Sporting news has come out with their current ranking of college football coaches. From the Big 12 are Bob Stoops at number 4, Art Briles at number 11, Bill Snyder at number 12, Charlie Strong at number 15 (huh?), and Mike Gundy at number 17. Another rating of interest for this part of the country is Mike Leach at number 19.

Ranking the coaches: Will anyone bump Nick Saban in 2014? - NCAA Football - Sporting News (http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-04-30/coach-rankings-nick-saban-steve-spurrier-urban-meyer-bob-stoops-brian-kelly/slide/1)

This gives an early perspective on how various rankings are placing Big 12 teams.

http://talking12.com/2014/05/02/oklahoma-football-picked-preseason-1-sporting-news/

'Big Game Bob' is back on track with his brother to cover his back. Nick Saban's days on the top of the football summit are numbered.

University of Oklahoma Sooner nation are ready for the:



RETURN OF THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE...

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTuDISRY9PoHp6CM7Nul4pddA6sGWknE gAKunNBc5udCWulreS3https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4XUs12aC0OREwAXz1Gz04sfh6mwr9d tb6pW6SM5LYHAYgh-5ohttps://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQdaGTj4I5oFegKIQJ2SO81Q9BxwHZR lsrgcnPN44j4Yp4JrFS

P.S. Thank you Nick Saban for helping the Sooner coaches staff with beefing up our defense in 2013; you're the best!

It worked...


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

'Big Game Bob' is back on track with his brother to cover his back. Nick Saban's days on the top of the football summit are numbered.

University of Oklahoma Sooner nation are ready for the:



RETURN OF THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE...

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTuDISRY9PoHp6CM7Nul4pddA6sGWknE gAKunNBc5udCWulreS3https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4XUs12aC0OREwAXz1Gz04sfh6mwr9d tb6pW6SM5LYHAYgh-5ohttps://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQdaGTj4I5oFegKIQJ2SO81Q9BxwHZR lsrgcnPN44j4Yp4JrFS

P.S. Thank you Nick Saban for helping the Sooner coaches staff with beefing up our defense in 2013; you're the best!

It worked...


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Where is that friggin Don't Like button? LOL!!!

Where is that friggin Don't Like button? LOL!!!

It got removed ... cause ain't nobody got time for that. :)

Kliff Kingsbury checking in at 59?
He finished an 8 win season by beating #14 ranked Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl in his rookie campaign.

Oklahoma State football: APR hit will force Cowboys to lose a day of practice per week | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/4815744)

Oklahoma State football: APR hit will force Cowboys to lose a day of practice per week | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/4815744)

This is a huge deal for the poke season.....
Particularly since they have such a young team.

George Schroeder ‏@GeorgeSchroeder 49m
In related news, Oklahoma State players to be invited to participate in a voluntary workout; playbooks provided. #justkidding #amireally

Guerin Emig ‏@GuerinEmig · 9m
#Sooners APR scores: 965 for football, 960 men's bkb, 990 women's bkb and 970 baseball. All above natl avgs. OU well clear of danger.

None of this wins any games but it gives an early Vegas perspective on the season.

Golden Nugget favors Sooners across the board | News OK (http://newsok.com/golden-nugget-favors-sooners-across-the-board/article/4911177)

OU is favored in every game listed. OSU is favored in 3 and underdogs in 4.

Also, another projection puts OU in the playoff.

Oklahoma football: Sooners No. 4 in Phil Steele's projected end-of-season top 5 | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-football-sooners-no.-4-in-phil-steeles-projected-end-of-season-top-5/article/4917793)

Game of the year assessment.

Why Oklahoma-Baylor is the Big 12's game of the year | News OK (http://newsok.com/why-oklahoma-baylor-is-the-big-12s-game-of-the-year/article/4949370)

http://newsok.com/ranking-the-big-12s-75-games/article/4949371

The media's preseason All Big 12 team is out.

