Smoke your cigars and enjoy the band while you can....

[SkinnyBenny]

Why Pitt?

So I'm going to put on my pointy tin foil hat and throw out a little conference expansion conspiracy theory. 

Texas, as with all schools, has and always will do what they think is in their best interest.  The big difference with Texas is that they have enough power to actually influence their own outcomes and push things in the direction they want them to go, unlike a Kansas State.  They are used to this power and know how to use it.  They don't want the SEC, Big 10 or Aggie telling them how things are going to go.  If the Big 12 breaks up and ND is forced to join a super conference they will be both be fine, but that is a K-State way of thinking.  K-State plays the cards they were dealt.  Texas and ND expect to be the dealer and know how to mark the cards and stack the deck in their favor.   Of the elite schools, Texas is the one that is feeling the least in control of their own destiny right now and the most likely to be pushing buttons to get their world back under control.

The biggest motivator for Texas is power, not money.  With the new Fox deal and LHN they have more money than anyone and that stream of revenue is fairly secure.  So what keeps them up at night is a loss of power.  They need to be the big dog in an elite conference to keep that power.  The Big 12 is on their way down not up so Texas must do something about this.  Azcat has suggested that Texas want to make a super elite conference with ND and a few other elite level schools.  This doesn't work in my opinion.  Texas wants to be lord of their domain and they can't do that in an elite only conference, they know that they would have to share too much power.  Another theory is that they could go independent.  This doesn't work either.  Although ND is still a national power (see their special BCS rules) their influence is waning and Texas sees that.   That leaves their only option as making the Big 12 better.  BYU, SMU, Houston etc doesn't do that.  They need ND, that is the end game in this for Texas but how do they get there.  Picking up the phone and calling ND and saying "hey Aggies leaving lets party!" won't work.  If it did that would have already happened. 

Texas needs ND and they need leverage to get ND to make the move.  As we all know ND plays their other sports in the Big East.  Their football team can stay independent for awhile but their other sports must be in a conference.  So, Texas' best option is to help facilitate the break up of the Big East, or at least make it seem unstable enough that ND wants to jump that sinking ship.  The ACC has also been rumored to be looking at some Big East teams, especially if SEC #14 (15?,16?) come from the ACC. So why Pitt?  Its not about wanting Pitt, its about what Pitt jumping ship does to the Big East and creating inertia for ND to do something.

Good lord.  I am so malleable and easily swayed by all of this.  It's a real roller-coaster, gang. Good write-up, I am in team Pitt Inertia until someone else posts something to convince me of anything else. 


 

[oneeyedwillie]

Think he would feel some kinda guilt and that this would propel him into adding SMU?    because, do not want.

Sources close to the situation continue to say Texas would not have an interest in playing Texas A&M in football if the Aggies were to bolt the Big 12 for the SEC.

But there is speculation among those in the Texas Legislature that a bill could be filed during the 2013 session that, if passed, could force the two schools to keep playing each other if they were in separate conferences.

This is so ridiculously lame.  eff you, Aggies.

florida is forced to play florida state every year for the same reason. so ridiculous.

The state of Iowa did that in the '70's. That's why Iowa and Iowa State play each other every year.

[WillieWatanabe]

Think he would feel some kinda guilt and that this would propel him into adding SMU?    because, do not want.

Sources close to the situation continue to say Texas would not have an interest in playing Texas A&M in football if the Aggies were to bolt the Big 12 for the SEC.

But there is speculation among those in the Texas Legislature that a bill could be filed during the 2013 session that, if passed, could force the two schools to keep playing each other if they were in separate conferences.

This is so ridiculously lame.  eff you, Aggies.

florida is forced to play florida state every year for the same reason. so ridiculous.

The state of Iowa did that in the '70's. That's why Iowa and Iowa State play each other every year.

pretty sure they play ever year because they want that bad ass cy-hawk trophy.

[MadCat]

Why Pitt?
 
Texas needs ND and they need leverage to get ND to make the move.  As we all know ND plays their other sports in the Big East.  Their football team can stay independent for awhile but their other sports must be in a conference.  So, Texas' best option is to help facilitate the break up of the Big East, or at least make it seem unstable enough that ND wants to jump that sinking ship.  The ACC has also been rumored to be looking at some Big East teams, especially if SEC #14 (15?,16?) come from the ACC. So why Pitt?  Its not about wanting Pitt, its about what Pitt jumping ship does to the Big East and creating inertia for ND to do something.

