College Confidential

Texas QB Wood transfers to Colorado; LB Cobbs out indefinitely with forearm injury

Texas quarterback Connor Wood, a redshirt freshman from Houston, has been given an unconditional release from his scholarship and has transferred to Colorado, school officials announced today. Wood will be eligible to compete for the Buffaloes during the 2012 season. In addition, linebacker DeMarco Cobbs (fractured forearm) is out indefinitely after being injured in Tuesday’s practice.

_ Jimmy Burch

Greatest hits from A&M AD Bill Byrne's "Weekly Wednesday" salvo at the Longhorn Network

Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne unleashed a salvo on the Longhorn Network in today’s “Wednesday Weekly” editorial on the school’s website.

In explaining what is different this summer, as opposed to last summer _ when A&M officials opted to remain in the Big 12 during a ticklish stretch of conference realignment _ Byrne cited the existence of Texas’ 24-hour network with ESPN as a major factor. Along with its 20-year, $300 million contract and desire to show high school games (or highlights) on a school-branded network despite an NCAA ruling that such content is against existing bylaws.

The NCAA has subsequently said it will monitor content on the Longhorn Network to make sure it is “acceptable” and that “acceptable content is limited to scores, statistics, standings and news video used to report those details.”

In Wednesday’s piece, Byrne identified the Longhorn Network as an entity that made operating in the Big 12 “considerably different than it was a year ago” preceding the departures of Nebraska and Colorado.

Byrne said the “landscape of the Big 12 conference was altered by the creation of the Longhorn Network,” which caused “a great deal of uncertainty within the Big 12.”

Byrne also said ESPN attempted to “coerce” other Big 12 schools to play games scheduled in Austin on the Longhorn Network. In fairness, representatives from other schools seem satisfied with existing guidelines _ LHN can show a football game involving another Big 12 team only if the opposing team and the league office agrees. Thus far, no school has agreed to the arrangement although K-State is considering the possibility for the Wildcats’ Nov. 19 game in Austin.

In other nuggets from Byrne’s rant, he said: “We rebuffed an attempt to televise high school games on the LHN, arguing that this type of activity was a clear violation of NCAA rules. The most recent attempt by ESPN is to take highlights of high school games as part of news segments. The NCAA is taking a wait and see attitude on the highlights. I disagree with their stance – as do many of my colleagues across the country. We anticipate that ESPN will continue to push the envelope with the Longhorn Network, regardless of Texas A&M’s conference affiliation.”

Byrne added that, “When the smoke clears on conference realignment for Texas A&M, I’ll give you my perspective on what precipitated our decisions, as well as my optimisim for the future.”

It should make for an interesting read.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

BYU non-commital about Big 12 expansion in statement

In light of Texas A&M's departure from the Big 12, Brigham Young has been identified as a likely candidate to replace the Aggies in the 10-team league. BYU, a Mountain West member last season, will play this season as an independent in football, with its other teams competing in the West Coast Conference.

The school issued a statement today, saying it "is not productive and creates a distraction for our program" to comment on conjecture about conference realignment in regard to the Big 12. But the statement did not deny interest.

Here is the full statement from BYU:

"There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. As we enter the 2011-12 athletic season, BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference.

The university will have no further comment."

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Big 12 statements in response to A&M's official decision to withdraw, pending acceptance into another league

Big 12 statements in regard to A&M's announcement today:

Board of Directors Chairman and University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton: “The chancellors and presidents of the Big 12 are committed to keeping our conference competitively and academically strong.  We have a process in place that enables us to move aggressively regarding the possible expansion of the conference and to assure our members and student-athletes that we will take advantage of the most productive opportunities in the best interests of all.”

Commissioner Dan Beebe :  "Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin has notified the Conference of his decision to withdraw the university from the Big 12 effective June 30, 2012. The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutions are steadfast in their commitment to the Big 12. As previously stated, the Conference will move forward aggressively exploring its membership options."

_ Jimmy Burch

A&M sells out of available seats for 2011 football season

Texas A&M officials announced today that the school is sold out of tickets for all 2011 home football games with the exception of tickets returned by visiting teams from their allotments. Any tickets returned by visiting teams will be directed toward A&M students. A&M could threaten the school record for average attendance (82,711 per game), set in 2001. Capacity at Kyle Field is 83,002.

_ Jimmy Burch

A&M perched for Big 12 withdrawal, possibly by today

All signs point to Texas A&M announcing its official withdrawal from the Big 12, possibly by today, clearing the path for a move to the Southeastern Conference in a matter of days.

Texas A&M officials received a letter Monday from Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, outlining withdrawal procedures under league bylaws and mutual waivers of legal claims. The mutual waivers of legal claims should expedite the move because it signals to SEC officials that the school _ and, by extension, the SEC _ will have no legal challenges from the Big 12 if A&M continues moving forward in the realignment process.

The New York Times, citing sources, reported that A&M president R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter Monday to the chairman of the Big 12 board of directors, Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton, notifying the league that the Aggies would formally withdraw. A&M officials denied that report this morning. Jason Cook, A&M's vice-president of marketing and communications, posted this response on his Twitter account: "Contrary to media reports this morning, Texas A&M did NOT send a withdrawal letter to the Big 12 on Monday."

The paper took down the story from its website this morning. A&M also released a statement this morning that said: "No Texas A&M atletics press conference or statement is expected today regarding conference affiliation."