College football: OU places four on preseason All-Big 12 team | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/ou-lacks-big-time-offensive-playmakers-expectations-for-cowboys-are-low/article/5004890)

OU is an overwhelming preseason Big 12 media preseason pick with OSU in 5th.

http://msn.foxsports.com/southwest/story/oklahoma-tabbed-as-big-12-favorite-in-preseason-poll-071714

OU is an overwhelming preseason Big 12 media preseason pick with OSU in 5th.

http://msn.foxsports.com/southwest/story/oklahoma-tabbed-as-big-12-favorite-in-preseason-poll-071714

Did you ever think you would see the day when Baylor is knocking on the door and Texas has almost 200 fewer votes in the pre-season Big 12?

I can't wait to see action in the new McClain Stadium. (http://www.baylor-stadium.com/)They have a countdown clock on the stadium page - 43 days. Thankfully, we don't have to play there for another year.

1. OU (47) -- 548 points
2. BAY (9) -- 508
3. KSU -- 377
4. TEX -- 376
5. OSU -- 312
6. TTU -- 308
7. TCU -- 297
8. WVU -- 170
9. ISU -- 121
10. KU -- 63

Did you ever think you would see the day when Baylor is knocking on the door and Texas has almost 200 fewer votes in the pre-season Big 12?

1. OU (47) -- 548 points
2. BAY (9) -- 508
3. KSU -- 377
4. TEX -- 376
5. OSU -- 312
6. TTU -- 308
7. TCU -- 297
8. WVU -- 170
9. ISU -- 121
10. KU -- 63

Actually Baylor knocked the door down last year. :)

Actually Baylor knocked the door down last year. :)

Very true, I guess they're not bothering to knock these days. :)

Crazy stat I saw today. OU has been 1 or 2 in preseason Big 12 polls every year since 2000. Crazy.

It looks like Charlie Strong is cleaning house at Texas.

Texas Longhorns dismiss four more players from team - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11263069/texas-longhorns-dismiss-four-more-players-team)

Crazy stat I saw today. OU has been 1 or 2 in preseason Big 12 polls every year since 2000. Crazy.

Even more impressive: They were right 9 of those 13 times. :)

It looks like Charlie Strong is cleaning house at Texas.

Texas Longhorns dismiss four more players from team - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11263069/texas-longhorns-dismiss-four-more-players-team)

Bad sign for them this season, probably a good sign for their program long term. I'm sure the sense of entitlement had grown unchecked. Easy for that to happen at Texas. Of course, I would prefer disfunction remain the rule down there...

In spite of his first name, OU's new star kicking recruit is really getting into the right spirit.

Oklahoma football: Kicker commit Austin Seibert talks trash to Texas fans | News OK (http://newsok.com/ou-kicker-commit-austin-seibert-talks-trash-to-texas-fans/article/5090976)


Im not complaining texas fans cant count to 66 anyways.

ESPN Gameday coming to OSU - Florida State.

ESPN bringing College GameDay to Sundance for season kickoff | Business | Dallas Busines... (http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/07/29/6004731/espn-bringing-college-gameday.html?rh=1)

Oklahoma State football no longer faces APR restrictions | News OK (http://newsok.com/cowboys-no-longer-face-apr-restrictions/article/5100402)

Oklahoma State football no longer faces APR restrictions | News OK (http://newsok.com/cowboys-no-longer-face-apr-restrictions/article/5100402)

This is huge for the Pokes especially considering how young the team is. An extra day of practice is extremely important, and they'll need all they can get this year.

The first coaches poll is out with OU at number 3 and OSU at 30th. Other Big 12 teams are Baylor 10th, K State 21st, and Texas 24th.

USA Today | Sports | NCAAF (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/polls/)

Overall, I thought it was a good opening week for the Big 12. Except for mediocre games by Iowa State and Texas Tech, all of the teams either met or exceeded expectations. (Thank goodness Kansas didn't play this week. :))

FSU got an early Christmas present last night thanks to a couple of what I thought were bad calls by the refs. Granted they probably still would have scored a touchdown had that 28 yard TD run been called correctly but there is always a chance something could go wrong and OSU's defense wasn't given the opportunity.

