Category Archives: Big 12

Bob Stoops Steps In IT

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Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops recently stepped in it by saying the SEC really wasn’t that great of a conference even though it has produced the National Champion the last seven years. Here is what the infinitely wise coach said:

Listen, they’ve had the best team in college football, meaning they’ve won the national championship. That doesn’t mean everything else is always the best.

So they’ve had the best team in college football. They haven’t had the whole conference. Because, again, half of ‘em haven’t done much at all. I’m just asking you. You tell me.

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Aggies-Longhorn Game a Matter of Law?

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AndyTEX011Apparently a Texas legislator has filed a bill in the house that would require Texas A&M and the t.u. longhorns to play football every year. If you will recall, the t-sips opted out of the rivalry after A&M bolted the Big 12 for the SEC because A&M was tired of the bully tactics of the t-sips. In a snit, the t-sips refused to play A&M any longer, even though A&M was ready to keep the rivalry alive.

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Texas Aggies Finish Dream Season, 41-13 over Oklahoma Sooners in Cotton Bowl Victory

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CottonTrophyYes, it is the end of a dream season. As I watched Heisman trophy winner Johnny Manziel dance along the sidelines for the opening touchdown, I could not help but feel like I was living in a dream. The Texas A&M Aggies were finishing up their season in 77th Cotton Bowl against Number 11 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. It was a close game at the half with the Aggies leading 14-13.

The second half, the Sooners had no answer for Johnny Manziel and company. The Aggies went on to score 27 unanswered points in the second half and the defense stepped up and kept the Sooners off the score board. More than that, they kept the Sooners off the field. The Sooners first two possessions in the second half ended without first downs and punting the ball away. At one point, the Sooners only managed 17 yards in the second half.

That was when the dream-like feeling really came over me because I realized that the Aggies not only were going to win, going 11-2 for the season, that they had the Heisman Trophy winner leading the way, but that they were NOT going to blow it. The win was in the bag and there was nothing the Sooners could do to avoid the thrashing. It was sweet.

And it was fun. Watching Manziel run the ball made it a true joy. He is a fun player to watch, which is one of the reasons he won the Heisman. He doesn’t just put up the numbers, but he does it in a fun way to watch. It made the game almost surreal. Nice, but surreal.

On top of that, Manziel went on to help the Aggies with 599 yards of total offense, a Cotton Bowl record. I’m sure there are some other records that I’m missing, but it is late.

I did want to add a few of the tweets posted at ESPN. It’s quite revealing what some of the sports writers are thinking:

He beat Bama. He won the Heisman. He conquered the Cotton Bowl. Johnny Football became a legend this season. — ESPN

Johnny Football starts his 2013 heisman campaign tonight in spectacular fashion.If you didn’t know – now you know. Jonathan Coachman

The Cotton Bowl was a one-point game at the half. aTm’s halftime adjustment was to open up a can. Michael Smith

The “SEC” chants have given way to “Johnny” chants. Richard Durrett

This is one of the greatest individual bowl performances I’ve ever seen. Johnny Football is living up to his nickname and his Heisman. Skip Bayless

I hope next year is better than this one, although I’m not looking forward to it yet. I’m too busy enjoying the end results of this season. A winning program with an 11-2 record and a Heisman winner returning to play quarterback next season.  That is a dream season, especially for Aggies every where. We have had such a long draught when it comes to being successful. Hopefully it will be a long time before we taste the draught again.

Congratulations Texas A&M University!!!

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Today is the day that Texas A&M University becomes an official member of the Southeastern Conference! A&M is no longer a member of the Big 12, and is moving forward in joining the best athletic conference in the country, the SEC.

I can’t tell you how glad I am that this is taking place. I know it will be a challenge for the athletic program at A&M, but it sure beats sticking around in a conference that was run by the evil-burnt-orange empire known as t.u. I don’t care that we won’t be playing them any longer. That is fine with me. A&M has a much greater challenge in playing teams like Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Ole’ Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Florida and host of other fine programs. It makes the season a lot more exciting and we don’t have to worry about our non-conference schedule being tough enough. In fact, Sports Nations has pointed out that A&M will have the toughest schedule in the country from late September to mid-November. That gets me excited.

Am I sad that A&M has left the Big 12? Not a bit. It was good while it lasted, but I’m glad its over. Texas A&M, welcome to the Southeastern Conference!

Watch both videos below. They will get your blood going! Gig ‘Em Aggies

Texas Tech Stands Strong in Face of lhn!

