I've made reference in a few posts on the forum over the past month and in an article about a less talked about expansion option for Texas.

What we know:
Texas does not want to surrender the money and flexibility it would need to in the Pac-12
Texas seems to be trying to keep the Big 12 together, asking Oklahoma to remain
If Oklahoma and OSU leave the Big 12, Texas might try to keep the Big 12 together with replacement schools (will try for Big East schools, but might have to settle for CUSA schools).


So the other option that some have discussed has been "what if" Texas went independent for football?

So the option I've love some feedback on is this:

Would Texas be smart to consider joining the Big East for non-football sports? And would the Big East be wise to consider a split from the basketball-only schools to team with Texas?

So you actually have a few options:

1) Texas joins the Big East as a non-football member. Big East would have 18 all-sports members, with Texas and TCU as the furthest west.

2) Texas joins the Big East as a non-football member following some sort of split from the non-football schools...with Notre Dame joining as well. (* Texas, * Notre Dame, TCU, Louisville, USF, Cincy, Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Uconn)

3) Texas joins the Big East as a non-football member, along with remaining Big 12 schools following a Big 12 collapse. Football schools split from basketball schools, with Texas and Notre Dame as lone non-football members:
(WEST: * Texas, TCU, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas St., Missouri, Iowa St, Louisville EAST: *Notre Dame, Cincy, Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Uconn, USF)

4) Big East football schools opt to split from basketball schools. Since they would need a new conference, the 9 football schools plus Notre Dame could collectively move to the Big 12 brand and team with the remaining Big 12 schools to form a rebuilt Big 12.
(WEST: * Texas, TCU, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas St., Missouri, Iowa St, Louisville EAST: *Notre Dame, Cincy, Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Uconn, USF)




So for the poll, there are 4 options covering:
Is it good for Texas?
Is it good for the Big East football schools?

As for the non-Texas B12 leftovers, as they would not be in a position of power, there well being is not included in the poll. Because ultimately, the Big East would have to decide if it wanted any of the scenarios as would Texas...while the B12 leftovers would be along for a ride.


I understand that since this is an option that has not been discussed at the highest level, that there is a 0% chance of it happening. So please take this as a hypothetical poll to gauge CSI user interest.

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Texas is smart enough to know that IF the SEC AND PAC12 expand past 12 then super conferences are around the corner, I've been hearing talk radio/message board rumors that they are strongly considering a schedule as an independent and are working with ND and BYU to set up an independent conference alliance. This alliance would take the academies (who are going to be left out of any super conference talk) Hawaii (as a geographic outcast) and Boise St (as a media market outcast) and form an 8 team scheduling agreement. Basically this would allow them to play "in alliance" for 7 games and give them 5 to 6 (if they go to Hawaii) other games for rotating games and rivalries (A&M/OU or Mich/USC). This conference would try to get 1 bid for a BCS game (if there are 6 that shouldn't be a problem) and inclusion into any playoff system if they are ranked higher than one of the super conference champions. They would also allow each school or grouping of school (if the academies all go in together) to negotiate their own TV/network deals (I think all but Air Force and Boise already have some preexisting special arrangements). All in all it sounds nice but I doubt this would work just thought I would share.

And FYI other sports would just join a more local conference like the A10=ND, CUSA=Texas, Big West=Hawaii, WCC=BYU, MWC=Boise/Air Force, Patriot=Army/Navy.

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Fan of the Big 12 Conference, the Mountain West Conference and...