I believe this play is in Jim Delany's binder.

[Pete]

Why Pitt?
 
Texas needs ND and they need leverage to get ND to make the move.  As we all know ND plays their other sports in the Big East.  Their football team can stay independent for awhile but their other sports must be in a conference.  So, Texas' best option is to help facilitate the break up of the Big East, or at least make it seem unstable enough that ND wants to jump that sinking ship.  The ACC has also been rumored to be looking at some Big East teams, especially if SEC #14 (15?,16?) come from the ACC. So why Pitt?  Its not about wanting Pitt, its about what Pitt jumping ship does to the Big East and creating inertia for ND to do something.

I believe this play is in Jim Delany's binder.

Agreed.

BUT, That's why  I suspect that Texas also has eyes on Louisville and Cincy...the Big 10 will NOT want those two, but we'd gladly take either one, or both, if it meant getting ND, right?

[wabash909]

Louisville, PITT, and BYU would be my dream scenario.

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

[PowercatPat]

Pitt is extremely far away. Seems like an odd choice to me.

[wabash909]

Pitt is extremely far away. Seems like an odd choice to me.

Closer than Provo, though.  And a lot easier to fly to commercially.

[scottwildcat]

IF we pulled off Louisville BYU and Pitt that would be a crazy good situation for the Big XII. We have 2 Texas schools (SMU and Houston) we could eventually pick off to increase numbers along with a great foot print. IF we move to 12 that would be the #1 possible possibility that doesn't include ND (which we wont ever get)

Louisville, PITT, and BYU would be my dream scenario.

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

[steve dave]

IF we pulled off Louisville BYU and Pitt that would be a crazy good situation for the Big XII. We have 2 Texas schools (SMU and Houston) we could eventually pick off to increase numbers along with a great foot print. IF we move to 12 that would be the #1 possible possibility that doesn't include ND (which we wont ever get)

Louisville, PITT, and BYU would be my dream scenario.

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

I don't understand the desire for Pitt if ND isn't one of your other 2. 

[SkinnyBenny]

Yo MadCat.  Is your sig the banner from the Awaken Manhattan site?   

[kim carnes]

IF we pulled off Louisville BYU and Pitt that would be a crazy good situation for the Big XII. We have 2 Texas schools (SMU and Houston) we could eventually pick off to increase numbers along with a great foot print. IF we move to 12 that would be the #1 possible possibility that doesn't include ND (which we wont ever get)

Louisville, PITT, and BYU would be my dream scenario.

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

I don't understand the desire for Pitt if ND isn't one of your other 2. 

Our fans are dumbasses.  There is no understanding them.

[MadCat]

Yo MadCat.  Is your sig the banner from the Awaken Manhattan site?  

http://www.k-state.edu/

EDIT: I do see what you mean though.

[SkinnyBenny]

:phew:

[Houstoncat93]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_753912.html?_s_icmp=NetworkHeadlines

Pitt says no comment!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stevesie60]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_753912.html?_s_icmp=NetworkHeadlines

Pitt says no comment!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CyberToothCat]

Why Pitt?


Texas needs ND and they need leverage to get ND to make the move.  As we all know ND plays their other sports in the Big East.  Their football team can stay independent for awhile but their other sports must be in a conference.  So, Texas' best option is to help facilitate the break up of the Big East, or at least make it seem unstable enough that ND wants to jump that sinking ship.  The ACC has also been rumored to be looking at some Big East teams, especially if SEC #14 (15?,16?) come from the ACC. So why Pitt?  Its not about wanting Pitt, its about what Pitt jumping ship does to the Big East and creating inertia for ND to do something.

How about this?

Aggie leaves and the Big 12 adds Pitt, WVU, L'ville, Syracuse, Boston College and Navy.  That puts us at 15 and pretty much destroys the Big East.  Notre Dame's home for the non-football programs is in trouble.  The Big 12 offers the final spot in their new "Big 16" to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame plays Pitt, BC and Navy pretty much every year and has some history with Cuse, so there would be some history that would make this attractive to them.  Plus they have a strong presence in the northeast from a fanbase perspective and this allows them to play a lot of northeastern schools.

