Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Big 12 Conference Soap Opera

What a 24-hours in the Big 12 Conference.

Yesterday, it was all doom and gloom for the league. Rumors had Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech all going to the Pac-12 Conference.

Oklahoma was apparently making demands of the Big 12 while waiting the word from the Pac-12. The Sooners said the Big 12 needed major reforms including firing its commissioner before they would ever choose to stay in the league.

Well, the Pac-12 discarded all the realignment talk for at least a few hours in this unstable environment when it said “Thanks, but no thanks” to the four Big 12 schools.

We are now left with only gloom and some serious egg on Oklahoma’s face.

The Big 12 is still in major trouble because there are now two schools wanting to play by its own rules. In recent days, Oklahoma’s behavior has shown the “me first” attitude. Texas has always been the league’s kingpin.

Where this struggle ends up, nobody knows, but you must feel sorry for schools like Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas State and Kansas. Without real recourse, these conference members have been wondering if they would be forced to scramble for some other affiliation. If I were those schools, I would still keep the eyes open in the back of the head.

Texas needs to quit acting like a spoiled child. It can no longer eat four deserts and leave the other family members with crumbs. Oklahoma needs to patch up their grievances with Texas and become a good family member. The Sooners must look out for other conference members and promote their benefit as well.

I know this novel concept of sharing seems outdated in this world, but it’s the only way the Big 12 will even have a chance to survive.

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