I keep seeing people commenting about how the Big 12 is "sinking" and it is "doomed", ad infinitum.
Somebody please explain to me how that is the case? Because, honestly, I see no evidence of it.
Well, for starters, the conference is not getting any new teams with any real huge TV markets. Don't tell me Louisville/BYU. Notre Dame ain't coming. Our 12-team conference of 10 is really limited in potential new members. The conference cannot add schools with inherent value, and that is what it's all about; the almighty dollar.
The academic/research side of things also has to be taken into account. That's a significant consideration for the powers that be. It's not all about athletics.
The teams in the Big12 are, (speaking football,) limited to two that should be at-minimum top 10-15 every year. If one of them falters, that leaves you with one. That hurts recruiting as well as TV viewership. Add to that the matchups like Texas/TCU, Texas/Iowa St., Texas/Kansas etc., which don't really drive viewers outside of Texas and those respective markets. These games are, for the most part, not nationally interesting. And it's not limited to Texas games. What about TCU/KState? Ok St./Baylor? etc. etc.
IF ou were to leave, Texas is again left holding the bag and trying to piece together a conference membership that works. I don't see ou leaving w/o Texas, and vice versa. Colorado, Mizzou, aggy, all left while the leaving was good.
I can also see a day with super conferences. I would love for it to happen. I also realize that football is not the be-all, end-all. There has to be consideration for other non-revenue sports as well. While I selfishly would love to see Texas Baseball play in the Pac12 conference regularly, I realize that this takes a toll on funds, academics and the players/coaches/staffs as well.
There has to be a happy medium to balance out everything.
There ends my rambling. Ha!