John The Barnacle

Oh Jesus. Not again.

If I may, the argument that the Pac-10 would actually help Texas research money is laughable.

The Big Ten has the CIC, which actually has helped Penn State dramatically improve its research budget. For those who want to know, Penn State was only slightly above Texas in terms of research money back in the early 90s. Now Penn State has a lead of around $200M+ on Texas and it’s only going to get bigger.

One other point, Stanford/Cal will never ever approve a CIC with Arizona State/Oklahoma/Oklahoma State/Texas Tech.

Adding 3 more Arizona State’s (in fact OSU/OU/Tech are actually worse academically) is galling to their ivy minded administrators.

They will never approve of a research collaboration grouping for an expanded Pac-16. The notion that Texas would actually improve it’s graduate research dollars as Penn State has is laughable because Stanford and Cal are going to be looking at 3 more ASUs to have to pull up, and they will say no way.

If Texas really wants to improve its academic situation and the athletic $, then the Big Ten is probably the only real choice because of the CIC.

Sure the Pac-10 will always have the perception of academic superiority due to Stanford/Cal/UCLA (and soon Texas/A&M), but it will never put that superiority into effect through collaboration because Stanford will never see the Pac-16 East as being on the same level in terms of academics/research.

Purely from an academic standpoint, I hope Texas joins the Big Televen. I’m about 95% confident, with a 2% interval, that Powers feels the same way.

And from a football perspective, I’d much rather play Ohio State/Michigan/Penn State/Notre Dame (if they join with us) year in and year over USC and whoever else out of the Pac-10. Though getting a chance to rub in our 2006 Rose Bowl win every other year does sound mightily appealing.

So you think Baylor is a poison pill?

Though I have to chuckle at UT making Cal and Stanford grovel by even considering Baylor for a vote. Humiliation they’ll endure for a generation at every AAU gathering and Soros fundraiser.

I have enjoyed re-reading horninexile’s articles after the events of the last few days. Being a Texas Tech grad, I like the Pac-16 scenario in which the state of Texas promotes a third R&D school, and helps Tech achieve Tier 1 status.

Given today’s politcal reaction regarding Baylor, it’s embarrassing to have your school thrust forward by legislators, but 20 years and millions of dollars later, who cares how it came about?

We’re Texas Tech and Kent Hance is just trying to stay close to Bill Powers coat tails.

texas tech tier 1 status LOL 4 evr ROFL

Is Baylor a poison pill? It could be. If I’m Bill Powers, I let that one percolate.

The cool kids in the Pac-10 already have said they don’t want BYU, so Baylor isn’t going to pass review either. They’re already probably not excited about Tech, Ok State and OU, but held their noses in exchange for all this money!

When Baylor does get the thumbs down, Powers can go to the Lege and say, look, we don’t control this deal, despite what you want. The Texas Constitution mandates a University of the First Class. If you really want to let us hang, it’s going to come back around to you eventually. If the Aggies decide they want to go their own way, are you going to stop them? If not, why not? It’s best for Texas (and A&M and the other schools) to get the best deal they can and not be known as the anchor, and that is what you will be in regard to the reputation of UT.

1. Let’s put the myth that Ann Richards was responsible for Baylor’s inclusion in the Big 12 to rest. Put the blame where it belongs – w/ Bullock (Lt. Gov.; Tech undergrad & Baylor law).

2. Sibley’s dead? I found an article saying that he’s running for the TX Senate again.

3. I don’t know exactly what various committees would have the most impact, but in the House Higher Ed Cmte, there’s 1 Baylor alumnus & 0 Tech alumni. There are 0 alumni of either school in the Education Subcmte of the Appropriations Cmte.

In the Senate, the Prez Pro Tempore, Duncan, is a Tech grad & Lubbock resident. Duncan’s also on the Higher Ed & Finance Cmtes. Averitt, who’s also on those same 2 committees, is a Baylor grad & Waco resident. He stepped down in March, but Sibley (also Baylor grad & Waco resident) is running for his position. Finally, there’s one other Baylor grad on Finance Cmte, named Harris.

Is that enough for Baylor (& Tech) to force its/their way in AGAIN? I hope not.

The Legislature is like a battle-axe wife: she can’t actually make you do anything, but she can make you wish you did it. That’s the rub for Bill Powers & Co. However, UT spends ungodly sums on lobbyists—and half the state senate sits between the 40-yd line and midfield under the overhand at every OU game—so I’m confident in Powers’ ability to navigate that minefield. Plus, unlike the last game of conference musical chairs involving the old SWC, this next legislative session (2011) will revolve around two, and only two, issues: redistricting and the state budget deficit. Legislators will be spending 95% of their time debating, arguing, wheeling, dealing, and backstabbing each other over those two issues. That arguably makes this the perfect session to jump ship w/o Baylor, Tech, or whomever.

Honestly. 1/3 of baylor’s b12 wins are against aggy. Why not give themselves a chance in the mountain 12?

Great use of the da Vinci. Now supposedly the model was one of Leonardo’s “helpers” that he used to diddle on the side, but HenryJames is definitely in favor.