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OU the Foot Soldier; Lose the Hang Ten Conference
Published: 6/14/2010 1:08 PM
Last Modified: 6/14/2010 1:14 PM

To recap:

Weeks ago we wrote of three things:

3. Nebraska held the key to realignment.

Have fun recruiting in upper Wisconsin, kids.

2. Texas rules the world.

We described OU and OSU as being obedient puppy dogs, cockers.
Make it something softer, toy poodles.

3. Joining the Hang Ten conference would be a disgrace.

We advocate adding North Texas and Southwest Missouri State before joining the Hang Ten.

Possibly the most surprising dose of reality to come from all the greedy hustling and conning is to learn that OU has such little clout on the national scene. It's all about TV screens. Texas, by virtue of its all-consuming power -- it's like a politician that can deliver a gargantuan state -- will emerge as the most disliked team around, the Yankees of college gridiron.



Reader Comments 16 Total
Marathonman (3 years ago)
IF the Big "12" stays together, it can't be considered anything but a loss for OU and OSU.
The Picker (3 years ago)
Marathonman, get off the tredmill, the Big 12 makes the Hang Ten Conference look like mush when it comes to football. At this very moment, the Big 12 makes tons more football TV money than the Hang Ten. Comment about that? Why step down in class?

By the way, we're claiming official ownership of the Hang Ten Conference nickname, so please credit any reference.
Live Wire (3 years ago)
"We advocate adding North Texas and Southwest Missouri State before joining the Hang Ten"

Most ignorant comment I have ever read from the picker-and that is quite a feat.
Glenn616 (3 years ago)
Texas is already the New York Yankees of college sports.

I agree with you, Live Wire. The worst of the Big 10 is still better than North Texas and Missouri State.
The Picker (3 years ago)
You guys have head-butted once too often after scoring against Iowa State. IT WAS A JOKE. The point is, finding ANYBODY good beats joining the Hang Ten Conference -- Houston, Memphis, Louisville, TCU.....
Tulsan in Exile (3 years ago)
Add Houston and TCU to South Division. All Okies go North. (Yeah, I know, I hate the sound of it too.) Keep the Red River shoot out, plus The Sooners meet the Horns every year in the championship game. (Revenge match for somebody maybe not such a great idea, but what are you gonna do?) I DARE MIZZOU TO MAKE A WHIMPER IN PROTEST. If they do, kick the bums to the curb. They can fight for survival in the MAC.
Tulsan in Exile (3 years ago)
Add Houston and TCU to South Division. All Okies go North. (Yeah, I know, I hate the sound of it too.) Keep the Red River shoot out, plus The Sooners meet the Horns every year in the championship game. (Revenge match for somebody maybe not such a great idea, but what are you gonna do?) I DARE MIZZOU TO MAKE A WHIMPER IN PROTEST. If they do, kick the bums to the curb. They can fight for survival in the MAC.
norsemustang (3 years ago)
OU and OSU, do the state a favor and give Texas the middle finger and go somewhere else. The Big 10 with OU, OSU, and Nebraska is better than the Longhorn Plus 9 conference. Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer proved that OU doesn't need Texas for jack squat. Nebraska and Colorado did what they should have done years ago and said no to letting Texas dictate things. OU, OSU, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas State were better off in the Big 8 than in the Big 12 where Texas continuously got the largest piece of the pie. Now, from what I've heard, they're going to get even more in this sorry excuse for a conference.
Marathonman (3 years ago)
Picker, What is so special about the remnants of the B12 conference? The Pac-10 is a step down in class? Really??? Where is the class in Mizzou football? Iowa St? KU? K-State? Baylor? A&M?

What is left is basically two football teams - UT & OU - and two basketball teams - UT & KU. Nationally, no one cares about any other conference member.

You are seriously delusional if you think anyone beyond the plains will care about anything the B12 does.
juanstah (3 years ago)
I'm puking burnt orange. I don't care about the money, but something has to be done about Baylor and Iowa State. You either have to add 2 good teams to replace Nebraska and Colorado or receive a lower rating than the MWC. This was a bad move in the long run.
MexiMike (3 years ago)
Well Pick, you got your wish. The Big 12 Lite stuck together--but at what cost and for how long?

Your fear of change has blinded you from seeing what an awful consequence this decision will have on every team not named Texas. Texas was already powerful--some thought too powerful. Well to remove all doubt, this new contract our spineless commissioner put together ensures that Texas holds every ounce of power and the rest of us, none.

So what happens if Texas decides to leave in three years? The rest of the schools go through this all over again? Only the next time, there won't be a guaranteed home waiting for us. The PAC 16 may have had faults but at least it was a safe decision. More revenue, added competition, solid home.

The only thing that could stop that plan was Beebe's desperate measures to keep Texas. He may have saved face but again, at what cost?

He handed UT the keys to the castle and while he may have temporarily saved his conference, he may have also doomed every other team in it.
MexiMike (3 years ago)
Also Tulsan in Exile (and your friends who share the idea), please stop it with talk of adding TCU or Houston. They bring absolutely nothing to the table. The Big 12 already owns to the Texas market as far as TV sets go and each school barely puts 20,000+ people in their stadium. This is about revenue. Not football win/loss records.

If the Big 12 wants to add anybody, they should look toward Memphis and Louisville.
Fred Orth (3 years ago)
Stay reasonably within the Central Time Zone and all will be fine. The problem about adding TCU and Houston is that Texas would have even greater competition for recruits and fan base. Maybe the "Big 12" should look to the mega markets to the East.
BobSmith007 (3 years ago)
Oh, Mex. Please. Texas wasn't handed the keys to the castle. They've owned the castle and ruled the moat forever. While living in the shadow of Big Tex, OU just became the second (or third depending on how ND plays out in the next couple of years )richest program in the country. Security? As much as anyone else. Where will the SEC be in five years? You think the Big-10 and PAC-Whatever aren't resting on shifting sand? Grab the money while it's available. Play football now and worry later.
buster (3 years ago)
This final 10 is no weaker then the pac-10/11, Big East, ACC, WAC, MWC, or Big 10/11/12.
I saw on ESPN where the big shot who runs Fedx, Smith, says any BCS conference who will take Menphis will be given 10 million dollars a year. Oh yeah, his son is quarterback at Menphis.
SS_Hippy (3 years ago)
i'm all for the Big 12 adding TCU.
hadn't thought of Memphis or Louisville.
Memphis makes more geographical sense, and while they don't have the b'ball prestige of Louisville, they are an up and comer.
any chance Arkansas would want to get out of the SEC and actually win a conference title in football?
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Out Pick The Picker

The Picker began entertaining – and infuriating – sports fans in 1993. Each week during football season, he writes about his picks of college and NFL games in his Thursday Sports column. He's never afraid of sharing his opinions about the game and the personalities who play it. Readers have a chance to go against him each season in the Outpick the Picker contest. He welcomes the competition.

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