College Confidential

Big 12 ADs support seeking alliance with other leagues, have not ruled out expansion

IRVING _ Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said league athletic directors expressed unanimous support for exploring a scheduling and marketing alliance with the ACC and other conferences during a Monday meeting but did not close the door on the possibility of future expansion.

Bowlsby said Big 12 administrators seek to prepare themselves for “any eventuality” on the realignment front and discussed multiple options during a three-hour discussion about the league’s future. But he stressed that league officials would not rush to expand from the existing 10-member configuration unless it makes financial sense.

Based on a recent Forbes projection for the current school year, the Big 12 is expected to have the highest average payout of any conference in terms of television, bowl and NCAA Tournament revenues _ roughly $26 million per school. Prospective new members would have to bring a comparable amount of value to the table to trigger voluntary expansion.

“Anybody we would look at would have to bring pro rata or a very high likelihood of sustained growth that would bring benefits to the league,” Bowlsby said. “We are never going to get bigger just for the sake of getting bigger.”

Bowlsby acknowledged expansion by other leagues could force the Big 12’s hand and said officials “have to be prepared to respond to that changing environment.” Speculation has centered on Big 12 interest from Florida State and Clemson, with Connecticut and Cincinnati among the most desirable remaining assets in the crumbling Big East.

But the league’s favored option, expressed in a unanimous vote at Monday’s meeting, would be an alliance with the ACC and two other leagues Bowlsby declined to name. Commissioners from the Pac-12 and SEC said Monday they are not part of the discussions with the Big 12, ACC and other leagues.

“Our group said these alliances have merit and we’re willing to support it,” Bowlsby said. “The discussions are probably furthest along with the ACC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what we’re going to end up doing.”

Big 12 athletic directors deferred questions to Bowlsby but indicated they joined him in considering Monday’s session a step forward in solidifying plans for the league’s future.

“I think we did gravitate around some principles that will guide us going forward,” said Bowlsby, who declined to offer details. “I think we created some filters that we all agreed on and I think there was a fair amount of unanimity in the room.”

The two-day meeting continues today, with discussions about future football schedules and bowl partnerships.

 Twitter: @Jimmy_Burch

_ Jimmy Burch

Alabama tabbed as favorite to threepeat in next year's BCS title game; Texas A&M one of top 4 favorites #TAMU, #Bama

Alabama, college football’s two-time defending national champion, already is the early favorite to make it three in a row in next year’s BCS National Championship Game, based on odds released today by Bovada Sports Book (www.Bovada.lv).

The site has installed the Crimson Tide as a 5/1 favorite to claim next year’s title, followed by Oregon (8/1), Ohio State (17/2), Texas A&M (12/1) and LSU (12/1). A&M, which posted an 11-2 record and finished fifth in today’s final AP poll, is given the best odds for a 2013-14 national championship of any college team from Texas or within the region.

Opening odds assigned to other regional or Big 12 schools include: Oklahoma (25/1), Texas (30/1), Oklahoma State (40/1), TCU (66/1), Arkansas (100/1), Kansas State (100/1) and West Virginia (150/1).

Below is a look at the schools that received individual odds to win next years BCS National Championship Game:

 

Odds to win the 2013-2014 BCS National Championship         

Alabama                               5/1

Oregon                             8/1

Ohio State                     17/2

LSU                              12/1

Texas A&M                   12/1

Florida                          14/1

Florida State                  14/1

Clemson                       22/1

Louisville                               22/1

Notre Dame                   22/1

Miami                               25/1

Oklahoma                            25/1

South Carolina                    25/1

Georgia                            28/1

Nebraska                              28/1

Stanford                        30/1

Texas                               30/1

Michigan                               33/1

USC                             33/1

Oklahoma State             40/1

UCLA                            40/1

Mississippi State           50/1

Wisconsin                            50/1

TCU                              66/1

Virginia Tech                 66/1

Boise State                   75/1

Michigan State              75/1

North Carolina                     75/1

Oregon State                 75/1

Arkansas                              100/1

Arizona                            100/1

Kansas State                100/1

Rutgers                         100/1

Tennessee                           100/1

Washington                         100/1

Cincinnati                             125/1

BYU                             150/1

Pittsburgh                            150/1

West Virginia                      150/1

Auburn                          200/1

Georgia Tech                 200/1

Iowa                              200/1

Missouri                                250/1

Boston College                   300/1

California                              300/1

South Florida                      300/1

 _ Jimmy Burch

 

Drama building with OU in danger of losing BCS berth to N. Illinois, which would create major shuffling of bowl matchups

The voters in the coaches poll have spoken. But what they have said by placing Northern Illinios at No. 16 in today’s poll that will be used in compiling the final BCS standings remains open for discussion.
And the final word will not become public until tonight’s release of the final BCS standings (7:30 p.m., ESPN).

