Many reports saying TCU invited to Big 12

[DFWJC]

That decision was perplexing, why expand a stadium to 50k when you couldnt sell it out before? They were averging something like 33k fans per game over the last 5 years.

I guess they are assuming an upgrade in competition and entry into a BCS conf. will do the trick. That may have been a prerequisite of them getting into the Big East in the first place.

TCU's relatively small fan base and their attendence track record have to be red flags, imo. I can't believe I read earlier in this thread that someone was trying to compare A&M's program to TCU's. It is not at all comparable.

I'm happy for TCU, but I try to keep it in perspective.

As an ECU undergrad, I know how tough it is for non Q schools to get into a BCS conference. ECU has a much, much larger fan base and routinely sells out a 50k stadium and is near a strong TV market, but they can't seem to get a sniff from the Big East.
They have no shot at the ACC b/c there are too many NC schools there already and my other school (UNC) does not want them....plus they are not good enough academically.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

TV market probably hurts boise state as well.

I think it is sad that a team can go out and put up an impressive record, do all they can do to win the games. But because they have a smaller TV market, because they might be in area that has a smaller base of fans so a smaller stadium...that another conference would look down on them or not let them in.

College football is too much about money and not enough about playing football.

Which makes it even worse when they put in so many rules about kids not getting money or gifts.

 

[The30YardSlant]

In order to get into some football conferences...teams/schools have to meet certain criteria which sometimes includes upgrading stadiums (more seating) and other things.

I would hope that major confences would consider attendence before automatically handing out invites based on facilities. A massive stadium doesnt mean much if it's half full. The only time Amon Carter is going to sell out is when OU or Texas come to town, and only then because those fanbases will bring 20k+ of their own fans. It's very comparable to the situations at Baylor and Kansas, decent sized stadiums that are only close to full once or twice a year because of opposing fans buying half the tickets.

 

[YosemiteSam]

That decision was perplexing, why expand a stadium to 50k when you couldnt sell it out before? They were averging something like 33k fans per game over the last 5 years.

Not perplexing at all. They did it because they wanted to join an AQ conference. What should be incredibly perplexing is the fact that TCU only has 8k students and yet the pull in 33k fans per game.

This is only going to rise with them joining the Big 12 for several reasons. First being that now Texas, Tech, OU, OSU, and all the other Big 12 schools will be coming to Fort Worth to play. Those teams will draw big crouds too. Especially because now you will get fans of the other team here.

Remember, TCU was mostly playing against schools that were located a long way from Fort Worth. That will now change. More opposing fans are closer TCU and the fact that TCU will plan more teams that are closer to Ft Worth, they too will garner more fans at opponents games. That will raise TCU's fan base even larger throughout Texas.

Without question, it was the right thing to do.

 

[The30YardSlant]

TCU's relatively small fan base and their attendence track record have to be red flags, imo. I can't believe I read earlier in this thread that someone was trying to compare A&M's program to TCU's. It is not at all comparable.

I'm happy for TCU, but I try to keep it in perspective.

It's just ESPN grinding their LHN axe again, nothing more.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Not perplexing at all. They did it because they wanted to join an AQ conference. What should be incredibly perplexing is the fact that TCU only has 8k students and yet the pull in 33k fans per game.

This is only going to rise with them joining the Big 12 for several reasons. First being that now Texas, Tech, OU, OSU, and all the other Big 12 schools will be coming to Fort Worth to play. Those teams will draw big crouds too. Especially because now you will get fans of the other team here.

Remember, TCU was mostly playing against schools that were located a long way from Fort Worth. That will now change. More opposing fans are closer TCU and the fact that TCU will plan more teams that are closer to Ft Worth, they too will garner more fans at opponents games. That will raise TCU's fan base even larger throughout Texas.

Without question, it was the right thing to do.

Again, having a big stadium means nothing if there are 15k empty seats

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think this is true. However, I don't think it's a given that Texas does continue to schedule TAMU. Lets face it, TAMU is not doing Texas or the Big 12 any favors by bailing on them.

You're one of my favorites, ABQ, but it's too ironic and funny to think of the University of Texas punishing someone else for doing what's best for themselves and not the group as a whole.

 

[YosemiteSam]

As an ECU undergrad, I know how tough it is for non Q schools to get into a BCS conference. ECU has a much, much larger fan base and routinely sells out a 50k stadium and is near a strong TV market, but they can't seem to get a sniff from the Big East.

What year? My nephew played for ECU Pirates. Though he transferred to South Florida with Slip Holtz due to the incoming coach's offensive philosophies. (ie, the spread offense)

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The point is that Boise State may not get to BCS games regularly if they werent in mid-major conferences. In fact, if they are in the same conference as Texas and OU, I can gurantee you that they won't. Sure, they'll compete and finish ahead of the crap schools like Iowa State, Kansas, Baylor and Kansas State most years, but they won't live up to their mid-major accomplishments.

Perhaps, but they might. I think that we can absolutely say that they have a better chance of winning the Big 12 North and getting a bid, even if they may not win the Big 12 title then does TAMU winning the Western Conference of the SEC and getting a BCS bid. I just don't see how Boise State could not be a better option for the Big 12 at this point. The schools that you are referring to as crap schools are not in a very different situation then is TAMU in the SEC IMO. If indeed you are going to the Western Division, you have Bama, Auburn and LSU to contend with every year. TAMU is going to have to up their game considerably if they have any hope of winning this division, much less the SEC outright.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Again, having a big stadium means nothing if there are 15k empty seats

Did you not read the post and just respond?

