Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[isucy86]

Realignment is ALL about TV money. It's not about jerk fans or great places to visit. It's about schools that can bring the Big12 more than $31.7M annually. For the Big12 they are two keys to that criteria: Brand & Winning Programs.

I understand people's takes on Oregon/Washington- if they aren't committed, why add them? We can all speculate what the next round of TV media rights will look like in 2030, but does anyone know for certain? So if Oregon & Washington can strengthen the Big12's product over the next 5-6 years, why not bring them on board. The Big12 can always incorporate an exit fee if they leave, regardless of GOR.

Same goes for Utah. If they can help the Big12 compete against the SEC & Big10 on the field/court, bring them on!! I don't fault Utah fans for being defensive, condescending, etc. etc. it's just human nature when the status quo is threatened. As Cyclone fans, we should understand this more than most fan bases based on what the Big12 has gone through with realignment speculation over the last decade.

 

[KnappShack]

i think ESPN is on board with helping brand the big 12 as the best basketball conference going forward. BY has commented recently about how appreciative he is of their help with this branding.

We have a ******* theme song now!

Think Bowlsby could do that? Pull in Shaq?

 

[heitclone]

L

We've already seen how our fans react.

Isu fans looked down at p5 conferences that were willing to through them a lifeline? Utah is getting treated this way bc of how they have gone after the big 12. Totally different situation.

 

[FerShizzle]

Realignment is ALL about TV money. It's not about jerk fans or great places to visit. It's about schools that can bring the Big12 more than $31.7M annually. For the Big12 they are two keys to that criteria: Brand & Winning Programs.

I understand people's takes on Oregon/Washington- if they aren't committed, why add them? We can all speculate what the next round of TV media rights will look like in 2030, but does anyone know for certain? So if Oregon & Washington can strengthen the Big12's product over the next 5-6 years, why not bring them on board. The Big12 can always incorporate an exit fee if they leave, regardless of GOR.

Same goes for Utah. If they can help the Big12 compete against the SEC & Big10 on the field/court, bring them on!! I don't fault Utah fans for being defensive, condescending, etc. etc. it's just human nature when the status quo is threatened. As Cyclone fans, we should understand this more than most fan bases based on what the Big12 has gone through with realignment speculation over the last decade.

its about a little more than that. but yes, that is the driving factor.

BY repeatedly speaks about making the big 12 a national brand with a national footprint. this is long term plan that requires long term member institutions.

 

[CysRage]

I do think, reading between the lines, it’s telling Utah’s AD would respond like that. If Utah were imminently about to jump to the Big 12, no way does he respond like that.

Good, we don’t want them anyways. The only reason they got looped in the package in the first place was it geographically made sense. We already have BYU so we don’t need another Utah school. Go get SDSU so then we have a California school as well. San Diego would be an awesome away game visit every so many years.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I do think, reading between the lines, it’s telling Utah’s AD would respond like that. If Utah were imminently about to jump to the Big 12, no way does he respond like that.

They certainly won’t be the first to jump. But also they have to grandstand for their fans because they are psychos, especially when it comes to being BYU’s little brother.

 

[Stormin]

I do not like teams moving to the Big 12 just for temporary safe haven. That feeds the narrative that the Big 12 is inferior. And the temporary member has no problems stabbing the Big 12 in the back. Take the teams that want the Big 12 like Arizona and Colorado. They are great additions.

 

[Die4Cy]

Utah fan attitudes about the Big 12 have more to do with their feeling that they permanently ascended to their conference pinnacle with a Pac bid, their rival was in their wake, and their financial future was secure.

Now, not only is that in doubt, but their rival has been granted a position in a conference with more clout, money, and exposure going forward. They cannot accept this so they're lashing out.

The whistling past the Pac12 graveyard matters because they are as helpless to do anything as WSU is. Despite what many believe here, they are not necessarily a lock to be a choice if the Big 12 only expands by two. If a lifeline is thrown to them, they will change their tune overnight.

 

[simply1]

BY clearly will run a Twitter poll to add teams. Good grief on the hurt feels.

 

[Die4Cy]

I do not like teams moving to the Big 12 just for temporary safe haven. That feeds the narrative that the Big 12 is inferior. And the temporary member has no problems stabbing the Big 12 in the back. Take the teams that want the Big 12 like Arizona and Colorado. They are great additions.

Any of the current Big 12 members would leave in a minute if an SEC or B1G offer came with a van load of cash. This is a moot point. The Big 12 will be hunting for the best brands for the life of the next deal. If it changes after that, so be it, bring in the next best teams available. I would rather have UO and WU for 6 years and take ASU and CU later.

 

[FerShizzle]

BY clearly will run a Twitter poll to add teams. Good grief on the hurt feels.

it will be a 'reply with the gif of the team you want to add' poll

 

[FerShizzle]

Any of the current Big 12 members would leave in a minute if an SEC or B1G offer came with a van load of cash. This is a moot point. The Big 12 will be hunting for the best brands for the life of the next deal. If it changes after that, so be it, bring in the next best teams available. I would rather have UO and WU for 6 years and take ASU and CU later.

no thank you.

there is nothing more damaging to the brand than teams leaving for another conference. you want to add teams that will stick long term.

 

[isucy86]

I didn’t think much about their resume until someone mentioned that Utah had not beaten a P5 outside the PAC since like 19 or 17.

That's an example of information that sounds compelling, but distorts the truth. Utah is one of the top 10-15 programs nationally over the last decade. Most P5 schools would dream of Utah's success!

