...or so says Bright Eyes. Where do we all belong...that's what we sort through today with a mega-list of links:
(1) The bottom line is Oklahoma will decide where everyone belongs and it looks like they will decide it on Monday. Brady Deaton agrees, its all up to OU as to what happens next.
(2) SI thinks everyone has lost their mind. The teams in the Big 12 below where they are. A funny quote: "The Big 12 does not evoke nostalgic affection. This is the league that diminished and ultimately destroyed Oklahoma-Nebraska, which was one of the top five rivalries in college football. It killed the old Southwestern Conference, which made cheating almost seem charming."
(3) If OU makes the decision to break up the Little 9 by heading west, Texas has a decision to make as to where it belongs. Texas is scared of the SEC says Out Kick the Coverage. And they are right. If you read nothing else, read this. The two key quotes:
(a) "There's only one issue for Texas -- going to the ACC and flying over the SEC would demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that Texas is scared of the SEC. Why? Because it makes the most financial sense for Texas to join the SEC. That is, Texas could make more money in the SEC than any other conference. That's because the SEC allows all schools to retain their local media rights. That means the Longhorn Network is the most feasible of all the major conferences in the SEC."
(b) "Texas, who received an offer to join the SEC last year, hasn't explored the SEC at all even as the very foundation of the Big 12 is rocked. Why? Because unlike their Texas A&M brethren the Longhorns are steers, gelded pansies afraid of competing in a real conference. The Longhorns, plain and simple, are bullies, and bullies don't like to be challenged. Instead of joining the conference they border replete with ready national rivalries, Texas would rather fly over the SEC and join the ACC, conference of perennial football lightweights. All hat, no cattle indeed."
(4) Jeff Schultz isn't buying that Texas belongs in the ACC. Perhaps more accurately, he says that they are swooping in to use the conference. Frank the Tank Disagrees and says the ACC for Texas makes sense. The Daily is pushing Texas toward the SEC.
(5) Who is deciding where programs belong? Doctors and dentists says CBS Sportsline. An interesting read about how Trustees are trying to serve as Athletic Directors and are failing in the process.
(6) Where does Dan "Mr. Longhorn" Beebe belong? Evidently making campus visits to schools that are already united in keeping the Little 9 together. Makes perfect sense to me.
(7) Perhaps the united part of the Little 9 isn't so united, says SB Nation. A humorous look at a Missouri town who is suing to try and get kU to drop its athletics mascot. Note the shirt the kid is wearing in the picture in this article.
(8) Whatever happens, teams don't belong in conferences over 12 members, says SB Nation. The reason: they all implode. Quickly.
(9) Meanwhile, the Big East says Mizzou, kU and k-State belong with them. A funny story.
(10) The St. Louis P-D asked where Mizzou belongs and the answers from their experts were a bunch of mindless dribble other than this really funny quote from alum Jeff Gordon: "...and poor Frank Haith has nightmares about the ACC talk. Been there, failed at that."
Showing posts with label Little 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little 9. Show all posts
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Trouble.
Lots of folks looking like they are in trouble today. Listen to song by Ray LaMontagne by the same name as you make your way through the links:
(1) Texas is in trouble. A&M and OU messed with Texas and won, writes Out Kick the Coverage. If you read nothing else today, read this. Some quotes: "The Longhorns believe that they are the lone star in a sky devoid of other celestial bodies. The heliocentric theory meets football, Texas as the sun, the moon, and the stars. Finally, Texas A&M had enough."
And: "Suddenly Texas, the school that was going to own the nation, is riding second saddle, clinging to A&M and Oklahoma for dear life.
Only most Longhorn fans haven't realized it yet.
Oklahoma and Texas A&M finally stared down Texas, tumbleweeds blowing past, with both schools poised to fire. Texas blinked first.
Yes, the Big 12 may well survive thanks to the television contracts. And Texas may well make even more money.
But money without good games is a dangerous place to find yourself in a country that is soon to be over run with mega-conferences."
Finally: "The Longhorn Network may have won Texas the battle, but in the process Texas A&M and Oklahoma have won the war."