The bottom line is that Oklahoma (10-2) would be bumped from an at-large BCS bowl berth if Northern Illinois (12-1), the MAC champ, finishes 16th or higher in the final BCS standings. If that happens, the Sooners _ who envisioned playing Florida (11-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday night _ would wind up in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, with an anticipated matchup against LSU (10-2) or Texas A&M (10-2).

The situation is fluid and two BCS analysts, CBS’ Jerry Palm and ESPN’s Brad Edwards, have switched their bowl projections today. Both took Oklahoma out of the BCS mix in favor of Northern Illinois (12-1). But both cautioned that the margin will be razor thin. The Huskies will climb in the computer rankings based on their victory over Kent State (11-2) in the MAC title game. But the impact of voters in the coaches poll and the Harris poll figure to be crucial.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops did his part to help his team, voting the Sooners at No. 6 and Northern Illinois at No. 24 in today’s final coaches poll. The ballots of voters were released on the USA Today website. Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren voted Oklahoma 11^th and his team at No. 14.

If Oklahoma does not wind up in the Sugar Bowl, the omission would cost the Big 12 a $6.2 million windfall and would create a reshuffling of the league’s bowl slots. It would sent Texas to the Alamo Bowl to meet a Pac-12 foe (likely Oregon State), with lots of guessing on bowl placements after that. The Big 12 also would need to find a spot for one of its bowl-eligible teams (likely Iowa State) in a game that is not contractually tied to the Big 12.

The SEC slots are being solidified, with Georgia expected to play Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. That means A&M’s likely bowl destination will either be the Cotton Bowl against OU or the Chick-fil-A Bowl (in Atlanta) against Clemson.

Nothing, as this juncture, has been announced by the SEC in terms of bowl berths. But officials at the Capital One Bowl have announced Nebraska as the Big Ten representative in that contest.

Other Big 12 coaches joined Stoops in voting up the Sooners and voting down Northern Illinois. Baylor coach Art Briles placed Oklahoma at No. 6 and Northern Illinois at No. 19 on his ballot. West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen had OU at No. 9, with Northern Illinois at No. 24. The ballot of Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville mirrored where both teams finished in today’s coaches’ poll: OU at No. 11 and Northern Illinois at No. 16.

Kent State coach Darrell Hazel, whose team lost to Northern Illinios in the MAC title game, voted Oklahoma at No. 11 and Northern Illinois at No. 17 on his ballot.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Two players from Tarrant County, A&M's Joeckel and OSU's Sharp, land spots on AFCA All-America team #TAMU, #OkSt

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel, an Arlington High School graduate, joined A&M defensive lineman Damontre Moore and Baylor receiver Terrance Williams among today’s first-team, All-America honorees by the American Football Coaches Association.

Oklahoma State kicker Quinn Sharp, a Mansfield Summit graduate, also was among the 25 players selected to the AFCA All-America team. The squad included only first-team honorees, with Clemson’s Tajh Boyd getting the nod at quarterback and West Virginia receiver/kick returner Tavon Austin selected as the all-purpose performer.

Joeckel, a junior, is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which will be given to the nation’s top interior lineman Dec. 6 during The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN. Williams, who leads the nation in receiving yards (89 catches, 1,693 yards, 12 TDs), is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. The honor, given annually to the nation’s top receiver, also will be presented during the Dec. 6 telecast.