KU didn't play because we disbanded our football team when we fired Coach Mangino.... We are truly just a basketball school now.... ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!

So for those who couldn't get pay-per-view (damn you Time Warner!) how did OU look? I've heard the term "good not great" used a lot.

So for those who couldn't get pay-per-view (damn you Time Warner!) how did OU look? I've heard the term "good not great" used a lot.

Boycott those 'pay-per-view' channels. They make just as much money through the advertising and marketing; pay-per-view is additional gravy.

'Good not great' would be a description (my brother got the package), IMO the 'cupcake' part of the schedule is not worth spending $40.00 to view a Roman Colosseum slaughter on a pay channel.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

When you are 700 miles away it is cheaper than going to the game and I didn't feel like fighting all the stuff going on in downtown Denver this weekend to go to the OU Club of Colorado watch party and end up paying the same amount (if not more) between parking, food and drinks. The Taste of Colorado is going on all weekend a block away so parking was already at a premium and the street in front of Stoney's is supposed to be blocked off all weekend.

I thought it was typical of a game like that. They got up big, started playing more people (rotating starters and backups) and lost a bit of focus. It was pretty much what I expected, LA Tech is a decent team for Conference USA, they are definitely not a I-AA bottom feeder like some teams played this weekend and they didn't struggle against a I-AA team like Texas Tech did.

When you are 700 miles away it is cheaper than going to the game and I didn't feel like fighting all the stuff going on in downtown Denver this weekend to go to the OU Club of Colorado watch party and end up paying the same amount (if not more) between parking, food and drinks. The Taste of Colorado is going on all weekend a block away so parking was already at a premium and the street in front of Stoney's is supposed to be blocked off all weekend.

I thought it was typical of a game like that. They got up big, started playing more people (rotating starters and backups) and lost a bit of focus. It was pretty much what I expected, LA Tech is a decent team for Conference USA, they are definitely not a I-AA bottom feeder like some teams played this weekend and they didn't struggle against a I-AA team like Texas Tech did.

I watched the pay per view also and your assessment sounds exactly like what I saw.

Here is the latest coach's poll. Four Big 12 teams in the top 25 five and every team got votes except for Iowa State and Kansas.

NCAA College Football Rankings - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rankings/coaches)

The AP & Coaches' polls have so much hype from the previous year that their accuracy of measurement shouldn't be taken serious until after the third week.

Teams are not as well polished at the early start of the season. You will see how much players can endure as the season progresses.


https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HQ.207422491903&pid=15.1&P=0 https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HQ.69974699277&pid=15.1&P=0 https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HQ.207422756964&pid=15.1&P=0
Action from Louisiana Tech at Oklahoma
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/eHCh3NX3BxhH6yrQ7o1B7g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/sbnation.teamsites.vox.com/5400f222827acef65d262f0bd0f5425f
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/coaches-poll-week-2-oklahoma-164652619.html;_ylt=A0LEVxtFdgZUtF0AjN5XNyoA;_ylu= X3oDMTEzOWFyOXZ1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dG lkA1ZJUDI4MF8x


Coaches Poll, September 2nd


Rank
Team
Record
Points
1st Place Votes
Previous Rank


1
Florida State
1 - 0
1541
57
NR


2
Alabama
1 - 0
1432

NR

Points
3
Oklahoma
1 - 0
1407
2
NR


4
Oregon
1 - 0
1358
2
NR


5
Auburn
1 - 0
1289

NR


6
Michigan State
1 - 0
1141

NR


7
Ohio State
1 - 0
1114

NR


8
Georgia
1 - 0
1108
1
NR


9
Baylor
1 - 0
1018

NR


10
Stanford
1 - 0
999

NR




http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Stilll waiting for the results of the very late T Tech game (trailing to Utep 3 - 0 in late 1st quarter), but the Big 12 went very much as expected with the exception of Texas absolutely laying and egg at home against BYU and K State having a very tough game against I State. If either OU or OSU lose to Texas this year it will be an complete embarrassment.

