The Big 12 Conference settled with both Nebraska and Colorado on the penalties each school will pay for moving on to the Big Ten and Pac-10, respectively. For Nebraska the cost was $9.255 million, and Colorado will pay $6.863 million. The settlement avoids a lengthy legal process and allows all three conferences to move forward with what could certainly have been a messy divorce.
Some people have complained that the two schools got off relatively easy, especially since Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe had suggested earlier that the league was looking for between $14 and $16 million apiece. But I'd say it's more of a "Don't go away mad, just go away" kind of situation. Cash-starved Colorado had already called Beebe's bluff by indicating it was prepared to stay until 2012 -- meaning the 2011 football season would move ahead with 11 teams. Clearly, the Big 12 had no interest in that -- and never did. For the Cornhuskers to get off at less than $10 million is certainly interesting. Why so low?
For starters, in any legal showdown Nebraska would have pointed directly to Colorado's decision to leave -- made before Nebraska's -- and the Pac-10 commissioner's subsequent whirlwind tour throughout the South Division as indicative of what was believed at the time to be the imminent collapse of the Big 12. "Why should we pay for looking out for our best interests in a crisis?" it would argue. Additionally, Nebraska would have argued that its departure, in fact, caused no damage because the conference stayed together -- and from all that Beebe himself has said, should actually make MORE money than before. A pretty good argument.
The Big 12, of course, had the agreed-upon bylaws outlined at the conference's founding on its side. But Nebraska and Colorado -- if pushed into a nasty legal wrangling -- would have almost certainly have subpoenaed and deposed anyone and everyone they could. On the list would be each of Big 12 presidents and athletic directors, Beebe and even Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott (maybe the SEC commissioner as well) to reveal all of the options and decisions that were discussed and on the table behind the scenes at the time when these two schools decided to leave. This action would have pulled back the curtain on the Big 12's darkest hour. Again, the conference and Beebe had zero interest in this kind of scenario. Advantage: Nebraska and Colorado.
Sure, it would have been interesting to know exactly what the heck happened this past June, but I'm sure there will be a book or two down the road, and someone will make some dough that way. But I can't blame anyone in these circumstances for keeping their own secrets.
At this point, it's all speculation about what would have happened in an arbitration or a courtroom setting, with just one certainty: A bunch of lawyers would have made A LOT of money. So we've avoided all that. And isn't that just fine?
Week 4
Central Florida at Kansas State -- 11:30 a.m. CT Saturday -- FSN -- This game is actually pretty good on paper. The Knights should give the 'Cats some trouble, even in Manhattan. We can expect a strong dose of Daniel Thomas because, well, that's what K-State does well. It'll be smash-mouth football on that side of the ball. But Central Florida is a lot like a Fresno State -- they're not afraid to travel anywhere to play anyone. Bill Snyder's boys had better be ready for this one.
Miami (Ohio) at Missouri -- 1 p.m. CT Saturday -- No TV (Doh!) -- Mizzou fans have every right to be ticked that this one's a radio-only broadcast, especially when New Mexico State at Kansas gets coverage on FCS. It's enough to make you want to start talking about the Big Ten ... again. The Tigers dodged a major bullet last week against San Diego State against an underrated nonconference opponent. Here ,again, is an underrated nonconference opponent. The Redhawks gave the Florida Gators all they wanted in the season opener. I doubt Gary Pinkel will let his squad overlook this team. It would be good to see a running back finally step up for Missouri before the conference slate kicks in against Colorado on Oct. 9. But last week's hero T.J. Moe is beginning to lok like a star.
UCLA at Texas -- 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday -- ABC -- Texas battles the Bruins after subduing Texas Tech in prime time last weekend with a less-than-stellar offensive performance. The Longhorns are still a hard one to figure out, but they still could be playing possum in this matchup with Oklahoma looming next weekend. Talent-wise, Texas should be able to deal with UCLA without sacrificing too much of Mack Brown's playbook. But Rick Neuheisel's bunch learned an important lesson last weekend against Houston: Knock out the quarterback and things get a lot easier. More than likely, Texas' offensive line received a reminder of this principle during practice this week.
Oklahoma at Cincinnati -- 5 p.m. CT Saturday -- ESPN2 -- At the beginning of the season, this was certainly a marquee matchup. But Cincinnati's early implosion ( a 1-2 record with losses to Fresno State and N.C. State) has already dulled the luster. It'll be harder for the Sooners to get caught looking ahead to Texas since this game is on the road at Paul Brown Stadium, home of the NFL's Bengals. But Oklahoma has definitely struggled in games in which it should have rolled. Bob Stoops' crew needs performance more like that against Florida State than Utah State or Air Force. Otherwise, the Sooners head to the Cotton Bowl with serious questions.
New Mexico State at Kansas -- 6 p.m. Saturday -- FCS -- Just what the doctor ordered for Turner Gill & Co. The Aggies are pretty bad. And Kansas needs to work on A LOT before opening its Big 12 schedule at Baylor next weekend. This is a confidence-builder if things go well -- as they should. If it turns into any kind of close game, the 2010 campaign looks incredibly long for the Jayhawks.
South Dakota State at Nebraska -- 6 p.m. Saturday -- FSN PPV -- Oh my. After throttling Washington last week, this is the Cornhuskers' reward. Anything less than a 40- or 50-point win could probably cost Nebraska a spot in the poll. Even if everyone plays, this shouldn't be a problem. Bonus point: where is South Dakota State located? If you said Brookings -- you either looked it up or you're a liar.
Northern Iowa at Iowa State -- 6 p.m. Saturday -- No TV -- After losing two in a row, the Cyclones het another in-state rival, albeit from the FCS. Here again, Iowa State had better be prepared and focused, because the Panthers are simply not intimidated by their bigger bretheren -- see Iowa game last season. Things simply will not get any less difficult in Ames than this game -- Texas Tech, Utah, Oklahoma and Texas are the next four opponents for Paul Rhoads' team. Yowsa.
Baylor at Rice -- 7 p.m. CT Saturday -- CBS College Sports -- An absolute must-win for the Bears. After last weekend's destruction by TCU, Baylor has a chance to get back on track in pursuit of a bowl bid. Rice offers nothing particularly spectacular, but the Owls will fight hard for yards and for respect. This will be a good opportunity for Art Briles and Robert Griffin to prove that the Bears have moved forward with their program -- convincing both players and fans alike that Baylor is on the cusp of something unfamiliar: success.
Enjoy!
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