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I have to hand it to Texas Tech. They are standing strong against ESPN and the now failing network lhn. For those of you who do not know, lhn is the “longhorn network,” a television network started by ESPN that was to cover the texas longhorns exclusively. In other words, 24 hours of longhorn coverage 7 days a week. (Sounds like purgatory to me!) The idea was to market this o so wonderful brand of t.u. to the nation, sort of like NBC did with Notre Dame.

The problem for ESPN is that they didn’t realize the resolve of other schools in the great state of Texas. The resolve is so great that the alumni for those schools called up their local cable networks and told them that if they carried lhn at all, they would go and find another provider. To this date, only two cable networks are providing lhn, and the network is dying a quick death (not quick enough as far as I’m concerned).

The lhn was the straw the broke the camel’s back concerning Texas A&M, and the reason they left the Big 12 conference for the SEC. The problem was that Dan Beebe, then chairman of the Big 12, would bend over backwards to do what was necessary to make t.u. happy. This was why Colorado, Missouri, and Nebraska all left the Big 12 as well. The rest of the schools were simply pawns in t.u.’s quest to exalt itself.

Until recently at least. In an attempt to keep the lhn alive, ESPN is trying to designate the network as a regular ESPN platform sort of like ESPN2, or ESPNU in order to expand coverage. They have added football games from the Western Athletic Conference in order to do this because there just isn’t enough t.u. to fill 24 hours of programming for even the most avid t.u. fan.

It seems that one of the games that the lhn wants to broadcast is the Texas Tech game with Texas State University, which is a member of the WAC. When Texas Tech learned of the possibility of it being aired on the lhn, they stated that they would cancel the game and pay the buyout costs rather than appear on the lhn. Red Raider Sports reports:

ESPN announced earlier this month that the game would be carried on one of its platforms, but did not specify which.

Tech learned of this possibility several days ago, and according to the source, is “adamantly opposed to playing on the Longhorn Network” and is “putting serious consideration into canceling the game and playing an 11 game schedule” this fall.

“We are extremely disappointed,” the source told RRS. “Our hope is that the Texas State game will be played on a primary ESPN platform.”

Can you see some of the passion that is dooming the lhn? Tech would rather pay the buyout costs than do anything that would aid and abet the lhn in it’s survival. What do you bet that there were quite a few Red Raiders calling their cable companies, along with Aggies, Sooners, Cowboys, Bears, Cougars, Horned Frogs, Mustangs, and others telling them “no lhn!”

That is because we know the diseased underbelly known as t.u. We know how their recruiters will badmouth other schools to prospective recruits. We know the giant-sized egos down at that junior college in Austin who think the entire Big 12 exists for the purpose of exalting t.u. We know how they believe we should just bow down in humble compliance with the demands of their athletic department. We also know we are not going to. Nothing would say this more than the failure of the lhn.

I’m glad Texas Tech is standing strong against the lhn, just as I rejoice that A&M bolted the Big 12 for the SEC. Hopefully, the Big 12 will become a thing of the past in the future and t.u. can have their ultimate desire, to become independent like Notre Dame, and end up with the same record. It is sad that schools like TCU and OU are nothing more than canon fodder for the egos in Austin. May the canon fodder humble those involved with t.u. and the ill-advised lhn.

The Day the Big 12 Died

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I know we are only into early June, but I am looking forward to some Texas Aggie football in the fall. In view of that, I discovered the following video that has been around for a while, but new to me. It’s entitled the Day the Big 12 Died and is put to the tune of American Pie by Don McClean. If you know American Pie and SEC/Big 12 football at all, you will love all the references to both. Enjoy.

Also, Mike Tag has a great piece on the fact that Deloss Dodds, the athletic director for t.u., “can’t quit” Texas A&M. Ever since A&M up and bolted the Big 12 for the SEC, Dodds is acting like a spurned lover. He has to slam the SEC and A&M every chance he gets. It really makes me laugh. Dodds and the t-sips thought they ruled the roost for so long and to have A&M up and leave has this screaming like a brokenhearted school girl.

Mike writes:

Dodds cannot let it go. He simply cannot quit A&M. It is humorous to watch a school that for years has claimed that they were above a rivalry with A&M, try to get over the fact that the Aggies simply do not care about them anymore.

A&M coaches, players and fans are busy trying to figure out how they are going to beat LSU and Alabama on the field. Meanwhile the powers that be at Texas are acting like a lover scorned. A&M went and found a hotter, richer bride in the SEC and now Texas is busy trying to convince everyone that they never loved A&M in the first place.

Read the rest here.

I also would like to include this one as well, since it’s so exciting to watch.

No. 8 Texas A&M takes on No. 7 OSU: UPDATE AGGIES LOSE AGAIN!

