If AZ bails, credit to the Big12 for pulling this off
- Thread starter ttowncoug
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I give them credit for fighting back after the UT, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and A&M defections, but if you look at their conference, they're still miles behind the SEC and B!G.
What we're experiencing now is only the beginning of realignment. There are still massive seismic shifts ahead when the ACC implodes and the Notre Dame makes their decision. IMO, the next layer of corporate filth will be programs getting kicked out of their leagues.
What we're experiencing now is only the beginning of realignment. There are still massive seismic shifts ahead when the ACC implodes and the Notre Dame makes their decision. IMO, the next layer of corporate filth will be programs getting kicked out of their leagues.
The ACC loses a lot of its value if it loses FSU and Clemson. If UNC and Miami go too, there’s not much there in football.
If that happens, seems like a 3-way alignment between ACC, Big 12, and Pac 12 makes more sense. None have a real banner program with a major national following, but together they’ve got a coast to coast span and good regional following all day. That’s going to maximize the market, and then some of these G5 teams in big markets - like SMU - start to solidify the regional markets.
I’m not quite sure how scheduling would work in that format, but it would also create matchups that we never otherwise see.
On the one hand…they are certainly outplaying our leadership…which isn’t saying much. On the other hand they are scraping up the bottom of a dying conference. The SEC and Big10 are like the main event fighters watching the undercard Big12 and Pac-12 punch each other in the balls for 12 rounds
That's exactly right. When I look at the B12, I have absolutely no desire (apart from the financials) for WSU to join that league.
"Hey kids, get packed! We're going to Stillwater, OK for the weekend!"
The only reason to join is survival and short term $$. The pac can absolutely be a great conference again, but they’ve F’d up so bad it’s a big hole to dig out of. That said if an invite came along and you are WSU you’d have to take it at this point.
No one (Big12) wants us. Our only chance for survival is west coast expansion. UNLV, SDSU. Colorada State. It's such a no brainer. Why the F can't those dipshit Presidents and AD's understand that? WTF are they waiting for? Whatever deal we sign, it dwarfs the Mtn West. So we are waiting for what?
I have half a mind to go PAC-9 HQ headquarters and slap that stupid Kwiatvfoff around for f-ing this up so bad. Then maybe go over to Pullman and smack Schulz around. Of course I don't want to go to prison (I'm too cute for prison and have no one to take care of my dog), so that won't happen.
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Been there, done that, not sure I would do it again. Had a good time the first trip, but it really had nothing to do with Stillwater, where there was a lousy football game. We flew early (Wednesday) and then headed down to Fort Sill, where one of my partners spent some early primary years when his dad was stationed there. That was interesting exploring the base and museum. Then headed up towards Kansas City, where we went through probably the hardest rain I have ever seen, highway slowed to ~10-15 MPH. Ugh.
Friday we continued towards KC, with detours to see the two small towns where the other partner's had grown up, and the old family homestead. After that we ended up in KC for the best ever BBQ at Arthur Bryant's original place. Man, was that stuff great! Then down to Tulsa area for the night, to Stillwater for the game, and flew home Sunday.
So that's your Sunday travelogue.....
Good call because they are saying can’t wait to go to Pullman!
I've said before that we're a G5 program. With that said, Pullman has always been regarded by other fan bases as a fun trip.
Probably depends who you are asking and why. WSU has been great for ratings over the past several years. Couldn’t track it down again but saw something about network tv viewership without the P5 defections…usc, ucla, Texas, and Ok. We are right behind UW and Oregon and pretty respectable on the list…ahead of Miami.. Granted that included some Leach effect but still, We’ve got a good brand in football, better than most of our conference peers. With Schultzs big 12 ties wouldn’t surprise to see WSU get an invite over everyone outside of UW and OR…who I believe will ultimately end up on the big 10.
Arthur Bryant's used to put a bowl of their 'burnt ends' out for free in the 50's. As you were in line, you just stabbed them with a toothpick, dipped them, and popped them. Before that, they would throw them away, so they figured - what the hell. They are credited as the first BBQ joint to offer 'burnt ends.'
