Conference Re-Alignment Thread Part Who Knows

[coogrfan]

Re: A&M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

Academics, better stadium that can be expanded to 60,000, SMU fans will turn up while when Houston was pretty good they had trouble brining in fans, UT still hates Houston from that seating disaster from awhile back, and SMU has Is overall more prestigious. In 100 years we have been in an AQ conference all but 15 years.


Do you really care where I sent this from?

UH is the 3rd largest public university in the state behind UT and TAMU (total UH enrollment is around 38k, SMU's is around 12k); per wikipedia "The Carnegie Foundation classifies UH as a top-tier research university.<SUP id=cite_ref-Tier_One_Research_6-0 class=reference>[7]</SUP><SUP id=cite_ref-Tier_One_Research_2_7-0 class=reference>[8]</SUP><SUP id=cite_ref-Tier_One_Research_3_8-0 class=reference>[9]</SUP><SUP id=cite_ref-Tier_One_Research_4_9-0 class=reference>[10]</SUP> The institution ranks among the Top 50 American Research Universities, and is in the Top 300 Academic Ranking of World Universities.<SUP id=cite_ref-Top_American_Research_Universities_10-0 class=reference>[11]</SUP><SUP id=cite_ref-Rankings_ARWU_W_11-0 class=reference>[12] "</SUP>

Yesterday's story in the Dallas Morning News indicated that there are plans to expand Ford Stadium to 40K, not 60k (btw, 40k is about the size of the stadium UH plans to break ground on within the next 12-18 months); in any case a stadium expansion seems like something of a moot point in SMU's case. Last year the Ponies had their best season in almost 30 years; avg attendance was around 23.5k per game (9th in C-USA). UH, otoh, avg'd 31.7k (3rd in C-USA) despite a hugely dissapointing season that saw the Coogs lose a Heisman candidiate qb and his only experienced backup for the year in the 3rd game of the season.

No question DeLoss Dodds harbors a grudge against UH, but if his 1st and 2nd choices (ND, BYU) say no the Big (almost) XII may not have much choice in the matter; beggars can't be choosers.

SMU was indeed a charter member of the SWC, and won 11 SWC football championships from 1915-1995. Seven of those were prior to 1950; the last three (81,82,84) were tainted by the single worst recruiting scandal in the history of cfb. UH was member of the SWC for it's final twenty years, winning four championships. Only TAMU (6) and UT (5) won more during that span.

[acts238shaun]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

No, I'm with you. I'd love for VT to take on the SEC every year.

Of course, we definitely would not have the same level of success as we would if we were in the ACC. But it'd be fun to take on Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, et al on a yearly basis.

The VaTech game vs Tennessee would be huge every year

[DonkeyJote]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

And just because VT's a target for the SEC doesn't mean that they'll accept.

No, but there's no way they don't consider it. It's not like Tech has a long, prestigious history with the ACC.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

No, but there's no way they don't consider it. It's not like Tech has a long, prestigious history with the ACC.

It's not about history, it's about fit. And it's certainly not just about football.

[doom41]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

It's not about history, it's about fit. And it's certainly not just about football.

It's about money.
I'ld have agreed with you two weeks ago, that Va Tech would turn down an offer from the SEC. However, with the Miami issue and the unknown right now in regards to what Miami's punishment could be, and what the ramifications of that punishment could be on the rest of the ACC, in addition to the probable "Monster" TV contracts that the SEC could be getting with the addition of the TX TV markets that A&M will bring and the markets that Va Tech could bring, I would have to think that Va Tech would have to think long and hard about it.
I'll admit though, I don't know enough about Va Tech and what other considerations/issues they would have.
I just think with the PAC always a possibility to jump to 14-16 teams, the instability in the Big 12-1 and possibly in the ACC, and knowing that it doesn't matter who goes to 14-16 teams first( PAC, B1G or SEC) the other two will soon follow. Can any member of the Big 12-2, ACC or Big East risk being left out when that happens.
This is one of the reasons A&M wants out now. They want to get a spot in a stable conference now, because they know it will be a dog fight when these "super-conferences" finaly get here. It's also why the SEC won't turn A&M down, because they don't wont to risk losing out on the TX markets to the PAC.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

It's about money.

Right, but VT makes a ton of money through grants for research with the other ACC schools. That's why the ACC and VT fit so well... not only are they comparable academically, they work together and get revenues for research. I honestly don't think the VT will jump solely for more revenues for football instead of thinking about all of the impacts of moving to the SEC: probably no more shared research for those, less basketball revenue, more expenses for Olympic sports, etc. I've found quotes (of course, dubious right now) that VT AD Jim Weaver would decline any possible invitation (I don't think one's coming anyhow).

I don't think VT fits in the SEC for any reason other than football.

