Big 12 Conference Dissolving

There is has been much talk in recent months about conference expansion and how it will affect the college conference landscape.  The first casualty of expansion seems to be the Big 12.  As of today, they have lost two teams, and it is expected more will follow. 

Nebraska Cornhuskers

It was reported yesterday that the University of Nebraska will be moving to the Big 10, which would make them the 12th team in that conference. An unnamed coach in the Big 12 stated that this will mark the beginning of the end of the Big 12 and it will dissolve when Nebraska leaves. Official word of the defection is expected at a new conference Friday.

University of Colorado

The Big 12 is getting picked from the left and the right. It was reported this morning that the University of Colorado has accepted an invitation from the Pac-10 to join their conference as the 11th team. Official word is expected tomorrow at a press conference, but it could come as early as today. The Pac-10 is expected to try to grow to a super conference add 5 more Big 12 teams such as Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.

College Football Playoff

Well before the inception of the BCS, the talk about a playoff system in the NCAA Football has run rampant. Those screaming in the past have only raised the volume since the BCS started and teams that have had perfect seasons in non-BCS conferences such as Utah and Boise State have been passed over to play for the National Title. But we might be seeing the beginning of the end of the unscrupulous college football championship game. If a couple of senators could have their way, it would be in a form of a playoff system. But money is the real culprit of the lack of a playoff system, and it seems that is driving college football into a new era.

College Football Playoffs

There is an bipartisan march against the BCS in the Senate these days. Senators Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Orin Hatch (R-Utah) have been leading a crusade against the BSC and sent a letter to BCS Executive Directory Bill Hancock in March expressing their concerns with the BCS system.

Hancock replied that it is none of their concern and that "decisions about college football should be made by university presidents, athletic directors, coaches and conference commissioners rather than by members of Congress."

Baucus and Hatch were not satisfied with the rhetoric contained in the reply and fired back. Congress might not be the appropriate place to decide the playoff system, but not answering questions and metaphorically flipping the bird to Senators will rarely appease them to stop pursuing their agenda.

Mega Conferences

The Pac 10 has given Commissioner Larry Scott approval to pursue expansion. Reports are that he is looking at six teams from the Big 12. Reports also state that the Big 10 is looking at two teams from the Big 12.

Expansion is mainly due to money and television networks. The Big 10 has their own network and illustrated the profitability of it. Now other conferences want in. Money is the only motivator for college football conferences. This greed could lead to the formation of mega BCS conferences by dissolving and swallowing up lesser conference. Though I would have expected non-BSC conferences to have been the first to be swallowed up, it seems the Big 12 will be instead.

Mega conferences could be a second plan to appease everyone bu making all of the teams part of BSC conferences. Though it isn't a playoff system, it will be a less bias system and level the playing field a little bit.

Pac 10 Expansion

There has been reports over the last few months about a couple college conferences expanding in the next couple years.  It seems that the NCAA conference landscape could change rather significantly.  Though most people would like to see a playoff system in collegiate football, having six or seven conferences of 16 teams would negate the disenfranchised feeling the non-BCS conference have in competing for the National Title.  It might not be the best plan, but it is definitely Plan B. 

PAC 10 Conference Expansion

The Pac 10 commissioner Larry Scott was granted full power to pursue expansion of the conference. It is believed that the Pac 10 is looking to add 6 teams. Reports have suggested that Colorado, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma will all be invited to join.

Big 10

The Big 10 hasn't had 10 teams since Penn State joined the conference to make it 11. The last couple of months have been filled with reports of the Big 10 looking to expanding and inviting Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers and Notre Dame. The Big 12 has given Nebraska and Missouri until Friday, June 11 to tell them there intentions of leaving the conference.

The Big 10 has not officially announce whether they are expanding or what schools they are pursuing yet. They might not have made their official statement, but it sure seems official enough for the Big 12.

2010 Baltimore Ravens Notes

The Baltimore Ravens have been making moves during the offseason and have sured up their offense by signing wide receiver Anquan Bolden and give quarterback Joe Flacco a legitimate passing threat. How about the draft picks and undrafted free agents.

2010 Draft Result

The Ravens had seven draft picks during the draft. With those draft picks they picked up 3 defense players. The problem I see is that these players are defensive lineman. Every team needs a pass rusher, especially in today's pass happy league, but their linebackers and defensive backs are old. This has been a knock against the team for a few years, but they did nothing to address it. With Ed Reed contemplating retirement at the end of the 2009 season and now having surgery, you would think they would address these positions. Instead they pick lineman, tight ends and wide receivers.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents

The Ravens had many of the undrafted free agents that they invited to rookie mini-camp on their radars during the draft. Most notable of all of their undrafted free agents is the University of Memphis runningback Curtis Steele. Steele ranked first in team history in rushing yards, carries, rushing touchdowns, points scored and all purpose yards. Steele was also a leader in Conference USA and named to the 2009 All C-USA first team. For a team that has had past struggles with running backs, time will tell if Steele becomes the player they were hoping.