(2) The trouble with trouble, though, is that its all relative. Who's in more trouble than Texas? Missouri. The SEC is putting forward some pretty tough talk about having a 13 not 14 league conference next year with a schedule already in the works. The Pac 12-20 doesn't seem like it will take us as they'll probably go +2 (OU and OK State) or +4 (TX, TX Tech) but not +6 (Mizzou, kU). And the Big 10? The silence is deafening.
(3) Out Kick the Coverage may be right, the Little 9 might turn Little 7 and then grow to the Awful 7-10: (1) Texas, (2) Texas Tech, (3) Missouri, (4) Baylor, (5) Iowa State, (6) Kansas, (7) Kansas State, (8) TCU, and (9) Houston. That's trouble, if I've ever seen it. If you aren't freaking out, now is the time to freak out.
(4) Who else is in trouble? The SEC. They are in danger of becoming the second best conference in college football. To who? The Big 12, of course. Breaking up this conference makes prefect sense.
(5) Who else is 'fixin to get in trouble if they don't shut their mouth? Ken Starr. Yes, that Ken Starr. Read his exaggerated editorial and then read this brilliant response. Some money quotes:
(a) "So, Ken Starr, sit down and let’s have a big boy talk. The truth is, Ken, your little school is going to be thrown off the bus because it hasn’t grown its own product. That’s on you and yours, buddy boy. You’ve been last in the Big 12 in football attendance every single year. You’ve won 18 conference games in 15 seasons. Your stadium is a dump."
(b) "Unfortunately, the breakup of the Big 12 is upon us, and Baylor is about to see how they live on the other side of town. At least, Baylor will see some old friends there.
For instance, TCU. Baylor dumped TCU in the ditch, and then something remarkable happened. TCU started over and built a great program one brick at a time. Instead of suing people, TCU went to work. SMU also built a new stadium, and UH will break ground on one early next year. Baylor has some catching up to do no matter what conference it ends up in.
It’ll be fun for Baylor to catch up with Rice, UH and SMU and see how the last 15 years have gone.
Don’t worry, Ken. They’ll be totally sympathetic to your plight. You should tell them how important it is to respect history and how awful it would be to tear these wonderful traditions and rivalries apart.
Look them right in the eye, Ken, and tell them you just don’t understand why people would throw these things away."
(6) Pre-Snap Read joins in the fun and says they don't buy what Ken Starr is selling. Does anyone?
(7) Back to Missouri: we had some trouble at ASU. We also did some things right. Here's a good post about both from Rock M Nation.
(8) SHOCKER: a kU football player is in trouble.
(9) Maryland students are in trouble with their AD after some unruly fan behavior to an 11 year old boy during their win over The u.
(10) Finally, the Cardinals manager has them in trouble. After looking out of the race they climbed back in and are only 3.5 game back of the wildcard. It could have been 2.5 back after last night, but in LaRussa's desire to win, he managed them to a loss.
Busy day...no summary. Take the time you would have taken to read the summary and put out some prayers the SEC invites us to join their party.
Thanks for reading,
Doug
(1) Texas is in trouble. A&M and OU messed with Texas and won, writes Out Kick the Coverage. If you read nothing else today, read this. Some quotes: "The Longhorns believe that they are the lone star in a sky devoid of other celestial bodies. The heliocentric theory meets football, Texas as the sun, the moon, and the stars. Finally, Texas A&M had enough."
And: "Suddenly Texas, the school that was going to own the nation, is riding second saddle, clinging to A&M and Oklahoma for dear life.
Only most Longhorn fans haven't realized it yet.
Oklahoma and Texas A&M finally stared down Texas, tumbleweeds blowing past, with both schools poised to fire. Texas blinked first.
Yes, the Big 12 may well survive thanks to the television contracts. And Texas may well make even more money.
But money without good games is a dangerous place to find yourself in a country that is soon to be over run with mega-conferences."
Finally: "The Longhorn Network may have won Texas the battle, but in the process Texas A&M and Oklahoma have won the war."
