Bleymaier Out and Texas A&M to the SEC

[Cane from the Bend]

Associated Press

Gene Bleymaier fired by Boise State

BOISE, Idaho -- Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier, the man behind the iconic blue turf at the school's football stadium and credited with a large role in the team's rise to national prominence, has been let go as the school faces sanctions because of violations in the football program and other sports.

University president Bob Kustra announced Wednesday that Bleymaier's career of 30 years at the school will end Sept. 8.


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Texas A&M considering SEC

Texas A&M released this statement to multiple media outlets: "President Loftin is committed to doing what is best for Texas A&M not only now, but also into the future. We continue to have wide-ranging conversations regarding all aspects of the university, including both academics and athletics."

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe is taking Texas A&M's possible move "very seriously."

"I've been talking to a number of people." Beebe told the Austin American-Statesman. "Obviously, there are a significant number of Aggie supporters who are interested in going in that (SEC) direction.

"There's a huge risk if an institution leaves its geographic proximity and rivalries. In the long run, it can create a lot of problems."

Texas A&M discussed membership in the league last summer with the Big 12's future in doubt, but university leaders chose to remain in the Big 12.

Texas A&M leaders have expressed concern about the Longhorn Network's effect on the longterm stability of the Big 12, and rumors of renewed talks between the university and the conference have persisted in recent weeks.


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So, the A&M thing is not official; likely the school is hoping to gouge more $$$ outta the Big XII before making any decisions.

Though, what I am hearing; if the Big 12 loses another, the SEC is interested in A&M, Mizzou, OU, and Okie State.

However, this is all buzz with no sting @ this point.

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[donovan]

To say the least this was out of the "blue." There is not doubt ten years or so ago, there was not the emphasis on infractions when the were determined to be "minor." Almost common sense stuff. A kid shows up for a campus visit with no money and somebody gives them 20 bucks and feeds them meals. I know that went on.

The infractions, as pointed out earlier were somewhat baffling. One two page report was for overpayment of 2 dollars and change to a high school kid. Obviously the more serious in tennis were just that. My suspicion is that there is something that has not yet been revealed that is way more serious.

Bleymaier was not liked by the athletes. Arrogant, made decisions to feed his ego and had little sympathy for the individual. All of this football fame apparently was too much. As I stated earlier, going to the MWC will be a big mistake. This is knee jerk and changed to whole program from a good program that should have been content with their success to something that chases a rainbow in the summer.

I called a couple of friends and they did not know or know anyone who saw this coming.

[RazorHawk]

I think the SEC may be looking at Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. I think the SEC would be smart to not wait for Big Ten or others to move to 16, then take the leftovers, but at least go to 14 with those two. I don't think they really want OU and OSU though. Possibly Missouri or a couple of ACC teams.

Definitely, the College football landscape will be changing in the upcoming years. 4 16 team conferences might also spell a downgrade of power for the NCAA.

[Brian Roastbeef]

Nothing too much to add here but Gov. Perry confirms the talk that A&M is very serious about jumping. Can't say that this part of it is really a crazy surprise. We knew when it was made that the deal to halt the raiding of the Big XII was held together with bubblegum and duct tape. If they don't pull the trigger now, then they will in a couple of years. It's only a matter of just how temporary the temporary deal is....

[Dossenator]

If A&M goes anywhere the SEC makes since. LSU and Ark are rivalries for A&M. In fact, this past year cotton bowl between LSU and A&M spoke of that hated rivalry. And of course Ark was in the old SWC with A&M and have recently started that rivalry back (playing a game each year in Dallas Cowboy Stadium).

[Cane from the Bend]

I think the SEC may be looking at Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. I think the SEC would be smart to not wait for Big Ten or others to move to 16, then take the leftovers, but at least go to 14 with those two. I don't think they really want OU and OSU though. Possibly Missouri or a couple of ACC teams.

Definitely, the College football landscape will be changing in the upcoming years. 4 16 team conferences might also spell a downgrade of power for the NCAA.

Not sure the ACC is as vulnerable to raiding. . . if anything, look for the ACC & SEC to swoop through the Big East first. ( West Va & Pitt are interest points for the ACC, Louisville is the first target the SEC would pluck, then that would leave Syracuse to join the Big 10 seeing as they've already shown interest )

That is, if A&M jumps.