[doom41]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

Right, but VT makes a ton of money through grants for research with the other ACC schools. That's why the ACC and VT fit so well... not only are they comparable academically, they work together and get revenues for research. I honestly don't think the VT will jump solely for more revenues for football instead of thinking about all of the impacts of moving to the SEC: probably no more shared research for those, less basketball revenue, more expenses for Olympic sports, etc. I've found quotes (of course, dubious right now) that VT AD Jim Weaver would decline any possible invitation (I don't think one's coming anyhow).

I don't think VT fits in the SEC for any reason other than football.

All good reasons, though I don't know how valid they all are.
While the SEC gets a bad wrap for academics, if you look at these 2010 Rankings of the Top Research Universities: http://mup.asu.edu/research2010.pdf
you'll see that both the SEC & ACC have 3 schools in the top 25 (counting A&M), and if you go top fifty the SEC has 7 and the ACC has 5 (not counting Va Tech, as this is to see which would be better for them) based on this I don't know why Va Tech couldn't do just as well or better in shared research grants.
As far as travel for olympic sports: the Avg dist from Blacksburg to schools in the Coastal Div. is 359.2 Miles. The Avg from Blacksburg to schools in the SEC EAST is 368.5 Miles. There would only be one school in the SEC West(A&M: 1147 Miles) farther away than Miami (900 Miles). Plus, If the TV Contract is big enough, it will outway the olympic sport's travel costs.
Your probably right about less Basketball Revenue, but once again the additional football revenue could outway the loss. It's not like the SEC would be a bad BB conference w/ Kentucky, Fla, LSU & A&M has been pretty good the last 7-8 yrs.
I remember seeing that quote, and it's the reason I said two weeks ago I would have agreed with you, but with what has happened since he made the quote, I have to think that they would at least consider it. In the end they will do what they think is right for Va Tech, as they should, but I have a hard time believing it is still a firm "NO" if an offer is there.

One question, since all this is hypothetical anyway. What if the SEC were to go to 16 teams with one of the others been one of Va Tech's Reseach Grant Partners?

[DonkeyJote]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

I do think that people overstate the money in athletics a bit. $20 mil in TV money is tiny compared to what most these schools get in research money. It's not even close.

I'm not saying VaTech will be going to the SEC. If I had to bet money, I'd probably lean towards them staying in the ACC. But I think it's foolish to say they won't consider it.

[superjames1992]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

I do think that people overstate the money in athletics a bit. $20 mil in TV money is tiny compared to what most these schools get in research money. It's not even close.

I'm not saying VaTech will be going to the SEC. If I had to bet money, I'd probably lean towards them staying in the ACC. But I think it's foolish to say they won't consider it.

I disagree. The shenanigans involving the ACC raid on the Big East and the ensuing chaos in 2003/2004 proved how much money really matters. It is the driving force behind all of this.

Hell, look at TCU who is now joining the Big East despite being geographically misplaced by a thousand miles and not having any ties. Look at Colorado, even.

[Bondgirl0072]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

It's about money.
I'ld have agreed with you two weeks ago, that Va Tech would turn down an offer from the SEC. However, with the Miami issue and the unknown right now in regards to what Miami's punishment could be, and what the ramifications of that punishment could be on the rest of the ACC, in addition to the probable "Monster" TV contracts that the SEC could be getting with the addition of the TX TV markets that A&M will bring and the markets that Va Tech could bring, I would have to think that Va Tech would have to think long and hard about it.
I'll admit though, I don't know enough about Va Tech and what other considerations/issues they would have.
I just think with the PAC always a possibility to jump to 14-16 teams, the instability in the Big 12-1 and possibly in the ACC, and knowing that it doesn't matter who goes to 14-16 teams first( PAC, B1G or SEC) the other two will soon follow. Can any member of the Big 12-2, ACC or Big East risk being left out when that happens.
This is one of the reasons A&M wants out now. They want to get a spot in a stable conference now, because they know it will be a dog fight when these "super-conferences" finaly get here. It's also why the SEC won't turn A&M down, because they don't wont to risk losing out on the TX markets to the PAC.

Everything is about money.

[cdawg44]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

For What's its worth this just came across ESPN

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6902114/texas-expect-announce-plans-leave-big-12-according-report

Nothing is a done deal, but the BIG 12 seems resigned to the fact Aggy wants to leave.

[Jr.]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

Ok, I have one question, Baughn3, who is that in your avy?

Danneel Ackles

[Watson]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

Because the WWL is never wrong about college football news

[Aggies7]

For What's its worth this just came across ESPN

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6902114/texas-expect-announce-plans-leave-big-12-according-report

Nothing is a done deal, but the BIG 12 seems resigned to the fact Aggy wants to leave.

My question is leave to where. I have heard rumors that PAC 12 is now an option.

Also when they say leave do they mean just up and leave before season. I can't see them leaving prior to the season which starts this week.

[Bondgirl0072]

Re: A&amp;M to the SEC starting to blow up again on Twitter

My question is leave to where. I have heard rumors that PAC 12 is now an option.

Also when they say leave do they mean just up and leave before season. I can't see them leaving prior to the season which starts this week.

Good question. I think they will start the leaving process now and play in their new conference next year.