The Demise of the Big 12

Yesterday Nebraska all but confirmed they would jump ship and head to the Big Ten (the official announcement is expected tomorrow). Today Colorado announced they would be moving to the Pac-10. There are other reports that Okalahoma State is right behind them. Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Texas Tech are also expected to leave the Big 12 and join the Pac-10. That would leave the Pac-10 with 16 teams, the Big Ten with 12 teams and the Big 12 with 5 (Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State, Kansas and Baylor). In other words - the Big 12 is finished. You can't have a conference with 5 teams and as much as they try to persuade schools like TCU, BYU or Utah to join them it still wouldn't be the Big 12 of old.

Why did all of this happen? Well for one, the Big Ten distributed nearly $20 million to each of its 11 teams last year. In comparison, Texas (the most profitable team in the Big 12) received $10 million from the Big 12. The huge increase in revenue for Big 12 schools is an obvious reason to move to the Big Ten or Pac-10. Many people expect college football to end up with 4 "mega conferences" after everything is finished.

The Big Ten has reportedly given Notre Dame a June 15th deadline to accept an invitation to join its conference. Although the Irish love being an Independent their television contract with NBC is up soon and they stand to get shut out of the new mega conference format which would make it even harder for them to reach the national championship.

Early Winners - Big Ten, Pac-10, Nebraska, Colorado, Playoff format
Early Losers - Big 12, Baylor (it was reported the Pac-10 would select either them or Colorado)