(2) The trouble with trouble, though, is that its all relative. Who's in more trouble than Texas? Missouri. The SEC is putting forward some pretty tough talk about having a 13 not 14 league conference next year with a schedule already in the works. The Pac 12-20 doesn't seem like it will take us as they'll probably go +2 (OU and OK State) or +4 (TX, TX Tech) but not +6 (Mizzou, kU). And the Big 10? The silence is deafening.
(3) Out Kick the Coverage may be right, the Little 9 might turn Little 7 and then grow to the Awful 7-10: (1) Texas, (2) Texas Tech, (3) Missouri, (4) Baylor, (5) Iowa State, (6) Kansas, (7) Kansas State, (8) TCU, and (9) Houston. That's trouble, if I've ever seen it. If you aren't freaking out, now is the time to freak out.
(4) Who else is in trouble? The SEC. They are in danger of becoming the second best conference in college football. To who? The Big 12, of course. Breaking up this conference makes prefect sense.
(5) Who else is 'fixin to get in trouble if they don't shut their mouth? Ken Starr. Yes, that Ken Starr. Read his exaggerated editorial and then read this brilliant response. Some money quotes:
(a) "So, Ken Starr, sit down and let’s have a big boy talk. The truth is, Ken, your little school is going to be thrown off the bus because it hasn’t grown its own product. That’s on you and yours, buddy boy. You’ve been last in the Big 12 in football attendance every single year. You’ve won 18 conference games in 15 seasons. Your stadium is a dump."
(b) "Unfortunately, the breakup of the Big 12 is upon us, and Baylor is about to see how they live on the other side of town. At least, Baylor will see some old friends there.
For instance, TCU. Baylor dumped TCU in the ditch, and then something remarkable happened. TCU started over and built a great program one brick at a time. Instead of suing people, TCU went to work. SMU also built a new stadium, and UH will break ground on one early next year. Baylor has some catching up to do no matter what conference it ends up in.
It’ll be fun for Baylor to catch up with Rice, UH and SMU and see how the last 15 years have gone.
Don’t worry, Ken. They’ll be totally sympathetic to your plight. You should tell them how important it is to respect history and how awful it would be to tear these wonderful traditions and rivalries apart.
Look them right in the eye, Ken, and tell them you just don’t understand why people would throw these things away."
(6) Pre-Snap Read joins in the fun and says they don't buy what Ken Starr is selling. Does anyone?
(7) Back to Missouri: we had some trouble at ASU. We also did some things right. Here's a good post about both from Rock M Nation.
(8) SHOCKER: a kU football player is in trouble.
(9) Maryland students are in trouble with their AD after some unruly fan behavior to an 11 year old boy during their win over The u.
(10) Finally, the Cardinals manager has them in trouble. After looking out of the race they climbed back in and are only 3.5 game back of the wildcard. It could have been 2.5 back after last night, but in LaRussa's desire to win, he managed them to a loss.
Busy day...no summary. Take the time you would have taken to read the summary and put out some prayers the SEC invites us to join their party.
Thanks for reading,
Doug
Monday, September 12, 2011
It's going down...
The theme of the day: its going down. Feel free to listen to the song of the same name by Vampire Weekend and pull out the emotions/themes you need to get you through the links today: love, hope, despair, loneliness. They're all here, in the links:
(1) Orangebloods.com says the Little 9 is going down. The say that OU and OK State will apply for membership in the Pac 12-20 before the end of the month. Never mind the words from T Boone Pickens saying OK State wants to stay in the Little 9 and never mind the Pac 12-20 commish saying they don't want to expand at present. Orangeboods says its happening. And what of Texas? They say "all options" are being considered.
(2) One of those options for Texas? Crawling on its hands and knees to Norman to beg OU face-to-face to stay in the Little 9. Or so tweets @ChuckCarltonDMN of the Dallas Morning News. He says: "Big 12 school sources confirm high-ranking UT delegation traveled Sunday to Oklahoma City to meet with OU officials about alignment issues." Two things: (1) the mere thought of this has been the greatest thing to come out of this realignment talk, and (2) if your name is Chuck Carlton of course you live in Texas.