I don't know if it's official, but I understand that Game Day will be in Norman next week for the Tennessee game.

I haven't checked but the hosts said earlier that if North Dakota state won this week they would be heading there

I haven't checked but the hosts said earlier that if North Dakota state won this week they would be heading there

Could be but I heard on the Sports Animal earlier that it should be Norman.

Could be but I heard on the Sports Animal earlier that it should be Norman.

Nope, they are going to Fargo for ND ST. I'm pretty sure they will be here November 8th though for Baylor.

Texas getting blown out wasn't a shock for me, BYU is a better team than Texas at this point. I think Strong will be the UT version of Schnellenberger at OU but with two years instead of one.

Texas getting blown out wasn't a shock for me, BYU is a better team than Texas at this point. I think Strong will be the UT version of Schnellenberger at OU but with two years instead of one.


https://sp2.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607999251486081334&pid=15.1&P=0 https://sp2.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607991919979530122&pid=15.1&P=0

:) You won't see the Sooner Schooner lying down.

If the Texas Longhorns get blown out by OU, you can begin the countdown; Strong might last two years. Remember Schnellenberger had a drinking problem which led to the nickname 'Drunkenberger.'


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

I disagree. And I don't agree with the Schnellenberger/Strong comparisons at all. Schnelly was a heavy drinker who was run out of Norman because of his disgraceful handling of the program. For example, he wouldn't let players drink water during parts of practice in hundred degree heat - resulting in a player being hospitalized. Strong is pretty much the opposite. He's a high character guy who demands that his players be good students and citizens. I think Texas fans understand that Strong is cleaning up the program. Mack Brown coddled players and often looked the other way at transgressions. UT's not going to have a good year, but I think he'll be there for at least 4 or 5 years and longer if he gets things going.

Strong has an alumni problem, Schnellenberger also had that at OU and he had a drinking problem that showed up at some alumni functions which hastened his departure. I was referencing Schnellenberger more as the length of his stay rather than the personal issues around him. Some coaches just aren't cut out for the politics of a program like UT and are better off and can be much more successful at a program without so much focus.

The UT alumni want a "high character guy" as long as they are winning and getting their rears kissed by the coach. I think Strong is a good coach but a bad fit for UT with its ingrained culture at the administration, alumni, political and player levels. That is why the CEO type coach is a better fit for UT than a real coach, as long as the CEO coach hires competent assistant coaches. Strong might decide to leave and go to a less high profile program if the AD can't keep the obnoxious alumni off his back, much like Tubberville going from Tech to Cincinnati.

Nope, they are going to Fargo for ND ST. I'm pretty sure they will be here November 8th though for Baylor.

You're are absolutely correct about going to North Dakota. If Game Day is going to Norman this year, Nov. 8th is the best bet. However, given ESPN's love affair with the SEC they might not. On that weekend Alabama goes to LSU and A&M goes to Auburn.

Hum. Baylor went to Buffalo and won...63-21. The Bulls aren't really a marquee school...even in the MAC. Kinda shocked Baylor allowed that many points, or are we back to Baylor having to score a lot in order to win?

Hum. Baylor went to Buffalo and won...63-21. The Bulls aren't really a marquee school...even in the MAC. Kinda shocked Baylor allowed that many points, or are we back to Baylor having to score a lot in order to win?

I think that Baylor knows that the embarrassing schedule they have requires extreme routs to register anywhere that counts.

I think that Baylor knows that the embarrassing schedule they have requires extreme routs to register anywhere that counts.

Then they should have scored more at Buffalo. :)

I watched it, they were rotating a lot of younger guys in the second half.

