[Bambi]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

Here is a digest of the latest Big 12/Expansion/Contract/Division Alignment Rumors

1. Many "insiders" are saying FSU and Clemson are as close to officially being in the Big 12 starting 2013 without a signature/public announcement as you can get. It would take a very peculiar turn of events for this not to occur, so look for us to be back to 12 soon.

2. FOX, pending expansion back to 12 teams with the teams highly rumored to be the expansion candidates wants to alter its 2nd Tier contract. This will mean more money per school, an extension of the 13 to probably around 16 and a weekly Friday Night marquee game to be aired on the parent network (not FSN, FOX). FOX is seeing its marketing value for scripted shows nosedive and non-scripted show are following that trend as well, so they want sports for prime time. This could push the annual payout into the 24-27 million dollar range, not sure if that includes CCG, Champions Bowl, or NC playoffs.

3. Rumors are that division alignment was trending towards two Texas teams in the "East". Baylor, in particular, was throwing a fit about this. In a somewhat surprising move, OU has indicated that if the NC playoffs favor a weighted RPI rather than a conference champions model (and that is the trend), then OU would go to the "East" keeping UT as a permanent rival. They would join FSU, CU, WVU and ISU. The Texas and Kansas schools would comprise the "West". Oklahoma sees this as an opportunity to expand its national reach, develop another big rivalry besides Texas in replacing Nebraska with FSU.

4. Texas is OK with this because they are cautiously optimistic Notre Dame will eventually be a full member of the Big 12, probably by 2016 when the NBC contract runs out. ND would join Texansas and most likely Georgia Tech would be in the East.

5. Permanent cross division rivals beyond OU-UT are speculated as such: Since the "East" would have OU, FSU and CU want some state of Texas exposure. OSU would want the same consideration. ISU and KSU would continue Farmageddon and WVU becomes linked to KU.

These are all rumors from alleged insiders, so don't shoot the messenger!

WEST

Kansas
Kansas St
Texas Tech
Baylor
Texas
TCU
Notre Dame

EAST

Oklahoma
Oklahoma St.
West Virginia
Florida State
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Iowa State

...play ball