(3) Who didn't like Texas getting down on their hands and knees? Their BFF Texas Tech. Reason? Tech wasn't informed on the high level trip. They are mad for two reasons: (1) by not being invited they think they might be getting left out of the expansion talk, and (2) they are siding with OU and OK State in thinking its time for the Little 9 to go down.
(4) The Little 9's not going down until A&M officially joins the SEC, tweets @kbohls of the Austin American-Statesman. His non-so-Texas name is Kirk Bohls, but fear not, Chuck Carlton agrees that the Pac-12 isn't making the first move.
(5) In the daily finger pointing of what brought down the Little 9, believing the conference won't last. He writes: "They're tired of the drama. Tired of the fatigue. Tired of never knowing what their landscape will look like a year from now." Tramel also puts forth a new name for the current Little 9: The Big Mess Conference. I like it.
(6) What brought Missouri down at the end of the game to ASU? Something I forgot to mention in my recap: why did we even have two time outs to ice our kicker in the first place. A great case is made at the every end of this article by Tim McKernan.
(7) Because of injuries we're down to our last remaining running back. Other options? A walk-on, a red-shirt freshman, and our top receiver, TJ Moe.
(8) For those conspiracy theorists among us: the Mizzou Board of Curators is meeting tonight to discuss the "System President Search." Last time they did this, we hired a new basketball "coach" (term used loosely). Could they announce a new conference after tonight? Doubtful.
(9) In other news, Bud Selig let the terrorists win last night and (separate issue altogether) this is awesome.
Summary
(a) We don't know much more than we did a few days ago about conference realignment.
(b) After appearing to be going down in shreds, the Little 9 rebounded for a while, only to be appeared headed down once again.
(c) The next move still rests with OU, as it has ever since they opened their mouth about this two weeks ago.
(d) In what generally doesn't happen, Gary Pinkel is defending his indefensible coaching decisions last Friday night. It's unusual and unusually sad. He's built up enough credit with the fan base to take the blame on this one, and he should.
Thanks for reading,
Doug
(1) Orangebloods.com says the Little 9 is going down. The say that OU and OK State will apply for membership in the Pac 12-20 before the end of the month. Never mind the words from T Boone Pickens saying OK State wants to stay in the Little 9 and never mind the Pac 12-20 commish saying they don't want to expand at present. Orangeboods says its happening. And what of Texas? They say "all options" are being considered.
(2) One of those options for Texas? Crawling on its hands and knees to Norman to beg OU face-to-face to stay in the Little 9. Or so tweets @ChuckCarltonDMN of the Dallas Morning News. He says: "Big 12 school sources confirm high-ranking UT delegation traveled Sunday to Oklahoma City to meet with OU officials about alignment issues." Two things: (1) the mere thought of this has been the greatest thing to come out of this realignment talk, and (2) if your name is Chuck Carlton of course you live in Texas.
(3) Who didn't like Texas getting down on their hands and knees? Their BFF Texas Tech. Reason? Tech wasn't informed on the high level trip. They are mad for two reasons: (1) by not being invited they think they might be getting left out of the expansion talk, and (2) they are siding with OU and OK State in thinking its time for the Little 9 to go down.
(4) The Little 9's not going down until A&M officially joins the SEC, tweets @kbohls of the Austin American-Statesman. His non-so-Texas name is Kirk Bohls, but fear not, Chuck Carlton agrees that the Pac-12 isn't making the first move.
(5) In the daily finger pointing of what brought down the Little 9, believing the conference won't last. He writes: "They're tired of the drama. Tired of the fatigue. Tired of never knowing what their landscape will look like a year from now." Tramel also puts forth a new name for the current Little 9: The Big Mess Conference. I like it.
(6) What brought Missouri down at the end of the game to ASU? Something I forgot to mention in my recap: why did we even have two time outs to ice our kicker in the first place. A great case is made at the every end of this article by Tim McKernan.
(7) Because of injuries we're down to our last remaining running back. Other options? A walk-on, a red-shirt freshman, and our top receiver, TJ Moe.
(8) For those conspiracy theorists among us: the Mizzou Board of Curators is meeting tonight to discuss the "System President Search." Last time they did this, we hired a new basketball "coach" (term used loosely). Could they announce a new conference after tonight? Doubtful.