The eastern half of the Big 16 would be:
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
West Virginia
Louisville
Syracuse
Boston College
Navy
Missouri

The western half would be:
Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
Oklahoma
Oklahoma St
Kansas
Kansas St
Iowa St


If we happen to lose Mizzou to the SEC in the process, add UConn or Cincy or Rutgers to fill out the eastern half of the league.  Notre Dame would be in a conference where they would play 7 games against the eastern half of the Big 16, which includes at least 3 of their regular rivals.  They could also play one or two crossover games with the western division (annual matchup with Texas on Thanksgiving?).  The two halves would essentially function as individual conferences with some strong scheduling ties (which is what super-conferences are anyway...).

TV networks would love it because the conference would have a strong presence in the highly populated Northeast as well as a strong presence in the highly populated state of Texas.  It would include some powerful tradition-rich programs.  The annual championship game could alternate between Cowboy Stadium and the Meadowlands, with a stop in there every once in a while in Indianapolis.  The basketball tournament could be on a rotation from KC to Dallas to NYC.

[fatty fat fat]

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

Ugh. shut the f*ck up. 

[wabash909]

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

Ugh. shut the f*ck up. 

 

[wabash909]

IF we pulled off Louisville BYU and Pitt that would be a crazy good situation for the Big XII. We have 2 Texas schools (SMU and Houston) we could eventually pick off to increase numbers along with a great foot print. IF we move to 12 that would be the #1 possible possibility that doesn't include ND (which we wont ever get)

Louisville, PITT, and BYU would be my dream scenario.

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

I don't understand the desire for Pitt if ND isn't one of your other 2. 

Our fans are dumbasses.  There is no understanding them.

I didn't get the memo, what the eff makes Pittsburgh Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) and BYU not Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)?

Better football and basketball tradition.  Virtually the same distance.  Bigger media market.

Just a question for all the non-dumbasses.

[Rage Against the McKee]

Think he would feel some kinda guilt and that this would propel him into adding SMU?    because, do not want.

Sources close to the situation continue to say Texas would not have an interest in playing Texas A&M in football if the Aggies were to bolt the Big 12 for the SEC.

But there is speculation among those in the Texas Legislature that a bill could be filed during the 2013 session that, if passed, could force the two schools to keep playing each other if they were in separate conferences.

This is so ridiculously lame.  eff you, Aggies.

florida is forced to play florida state every year for the same reason. so ridiculous.

The state of Iowa did that in the '70's. That's why Iowa and Iowa State play each other every year.

I think that both Iowa State and Iowa have to play Northern Iowa every year because of their legislature as well. Iowa has to be the lamest state in the union.

[Ira Hayes]

ND is coming to the Big XII.  They have no choice.

And if ND gave a crap about the Big East schools that play football they would have actually joined their conference in football.  They didn't.  And they don't.

But don't be surprised if schools like Marquette, Georgetown, and Villanova follow them to the Big XII just for MBB.

[pike]

ND is coming to the Big XII.  They have no choice.

And if ND gave a crap about the Big East schools that play football they would have actually joined their conference in football.  They didn't.  And they don't.

But don't be surprised if schools like Marquette, Georgetown, and Villanova follow them to the Big XII just for MBB.

I'd be fine with that

[scottwildcat]

IF we pulled off Louisville BYU and Pitt that would be a crazy good situation for the Big XII. We have 2 Texas schools (SMU and Houston) we could eventually pick off to increase numbers along with a great foot print. IF we move to 12 that would be the #1 possible possibility that doesn't include ND (which we wont ever get)

Louisville, PITT, and BYU would be my dream scenario.

A geographic footprint that extends coast to coast, two upper echelon football traditions in BYU and PITT (10 National Titles combined) and elite basketball traditions in PITT and Louisville (4 National Titles combined).  All of the above bring top notch facilities and large media markets into play.

I don't understand the desire for Pitt if ND isn't one of your other 2. 

Our fans are dumbasses.  There is no understanding them.

i guess i should of tried to figure out a better way of wording my idea. That would be the best possible case that doesn't include ND, any case that has ND is better than anyone with out

[MadCat]

Maybe KU can be talked into being basketball-only too.