And, in Pinkel’s professional opinion, it starts in Austin, travels north on I-35 and ends in Irving.
Appearing on Tim Brando‘s radio show this morning, the Missouri head coach had some not-so-rosy comments about the current state of the Big 12. Earlier this week, Texas A&M officially followed the likes of Nebraska and Colorado, who left for the Big Ten and Pac-12 last summer, respectively, by notifying the conference that it would be withdrawing its membership. An invite to join the SEC is almost surely to follow.
You can listen to Pinkel’s whole interview HERE, but below is the money quote:
“Obviously, we have some issues in our league. When you have Nebraska leave one year. Colorado leaves. Also now Texas A&M. Three really good football teams. … You know, we’ve got some issues. Without question there’s some issues that other leagues don’t have. You don’t hear anything about any other league in the country having these kind of problems. We all know where it starts. Mike Alden’s not the point man here. Dan Beebe is. Dan Beebe’s our commissioner. He’s the guy to ask. I don’t know what they’re going to do. I’m just focusing now on winning the football game. … There’s just no one in the country, no other league in the country, where this stuff goes on. And it’s really a shame because the potential of the league is just so tremendous.
“Anyway, I have no control over it. We’re just trying to beat Miami (Ohio).”
Nice save.
But it’s pretty clear that Pinkel is voicing the displeasure that certainly most other -- if not all -- Big 12 members feel: that commissioner Dan Beebe catered to Texas’ desire to start the Longhorn Network last summer and the Big 12 is getting weaker by the year because of it.
Interestingly enough, Missouri athletic director Mike Alden, the man who claims Mizzou is committed to the Big 12, had this to say about the LHN:
“I think what it means for us, it means we have to continue to find ways to deliver our product.”
I agree; Texas is in no way at fault for starting the LHN. UT has developed their brand into arguably the strongest in college football. Finding ways to monetize it* is called capitalism**.
(*note: although, in fairness, maybe the LHN should pick up some major carriers first...)
(**note: keeping the profits from the players who help bring it in is the greedy part, but that’s another topic for another day)
Beebe made a choice last year to give UT what they wanted because the Big 12 is only as strong as Texas and Oklahoma want it to be. While a potential departure by Missouri would be another devastating blow, the Big 12 can survive as long as Texas and Oklahoma are members.
The conference won’t be as strong or as deep barring some seriously upgraded additions, but it can survive.
Even if the other members don’t like it.
(Big Thanks: Columbia Tribune)