Well, so much for our "Galactic Realignment" theory. Though we did say Tuesday we weren't so sure the Pac 12 would follow through on expansion.They didn't.
To the mild dismay of the University of Oklahoma, the Pac 12 Presidents and Chancellors have decided they are happy where they are. They don't want to expand. At least not in the near future.
Their statement (from commish Larry Scott):
"After a careful review, we have determined that it is in the best interests of our member institutions, student-athletes and fans to remain a 12-team conference. While we have great respect for all of the institutions that have contacted us, and certain expansion proposals were financially attractive, we have a strong conference structure and culture of equality that we are committed to preserve. With new landmark TV agreements and plans to launch our innovative television networks, we are going to focus solely on these great assets, our strong heritage and the bright future in front of us."
Let's read between the lines, shall we...
What Scott is essentially saying is, they were interested but they weren't taking Texas as long as the Longhorn Network exists in its current form. According to multiple reports, Texas wasn't willing to make concessions there. So that means nobody comes.
Oklahoma, well, they sort of get screwed. They lose whatever negotiating room they had. We reported yesterday on Chancellor David Boren's list of demands form them to stay in the Big 12. Well, now they are staying. And the Big 12 doesn't need to do anything because Oklahoma now has nowhere to go.
We can't wait to hear the next conversation between Boren and commissioner Dan Beebe.
Texas gets to keep their beloved Longhorn Network and will be hated on every level by just about everyone in college football. The Longhorn Network has been the impetus for almost all the proposed changes and UT comes across like the evil heel here in all scenarios.
The SEC is kind of hosed. They'll get Texas A&M, but that may be it. Their options are now limited. Unless they can convince somebody to bail on the ACC, they'll be stuck at 13 teams for a bit.
Yes, we know they "Offered" Missouri. That won't happen now we believe. Missouri will stay where they are.
The Big East is still on the fence. They've been injured by the ACC, and if Rutgers and UConn go, they are done and their members will have to find somewhere to call home. We don't think that will happen now either.
So there you have it. The Pac 12 and Texas have pretty much killed the rest of this story. And we for one, are damn happy about that. No, it doesn't mean that change won't happen in the future, it just means it isn't going to happen right now. (Though we could be wrong)
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