Conference realignment "Rumors" "tweets" "etc"

[GaUSFBull]

Just now, bullsbucsfan426 said:

Isn't your success rate on stone cold lock 0.0%?

Yes, even though that one you quoted was the end of my virginity on such things.  

[GaUSFBull]

1 hour ago, Rocky Style said:

It makes sense. Football drives the bus and Coach T drives this bus with the dishonored Marty St. Louis.

Huh?  Marty St. Louis is anything but dishonored ... 

[TheUpperHand]

51 minutes ago, bullsbucsfan426 said:

Isn't your success rate on stone cold lock 0.0%?

When you're right 52% of the time, you're wrong 48% of the time.

Edited May 6, 2016 by TheUpperHand

[Bulls1181]

Big 12 roundtable: Expansion

• Jake TrotterESPN Staff Writer

In this week's Big 12 roundtable, we discuss -- what else? -- Big 12 expansion:

Should the Big 12 expand this summer?

Max Olson: No, but expansion does seem somewhat inevitable at this point. I'm still skeptical that the potential expansion targets will actually strengthen the league. I liked the Big 12's unusual format -- round-robin schedule, no divisions, no title game -- but clearly Bob Bowlsby and others are starting to believe that's a disadvantage. Ultimately, it comes down to the money, and money is usually going to win these debates.

Brandon Chatmon: It feels like expansion is coming but I'm still struggling to see the reason for it. There aren't a long list of top-notch candidates available -- if there was I'd be for it -- and I'm not convinced expansion would secure a more lucrative future for the schools already in the conference. Most of all, I don't see the urgency to expand. The realistic options aren't going anywhere anytime soon so why not make a patient, measured decision?

Jake Trotter: The Big 12 has to expand at some point. But does it have to be now? By voting to expand this summer the Big 12 would be closing off future home-run options, should acrimony fester in the Pac-12 or return to the ACC. Then again, if the Big 12 doesn't expand soon, it might not last long enough to go for a game-changer.

Would expansion help get the Big 12 into the College Football Playoff?

Olson: Sort of. In a 12-team league with divisions, the Big 12's best team will no longer have to go through everybody. Going undefeated will be slightly less difficult, even with the return of a title game. But that's the funny thing about this expansion talk: Is the Big 12 really trying to add two programs that can win the CFP? Or are they just trying to make it easier for their current members? If Bowlsby is so concerned about access to the CFP, I have to wonder why the league isn't advocating for an eight-team playoff that gives them a 100 percent chance of making it every year.

Chatmon: The data says yes. I ask "How?" Let's ignore the small, two-year sample size, which is an issue in itself. How could the data possibly predict what the College Football Playoff committee is going to do considering the baseline traits of the teams it has placed in the top four has been a moving target for the past two years? Not to mention how many times the Big 12 has knocked itself out of national title contention with a championship game that saw a title contender lose in the conference championship game. There are all kinds of questions that need to be asked and answered before moving forward and making decisions based on the data provided by Navigate Research.

Trotter: The research says it would, and actually, it's really not even that close. The 12-team, eight-conference game, league championship game model is the way to go. The Big 12 is not maximizing its CFP opportunities by sticking with the current format.

If the Big 12 does decide to expand, who would you recommend?

Olson: I suppose I would recommend focusing their efforts in the East, since the league already has West Virginia, and would probably narrow down that search to Cincinnati, UConn and Memphis. Just my opinion. I think it's safe at this point to guess that this thing is going to come down to markets and TV money, and those three schools seem well-positioned to enhance the Big 12's reach.

Chatmon: It's a tough decision because there aren't any “no-brainers” available but I'd probably lean toward BYU and Cincinnati. Obviously there are a ton of potholes standing between the Big 12 and BYU as a member of the conference but if both parties really want it to happen and are willing to work together to make it happen, then BYU would be a solid addition thanks to its national appeal in comparison to the other candidates. Cincinnati would be another solid option as a university in a good TV market with solid athletic programs and a desire to join the Big 12.

Trotter: I think there are two scenarios to consider. One is the BYU/Cincinnati option, which would strengthen the football of the league. The other is buying low on upside. Keep an eye of Central Florida/South Florida. They have almost no football tradition to speak of but sit in two of the top 20 TV markets in the country and feature massive enrollments. High risk, yes. But potentially high reward.

[Bulls1181]

[Sellular1]

4 minutes ago, Bulls1181 said:

Great, another John Deere letter....

[Bulls1181]

[RJWGoBulls]

Looks like Mr Harlan is trying to stem the inflow of emails from you guys

Dear Bulls Family:

Over the past few months and increasingly this past week, there has been much discussion both locally and nationally regarding possible conference expansion and other potential realignments and, if so, which schools might be under consideration. Conference leaders continue to evaluate their next moves based on their independent research and needs, and any decision will ultimately be up to the presidents of these institutions.

My purpose today is to share some thoughts on our institution. 

Since my arrival more than two years ago, questions about conference realignment have been raised by those who love USF deeply.  I have not wavered in my response to them: USF Athletics will continue to make sure that every day, all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff are working tirelessly to achieve excellence in all of our 19 programs. I am grateful for the continued support of our fans as we work together in this regard.

In the past school year, Bulls teams have won multiple American Athletic Conference Championships, participated in multiple NCAA postseasons and, in 2015-2016, for the first time in school history, secured the highest ranking in the American in the Learfield Cup standings, which recognizes outstanding overall achievement in a department.  Meanwhile, we have also celebrated academic wins, with our student athletes sustaining an overall average 3.0 GPA for multiple semesters while our graduation rate continues to steadily climb – now at 82 percent. Moreover, this year USF student-athletes and coaches participated in a record number of community service activities throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Detailing these successes is important in the context of the national dialogue of conference expansion.  We’ve worked toward our achievements in an increasingly competitive American Athletic Conference, which has proven its competitive position against our peer conferences. Like many of our peers, we are also an aspirational institution and closely monitor any opportunities that would benefit USF Athletics in the long term.  Rest assured, we have been proactive in exploring any and all opportunities that would support this program’s singular focus on sustained excellence.

Excellence is and always will be our No. 1 priority. We must win on the field and on the courts of all of our sports; we must attract higher attendance at our games; we must increase donor engagement; we must continue to enhance the fan experience; we must position our facilities for success; we must continue to rally community support for all our program. These responsibilities start with USF leadership and staff, but they are made possible by our spirited students, coaches, and Bulls fans. We cannot achieve excellence without you. Your role in our success is critical and deeply appreciated.

While we always carefully monitor any potential changes to the collegiate athletics landscape, our commitment is to excellence – in competition, in the classroom and in our community. Thank you for your enthusiasm for our program and your support of our incredible student athletes. We are counting on your interest and involvement in all of our athletics activities to ensure we are best positioned for success now and for years to come.

GO BULLS!



Director of Athletics
University of South Florida

[bullnupe]

what do you guys think of this email ?

 

[JTrue]

So Harlan wants us to know he's not an idiot. Well played, sir.