(9) In other news, Bud Selig let the terrorists win last night and (separate issue altogether) this is awesome.
Summary
(a) We don't know much more than we did a few days ago about conference realignment.
(b) After appearing to be going down in shreds, the Little 9 rebounded for a while, only to be appeared headed down once again.
(c) The next move still rests with OU, as it has ever since they opened their mouth about this two weeks ago.
(d) In what generally doesn't happen, Gary Pinkel is defending his indefensible coaching decisions last Friday night. It's unusual and unusually sad. He's built up enough credit with the fan base to take the blame on this one, and he should.
Thanks for reading,
Doug
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Mid Afternoon Update: Updates + First Two Little 9 Games + Comparing the Options
Not a lot of updates since the mega-post earlier, but here is what's new/interesting since then:
(1) In a shock to no-one, Arkansas turned down the Little 9's invite to join the league. Quickly.
(2) The heartland will be left without a conference, writes KC Star's Sam Mellinger. If you read nothing else, read this one. Money quote: "In a sort of Whac-A-Mole game gone wild, no logical theory goes unchallenged for more than a few hours, no rumor is safe for more than a day, and even credible sources contradict one another." In other words, hold on tight until the ink dries on all of the contracts.
(3) Someone wants Mizzou to go to the SEC. The benefit of this unproductive site is that is maps out possible SEC Divisions. More on that below.
(4) Here's a free mailbag from PowerMizzou.com. It outlines the site's thoughts on the different leagues.
In summary, what we have is a high stakes game of chicken. Whether OU leaves or not, the Little 9 is pretty much dead. The SEC has been quotes as saying OU isn't worth the price of having to take OK State. There is also bad blood there from last summer when the SEC wanted OU and were rebuffed. With that option off the table and in desperate need of at least one more team the SEC could stop Big 10 expansion dead in its tracks by taking Mizzou.
The Big 10 is in a hard spot in that its feeling good with the army its got and its know if it takes Mizzou it will end up having to take at least one other team it doesn't. I'm scared to put this in print, but I don't see how kU is all that bad. Ideally the Big 10 will step up, take both Mizzou and kU and we can put this whole ugly episode behind us. I just don't think that is going happen. Out of all of the conferences, the Big 10 has been the slowest to react. If Mizzou gets an offer from another conference and doesn't have one from the Big 10, its got to take the other offer.
Worst case, we stay buddies with kU and join the Big East, who has a real commissioner. While the football match-ups don't look appealing, with a 10 team league my guess is (1) a new TV deal will happen, and (2) new bowl game agreements will be reached. DC folks will also get a great chance to see, in person or on TV, a good deal of games. In basketball we're upgraded, which is a problem because we don't presently have a coach, but I'm sure once this conference thing gets sorted out, Alden will turn his attention there next. Right?
That's a bad worst case, but not the absolute end of the world. We'd win football conference championships for at least the next 5-10 years. I guess the actual worst case is the Little 9 stay intact, but lets not even think about that right now.
Most likely I think we'll end up in the SEC if we don't end up in the Big East. Entering the best football conference in the nation brings some excitement, but also brings some acid reflux when you start looking at the scheduling.
I think the most logical thing to do would be to divide the SEC into East and West Divisions. I agree with one of the dividing lines on the website above that puts Mizzou, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Miss State, LSU, Bama and A&M in the West and FL, UK, TN, Vandy, SC, GA and Auburn in the East. Each side has two terrible teams (West: Ole Miss, M State; East: UK, Vandy) and two powerhouses (East: FL, Auburn/GA; West: Bama, LSU). The problem with this arrangement is the Iron Bowl between Bama and Auburn but that could be worked out where they play each other every year as one of their out-of-division game.
The other alignment proposed has Mizzou, Vandy, TN, UK, UGA, SC and FL in the NE Division and Arkansas, A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, M State, Bama, and Auburn in the SW Division. I guess this assumes that SC stays good, FL adapts to its new coach, UGA gets over the hump, and TN finds its way back to glory. If not, the SW Division with LSU, Bama, and Auburn appears to be much stronger. I also don't think we'd be doing back flips about playing A&M (and in our TX recruiting grounds) only once every several years rather than every year. I think East and West alignment is most likely.
