friarfan wrote:
Here's my question.... why is everyone saying that if Colorado left the Big 12, their #1 replacement candidate would be TCU?
A school of less than 9,000, which is 14,000 less than any other Big 12 team that didn't have to tag along with Texas to get in. The Dallas market? Really? I'd bet there's more Longhorn fans than TCU and SMU fans combined (Their football stadium holds 44,000, and with an undefeated team sold out one game only, and it wasn't their finale. With an 11-0 team and a BCS berth on the line, they can't sell 44,000 tickets. I'm not bashing TCU, I'm just saying, that's not a Big 12 fan base. It's like adding another Baylor. When the Big Eight didn't want Baylor).
TCU makes zero sense if Colorado leaves. They are worth considering if Texas leaves, but not Colorado. Why do you need a fifth Texas team when the Dallas/Houston markets are covered? Why do you need a small private school with a smaller fan base?
If you're going to add anyone if Colorado leaves, you add Colorado State, which would give you SOME Denver presence, instead of none. OR add UNLV, who's enrollment would be third in the Big 12, and might get you a new market (and entrance into the Pac 10 region)
Adding TCU would be like the Big East adding Temple for hoops only. What's the point?
What are you talking about? At most the Big 12 loses 3. Either Missouri or Texas to the Big 10 or neither. Texas and or Colorado to the PAC 10 or just one or neither. I still say the Big 10 goes east as long as Texas says no. I think the only one that will end up leaving is Colorado for the Pac 10. Replacements for the 3. TCU, Houston, BYU, Air Force, Colorado St. etc...
The Big XII will not have to worry about who to add to replace Colorado. They're not likely to survive this new round of conference expansion. It'll be every man for himself. They'll be jumping ship for the Big Ten, SEC, & Pac Ten.[/quote]