04/23/24
September 10, 2011
SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Is the reason the Big 12 is falling apart because of Texas' massive TV deal with ESPN? T. Boone Pickens, who was interviewed at the Oklahoma State game on Thursday seems to think so based on what he said when he was talking to the games announcer.
It seems extremely hypocritical of ESPN in their coverage of college football with their 'changing the blueprint' specials on how to change the college game and their coverage of Texas A&M's attempts to leave the Big 12. They are directly responsible for the conference chaos that is happening now.
posted by insomnyuk at 01:25 PM on September 10, 2011
"I thought it was going to be very interesting, like I was going to have two idiots right next to me on both sides, but the other one is actually pretty bright,"' Welker said of Dan, who was signed Wednesday. "I was actually surprised.'"
If I remember correctly, Welker got himself into a bit of trouble last year when he gave an interview to the press that was loaded with foot and toe references. Seems like he's putting his rather biting wit to work again in order to talk a little trash to Rob Gronkowski. It's all in fun.
By the way, Dan Gronkowski was cut by the Denver Broncos, not the Cowboys. Chris Gronkowski was claimed by the Colts after being cut by Dallas. Way too many Gronkowskis in the NFL these days.
posted by Howard_T at 01:28 PM on September 10, 2011
insomnyuk, an article I saw Wednesday or so said that the Longhorn TV Network was the final straw for A&M at least, too much of a recruiting advantage since Texas planned to highlight the high school players they were recruiting.
If Oklahoma joins the Pac-12 (soon to be Pac-15?) I hope they get in USC's division.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:34 PM on September 10, 2011
That Michigan/Notre Dame game was nothing short of fucking incredible.
posted by NoMich at 11:49 PM on September 10, 2011
Is the reason the Big 12 is falling apart because of Texas' massive TV deal with ESPN?
Yes.
But before that, it was because Texas (with the assistance of Oklahoma and Nebraska) grabbed up too much of the conference's revenue, based on who was on TV the most. So when Nebraska fell off the national radar, they had no reason not to jump to the Big Ten, which has a much more equitable revenue-sharing agreement. Colorado similarly was following the money. If Texas had shown the slightest bit of contrition or dedication to the conference, then A&M and Oklahoma wouldn't be actively looking for a new home either.
posted by Etrigan at 12:11 AM on September 11, 2011
As you may know, the Patriots now lead the league in Total Gronkowskis, having signed Rob's brother Dan who was cut by the Cowboys. Should make for an interesting season:
"[Dan Gronkowski] seems like he's excited to be here," Brady said. "I think the two brothers were giving each other headlocks in the locker room."
"I thought it was going to be very interesting, like I was going to have two idiots right next to me on both sides, but the other one is actually pretty bright,"' Welker said of Dan, who was signed Wednesday. "I was actually surprised.'"