Not a bad day overall for the Big 12. The worst was Tech and Arkansas but I think everyone saw that coming after their first two games.

Whose first two games, Tech's or Ark's? Ark made Auburn look almost worthy of its high ranking.

Tech can't stop the run. Period.

Otherwise I was happy to see ISU pull one out on the road, and same for TCU. Minn or Iowa are both sorta favored in the vaunted B1G West. A lot of good wins for the Big 12 this wknd, although too bad for Texas. They look more of Jekyll and Hyde like around this time last year

The good wknd for us is of course combined with the really bad wknd for everyone else, for the most part.

UT looked improved and Tech has no discipline on defense, they are constantly running themselves out of plays and blowing assignments all over the field. The Arkansas backs would just run to a point and let the defender run right on by and cut behind them.

K State had a great effort tonight against Auburn but you just can't beat a really good team with 3 turnovers and 3 missed field goals. Will they promise to do that when they come to Norman? :wink:

K State basically gave that away. They could have been up 2 or 3 scores heading into halftime, but choked it out. It reminded me a lot of OK State playing FSU.

Big 12 has lost its top tier conference status. There are no teams with consistent national impact outside of OU and Texas. The loss of Neb Co and Mo was bad BUT the loss of Tx AM has the mosts impact ( GREAT fans, Money, Facilities and Tradition). Say what you want and Boleby can spin all he wants but (IA ST, KS, Kstate, TCU , OSU, WV and even Baylor will never consistantly compete for NATIONAL Championships. The Big 12 has lost its luster, games in this league do not matter nationally

Big 12 has lost its top tier conference status. There are no teams with consistent national impact outside of OU and Texas. The loss of Neb Co and Mo was bad BUT the loss of Tx AM has the mosts impact ( GREAT fans, Money, Facilities and Tradition). Say what you want and Boleby can spin all he wants but (IA ST, KS, Kstate, TCU , OSU, WV and even Baylor will never consistantly compete for NATIONAL Championships. The Big 12 has lost its luster, games in this league do not matter nationally

While I agree with most of this, you are living in the past to include Texas with OU in having national impact. Texas is living on the fumes of history, they are irrelevant as of the last few years and into the foreseeable future.

Big 12 has lost its top tier conference status. There are no teams with consistent national impact outside of OU and Texas. The loss of Neb Co and Mo was bad BUT the loss of Tx AM has the mosts impact ( GREAT fans, Money, Facilities and Tradition). Say what you want and Boleby can spin all he wants but (IA ST, KS, Kstate, TCU , OSU, WV and even Baylor will never consistantly compete for NATIONAL Championships. The Big 12 has lost its luster, games in this league do not matter nationally


You can thank Texas for the destruction of yet another conference. Texas wanted it their way and now they have it. They thought these other schools would fall in line but as we see these other schools had better options and everyone of the schools that left are in a much better place now. The Big XII is not the same BIGXII as it was 5 years ago. Look at where the majority of good players are going and then look at the BigXII. Look at the murderers row in the sec and then look at the BigXII. It's not even close. Now we will get to see the sec making tons of money off that sec network while Texas gets their longhorn network

Big 12 has lost its top tier conference status. There are no teams with consistent national impact outside of OU and Texas. The loss of Neb Co and Mo was bad BUT the loss of Tx AM has the mosts impact ( GREAT fans, Money, Facilities and Tradition). Say what you want and Boleby can spin all he wants but (IA ST, KS, Kstate, TCU , OSU, WV and even Baylor will never consistantly compete for NATIONAL Championships. The Big 12 has lost its luster, games in this league do not matter nationally

I think you are overstating pretty much everything.

