universities in discussion considering joining the BIG 12 are from the ACC. Florida State, Maryland, Georgia Tech., Clemson, Virginia Tech., and Miami would not only bring appeal and competition, but also a market currently in the both the Big East,  ACC and SEC. Two other teams in discussion, Notre Dame and Louisville would also not only bring appeal and strength, but markets also dominated by the Big East and Big 10.

In the end, if some or all of the teams joined, the hand of the BIG 12 would encompass areas, which stretch from central Unites States all the way to the east coast. I know it seems a little farfetched, but is it really?

TV Networks vs Academics

In this new era of college sports, money is the only concern, and the TV Networks are the dictator running the game.

With the billions, not millions, up for grab, conferences like the SEC, BIG 10, PAC 12, and now the BIG 12, are all positioning themselves in markets where in the end, will make their conference look attractive to TV Networks and make for good competition that the fans want to see.

Universities at one time cared more about academics then they did about sports. Donors and ex-Alumni provided the funding, which made their universities credible and strong. With TV Networks as the new financial source for universities, academics are now an afterthought.

University donors and ex-alumni can also be held responsible for this new era in conference re-alignment; because it those two entities that have also fallen into the trap of believing that their university is only as good as where the TV Networks want to spend their money. In recent media, you hear about donors and ex-alumni pushing the arms of university presidents, trustees, and athletic directors to join a conference that could offer them more money. Pay no mind to the geographical location, the extra cost to travel, or the stress it may place on the athletes. The more money our university receives will make it all better.

So, where has our morals on academics gone? To our greed for more money, and the TV Networks.

Conference re-alignment and university academics

With some ACC schools considering re-alignment with the Big 12, three things come to mind which they should consider, S E C.

It baffles my mind when I hear counter arguments against joining the Big 12 due to academic status. This coming from universities in the ACC that are underachieving financially compared to their competition, the SEC. In this article, I will provide a major reason why some schools should not let academics persuade them from joining the  Big 12.

Graduation Rate for ACC schools considering re-alignment to Big 12

ACC

Florida State University Four-year graduation rate 50.2%

Clemson University Four-year graduation rate 49.7%

Georgia Tech Four-year graduation rate 32.9%

University of Maryland Four-year graduation rate 62.5%

Results from: http://www.collegeresults.org/ 

After reviewing the information above, besides the University of Maryland, it really does not look like graduation is a high priority for the rest. So, my question remains, why is academic standards so important when these schools have low graduation rates? At this point, teach these students how to make money by joining a conference  (Big12) that can increase your financial status. In the end, your students will learn that money comes to those who act, while the rest learn the hard way when they,” let the train pass them by.”

Addressing Big 12 expansion issues

Keeping up with recent re-alignment talks, looks like Florida State and Clemson will be Big 12 bound. Also heard about other universities (Georgia Tech., Notre Dame, Louisville, Maryland, etc.) entertaining the idea of bolting to the Big 12. Throughout this whirlwind, the Big 12 and SEC have also joined forced to create one of the best bowls in college football.

With all the discussions going around the media, I have noticed many providing pros and cons for join the Big 12. I have also noticed the sarcastic remarks and put-downs by many people weighing in on FSU and Clemson’s potential move to the Big 12. To clear the air, I decided to give my “two cents” and throw in a dollar.

1. FSU and Clemson are clear football universities. Therefore, to hear people say they do not have anything in common with Big 12 schools, consider the fact that they are playing in a basketball conference driven by Duke and UNC; which are clearly not football first universities.

2. The president of FSU indicated that schools like Kansas, Kansas St., West Virginia, and Iowa State would not be attractive games featured against FSU. Just to set the record straight, Kansas has made it to a BSC bowl and won within the past decade, and Iowa State has upset good Big 12 teams over the past years. Obviously, Big 12 teams can produce and make winning difficult. Kansas St. and West Virginia have also made to bowl games over the past decade and won. The names may not sound enticing, but they will make your team play harder than any team in the ACC. By the way, the Big 12 has a better record when playing ACC schools in football.

3. Travel and cost is another issue debated in these discussions. The last time I checked, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Boston College was not a close drive for Clemson or FSU. Cost may be more if they travel to some Big 12 schools, but the payout for joining the conference would easily cover those expenses.

4. Hearing Academics as an issue makes me laugh when they try to connect it to conference affiliation.  Since when does someone’s personal academics look better if they are in a conference of good academic schools. A person is not attending those other schools, just the one they attend. If academics are important, why is not every university trying to join the Ivy League? In this instance, money is what makes a conference strong because money brings what the universities need.

5. Another issue I laugh at is the term “Texas League.” Texas has one vote in the conference, and equal sharing is in place. Lets just get off that subject, ok.

6. Lastly, is the issue of stability. If the Big 12 is expanding and looking to draw ACC schools away, leaving the ACC nervous about their future, who is the one that is not stable?

The future is bright at the Big 12. How are you doing ACC?