I gave you several reason why it makes perfect sense.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Perhaps, but they might. I think that we can absolutely say that they have a better chance of winning the Big 12 North and getting a bid, even if they may not win the Big 12 title then does TAMU winning the Western Conference of the SEC and getting a BCS bid. I just don't see how Boise State could not be a better option for the Big 12 at this point. The schools that you are referring to as crap schools are not in a very different situation then is TAMU in the SEC IMO. If indeed you are going to the Western Division, you have Bama, Auburn and LSU to contend with every year. TAMU is going to have to up their game considerably if they have any hope of winning this division, much less the SEC outright.

But they won't, its best if we stop trying to act like this is even a remote possibility. They do not have one single advantage over schools like Missouri and Tech, let alone Texas and OU. They cannot compete with those two programs anymore than TCU will on a consistent basis.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

In all fairness, I'm not so sure conferences are banking on the current BCS system remaining in place beyond 5 years or so. I really don't think they are making choices with that as a big priority. For that matter, putting BSU in the Big 12 reduces their chance of getting in to BCS game going forward anyway.....imo only.

As I've already said a few times; unless this is a football-only arrangement (which it is not) then many, many other things are under consideration.

You may be right on the BCS thing. It may not be here in 5 years but we have no other alternative at this point so I think you move forward based on what you know and not what there is no plan for.

With regards to hurting their chances more by going to the Big 12, that I do not agree with. The Big 12 is a BCS conference and if you believe that you are one of the top programs in the country, then you want to be in a BCS affiliated conference. Right now, BSU is in the Mountain West and that is not a BCS conference. That's a problem for them.

 

[YosemiteSam]

But they won't, its best if we stop trying to act like this is even a remote possibility. They do not have one single advantage over schools like Missouri and Tech, let alone Texas and OU. They cannot compete with those two programs anymore than TCU will on a consistent basis.

You say you "got what you wanted" in going to the SEC, yet you are angry at everyone else. Bash the Big 12, say they are going to fail. Other teams looking to join suck and are unworthy. Why are you so worried about it?

 

[The30YardSlant]

Did you not read the post and just respond?

I gave you several reason why it makes perfect sense.

Baylor has a larger student body, larger alumni base, been in a major conference for most of their existence, plays schools relatively close to them week in and week out and over the last 15 years they have had two sell outs and average 40k a game. Your reasons don't hold up when compared to similar situations in college football. TCU's attendence is not going to skyrocket because they go to the Big XII, they'll get a nice attendence figure every eyar because of OU or Texas, but they won't get more than their usual 30-40k for ISU, KU, KSU, etc.

 

[The30YardSlant]

You say you "got what you wanted" in going to the SEC, yet you are angry at everyone else. Bash the Big 12, say they are going to fail. Other teams looking to join suck and are unworthy. Why are you so worried about it?

Who's said I'm angry? I'm pointing out a relatively obvious issue, that Boise State and TCU can't compete with OU and Texas.

And the Big XII's future is independent of the mid-major teams they have, it is entirely dependent on Texas and their relationship with OU.

 

[YosemiteSam]

btw, TCU and BSU both average the same attendance as Cincinnati and Cincinnati doesn't seem to sell out there stadium either. (which is smaller than TCU's even BEFORE the upgrade.

Miami doesn't sellout either. Though they do get 45k fans per game. Of course, 45k won't sellout TCU stadium. Does Miami suck and should they be kicked to the curb? Say sent to the Mountain West were nobody sells out?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Who's said I'm angry? I'm pointing out a relatively obvious issue, that Boise State and TCU can't compete with OU and Texas.

And the Big XII's future is independent of the mid-major teams they have, it is entirely dependent on Texas and their relationship with OU.

No, you are straight up hating in this thread.

 

[The30YardSlant]

btw, TCU and BSU both average the same attendance as Cincinnati and Cincinnati doesn't seem to sell out there stadium either. (which is smaller than TCU's even BEFORE the upgrade.

What does that have to do with anything? Congrats on adding a program with identical fan support to that seen at Cincinnatti?

Miami doesn't sellout either. Though they do get 45k fans per game. Of course, 45k won't sellout TCU stadium. Does Miami suck and should they be kicked to the curb? Say sent to the Mountain West were nobody sells out?

Miami is a very special exception, they have a unique situation among college football programs. They are a small private school (in a prime location though, unlike TCU) who had all the cards fall right in the 80s, won BIG in a major conference and play all their games in a 70k plus seat professional stadium where they couldnt sell out if every living alumni came to every game. Comparing them to TCU or Boise in a vacuum is ludicrous to put it politely.

 

[YosemiteSam]

They are a small private school (in a prime location though, unlike TCU)

What? Dallas / Fort Worth area in not a prime location? Let me guess. College Station is right?

 

[The30YardSlant]

What? Dallas / Fort Worth area in not a prime location? Let me guess. College Station is right?

The private school is the issue, and no, Fort Worth is not Miami beach.