If in KC, go to Kansas CIty Joe's BBQ, (it's in a Sinclair gas station) and get the 'Rocket Pig' sandwich. Decades ago, when they weren't changing oil or pumping gas, these boys built a smoker and would drink beer and smoke meat. People started coming for BBQ rather than gas, and his has become huge on these food channels. Now, they sell a hell of alot more BBQ than they do gas.
I feel like we stay just competitive enough most years to pose the threat of an upset, which gets people to tune in.
Unless its the Apple Cup, of course.
Who knows what the leach effect is too. I bet MSU saw a noticeable uptick in national viewership after they hired him.
FWIW, WSU was 6th in the conference in TV ratings last year, long after Leach was gone. My guess is that's about where we were when Leach was here. If anything, we might be up spot because Stanford and ASU have both fallen apart in recent years.
Stillwater says the same thing. Lubbock says the same thing etc
I tend to think those numbers, even last year, are good enough to have us included in any power 5 (4) conference. We have the Seattle market, along with UW, and that's very attractive to the TV networks.
Can't remember where I saw it, but I'm almost certain I saw ASU had shockingly low viewership. As for Stanford, they are pretty small and don't have a lot of unattached fans, especially when they completely suck, so I would expect their numbers have really been in the can in recent years.
Play the chess realignment chess game. When/if UW and Oregon go to the Big-10/Fox, ESPN (and likely either the Big-12 or the ACC) would want PNW relevance and viewers. WSU is attractive. OSU is attractive. The bay area, if Cal and Stanford bail, you could pull in San Jose St. You are team #2 in your respective market, which should be good enough for some decent media dollars.
With this said, WSU and OSU are along for the ride w/ UW and Oregon. When/if those schools bail, we suddenly pair with OSU and try and get our way into the Big-12.
With this said, WSU and OSU are along for the ride w/ UW and Oregon. When/if those schools bail, we suddenly pair with OSU and try and get our way into the Big-12.
I am SO jealous!
Had a Dickey's brisket sandwich earlier this week, but it just doesn't compare to the Bryant experience.
That's what's so BS about the whole realignment thing. If it was really about TV ratings, WSU would be an automatic qualifier for inclusion.
As it is, crappy football from 2004-14 has doomed us. Leach gave us respectability, but gacking in the Holiday Bowl two years in a row didn't help our brand perception with the B1G. The three consecutive bowl turds (2019, 2021 & 2022) ain't helping either. There's a perception that WSU isn't competitive at the highest level. Even in 2018, our success was kneecapped by an AC loss and an Alamo Bowl win against a not elite Iowa State team. A naysayer would argue that we wouldn't have won against a Top 25 opponent.
I will say if things settle down and not other conference shuffling happens, this year has the potential to change the conversation. If we somehow beat Wisconsin again and can go 6-3 in conference, we'd have a chance to finish with 10 wins and flirt with a top 10 finish. That's a couple pretty big "ifs" but crazier things have happened. Nobody was expecting the 6 win improvements in 1988 or 2001 from the prior years. If we finish 7-6 with another ugly bowl loss? Well, MWC football is better than no football.
Other than the disastrous financial hit we would take, it would not be a bad place to land. Wyoming, CSU, UNLV, Fresno State, Hawaii, Air Force. They would be fun to play, and fun to visit.
That's where I'm at with everything. The financial hit will be enormous, but there would likely be some State bailout money to help. What would really make a difference is the NCAA clamping down on NIL and the portal free for all.
If MWC teams could sign and hold onto their recruits for more than 1-year and the conference champion was guaranteed a spot in the playoff, I'd be completely OK with a West coast only conference. I would occasionally attend road games in Hawaii (duh), Northern CA, Nevada, Colorado, San Diego (although SDSU will likely move up). I would consider Boise State and Oregon State to be good rivals. That's why I'm in favor of retaining Apple Cup. Annual games vs. UW, Oregon State, and Boise State would good for our alumni.
Other than that, how was your trip to the theater Mrs. Lincoln?