Otherwise, look for the Big XII to stealth the Mountain West & WAC in an attempt to pick up 2 more.

I know it doesn't seem likely the WAC would be valuable to the Big XII; but an established recruiting ground in California would be.

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[billybud]

The Boise infractions were many...but all really small stuff. I guess someone had to be the nominal scapegoat.

I was surprised to see such a tenured AD, who had done so much for his program, be loaded onto the tumbrel and unceremoniously rolled to Liberation Square for a date with Madame Guillotine.

[Derek]

To be honest, I hate this idea. HATE.

There are already 12 teams in the SEC, and I don't think it's a good idea to expand it, especially with teams that are starting to get out of your geographical area.

I think A&M should stay where they are. Some people are not going to be happy until we call conferences "divisions" and the divisions group into 2 conferences called "East" and "West"

And the national championship game would be between the winner of those two teams. With the East winning the most games.

[Eric]

That's what I think makes the most sense. A&M to the West and Louisville to the East. Louisville doesn't bring a lot of football power to the conference as it stands right now (not saying Louisville can't rebound and be better), but they would get picked for the basketball prowess.

[billybud]

Louisville would be more fodder for the Gators...

Since 1992...

South Carolina has lost 89% of its games with Florida since 1992 ...

Tennessee has lost 74% of its games with Florida since 1992.

Georgia has lost 84% of its games with Florida since 1992.

Kentucky is 0-19 against Florida and hasn't won a match in 19 tries.

Just SEC fodder for the Gators.

[Derek]

Louisville would be more fodder for the Gators...

Since 1992...

South Carolina has lost 89% of its games with Florida since 1992 ...

Tennessee has lost 74% of its games with Florida since 1992.

Georgia has lost 84% of its games with Florida since 1992.

Kentucky is 0-19 against Florida and hasn't won a match in 19 tries.

Just SEC fodder for the Gators.

I think Georgia will beat Florida this year. And people forget that before Spurrier, it was the other way around with Georgia and Florida. But again, one win does not turn it around. They have not beaten them back to back in I don't know how long.

[Dossenator]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... icial-says

Latest on story: A&M to SEC

Billybud...the talk I am hearing is that if A&M is added to the SEC they will be put in the SEC West. The SEC East would need a team and Florida State is the school I hear mentioned most often for that spot. What are your thoughts? Would you like being in a conference/division with the Gators?

[Brian Roastbeef]

Went even quicker than I expected... And so Conference Raiding Festival '11, starts preseason this year.

[Cane from the Bend]

Clemson, Florida State & Missouri have all come out saying there is no talk, or even contact of any sort going on.

Clemson out right releasing a statement of, "We are committed to the ACC".

I think it's interesting that the Big 12 responded by saying it could survive the loss of A&M; noting that they could replace the Aggies with Houston.

If Houston were to join the Big XII, that would bring CUSA down to 11, and there would certainly be some sort of realignment going on here.

Also, I'll note how the Big Twelve Pres mentions the interest in keeping things regional. And so, if the Big 12 wanted to return to a 12 team conference, possible snares could be Air Force & Nevada in the Northern region.

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[Eric]

Clemson, Florida State & Missouri have all come out saying there is no talk, or even contact of any sort going on.

Clemson out right releasing a statement of, "We are committed to the ACC".

I think it's interesting that the Big 12 responded by saying it could survive the loss of A&M; noting that they could replace the Aggies with Houston.

If Houston were to join the Big XII, that would bring CUSA down to 11, and there would certainly be some sort of realignment going on here.

Also, I'll note how the Big Twelve Pres mentions the interest in keeping things regional. And so, if the Big 12 wanted to return to a 12 team conference, possible snares could be Air Force & Nevada in the Northern region.

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If the Big 12 were going to expand to 12 teams, I'm thinking the three candidates are Boise State, Houston, and Colorado State. They were never interested in Houston because A&M had the east Texas demographic and now they don't have it. Boise isn't a huge stretch geographically even though it's mostly in the Northwest US, but you'd stick them in the North. Colorado State isn't a huge "get" athletically, but they lost the Denver market to the Pac-12. BYU would also be a possibility instead of CSU.

North
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Boise State
Iowa State
Missouri
Kansas
Kansas State
Colorado State / BYU


South
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas
Texas Tech
Baylor
Houston