Redux
Donor
A recent discussion about our leaving the Big 12 got me thinking about what could have been. Half of us enjoy the new surroundings while half of us cannot stand where we sit. I was completely against the move at first but have come around until this recent shift that has landed us in what is perceived as the weakest division in the power 5 leagues, hopefully a turnaround is coming soon.
But where would we be had we stayed? Better yet, where would we be had the Big 16 come to fruition? You see originally the Big 8 was to merge with the Southwest Conference. Both had 8 and would have each served as one division of the super conference.
North: Nebraska, Oklahoma, OkieLite, Kansas, K-State, ISU, Mizzou, and Colorado
South: Texas, Baylor, TexTech, SMU, A&M, Houston, TCU, and Rice
Think about it. This could have happened a year or two before the Big 12 ended up being formed. Had this come to fruition the landscape would look a touch different today. One would have to assume the SEC would have raided the ACC to up their ranks to match 16. That could have caused a merger of the Big East and ACC. would the Pac 10 and Big Ten have countered by joining forces? We could potentially have been at 4 power leagues 20 years ago. Depending on which side of the fence you are on regarding such large conferences, it's quite the idea to wrap your head around.
But what would that mean for us? Almost certainly the recent shifts in the last 5 years never happen and the smaller conferences probably die out or one emerges. I think a playoff would have come sooner. Plus, we would still be playing Oklahoma yearly on Thanksgiving or Black Friday. Also, I don't think the rise of the SEC ever happens unless they answer the call to expand. A 16 team Big 12 would have been a huge blow on the recruiting trail. Really hard to say no to an all Texas division and another that boasts OU and NU.
Where do you think we would be today?
But where would we be had we stayed? Better yet, where would we be had the Big 16 come to fruition? You see originally the Big 8 was to merge with the Southwest Conference. Both had 8 and would have each served as one division of the super conference.
North: Nebraska, Oklahoma, OkieLite, Kansas, K-State, ISU, Mizzou, and Colorado
South: Texas, Baylor, TexTech, SMU, A&M, Houston, TCU, and Rice
Think about it. This could have happened a year or two before the Big 12 ended up being formed. Had this come to fruition the landscape would look a touch different today. One would have to assume the SEC would have raided the ACC to up their ranks to match 16. That could have caused a merger of the Big East and ACC. would the Pac 10 and Big Ten have countered by joining forces? We could potentially have been at 4 power leagues 20 years ago. Depending on which side of the fence you are on regarding such large conferences, it's quite the idea to wrap your head around.
But what would that mean for us? Almost certainly the recent shifts in the last 5 years never happen and the smaller conferences probably die out or one emerges. I think a playoff would have come sooner. Plus, we would still be playing Oklahoma yearly on Thanksgiving or Black Friday. Also, I don't think the rise of the SEC ever happens unless they answer the call to expand. A 16 team Big 12 would have been a huge blow on the recruiting trail. Really hard to say no to an all Texas division and another that boasts OU and NU.
Where do you think we would be today?