Big 12 has lost its top tier conference status. There are no teams with consistent national impact outside of OU and Texas. The loss of Neb Co and Mo was bad BUT the loss of Tx AM has the mosts impact ( GREAT fans, Money, Facilities and Tradition). Say what you want and Boleby can spin all he wants but (IA ST, KS, Kstate, TCU , OSU, WV and even Baylor will never consistantly compete for NATIONAL Championships. The Big 12 has lost its luster, games in this league do not matter nationally

I agree with some, but IIRC OSU pretty much stayed with # 1 FSU. K-State, another middle of the pack Big 12 team could have beaten # 5 SEC power Auburn, if the receiver would have held onto the ball in the end zone or if they would have had an average high school place kicker.....
K-State beat themselves.....

For that matter, I don't think Alabama mopped up on WVU. I didn't see the game but was told they held their own with them.

Big 12 has lost its top tier conference status. There are no teams with consistent national impact outside of OU and Texas. The loss of Neb Co and Mo was bad BUT the loss of Tx AM has the mosts impact ( GREAT fans, Money, Facilities and Tradition). Say what you want and Boleby can spin all he wants but (IA ST, KS, Kstate, TCU , OSU, WV and even Baylor will never consistantly compete for NATIONAL Championships. The Big 12 has lost its luster, games in this league do not matter nationally

Surprise, surprise. A negative post filled with hyperbole from dcsooner.

First, Texas A&M rarely competed for Big 12 championships... much less national championships in the Big 12. Even recently, what have they really done? They haven't won anything in the SEC. Texas A&M is a very good (never great) program (as is Nebraska and to a lesser degree Mizzou and then Colorado). I wish none of them had left and it's largely the fault of UT. However, the sky isn't falling. College football is generally cyclical, but even now both OU and Baylor are legitimate national contenders right now (even though I think OU ends up with a couple losses... maybe starting this weekend). Aside from the SEC what conference has more serious title contenders than the Big 12? The Pac 12 has one (Oregon), the Big 10 has zero, the ACC has one (FSU)... So, it actually seems that the Big 12 might be second most important conference in the country in terms of national significance.

I just wish the Big 12 had taken Louisville when it had the chance. I still think the conference probably needs 12 teams to become more stable and the best options left are probably BYU and Cincinnati.

The BigXII is a conference that is doomed to fail because of what Texas has done. From the day the Big8 took in the swc leftovers Texas tried to run things.

There was bad blood from the start and it was only a matter of time before other teams started looking around. 1st it was Mo. that was leaving for the Big 10 but Mo. didn't agree to the 50% payout that the Big 10 was offering so when NU seen this they swooped in and told Delaney that they would take that offer. In fact,they are still not fully vested.

This started after Deloss Dodds went to KC at the BigXII meetings and tried to tell the schools how things were gonna be because Texas held all the cards. OU and Texas were in lockstep with each other and secured the votes of all the other sheep to keep the conference together after Neb and Co left. But,not all schools were happy campers. A&M and Mo. were looked at as trouble makers since these schools weren't following the rules according to Texas.

Texas wanted the biggest piece of the pie and didn't want to share = with the others. The BigXII could have started a new tv network where all teams shared in the revenues. Texas vetoed that and wanted to start their own network. The rest is history but IMO the BigXII will be history in the not too distant future. You can send Texas a big thank you for destroying a once great conference. There are no fixes now.

BYU and Cincy will not help this conference with tv revenue. In fact,if the Big XII took these schools in the overall revenues for the rest of the schools would go down. There are really no options at this time unless you could pry LSU and Arky away from the sec and that aint happening. In a perfect world you would drop WV and bring Mizzou back and add Arky and LSU. Then you would have a great conference that would have some swag. But the sec shares are = to all members and they are estimating over 40 mil per team and that's just not something that the BigXII can match,not even close. So there really are not viable options.

Two things: First, all the schools that had a problem with UT's methods are gone. Only OU & UT would be guaranteed safe landing spots if the conference fell apart. For that reason, I think the conference is relatively stable now. Secondly, BYU and Cincy would bring good markets. Of course, adding teams to the current deal will dilute the payout, but I think both schools would be at least average members competitively and financially. They certainly wouldn't drag everyone down.