But notifying the Big 12 of withdrawal plans is the next step needed in the realignment process that would carry the Aggies to the SEC. The move is imminent, as Loftin indicated in a Monday statement.

In the statement, Loftin said it is “not our intent to prolong our conference exploration for an extended period of time.” But he did not specify a timetable. A&M did not announce its withdrawal Monday, but a source with knowledge of the situation said: “All parties have a desire to move quickly.”

Through a Big 12 spokesman, Beebe declined comment about the letter he sent to A&M. An A&M source said Beebe’s letter but did not address the possibility of a negotiated settlement in regard to how much money A&M must forfeit to begin competing in the SEC by the 2012 football season.

Under Big 12 bylaws, A&M would forfeit roughly $28 million if it left in time to compete in the SEC for the 2012 football season. League sources have indicated a willingness to negotiate a lower figure _ probably between $15 million and $20 million _ that would be deducted from A&M’s projected revenues for the 2011-12 school year ($19 million to $20 million).

A&M officials have cited the precedent set last year with Nebraska, which paid $9.25 million based on projected revenues of $19.37 million to depart after the 2010-11 school year. A&M’s final exit fee could be decided through arbitration, a step the Big 12 used with Nebraska. Such a move would expedite the school’s ability to conclude its apparent move to the SEC.

Upon withdrawal from the Big 12, A&M must apply for SEC membership and receive approval from at least nine of the league’s 12 members. From all indications, A&M has the necessary votes for SEC approval.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Interviews come naturally to Baylor's Griffin

There are few college athletes who show more ease and natural conversational ability better than Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin. He wasn't always a polished interview subject, but his former high
school coach at Copperas Cove Jim Welch says he showed the gift for gab early.
"He listened like a sponge," said Welch, who has coached at Copperas Cove the last 18 years.
Jack's brother Tracy Welch was the quarterbacks coach when Griffin was playing for the Bulldawgs. Jack's son Josh is now the Dawgs' quarterback coach and Tracy Welch is the offensive coordinator.
"Tracy taught him how to speak to the media, shake hands, lead the team and Robert listened," Jack Welch said. "He handled interviews extremely well, he talks to people well. That didn’t come by accident. You have to teach that and he did a good job. I watch him now on TV and he’ll say things and it’s exactly what Tracy taught him – talk about your lineman, talk about other people. If you lose, it’s on you;
I should have led better or done this or that better.”
Griffin and Baylor host TCU at 7 p.m. Friday at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco. The Horned Frogs beat the Bears 45-10 last season in Fort Worth.

A&M receives letter from Big 12 confirming mutual waivers of legal claims, taking next step toward possible SEC move

Texas A&M officials received a letter today from Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, outlining withdrawal procedures according to the financial provisions of Big 12 bylaws and mutual waivers of legal claims.

The letter, received in response to A&M’s Thursday request for withdrawal procedures, should help expedite A&M’s apparent move to the Southeastern Conference.

In a statement released today, A&M president R. Bowen Loftin stressed that it is “not our intent to prolong our conference exploration for an extended period of time.” Sources at both A&M and the Big 12 have suggested that, because of the mutual waiver of legal claims in regard to a possible A&M move to the SEC, an announcement in regard to the school’s application for SEC membership could occur by the end of the week.

In Monday’s statement, Loftin said: “I certainly appreciate the discussion among the Big 12 presidents/chancellors (during Saturday’s teleconference) and the expression of their desire for Texas A&M to remain in the conference. We all agree that Texas A&M is an extremely valuable institution; thus, it is incumbent upon me, as the president of the university, to ensure that we are in a position to enhance our national visibility and future financial opportunity. While this is a complex and long-term decision, it is not our intent to prolong our conference exploration for an extended period of time.”

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas' notable depth chart decisions (beyond starting QB)

AUSTIN _ Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert will start Saturday against Rice, coach Mack Brown announced today while unveiling a depth chart that includes 13 incoming freshmen on the two-deep list.
Brown said Gilbert, a junior who started every game during last year’s 5-7 season, will be backed by sophomore Case McCoy and will remain the starter as long as he “moves the ball and scores (points).”
Other notable depth chart revelations included:
 Freshman Jaxon Shipley will start at one receiver spot, backed by fellow freshman Miles Onyebule, an Arlington High School graduate.
 Redshirt freshman Dominic Espinosa will start at center, with last year’s starting center, David Snow, shifting to left guard.
 Darius White, a sophomore from Fort Worth Dunbar, is listed as a co-starter at one receiver spot with redshirt freshman John Harris.
 Freshman tailbacks Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergerson share the backup role behind starter Fozzy Whittaker.
 Calvin Howell, a sophomore, will start at the defensive tackle spot opposite returnee Kheeston Randall.
 Quandre Diggs, an incoming freshman, is listed as a co-starter at one cornerback spot.
 Blaine Irby, a senior who has not played since the 2008 season because of a career-threatening knee injury, is listed as the starter at H-back.

_ Jimmy Burch

Gilbert named Texas starting QB for Rice game

 

Texas named Garrett Gilbert as its starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Rice on the school’s initial depth chart of the season, released today by school officials.

Gilbert, who started every game during last year’s 5-7 season, will be backed up by sophomore Case McCoy. Freshman David Ash or redshirt freshman Connor Wood is listed as the third-teamer.

_ Jimmy Burch