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I’m trying not to be excited about this game, but it is a big one. Two number 10s haven’t played one another at Kyle Field since 1975. That was long before I was an Aggie, so you can tell it’s a big deal.

OSU has had the Aggies number the last three years. I hope they have lost their phone book and the Aggies rise to the occasion, but I will not make any bold predictions, other than the following:

  • I will finish my sermon and the bulletin in the next hour!
  • I will go to the grocery store to get my chili fixins!
  • I will cook a big pot of chili for the game!
  • I will watch the game with a lot of comfort food during the game.
  • I will promise to start that diet once again on Monday…

Gig ‘Em Aggies! Beat OSU!

BTW, it looks like the Big 12-2/3 survived the week. Turns out the Pac 10 didn’t want Texas after all. So the Big 12-2/3 will press on… also, without worthless leader Dan Beebe. The forced him out this week and the conference may have a chance at this point, but not with A&M. The Aggies are still set on going to the SEC, which I hope will take place. Much tougher conference. But to be a big boy, you have to play with the big boys!!!

UPDATE: Needless to say I’m quite put out by the Aggies second half performance. They went into half time with a 20-3 lead and lost the game 30-29. They looked horrible during the second half. The truth of the matter is that the Aggies just can’t handle the national limelight. The heat is too much for them. Whenever they start getting ranked in the top 10, it’s just too much for them and they do every thing they can to make sure they fall to the lower 25 and beyond. How they won the national championship in 1939 is beyond me.

I guess with the Aggies move into the SEC, I should get use to losing. Look at the Arkansas Razorbacks. How long have they been in the SEC and they still haven’t adjusted to live there.

BTW, on a more important note, the chili was excellent once again. Elisa even said so, and Andy liked it. Joey hasn’t had any yet, he’s too busy playing.

Aggie Update: Big 12-2 Now Minus 3

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According to Beergut at I Am the 12th Man, the Aggies should announce today or tomorrow that the move to the SEC is has been approved by the presidents of the SEC schools. Beergut writes:

I received a text message yesterday afternoon saying A&M submitted their request to join the SEC today. I received another text Tuesday evening saying SEC presidents have voted unanimously to accept A&M into the conference. The FWST is reporting that we are going to announce our move today.

He obviously has inside sources. This is good because the Big 12-2 is going to fall apart. Oklahoma and OSU are looking to join the Pac 10. With the lousy way Dan Beebe has fought to save the conference (he hasn’t), the conference may stay together, but it will be made up of t.u. and schools like Stephen F. Austin and North Texas.

By the way, I don’t buy the arguments made by those who are associated with t.u. that the conference is falling apart because of A&M. It falls squarely on t.u.’s shoulders. They wanted to run things and own Dan Beebe. This is why Nebraska bailed last year and why the conference will fall apart. Spend some time at I Am the 12th Man and follow the links. There are enough people in the press who recognize the problem for what it is: t.u. wanted to run the show, get all the money, have all the attention. That’s fine. They can just do it alone. Let A&M, Nebraska, Oklahoma, etc. join conferences that see the need for conferences. If you want to be a one-man show, that’s fine. Just don’t make us support you in your endeavors and don’t blame us for the conference’s demise.

UPDATE: A&M ACCEPTED PENDING BAYLOR’S LAWSUITE

Apparently the SEC has accepted A&M, but that is pending a lawsuit from Baylor University. According to Foxsportssouth.com:

The Southeastern Conference voted unanimously to accept Texas A&M as its 13th member, according to a statement released Wednesday morning by the SEC office.

But the invitation is contingent on each Big 12 school waiving its right to litigation.

According to a letter from Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe dated Sept. 2 and released by the SEC office Wednesday, Beebe confirmed that no legal action against the SEC relating to Texas A&M’s departure would be taken provided the SEC publicly affirmed the Aggies’ admission by Sept. 8.

Dr. Bernie Machen, the University of Florida president who is chairman of the SEC presidents and chancellors, said in the SEC’s statement Wednesday that one of the Big 12 schools had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action.

Various reports Wednesday identified that school as Baylor. The president of Baylor is Ken Starr, former independent counsel whose inquiry led to the impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton.

OK, Ken Starr went from being a hero to a… anti-hero in one act!

BTW, this story is developing faster than I can post it. I started on this post much earlier this morning, but since I’m having trouble with my browsers… I have not been able to publish it.

Big 12-2 On the Verge of Collapse Again???

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Last summer I predicted that the Big 12 would completely collapse after Nebraska and Colorado left for greener pastures. I had to admit that I was wrong in my prediction. But maybe I wasn’t. If you follow college football at all you know that Texas A&M took the next step in leaving the conference to head for the SEC. They formally issued a leader to the lemmings in the head office of the Big 12-2. This means that the Big 12-2 would become the Big 12-3 if they don’t find someone to replace A&M. Given that Dan Beebe of the Big 12 is proactive in only seeking to keep his job, the conference is doomed.

