Bleymaier Out and Texas A&M to the SEC

[Eric]

Also I don't think South Carolina, Florida, or Georgia would be too excited about the SEC inviting their end-of-season rivals. Something is telling me that the ACC will come out of this without a body blow. Kentucky probably has less pull so I'm still thinking Louisville makes the most sense to add in the East for sake of improving the basketball in the conference.

[Cane from the Bend]

If that were to happen, though; we would see the rise of 14 team conferences across the board.

The MAC is only one team shy of that now, and the SEC said they won't take A&M without picking up another.

Should Louisville join the SEC, the Big East tumbles, and Cincinnati could be the big loser here.

If Pitt & West Va end up in the ACC, Syracuse & Rutgers into the Big Ten, Cincy may find themselves falling towards CUSA along side of USF, likely with UConn to the MAC.

That also might force the Big 12 to a 14 team conference, I'd expect major restructuring, and TCU in the Big XII South.

.

.

.

[billybud]

Actually...I don't think that Florida nor South Carolina will block...

Why?

... Because the game with the end state rival is played every year at the end of the year anyway...just like Auburn-Alabama. It just gets added to the SEC schedule.

...Recruiting is a non issue and is really not affected. Clemson isn't doing too bad nor FSU when recruiting from a non SEC perspective.

...Spurrier just went on the record as saying that he'd welcome USCe into the SEC and Florida has sponsored FSU to the SEC three times in the past. Muschamp and Jimbo are best friends (and co-own a beach house together) and both are Saban disciples.

[donovan]

Things change. No more double headers, double features or Shinola. Follow the money is the mantra of the new generation and the codgers still involved in athletic,s just go along for the multi million dollar ride.

So, some of the great rivalries will fade like a cheap suit and two bit hot dogs will cost 8.75.

But in a month, all this will be forgotten as we start the thrill of the game and the ad nauseum analysis of who should be the Wizzard of Oz. I always like Mr. Billybuds reference to the Emperor's new clothes...what we want is what we see.

[Eric]

If that were to happen, though; we would see the rise of 14 team conferences across the board.

The MAC is only one team shy of that now, and the SEC said they won't take A&M without picking up another.

Should Louisville join the SEC, the Big East tumbles, and Cincinnati could be the big loser here.

If Pitt & West Va end up in the ACC, Syracuse & Rutgers into the Big Ten, Cincy may find themselves falling towards CUSA along side of USF, likely with UConn to the MAC.

That also might force the Big 12 to a 14 team conference, I'd expect major restructuring, and TCU in the Big XII South.

.

.

.

I think the Big East would be okay. Of course, whenever one member wants to leave, other conferences smell blood in the water (kind of like when Nebraska and Colorado got fed up with Texas, everybody predicted the demise of the Big 12). With TCU coming in though, it sounds like it will provide some stability to the football side of things. It could definitely change though.

If every conference did up the ante to 14 schools instead of 12, I think it would be the Big 12 that would fold. The top Big 12 teams wind up win the Pac-12, Big 10, or SEC with the holdovers joining the Mountain West. The only holdovers may be Baylor and Iowa State because it sounds as if the rumors are saying that if the Big 12 disintegrates, Kansas and Kansas State would end up in the Big East.

[strawman]

SEC says no.

So how did this get this far if the SEC wasn't thinking of expanding? Did A&M just invite themselves and assume the SEC would want them? Seems odd they would head down that road without knowing they were going to get the invite. Didn't they learn from Missouri trying to do the same thing and tag along with Nebraska to the Big 10.

[Cane from the Bend]

Reports are saying; SEC trustees are comfortable with the current alignment @ 12 teams.

They voted no, on Texas A&M.

Apparently, the SEC board is interested in keeping their options open for potential expansion, if other conferences show they are leaning that way.

Looks like the South East doesn't want to pull the first trigger.

( and Strawman, you are right: A&M approached the SEC about the move, not the other way around )

.

.

.

[donovan]

..and of course now that the Canes are being investigated...would hurt to have some teams in the wings...

(Is it true some Grandmother baked some cookies for her Grandkid and he shared one with a recruit and now they are going to indict the Grandmother for crimes against humanity?)

[Cane from the Bend]

This could go one of two ways:

1.) the students involved are exposed, and Miami drops `em. ( if this is legit, then good riddance )

or

2.) we find that the University was aware of the dealings, and this investigation goes on for another couple of months. ( however, no indication shows University involvement or cover up, so this is more of a distraction then anything else at this time )

This could be a good thing for Golden. Set a standard now, letting all know, this will not be tolerated.

The accusation is, gifts that were given to a dozen or more players; many of them former.

The problem is; how do you handle this? Who was involved? Did the administration know? Were only players implemented?

Well, it seems rather simple.

If the administration knew; clean house. Not scape goats, because there is no-one to hide behind. ( they already fired Shannon / someone else will have to take the bullet ) The ramifications are obvious ( as far as the NCAA goes ), removal of scholarships, probationary period, extraction of past wins & future bowl appearances.

If it is only players; then the example is clear. They're out.

Out of a chance at a football career ( for those who still dangle on the roster ), out of a scholarship from a Prestigious Major School.

And there is no chance of playing anywhere else. They're done. And that is precisely how it should be.

Well, the witch trials are now as far south as the NCAA can reach . . . maybe they can get Puerto Rico to open a University with a major athletics program . . . then we could get the NCAA focused on going after early steroid used & baseball scholarships.


.

.

.

[Cane from the Bend]

UM released a statement today stating:

"When Nevin Shapiro made his allegations nearly a year ago, he and his attorneys refused to provide any facts to the University of Miami. The University notified the NCAA Enforcement officials of these allegations. We are fully cooperating with the NCAA and are conducting a joint investigation. The University of Miami takes these matters very seriously."


The NCAA has prohibited Al Golden from asking his players any questions regarding this matter:

Question, "So you can't talk to the team about this?"

Golden, "The NCAA, if they're doing an investigation, will not have me interfere with their interaction with our student-athletes."

Question, "So you can't say to the kids `Is this true? Tell me what happened.' "

Golden, "Nope. I'm out of it. I'll be completely out of it. We want it that way, want to be cooperative. It's unfortunate. It's hard for me to stand up here and defend something that occurred three, four, five, six years ago. My record with the NCAA, our staff's record, our commitment to our student athletes since we've been here speaks for itself and we're going to leave it at that."

.

.

.