Based on that premise let's look at our schedule this year versus a possible SEC West schedule:
Little 9 (my predictions for each game)
Miami OH -- Win
Arizona St -- Win (more on this below)
Western IL -- Win
Oklahoma -- Loss
K-State -- Win
Iowa State -- Win
OK State -- Win (more on this below)
A&M -- Loss
Baylor -- Win (more on this below)
Texas -- Win (finally)
Texas Tech -- Win
Kansas -- Win
Total Record: 10-2
SEC West
Miami OH -- Win
Arizona St -- Win
Western IL -- Win
Arkansas -- Win (?)
Ole Miss -- Win
Miss State -- Win
LSU -- Loss
Bama -- Loss
A&M -- Loss (road)
SEC East -- Win (one of the bad ones)
SEC East -- Loss (one of the good ones on the road)
SEC East -- Win (?)
Total Record: 7.5-4.5
As you can see, life gets more difficult. We'll have to rise to the occasion. In terms of Big East or SEC...today with an unclear mind I'm siding SEC as much as that hurts to type.
Speaking of rising to the occasion, that brings us to last week's performance and this Friday's game...
Friday we'll be without six starters, including our starting tailback who has a broken leg. Not good. Last Saturday our offense wasn't very good either, with lots of breakdowns in lots of different places, says GP. The good news? WE WON. The even better news? Franklin gave himself a "D" grade for the game and was able to break down what went wrong and why it went wrong.
After loss its good to hear from frank assessment from team and coaching staff. As I said in the preview to the game, this is a team that is going to have to get better each week. What shocked and scared me, though, is the position we're starting from. The offense looked so out of synch that I just don't know if we can recover in a short week and beat ASU on the road. Alum Pat Forde says we can't, and takes ASU 21-17. I picked the Tigers to win, but I'm not feeling great about that and my OK State & Baylor predictions. I'll keep the faith, though, and take Mizzou 14-10 (not a misprint) over ASU in an ugly game. Our best hope: one of those two TDs are on defense and one of our running backs steps up and doesn't turn the ball over. It will be ugly, but a win is a win. Here is hoping for one more this week.
LATE BREAKING NEWS: Iowa State joins the Baylor lawsuit and reports have kU and Kansas State jumping on board as well. Note the fact that we aren't and also note that it all means this won't get resolved this week, next week, or anytime soon.
(1) In a shock to no-one, Arkansas turned down the Little 9's invite to join the league. Quickly.
(2) The heartland will be left without a conference, writes KC Star's Sam Mellinger. If you read nothing else, read this one. Money quote: "In a sort of Whac-A-Mole game gone wild, no logical theory goes unchallenged for more than a few hours, no rumor is safe for more than a day, and even credible sources contradict one another." In other words, hold on tight until the ink dries on all of the contracts.
(3) Someone wants Mizzou to go to the SEC. The benefit of this unproductive site is that is maps out possible SEC Divisions. More on that below.
(4) Here's a free mailbag from PowerMizzou.com. It outlines the site's thoughts on the different leagues.
In summary, what we have is a high stakes game of chicken. Whether OU leaves or not, the Little 9 is pretty much dead. The SEC has been quotes as saying OU isn't worth the price of having to take OK State. There is also bad blood there from last summer when the SEC wanted OU and were rebuffed. With that option off the table and in desperate need of at least one more team the SEC could stop Big 10 expansion dead in its tracks by taking Mizzou.
The Big 10 is in a hard spot in that its feeling good with the army its got and its know if it takes Mizzou it will end up having to take at least one other team it doesn't. I'm scared to put this in print, but I don't see how kU is all that bad. Ideally the Big 10 will step up, take both Mizzou and kU and we can put this whole ugly episode behind us. I just don't think that is going happen. Out of all of the conferences, the Big 10 has been the slowest to react. If Mizzou gets an offer from another conference and doesn't have one from the Big 10, its got to take the other offer.
