Big 12 Commissioner calls out Texas A&M, Missouri
Conference realignment among college football teams and its conferences have led to big television deals, shattered rivalries and hurt feelings.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby made his feelings known about two departed members of his conference: Texas A&M and Missouri. Both the SEC and the Big 12 have six teams each in the AP preseason top 25 poll and the SEC has won the last six national championships.
“I think it’s fair to say that some [conferences] that have gotten larger are now wondering if it’s going to be worth it,” Bowlsby said via CBSSports.com. “There are complexities, especially regarding some scheduling issues, that have really caused some problems “We’re feeling pretty good about 10 [teams]. We’re also feeling good we brought in two ranked football teams in exchange for the two that moved out.”
Currently, the each of the Big 12 members will receive about $20.3 million per year, thanks to a new television deal with ESPN.
When A&M and Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC, it raised the average IQ for both conferences.
Sour grapes for sure.
Sounds like sour grapes from a commissioner of a second tier conference. Scheduling is not that hard. I guess it's even easier when you only have 10 teams (yet still call yourself the Big 12). Maybe he has trouble dealing with more teams than he has fingers to count with.
Is scheduling really that difficult? It really can't be that hard. It sounds like the SEC pretty much got it worked out fairly easily. The Big XII is going to die if it doesn't expand while the other major conferences expand.
No doubt the Big 12 got a significant upgrade.
Your a moron if you think that
Apparently you're the moron for not knowing how to form a grammatically correct sentence.
@RhondaLeeStarr OK - and you be a dummy
The last time I did the math, 12-8 is FOUR. Four teams left the Big 12. Colorado,Missouri, Nebraska, Texas A&M. Now the Big 12 has luckily picked up another two teams giving them... ten teams. Still two short.
@livestrongest.2012 Math and the Big 12... Bitter rivals.
Comments about rankings are the fallback answer for those left in the Big12. They know that the only thing that matters is TV markets when it comes to revenue, but that isn't talked about. The Big12 is much weaker for having Mizzou and A&M leaving, especially compared to what they picked up. That will become more and more apparent as time goes on. They can't "spin" their way out of that.
This is a top story at SI? Yikes. Guess we do really have to live with ESPN.
This is a farce and anyone with knowledge of college football knows it. The new Commish is desperate and drumming up anything he can to seem relevant.
I think the Big XII is better off with twelve. Bowlsby, you lied when you said you are NOT going to kowtow to Texbutt. Looks like you are already doing so. I suggest Louisville and Florida State would make good additions. As for Mizzou and A&M....they'll be taking some lumps for years to come, although Mizzou has a fairly easy schedule this season, but the real downer is going to be for the minor sports, having to travel halfway across the country to compete.
Can't recall a team hoisting a preseason championship banner. But hey, teams in some conferences may have different standards.
"We’re also feeling good we brought in two ranked football teams in exchange for the two that moved out." LOL.
You got it, chief. A&M and Missou might actually win something in the SEC, unlike most of the years they spent in the Big 12.
@UleNotknow Hahahahaha, win what exactly?
What he says is factual. B12 gained two ranked teams, lost two that are not.
@Joel1 at this point in time, yes...but, you realize this is a long term decision? Look at the historic size of each program, the dollars generated by fans and expanded TV market, etc. Look at the FACT that A&M is a historic top 20-25 team in winning percentage and all time win total. There is no comparison to the huge win it was for the SEC and what a loss it was for the Big 12. Big 12 feelings are very hurt and they are going to keep spinning it as best they can. We'll know for certain in 2-3 years...
@DavidMadden @Joel1
Our feelings are hurt? You Aggies continue to be the most delusional bunch of people ever! I was in Destin with my family speaking to a nice 72 year old gentleman with an LSU hat on. The man knew a TON about college sports and was very pleasant to speak with. Along comes an Aggie and injects himself into our conversation, begins to razz the LSU fan, at which time the gentleman stood up, wagged his finger in the Aggie's face and said "There! That's the reason that no one can f**king stand you guys!" I almost fell off the bench laughing!!!
@Joel1 It is factual that A&M has beaten TCU the last 24 times they played.
@dandixon95 @Joel1 the memory of the last a&m tcu game, that is on most espn highlight reels, is of the tcu receiver getting pancaked by the a&m corner - tcu/baylor/tittietech/smu has and will always be a&m's luvin' beeotch
@Joel1 You do realize that the rankings change on a regular basis?