Bye Bye Birdie.

This week the Cyclones have a bye.   I was thinking, “Wow, this is great we get a week off to tune up before our game with the Darth Vader of the Big XII – Texas.”  But, then I checked Texas’ schedule and they have a bye this week as well.   So, they too get a chance to rest the wounded and have a chance to watch plenty of game film to defend Iowa State’s juco transfer standout quarterback, Steele Jantz.  No football this Saturday, whatever is a man to do? 

The Big East:  So after an Iowa State win over U Conn last weekend it was rumored that ISU was lobbying to get into the Big East.   Which all sounded great until Pittsburgh and Syracuse announced they were leaving for the ACC.   This is the equivalent of Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big XII.   Texas and Oklahoma Board of Regents met on Monday and gave both schools approval to begin looking for a new conference. So it would appear — as I predicted —- that the Big XII is a lame duck conference.  The Big XII and the Big East are looking like a couple of house parties that have run out of beer.   Everyone is either looking to hook up with the best available suitor or move on to the most attractive night club.  The Pittsburgh and Syracuse Ruse came out of nowhere.   The ACC and the aforementioned schools kept everything extremely quiet.   This absolutely changes the landscape in college football once again.  Expect Oklahoma to announce their departure from the Big XII before month-end, with Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and possibly Texas to follow.   Rumor has it the Pac 12 already has the plan laid out for a nice little 16-team conference in the west.  

So it looks like 4 super conferences are shaping up.   The SEC, the Big 10, and the PAC 12 have secured their positions as three of the elite football conferences.   With the Pitt and Syracuse move to the ACC, it appears the ACC becomes the fourth major football conference.   Kudos to Jamie Pollard for trying to be proactive and go after the Big East.   But, expect U Conn and Rutgers to exit the Big East for the ACC in the coming weeks.   I would predict that West Virginia most likely has a home in the SEC when Texas A&M leaves after Dan Beebe (Big XII Commission) turns off the Big XII Beer Sign.   Look for the Big East and the Big XII to form some sort of revised Midwest combination.   This may be good for Iowa State.   The Big East and the Big XII both have BCS rights, however let me pour a glass of reality on the situation.   As things change the BCS rights are in jeopardy, big time, for two reasons.   First, the teams left do not hold or provide enough TV appeal without the cornerstone teams.   And secondly, which I believe is just as important, this whole shake-up is due to the demand for a  playoff system in college football to determine a clear-cut champion at the end of the year.   Four conferences sets up very nicely for a playoff scenario.  Five or six conferences makes it messy.   Anyway you shake this basket, Iowa State ends up in a smaller, weaker conference and very likely becomes a mid-major school.  

Keep an eye on a couple of schools.   First Notre Dame.   Notre Dame was notably upset with the departure of Pitt and Syracuse.   I’m sure they thought they could slide into the Big East for football anytime they wanted, because they are part of the Big East in basketball.   This changes things and changes things dramatically.  Notre Dame has been sitting on the side, because just like Texas they don’t want to share their television revenues.   If they join a conference (other than the Big XII) they would have to share that television revenue equally — something neither team wants to do unless forced.   Here is the funny thing, it appears Texas is willing to make concessions to the Pac 12, but on the other hand, is lobbying to keep the Big XII together.   Their was talk of Texas going independent, but the major talk is for Texas to join the Pac 12.   It is believed that Texas can make the rules up as they go in the Pac 12.  However, they are playing with the entire cheerleading squad and also flirting with the ACC.   Texas realizes if they go independent, they most likely forego any shot at a National Championship in the future.   This is why I believe Notre Dame will be forced to pony up and decide to go steady with one of the major conferences.   Don’t be surprised if Notre Dame joins the SEC and really shakes up the landscape.   Geography means nothing in this discussion.  Plenty more to come with this story.  

Zane Brugenhemke, Iowa State student and Cyclone Mascot, broke his arm after falling down the steps at Rentschler Field during Iowa State's 24-20 victory against Connecticut on Friday.   How exactly Brugenhemke fell is what is in dispute. One account says that Brugenhemke, in the costume, tripped and fell, breaking both bones in his left forearm. Another account claims he was pushed by a UConn fan after getting hit in the face by his wing.   Maybe Zane can return the favor with a different kind of bird. I’m out until next week.