Worst case, we stay buddies with kU and join the Big East, who has a real commissioner. While the football match-ups don't look appealing, with a 10 team league my guess is (1) a new TV deal will happen, and (2) new bowl game agreements will be reached. DC folks will also get a great chance to see, in person or on TV, a good deal of games. In basketball we're upgraded, which is a problem because we don't presently have a coach, but I'm sure once this conference thing gets sorted out, Alden will turn his attention there next. Right?
That's a bad worst case, but not the absolute end of the world. We'd win football conference championships for at least the next 5-10 years. I guess the actual worst case is the Little 9 stay intact, but lets not even think about that right now.
Most likely I think we'll end up in the SEC if we don't end up in the Big East. Entering the best football conference in the nation brings some excitement, but also brings some acid reflux when you start looking at the scheduling.
I think the most logical thing to do would be to divide the SEC into East and West Divisions. I agree with one of the dividing lines on the website above that puts Mizzou, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Miss State, LSU, Bama and A&M in the West and FL, UK, TN, Vandy, SC, GA and Auburn in the East. Each side has two terrible teams (West: Ole Miss, M State; East: UK, Vandy) and two powerhouses (East: FL, Auburn/GA; West: Bama, LSU). The problem with this arrangement is the Iron Bowl between Bama and Auburn but that could be worked out where they play each other every year as one of their out-of-division game.
The other alignment proposed has Mizzou, Vandy, TN, UK, UGA, SC and FL in the NE Division and Arkansas, A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, M State, Bama, and Auburn in the SW Division. I guess this assumes that SC stays good, FL adapts to its new coach, UGA gets over the hump, and TN finds its way back to glory. If not, the SW Division with LSU, Bama, and Auburn appears to be much stronger. I also don't think we'd be doing back flips about playing A&M (and in our TX recruiting grounds) only once every several years rather than every year. I think East and West alignment is most likely.
Based on that premise let's look at our schedule this year versus a possible SEC West schedule:
Little 9 (my predictions for each game)
Miami OH -- Win
Arizona St -- Win (more on this below)
Western IL -- Win
Oklahoma -- Loss
K-State -- Win
Iowa State -- Win
OK State -- Win (more on this below)
A&M -- Loss
Baylor -- Win (more on this below)
Texas -- Win (finally)
Texas Tech -- Win
Kansas -- Win
Total Record: 10-2
SEC West
Miami OH -- Win
Arizona St -- Win
Western IL -- Win
Arkansas -- Win (?)
Ole Miss -- Win
Miss State -- Win
LSU -- Loss
Bama -- Loss
A&M -- Loss (road)
SEC East -- Win (one of the bad ones)
SEC East -- Loss (one of the good ones on the road)
SEC East -- Win (?)
Total Record: 7.5-4.5
As you can see, life gets more difficult. We'll have to rise to the occasion. In terms of Big East or SEC...today with an unclear mind I'm siding SEC as much as that hurts to type.
Speaking of rising to the occasion, that brings us to last week's performance and this Friday's game...
Friday we'll be without six starters, including our starting tailback who has a broken leg. Not good. Last Saturday our offense wasn't very good either, with lots of breakdowns in lots of different places, says GP. The good news? WE WON. The even better news? Franklin gave himself a "D" grade for the game and was able to break down what went wrong and why it went wrong.
After loss its good to hear from frank assessment from team and coaching staff. As I said in the preview to the game, this is a team that is going to have to get better each week. What shocked and scared me, though, is the position we're starting from. The offense looked so out of synch that I just don't know if we can recover in a short week and beat ASU on the road. Alum Pat Forde says we can't, and takes ASU 21-17. I picked the Tigers to win, but I'm not feeling great about that and my OK State & Baylor predictions. I'll keep the faith, though, and take Mizzou 14-10 (not a misprint) over ASU in an ugly game. Our best hope: one of those two TDs are on defense and one of our running backs steps up and doesn't turn the ball over. It will be ugly, but a win is a win. Here is hoping for one more this week.
LATE BREAKING NEWS: Iowa State joins the Baylor lawsuit and reports have kU and Kansas State jumping on board as well. Note the fact that we aren't and also note that it all means this won't get resolved this week, next week, or anytime soon.
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