Poop hit the fan today after Thamel’s article yesterday. Even got Boren on record again today and then T. Boone spoke up creating even more hysteria. What did we learn, not much really as we’re back where we were in July when everyone thinks the Big 12 will announce that no expansion will happen…except, well, we’re still talking about it now.
Oklahoma president David Boren still undecided on Big 12 expansion
Jake Trotter
“I do not know where the speculation came from,” Boren said in a statement to ESPN, “but Oklahoma has not yet taken a position on expansion.”
To actually accomplish expansion, if that’s what the league wants to do, the appropriate players should get in a room, discuss it and decide who to invite. The leaks, the backtracking, the floating the trial balloons in the media … not the way to accomplish a goal.
“I’ve known David forever. He likes to talk. He gets a little bit confused sometimes,” Pickens said. He also suggested “maybe it’s time for David to retire.”
T. Boone Pickens, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy seem to be butting heads again
For the record, Pickens prefers 10 teams in the league. But there’s another interesting nugget from Pickens as it pertains to his relationship with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. In addition to dissing Oklahoma’s athletic director – “maybe it’s time for David [Boren] to retire” – Pickens told Bohls he doesn’t have conversations with Gundy anymore.
If the Big 12 doesn’t expand, there’s no bigger loser than Houston
The point being, the timing of Thamel’s piece is terrible for a program that wants to elevate its national status and keep its coach. Herman stands to get a $5 million bonus if Houston is promoted to a Power Five conference. No promotion, no bonus. No bonus, and it may be tough to keep Herman from taking a bigger job elsewhere.
The Big 12 might not expand after all, but it technically didn’t promise it would
It might seem like the Big 12 can’t make up its mind — that’s been the case before — but it worded its July expansion announcement cautiously enough that it could now choose not to expand without contradicting itself.
Bohls: OSU’s Pickens disses Boren, Gundy; Formula 1 is banking on Swift
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/sports/bohls-osus-pickens-disses-boren-gundy-formula-1-is/nsgN8/
T. Boone Pickens said he likes the current 10-team Big 12 configuration the way it is and would prefer adding Houston and SMU if the league grows, but that’s “probably unlikely.”
Tramel: OU not anti-expansion; OU is anti-expansion candidates
http://newsok.com/article/5520007
“The teams we need have left,” another Big 12 administrator said Tuesday. “Whoever you add out there really devalues the whole conference. They don’t add anything. Just to get 12? What’s sacred about a number? Does that make you stable?”
Boren’s board of regents and the Sooners fan base had been skeptical of expansion beyond BYU and even the Big 12 in general, sources indicate.
But sources cautioned that Boren, a former Oklahoma governor and U.S. Senator, is fully capable of changing his mind on issues multiple times.
Kevin Haskin: OU president continues to hurt Big 12 with indecisiveness
■ After once claiming the league was “psychologically disadvantaged’’ with just 10 members, Boren now apparently desires no expansion, according to a recent Sports Illustrated piece.
■ Next week, who knows? But if the attempt is to get the Big 12 to dissolve, just leave.
■ It would be wonderful to see OU attempt to compete in, oh, the SEC West.
■ At some point, Oklahoma and Texas should recognize the competitive landscape which features, and favors, them as Big 12 members.
Has the off button been pressed for Big 12 expansion?
It also contributes to the dysfunction of the Big 12 and especially Boren, who has guided the expansion conversation for nearly two years.
Big 12 expansion movement reportedly losing steam
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/college-gridiron-365/os-big-12-expansion-movement-reportedly-losing-steam-20160927-story.html
Houston and Cincinnati appear to be the favorites according to Thamel with BYU losing steam with concerns surrounding the school’s honor code and how it sees homosexual behavior as a violation.