Texas vs Texas A&M: What a Shame . . .

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DL65

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the storied and 3rd longest running rivalry in Division One football is drawing to a close tonight. Tradition is a big part of college football, but I guess money and/or arrogance means more. The fans and the longstanding rivalries have not been considered by the schools that sought new conference play. Yes, that includes Nebraska and their departure to the Big 10. Missouri's long time rivalry (one of the nation's longest) with Kansas will also end with the Tigers departure to the SEC. An old adage comes to mind: "Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it." I believe they'll miss the rivalries, in many ways, and it's doubtful that they'll develop new rivalries, at least not overnight. It takes time, history, and shared experiences (upsets, great victories and disappointing losses) before rivalries are developed. IMHO, they'll lose a lot more then they'll gain with their moves. Maybe they'll be playing for some meaningful trophy, ala The Governors Bell, that will smooth their transition.

Go Gophers!!
 

I don't know what it is about Texas A&M but their fans (in particular their "yell leaders") creep me out
 


I agree with DL65 - I think it's a stupid and shortsighted move for A&M & Mizzou to go to the SEC. It shows that the schools really care ONLY about money. Why else would they give up the rivalries and all that? They can say they want more stability, but I don't think 14-16 teams is real stable - that's just a loose collection of teams now, not much of a conference. Super-conference? Super-crappy, if you ask me. I sincerely hope the B1G never adds another member.

I can't imagine ditching Iowa or Wisconsin, I would rather stay in a less prestigious conference with them then leave them behind to go to a supposedly better conf. Thankfully, we won't have to make that decision as we're already in the best conference in the country.
 

You can bet that the SEC has been working their asses off to land Oklahoma too... and they still are. This is why the fate of Missouri and West Virginia was in limbo for so long. A lot happens that doesn't intentionally get leaked to the media.
 


B1G got the ball rolling

The Big 10 is not exempt from this. Arguments could be made that the Big 10 started this revolution. I don't think the Big 10 has been badgering Notre Dame for years to join the club because of their academic prestige. It means more money.
The Big 10 Network is a mixed bag for me. I enjoy being able to catch all of the games, but other than a few exceptions, their other programming leaves a lot to be desired.
Finally, I think the Big 10 Network is a big reason for the WCHA hockey demise. I'm not a crazy hockey fan, but I love the WCHA matchups with North Dakota, UMD, and St. Cloud St. in particular. Overall, I'm not crazy about this move for Gopher hockey.
So, while I don't like many of these conference realignments, it's hard to bitch and moan when our conference is no better.
 

Mizzou would have much preferred the Big10 but got no love. SEC for all its faults looks much more stable than Big12 so it is hard to blame Mizzou for jumping ship. Ta&m justs wants to get away from Big Brother and so said 'screw it' to the rivalry, frankly I think it was at best a lateral move for Ta&m. But with these rivalries biting the dust it just adds a little more luster to the remaining long running rivalries, like the battle for the Axe. All things related to college football must be viewed through the 'How does this affect the Gophers?' viewpoint; nothing else matters.
 

CWCWCW said:
Finally, I think the Big 10 Network is a big reason for the WCHA hockey demise. I'm not a crazy hockey fan, but I love the WCHA matchups with North Dakota, UMD, and St. Cloud St. in particular. Overall, I'm not crazy about this move for Gopher hockey.
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Yep. I hate the move for the reasons you give. It's sad, (CW)ᶟ.
 

And the 2nd-longest series in CFB (Mizzou-Kansas) ends today as well. Minnesota-Wisconsin will be the longest series after next year's Axe in Madison.

You can thank the red skunk to the east for the B1G hockey conference. Like you, I think that it's a huge mistake for college hockey.
 



DL65 said:
the storied and 3rd longest running rivalry in Division One football is drawing to a close tonight. Tradition is a big part of college football, but I guess money and/or arrogance means more. The fans and the longstanding rivalries have not been considered by the schools that sought new conference play. Yes, that includes Nebraska and their departure to the Big 10. Missouri's long time rivalry (one of the nation's longest) with Kansas will also end with the Tigers departure to the SEC. An old adage comes to mind: "Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it." I believe they'll miss the rivalries, in many ways, and it's doubtful that they'll develop new rivalries, at least not overnight. It takes time, history, and shared experiences (upsets, great victories and disappointing losses) before rivalries are developed. IMHO, they'll lose a lot more then they'll gain with their moves. Maybe they'll be playing for some meaningful trophy, ala The Governors Bell, that will smooth their transition.


Go Gophers!!
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Agree completely. It is shame to be losing their regional rivals, plus they will be chopped liver in the SEC. As the saying goes: What were they thinking?
 

GopherRock said:
And the 2nd-longest series in CFB (Mizzou-Kansas) ends today as well. Minnesota-Wisconsin will be the longest series after next year's Axe in Madison.
Click to expand...

That rivalry just isn't a football/university rivalry. It goes back to before the civil war when Missouri's "slavers" burnt down Lawrence. It has more history behind it than any other rivalry. Really sad.
 

Not wanting to turn this thread into discussions related to hockey; however, I wouldn't blame Wisconsin for the new Big 10 Hockey Conference at the expense of the WCHA. For years, Michigan and Michigan State were in the WCHA with MInnesota and Wisconsin, et al. Then, for whatever reason (travel??) they joined the CCHA. Because of the advent of hockey programs at Ohio State and recrently Penn State, I believe it was only a matter of time that a Big 10 Hockey Conference would be established (still only half of the conerence schools field men's hockey), at the expense of longstanding rivalries and fan interest.

In any case, another longstanding football rivalry came to an end last night - Pittsburgh and West Virginia (two schools only a few short miles apart). Somehow playing Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, etc. won't hold the same flavor as the "Backyard Brawl." And, of course, how many Mountaineer fans will travel to the Great Plains states, as opposed to the short trek to Pittsburgh?

Go Gophers!!
 

Golden Elephant said:
I agree with DL65 - I think it's a stupid and shortsighted move for A&M & Mizzou to go to the SEC. It shows that the schools really care ONLY about money. Why else would they give up the rivalries and all that? They can say they want more stability, but I don't think 14-16 teams is real stable - that's just a loose collection of teams now, not much of a conference. Super-conference? Super-crappy, if you ask me. I sincerely hope the B1G never adds another member.

I can't imagine ditching Iowa or Wisconsin, I would rather stay in a less prestigious conference with them then leave them behind to go to a supposedly better conf. Thankfully, we won't have to make that decision as we're already in the best conference in the country.
Click to expand...

Problem is the schools, MN included, need the money
 



Iowa still plays Iowa State, Florida still plays Florida State, Utah still plays Brigham Young, and USC, Stanford, and a trio of BIG schools still play Notre Dame. These are all rivalry games that have survived conference expansions. There may be others. I see no reason the Missouri-Kansas and Texas-Texas A&M games can't still be played if the schools actually want to continue their rivalries.
 

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