2013: Beat BYU (non-con)
2014: Beat Michigan (non-con) & CSU (Bowl)
2015: Beat Michigan (non-con) & BYU (Bowl)
2016: Beat BYU (non-con) & Indiana (Bowl)
2017: Beat BYU (non-con) & WVU (Bowl)
2018: Beat BYU / Lost to Northwestern
2019: Beat BYU / Lost to Texas (Alamo Bowl)
2020: No Non-con/ No Bowl
2021: Lost to BYU/Lost to SDSU / Lost to OSU in Rose Bowl (48-45)
2022: Lost to Florida 29-26 in Gainsville / Lost to Penn State in Rose Bowl (35-21)

Overall Record for the 10 Years: 83-42 (A 9-4.5 team over the last 9 full seasons)

2013: 5-7
2014: 9-4
2015: 10-3
2016: 9-4
2017: 7-6
2018: 9-5
2019: 11-3
2020: 3-2
2021: 10-4
2022: 10-4

 

[KnappShack]

no thank you.

there is nothing more damaging to the brand than teams leaving for another conference. you want to add teams that will stick long term.

You don't need schools going into business for themselves.

Texas, Oklahoma, USC, UCLA all guilty

 

[Pope]

The near sadist feelings about Utah are odd to me. This will come down to a business decision not the needs for feelings to be heard.

“Make them little and beg…”. Making others feel more pain sadness around an emotional topic… So odd to me.

And that is before we go down how would ISU fans react to other fanbases if in the same situation as some members in the PAC.

While I agree that viewing this from primarily a business perspective is the way to go, I don't think you can take the emotional element completely out of this. Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma all felt they were better than the rest of the conference, and that attitude made things much worse (which is probably an understatement).

If there's one thing the surviving Big 12 schools are not, it's arrogant. We've been humbled over the last decade and we've learned the hard way that the key to our survival is to stick together and to treat all members equally. Bringing in schools who look down upon our conference and mock us is going to make it very difficult to maintain the cordial atmosphere we've finally achieved.

I'm not suggesting we try to humiliate the PAC schools. I'm just suggesting we take the two Arizona schools first and then take our time on the rest. We have all the leverage. In the end, it would do the rest of the PAC good to learn a little humility.

 

[exCyDing]

I say this living a 2.5 hour drive away. As much as I’d like an easy to travel to ISU game, southern Californians just are not college sports fans. The only reason pro sports even work is the massive population center to pull from and tourists. You can see it in San Diego’s difficulty to attract and hold pro sports teams. The Padres have the built in advantage of the exact best weather by a mile in the entire USA.

The Padres also benefit from having their stadium right downtown and part of the Gas Lamp area. There's a decent population within walking distance, plus all the hotels and the convention center are within blocks.

SDSU did just build a new stadium, but it's conveniently located in the middle of a parking lot in a far more suburban part of town. It is a great location if your pre or post-game plans involve hitting up IKEA or Costco, though.

And as far as being a rival for the AZ schools - SDSU played AZ in the first game in the brand new stadium and couldn't sell 35k seats.

 

[BCClone]

Probably ISU

Nope,that was like 10-15 years ago.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Arizona and Colorado will come together.

Remaining PAC will drag their feet.

BY gives Arizona State and Utah a deadline to make a decision.

Arizona State joins. Utah calls bluff.

ACC crumbles. Big 12 picks up the pieces.

BY goes double bird, hits Utah with the stunner.

Utah plays UNI in 2030 FCS Championship

 

[isucy86]

Good, we don’t want them anyways. The only reason they got looped in the package in the first place was it geographically made sense. We already have BYU so we don’t need another Utah school. Go get SDSU so then we have a California school as well. San Diego would be an awesome away game visit every so many years.

There is a big difference between Utah and San Diego State. Heck there is a big difference between Utah & Arizona or Colorado.

Realignment is about the value TV Networks place on a program to bring viewers. The Big12 wants Utah.

The Pac12 is fighting for its survival. Even if it's just publicly, they are trying to promote a unified front to make sure they get the best TV offer possible. Why give the perception of weakness during such a critical period of negotiations. Even if their hand is a pair of 2's, they HAVE to give the perception they hold a pair of aces!

Regarding Harlan, look at his background. He is an Arizona grad, he worked for the AD's of Arizona, UCLA and Utah. He's invested over 15 years of his work-life trying to build up Pac12 schools. Of course he's going to take offense to all the outside noise and so-called media experts with a new take every day.

 

[BCClone]

There is a big difference between Utah and San Diego State. Heck there is a big difference between Utah & Arizona or Colorado.

Realignment is about the value TV Networks place on a program to bring viewers. The Big12 wants Utah.

The Pac12 is fighting for its survival. Even if it's just publicly, they are trying to promote a unified front to make sure they get the best TV offer possible. Why give the perception of weakness during such a critical period of negotiations. Even if their hand is a pair of 2's, they HAVE to give the perception they hold a pair of aces!

Regarding Harlan, look at his background. He is an Arizona grad, he worked for the AD's of Arizona, UCLA and Utah. He's invested over 15 years of his work-life trying to build up Pac12 schools. Of course he's going to take offense to all the outside noise and so-called media experts with a new take every day.

The difference between AZ and Utah ADs is one has pretty much kept quiet and another has been not quiet. You can promote and stick up for yourself and conference with out being a numbnut.