What could happen when you combine two former presidents of the United States and a former Independent Council who single-handedly took on another former president?
The end of Bedlam in the Big 12.
Kenneth Starr, who is most widely known as a special prosecutor while Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office, became President of Baylor University June 1. He is joining forces with former presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, along with other Lone Star State power brokers, to put a Texas-sized squeeze on the Pac-10 to invite Baylor to join the rumored new Pac-16 Conference.
That could leave Oklahoma State firing blanks into the Pacific Ocean.
Or it could mean Colorado has not a snowball's chance in the Arizona desert of being invited to the Pac-16.
Last Saturday, Starr, one day after the Big 12 spring meeting concluded amidst rumor and unease, shot off this letter to Baylor faithful:
"The spring meetings of the Big 12 Conference have just concluded. The media attention that has focused on the potential for conference realignment has made these meetings especially lively and, at times, challenging.
"Ian McCaw, our athletic director, and I have been extremely active participants in these meetings, working hard to represent Baylor's best interests. While I have little specific to report, I can tell you that at this time we are encouraged by the way the process is unfolding.
"Ian and I have made our case clear: Baylor emphatically supports the Big 12 Conference and wants to see it prosper. In particular, we appreciate our fellow Texas institutions in the Big 12 and the special rivalries that entertain our state and energize our alumni.
"We are aware of the intense speculation surrounding the possible expansion of other conferences. We remain hopeful that the Big 12 will remain intact and continue to be one of the nation's foremost athletic conferences.
"Of course, we are immensely proud of our standing--both athletic and academic--in the Big 12. In the last seven years alone we have won a combined 28 Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships, positioning us third behind Texas (55) and Texas A&M (30). The academic quality of our students also sets Baylor apart. In the most recent edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S.News & World Report, Baylor is ranked fourth in the Big 12.
"Be assured that we are committed to doing everything in our power to promote and defend the best interests of Baylor University as these discussions continue in the days ahead."
At a Monday press conference, Starr reiterated his hope that the Big 12 would stay together--while fawning over The University of Texas.
Starr went after former president Clinton with tenacity seemingly never before seen by a special prosecutor. He found a sitting president with an Achilles' heel located in his groin. Garnering Baylor a spot in the Pac-16 with its Texas allies, plus Oklahoma, seems, well, like small potatoes in comparison.
Colorado or Oklahoma State will be left on the outside, looking in. If it's Oklahoma State, Bedlam will survive, but not in the body of the Big 12.
You might be interested in:
- College Football Examiner: Nebraska headed to Big Ten by this Friday?
- Oklahoma Sooners Examiner: Stoops, Coale, Galloway weigh in on realignment
- All college football worships the money, and nobody is about to become an athiest
Comments
There is no way that Baylor should be able to beat out Oklahoma State for a Pac 16 bid. As far as I am concerned Baylor and Colorado are the same team on the field. This entire expansion is about football and money. Oklahoma State has a far superior product on the field. The Cowboys, Longhorns, Sooners, Aggies, and Red Raiders should all be going way ahead of the doormat that is Baylor.
Here I am building a Pac-16 facebook fan page when the news breaks. I guess the pairing was too good to be true and probably for the best that OU and Texas keep the Big 12 alive.
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