You Guys Been Reading This Stuff?

Stu Ryckman · Sep 9, 2011

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20110909/SPORTS/109090303

A poster at Northwestern's Rivals site, who goes by the handle of Purple Book Cat, has carved out a reputation as someone with a source inside the Big Ten Conference. PBC was ahead of the national media on Nebraska joining the Big Ten, and correctly predicted the league was courting Texas more than a year ago, which was later proven to be true via president-to-president emails from Gordon Gee to Bill Powers.

In the Internet community, when Purple Book Cat talks, folks listen. On Thursday, the anonymous PBC started a thread revealing at a Wednesday night meeting, Notre Dame and Texas jointly presented the Big Ten Conference a proposal for terms of entry into the league. Such terms came after lengthy discussions involving both schools over the past several months.
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What are the chances this takes place?

Probably less than 50 percent. Texas would prefer the Big XII conference remain a viable home. However, as the days develop that seems less likely. The Longhorns seem to be looking for the next best alternative, and that may just be in the Big Ten.

Notre Dame has long insisted on independence, particularly its alumni. However, they want no part of a BCS system that shuts them out of a championship opportunity. Again, the Big Ten seems the best alternative.

Which brings us all back to PBC's original thread. Maybe it's just Internet talk, but the scenario is possible, and if nothing else, it's fun.
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Here is something that a Purdue friend sent out copied from the Northwestern web site;

Earlier this evening, Notre Dame and Texas jointly presented the Big Ten Conference with their proposed terms of entry into the conference. These terms resulted from lengthy discussions among both schools and the Big Ten over the past several months.

The major items include:
1. The preservation of an eight game (plus championship) conference football schedule. Both ND and Texas wish to preserve rivalries with non-Big Ten universities on a regular basis. This would require the Big Ten to abandon its current plans of a 9 game conference schedule.
2. The staggering of the schedule to allow for mid-season scheduling with non-conference football opponents.
3. The preservation of the status quo conference makeup until approximately 2014, unless the Big XII fails to retain key (NOT including A&M) conference members. This will provide the member schools, acting in unison, with the greatest leverage negotiating ongoing television contracts, particularly with ESPN.
4. Should Texas depart the conference for the Big Ten before ND due to the further disintegration of the Big XII, ND will remain independent until approximately 2014
5. The Longhorn Network would remain independent until approximately 2014, at which point the network would become a part of an expanded Big Ten Network (specifically referred to as "BTN2"), likely either in partnership with Fox, NBC, or less likely ABC

The Big Ten just wrapped up a meeting to initially consider all of the terms presented by the schools, including the aforementioned.

Notably, there is a general discontent with the reporting of the situation by ESPN with specific regard to Texas. ESPN has, for self-serving purposes, drastically exaggerated the lean of Texas to the Pac12 conference in nearly all commentary. ESPN has essentially waged a propaganda campaign to drive support among the Texas stakeholders to the Pac12 conference. ESPN has gone so far as to attempt to accelerate the disintegration of the Big XII to pressure Texas into making an immediate conference change decision. Texas has steadfastly resisted change, and will do so until the appropriate time occurs for Texas to stand in a strong position to renegotiate television contracts, including with ESPN.

In reality, the preference expressed by Texas' relevant leadership is to depart the Big XII for the Big Ten at the time that gives Texas the greatest leverage in negotiating a new television rights deal. The Big Ten and Texas agreed that Texas should do what is best for Texas, which they also both agree is a move by Texas to join the Big Ten Conference. Delaney's top priority has been to create an environment for Texas and Notre Dame to join the conference on mutually benefical terms.

Notre Dame has an interest in preserving its traditional rivalries, three of which occur already in the Big Ten, and creating a new national rivalry with a traditional powerhouse. The Big Ten believes that ND prefers independence, but realizes that it will soon have no choice but to join a conference. The Big Ten also believes that ND is trying to position itself so that if it must join a conference, it does so on the most favorable terms possible. Hence the return to the 8 game schedule and a protected game with national power Texas. The Big Ten will attempt to create a mutually beneficial environment for ND that allows it to preserve a great deal of independence to retain all its traditional rivalries within the conference context.

The initial mood at the Big Ten to the terms provided by the two schools is "receptive."
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Terry O'Keefe · Sep 9, 2011

24 hrs late Stu! :wink:

TOK 1st with the latest!

It's hard to believe to tell you the truth, but right now I don't know what to believe.

I do think the B12 is toast, the other shoe will be when OU decides to leave for the Pac12 and take OSU with it. Clearly this whole thing of unequal revenue sharing is sticking in all the other members of the B12. Over on my Texas boards this idea of going to the B10 with ND is well recieved. Playing in the Eastern and Central Timezones is preferred over all those late games on the Coast. Also a lot of guys like the academic perks of being B10 members.

I have also read that the Big East has already sent out feelers to Kansas, Missouri, Kansas State, and maybe Iowa State and Baylor about joining the Big East. Kansas and KState would be natural additions to the Big East in Basketballl for sure.

BuckeyeT · Sep 9, 2011

It's certainly plausible.....I do think that the conference would be a good fit for Texas and it's my personal opinion that ND would be well served to join a conference at some point and the Big 10 makes the most sense.

Now would seem to be a very opportune time.....

Stu Ryckman · Sep 9, 2011

Most of the Purdue Sports list folks seem to think that the supposed stipulations that ND and Texas want are in no way deal breakers.

HUSKERMAN-HUSKERFAN · Sep 9, 2011

ND to Legends....TX to Leaders.

I'm really curious now....Oklahoma?

Scott88 · Sep 9, 2011

ESPN has essentially waged a propaganda campaign
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WHAT?!?!

No way! Everyone knows ESPN only REPORTS, and doesn't create anything...

:roll:

Stu Ryckman · Sep 9, 2011

I'm really curious now....Oklahoma?
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AJ...you didn't read the article I posted;

PBC followed up his post Thursday afternoon by noting the Big Ten had received a call from the Oklahoma's Board of Regents. The conference told Oklahoma thanks, but the Sooners would not be extended an invitation to join the Big Ten.
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HUSKERMAN-HUSKERFAN · Sep 9, 2011

No, I did. I just don't see OU going west...and the to the SEC?...naahhhhh.

Stu Ryckman · Sep 9, 2011

Gotcha...mebbe they'll be stranded;

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