Now this just in: Oklahoma is toying with the idea of leaving the Big 12-2 as well.

University of Oklahoma president David Boren says multiple conferences have shown interest in the Sooners recently and he expects to decide whether to leave the Big 12 or not within the next three weeks.

Boren said Friday that Oklahoma is seeking stability in its conference relationship with ”partners that are both outstanding athletically and academically as well because a conference that’s strong is not only stable but it’s one in which there are multiple relationships, along with sports, between the university members.”

This cannot sit well with other members of the conference. The move to leave the sinking ship all starts with a simple desire to be a part of a ship that isn’t sinking. Once the desire is uttered, the forces behind that desire surface and that ship on the horizon looks so much more appealing than the one with the hole in under your feet.

I imagine that with this utterance by Boren, there will be those alumni who like the idea of bailing on a failing conference. Let’s face it, they can always play t.u. as a non-conference game. They did it for years before the formation of the Big 12, so it is nothing new for either group of fans.

If Oklahoma leaves, you can count on OSU leaving as well, since they are the little brother of that state joined at the hip known as the state legislature. There are just too many OSU alums in the state legislature that will insist upon OSU going wherever OU goes. If that happens, so goodbye to the Big 12. The rest of the teams will scurry off that ship like rats leaving the Titanic.

The Big 12 may survive. But it will be t.u., U of Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas State, North Texas, etc. And everyone will sit back and wonder if t.u. will ever lose their conference championship again.

Texas Aggies Move to SEC is Imminent

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It seems the talks about the Texas Aggies leaving the Big12-2 and joining the SEC is heating up. I Am the 12th Man is reporting that the Board of Regents has moved up their next meeting to this coming Monday. Given that the presidents of the SEC are meeting tomorrow, you have an accelerated timeline in bringing about A&M move into the SEC.

This means that this will be the last year that the Aggies play sports in the Big 12-2. I knew this would be the end result after last year’s contraction of the conference when Nebraska  and Colorado left the conference. Back then, the action of the Big 12 was to save the Big 12. In other words, let’s just do some damage control and maybe it will stay together. Once they managed to keep the schools together for the Big 12-2, they sat back on their backsides and patted themselves on the back. What they should have been doing is trying to increase the size and viability of the conference, in order to make it better. They didn’t and this is the result, especially given that t.u. now has their own television network, given them an untenable advantage over the other teams in the conference.

Now that the conference is really on the verge of taking a back seat in the world of college football, t.u. is scrambling by trying to prevent A&M’s departure from the conference. They know how that will hurt the conference, and their standing in the world as well.

Miketag over at the 12th Man reports:

“If you can’t beat ‘em. join em.” That is how the old saying goes. In tu’s case, the most appropriate motto is, “if you can’t beat ‘em and are afraid to join ‘em, conspire against them.” After months of ignoring Texas A&M’s move towards the SEC, now that the time of the move is upon us, tu is trying to block it. Last night word came out that tu has hired the PR/lobbying firm HillCo Partners to try to smear A&M and lobby members of the state legislature to block our move to the SEC. It is extremely humorous to me that the same people who claimed we never had an offer to join the SEC, the SEC would never want us by ourselves, tu tells us what to do etc, is not doing everything in their power to keep us from joining this conference that supposedly did not want us.

t.u. hasn’t been honest in quite some time. One of their more recent ventures into dishonesty was their claim by their president that they would not be airing high-school football games on their new television network. By doing so, this would give them an unfair advantage in the recruiting process, by airing those games where potential recruits are playing. Their president said they would not do this, but later it was revealed, he was trying to do just that. The NCAA had to rule that the longhorn network could not air high school games, despite the fact that ESPN and t.u. plan on ignoring the ruling.

As for the move itself, I am glad. It will make A&M a better team in the long run. There may be an initial shock in the first year or so, but once the recruiting improves with the prospect of players playing in the best conference in the country, so too will A&M’s team. All you have to do is tell them that they will be playing teams like LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, etc., and that the last 5 National Championships have come from the SEC, and they will want to play at Kyle Field on a regular basis.

The other aspect is that we are ultimately telling t.u. we are not longer playing the roll of little brother. We’re moving out of the house and heading elsewhere to make our fortunes. Sometimes that is best. I’m not sure if A&M and t.u. will play on a regular basis after this. But that really doesn’t bother me since t.u. isn’t that good right now. Gig ‘Em Aggies! Beat the hell outta of the SEC!