Below is a look at the full team:

 2012 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team
Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
WR Marqise Lee 6-0 195 So. USC Lane Kiffin Inglewood, Calif. (Serra)
WR  Terrance Williams 6-2 205 Sr. Baylor Art Briles Dallas, Texas (W.T. White)
TE Zach Ertz 6-6 252 Sr. Stanford David Shaw Alamo, Calif. (Monte Visa)
OL  Chance Warmack 6-3 320 Sr. Alabama Nick Saban Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake)
OL  Luke Joeckel 6-6 310 Jr. Texas A&M Kevin Sumlin Arlington, Texas (Arlington)
C  Dalton Freeman 6-5 285 Sr. Clemson Dabo Swinney Pelion, S.C. (Pelion)
OL  Jonathan Cooper 6-3 295 Sr. North Carolina Larry Fedora Wilmington, N.C. (Hoggard)
OL  David Yankey 6-5 301 Jr. Stanford David Shaw Roswell, Ga. (Centennial)
QB  Tajh Boyd 6-1 225 Jr. Clemson Dabo Swinney Hampton, Va. (Phoebus)
RB  Kenjon Barner 5-11 192 Sr. Oregon Chip Kelly Riverside, Calif. (Notre Dame)
RB  Montee Ball* 5-11 215 Sr. Wisconsin Bret Bielema Wentzville, Mo. (Timberland)

Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL  Jadeveon Clowney 6-6 256 So.  South Carolina Steve Spurrier Rock Hill, S.C. (South Pointe)
DL  Bjoern Werner 6-4 255 Jr. Florida St. Jimbo Fisher Berlin, Germany (Salisbury [Conn.])
DL Damontre Moore 6-4 250 Jr. Texas A&M Kevin Sumlin Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett)
DL Will Sutton 6-1 267 Jr. Arizona St. Todd Graham Corona, Calif. (Centennial)
LB  Manti Te’o 6-2 255 Sr. Notre Dame Brian Kelly Laie, Hawaii (Punahou)
LB  Jarvis Jones* 6-3 241 Jr. Georgia Mark Richt Columbus, Ga. (Carver)
LB C.J. Mosley 6-2 232 Jr. Alabama Nick Saban Theodore, Ala. (Theodore)
DB Eric Reid 6-2 212 Jr. LSU Les Miles Geismar, La. (Dutchtown)
DB Dee Milliner 6-1 199 Jr. Alabama Nick Saban Millbrook, Ala. (Stanhope Elmore)
DB  Jordan Poyer 6-0 190 Sr.  Oregon St. Mike Riley Astoria, Ore. (Astoria)
DB  Phillip Thomas 6-1 215 Sr. Fresno St. Tim DeRuyter Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield)

Specialists
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
P  Ryan Allen 6-2 215 Sr. Louisiana Tech Sonny Dykes Salem, Ore. (West Salem)
PK Quinn Sharp 6-1 205 Sr. Oklahoma St. Mike Gundy Mansfield, Texas (Summit)
AP  Tavon Austin 5-9 171 Sr. West Virginia Dana Holgorsen Baltimore, Md. (Dunbar)
*-2011 All-American

 _ Jimmy Burch

Where is TCU going bowling? My guess is back to San Diego or Houston but final week could alter destination for many

So where is TCU headed bowling? Wish I could tell you. Too much is still riding on the outcome of the final week of games, especially the Horned Frogs’ regular-season finale against No. 11 Oklahoma at 11 a.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The outcome could affect where the Horned Frogs (7-4, 4-4 in the Big 12) are headed in the postseason. If TCU upsets the Sooners, and incidentally, wins its first Big 12 game at home, Oklahoma's hopes of earning a BCS bowl berth would be dashed. The Sooners (9-2, 7-1) could still win the Big 12 title and earn a Fiesta Bowl appearance with a win and a No. 6 Kansas State loss to No. 18 Texas. If Oklahoma loses, then they’ll likely play in the Cotton Bowl.
If the Frogs lose to Oklahoma, they appear headed to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. That's if San Diego isn't sick of TCU. The Frogs have played in three Poinsettia Bowls, also in San Diego, since 2006, including last year. The Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston would likely be attracted to TCU, expecting more Frogs fans to travel to Reliant Stadium for the Dec. 28 game against a Big 10 team. The Frogs have played three bowls in Houston since 2001, the last coming in 2007.
Of course, more than conference finish comes into play when bowl representatives are looking to fill the matchups. If TCU wins Saturday, then the Frogs would finish ahead of Texas Tech (7-5, 4-5) and would seem to be in line for the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. And if Baylor wins its third consecutive game by beating Oklahoma State Saturday then the Bears would potentially finish in a four-way tie with TCU, Tech, and West Virginia at 4-5. If that happens, then all bets are off on bowl positioning, at least for the middle-tier bowls.
The bowl matchups will be announced Dec. 2.

