The bottom line, I am seeing and now hoping that the stars are aligning for TCU and Fort Worth to share in a tremendous annual economic windfall should it be asked to and then join the Pacific XII Conference.
Okay, nice post that would have been a lot more fun 12 months ago. Either you're not aware of TCU accepting an invitation to join the Big East or you're ignoring it to make your Pac 16 sales pitch sound better.
Yes, I am very aware that TCU is to join the Big East in 2012 and can even name the other eight schools in the Big East that play college football for you if you wish me to; but to the point at hand.
A&M has caused a ripple affect, as you may or may not know, to reverberate across the entire college football landscape. If A&M were to join the Southeast Conference (SEC), it would be as the 13
th member, an odd and unworkable number since 14 or 16 members has been determined to be most advantageous size of a conference. The SEC will then have to add at least one or three additional members, a fact which cause even more dilemma. This is also why the Pac 12 is opting for the two schools in OK and two from TX and avoiding the messy situation of adding one member at a time. The Pac 12 ultimately desires to become the Pac 16 and capture in one sweep both TX and CA in one huge market.
Consider these circumstances and you may see why my pitch may stand a good chance of becoming reality:
(1) The Pac 12 wants two Texas based teams; probably Tech, no problem and one other.
(2) Bitter A&M v. UT like in-state rivalries are more common than they are rare; ex. (FL,GA,SC) these civil wars will likely make the SEC expansion targets schools outside and to the east of its region (VA, NC, WV); this would mean ciphering off one or maybe two Big East members, and as such, effectively killing off Big East football.
(3) UT, rightly or wrongly, has a public relations problem. Original Pac 12 member have no love for UT; and new Pac 12 member CO is not favorable to having UT again as a fellow member; having just bolted from the Big XII citing UT control of the conference as being divisive. This will be a hurdle for UT to overcome.
(4) UT rightly believes that it can be the next Notre Dame. UT can be independent, rich and successful by itself. This will also be a hurdle for UT to overcome, its own ego.
(5) See #1, #3, #4; now TCU becomes more attractive to the Pac 12 and also fits the "one other" category. Coincidentally, the large TCU contingency and its hefty spending was very well received by both the 2011 Rose Bowl organizers and noted by Pac 12 officials in Los Angeles.
(6) Lastly, in a radio interview Friday 9/2/11, TCU's Chris Del Conte, AD said that TCU was glad to be a member of the Big East, but that the A&M decision had created the potential for new realignments that are yet to play out completely; and that TCU will be prepared for opportunities yet to come if presented. He cited as evidence, TCU's greatly improved facilities and the commitment of its donors to do what is necessary in the best interest of TCU.
The past 12 months have been fun and, the next 3-6 month, will be even more fun as things are sorted out once again thanks to A&M. And if my TCU scenario, as in visionary as it may seem, comes to fruition, there will be a lot of fun coming to Fort Worth businesses too.
Keep Fort Worth folksy.
I love that place.
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