Thanks for ehhh saying what I was saying

To quote:

"I agree with that sentiment Ex-greek, but why does it have to be either/or?"

To answer:

Because athletics are a big business for the top conferences and schools. They bring in lots of money. The bring in lots of donations from alumni. They get the university name on TV and in the newspapers.

Because a lot of folks only go to college because they pretty much have to at least make a token appearance in school before moving on to the pros.

I am NOT making a sweeping generalization that all jocks are dumb. There are Rhodes Scholars and many bright and talented athletes. The recently deceased Byron "Wizzer" White, former US Supreme Court justice was an All American at Colorado. And there are some who are dumber than a brick and only make it into college because of their athletic skills. The big time colleges and conferences will do just about anything (sometimes even "extralegal things) for the big names.

Most of the Ivy League schools, and many other "highly selective" colleges have gone to a system of giving scholarships only on a "need" basis and not talent or academic merit.

Except for athletic scholarships. They all give those. Who runs those schools, the administration or the NCAA?

Sorry, I like college sports as well as anyone -- and made part of my living televising them for many years -- but there's something wrong with that in the overall scheme of things.

That's why I like the smaller schools and conferences. They seem so much closer to the ideals of athletics and so much less "professional."

It's all about the Big 10 (11)!

Second fave is the Big East

Yea Big Ten!

actually the big 12 can compete in almost anything. for instance, nebraska baseball went to the college world series last year and have been ranked high this year. our volleyball team is always a national contender, and i cant remember all what the other schools can do.

ACK! Basically half of the Big 12 in a good year could be contenders for a title in Football (when their stars are in proper alignment, etc.)

We're going to have one of those seasons this year I think where at the end you have to ask yourself which 2 Big XII teams deserve to be in the championship game the most :D

I only really pay attention to football...

Yeah lets uhhh conviently leave out the fact that there were no big 12 teams in the finals in basketball and Colorado and Nebraska got absolutly humiliated in the top 2 bowls in college football this past season.;)

Yeah, Nebraska probably didn't belong in that top game... But how many other conferences could claim the same number of people that even made it to top bowl games? Oh.. I thought so.

As for basketball... I don't think there was another conference that fielded TWO teams in the final 4. SEC? Nope.... Pac 10? Nope...

There were good individual teams in those other conferences but we're not talking about individuals. This is a conference discussion.

ill argee, nebraska didnt deserve to be in that game, and i knew they had no chance against miami. i think oregon wouldve played better and deserved to be there more. the reason nebraska didnt play well can be sumed up in two words, eric crouch. its so good hes gone now.

Have you heard anything about who Nebraska is starting at QB this year? I hear it's that Lords guy. Haven't heard anything about him though except the same usual hype.

0-2 0-2 0-2, the mac conference could have fared just as well, sorry

yet again 0-2 0-2 0-2 yeah stick fairfield and siena in those slots instead and you get the same record, sorry again. Not trying to rip on you but when it comes to the big 12, I always feel as if they are wasting tv time talking about them. Kansas basketball is a perenial example of this.

Hey ktsnake...

You should be pleased to hear then that Football Digest in it's most recent issue, pickes Oklahoma and Texas #1 and #2, especially since Oklahoma does not play Nebraska this year, and Colorado comes to Norman. The Oklahoma/Texas game in Dallas is supposed to be the game of the year this year. It will be interesting how Chris Simms handles the pressure without Major Applewhite there...

Because I have a strong regional bias, I'm going to say SEC all the way! Goooo Gators!

But, I do agree with what DeltAlum said about the service academy teams. So much of what goes on in college athletics is corporatized, so the kids aren't playing "for the love of the game" anymore. When you have football coaches making more than the college president (as is what Steve Spurrier did throughout his reign--not including endorsements!), you know something's up. Which is why I enjoy Ivy League games. In fact, the Ivy League was founded as an athletic conference in the 50's to ensure amateurism in athletic competitions. Schools which give hopped-up aid packages to recruited athletes can get nasty NCAA sanctions, as what happened to Brown last year. It's different from what I'm used to during the Gators' glory days.

But it's certainly refreshing.

I'm actually really looking forward to that. I got to go to the game last year. Hopefully will get to go this year also. Not to offend TX fans but Mr. Simms seems VERY overrated. I can't think of any good team he actually performed well against.... (last year's OU TX game he scored more for OU on interception passes than he did all game)... They would have won the Big 12 if they'd have put in Applewhite for the whole game.

If he hasn't changed any from his old self it really won't be that much of a game. But if you've never been it's pretty nice. It's at the Cotton Bown during the TX State Fair (the Cotton Bowl is right in the middle of the fairgrounds). Good times.

The MIAA Conference is not in the BIGGIES, But there are some very strong Div II schools here all in teh Ks and Mo. States!

Pittsburg State U. ( My Alma Mater ) and Nw Mo. St. U ( also a school I was Kicked out of ) Will be playing in Arrow Head Stadium in KC Oct. 17 th.

Not to many Even Big Time Schools will play in a venue such as this!

If you check what Conference is in most major school playoffs, the Big 12 Rules!!!!!!

Each conference always has one or two teams that rule and once in a while let tthe other guy slip in as they have a bad year!

If you figure that who the MAJOR TEAMS in a Conference are, then they are semi pro teams for the over priced JOCK STRAPS that play Major League Sports!

My Big Sport is GOLF, The Man/Woman against the elements and themselves only! That and any track and field sport is the thing!