Here’s how I project the Big 12 standings finishing, with the favored team (Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia) winning Saturday, with bowl destinations and bowl payout (per team) for each bowl:

	Projected standings	Projected bowl	Payout per team (in millions)
Kansas State	11-1, 8-1	BCS Fiesta (Glendale, Ariz.)	$17
Oklahoma	10-2, 8-1	BCS Sugar (New Orleans)	$17
Oklahoma St.	8-4, 6-3	Cotton (Arlington, Tex.)	$3.625
Texas	8-4, 5-4	Alamo (San Antonio, Tex.)	$3.175
Texas Tech	7-5, 4-5	Buffalo Wild Wings (Tempe, Ariz.)	$3.350
TCU	7-5, 4-5	Holiday (San Diego, Calif.)	$2.075
West Virginia	7-5, 4-5	Pinstripe (New York City)	$1.8
Iowa State	6-6, 3-6	Heart of Dallas (Cotton Bowl)	$1.1
Baylor	6-6, 3-6	Meineke Car Care (Houston)	$1.7
Kansas	1-11, 0-9

-- Stefan Stevenson
@FollowtheFrogs 

TCU's 2013 football schedule released

The Big 12 Conference released its 2013 football schedule Tuesday.
TCU opens against LSU in the Cowboys Stadium Classic in Arlington at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 on ESPN. The rest of the times have not been set. The Horned Frogs will play six games at Amon G. Carter, including the home opener against Southeastern Louisiana Sept. 7. TCU opens Big 12 play at Texas Tech the following week. The Frogs must travel to Oklahoma State for the second consecutive season because of a previous agreement with Texas A&M before the Aggies left for the Southeastern Conference.

Here’s TCU's 2013 schedule:
Aug. 31 LSU#
Sept. 7 Southeastern Louisiana
Sept. 14 at Texas Tech*
Sept. 21 Bye
Sept. 28 SMU
Oct. 5 at Oklahoma*
Oct. 12 Kansas*
Oct. 19 at Oklahoma State*
Oct. 26 Texas*
Nov. 2 West Virginia*
Nov. 9 at Iowa State*
Nov. 16 at Kansas State*
Nov. 23 Bye
Nov. 30 Baylor*
* -- Big 12 game
# -- Cowboys Stadium in Arlington

How will Big 12 end up in 2012? My guess for final standings:

Here's how I see the Big 12 finishing after four league games played (for every team but Oklahoma State and Baylor). Please hold your jeers until I'm proven to be dumb and misguided Dec. 1.

Kansas State	7-0, 4-0	11-1, 8-1
Oklahoma	5-1, 3-1	11-1, 8-1
Texas Tech	6-1, 3-1	10-2, 7-2
TCU	5-2, 2-2	8-4, 5-4
Oklahoma State	4-2, 2-1	7-5, 5-4
West Virginia	5-2, 2-2	7-5, 4-5
Texas	5-2, 2-2	7-5, 4-5
Iowa State	4-3, 1-3	6-6, 3-6
Baylor	3-3, 0-3	4-8, 1-8
Kansas	1-6, 0-4	1-11, 0-9

Beautiful day for football and tailgating in Stillwater. Here's some pictures:

Here's a Fox Sports networks cheat sheet to find TCU-Oklahoma State on television across the nation:

Download Big 12 - TCU at Oklahoma St

Oklahoma State QB J.W. Walsh out for season ... or maybe not

Oklahoma State quarterback J.W. Walsh is out for the season, according to coach Mike Gundy.
The redshirt freshman injured his knee Saturday in the Cowboys’ win over Iowa State but stayed in the game.
Walsh’s dad, John Walsh, the head coach at Denton Guyer High School, said his son needs about three to five weeks to recover. John Walsh said via text that surgery will not be required and that there was no ligament damage.
Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1) host TCU (5-2, 2-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.
Gundy told reporters on a conference call Sunday evening that Walsh was out for the rest of the season. Walsh completed 32 of 47 passes for 415 yards and a touchdown against Iowa State.
Walsh replaced true freshman Wes Lunt, who was injured in the Cowboys’ win over Louisiana-Lafayette Sept. 15. Lunt has yet to return in a game. Walsh has thrown for 1,467 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 254 yards and three scores.

-- Travis L. Brown