Not just their offensive line, their defensive line as well. They only return Binns and lose 2 linebackers, including Hunter. I believe they also lost Tyler Sash, who was their QB on defense in the back 7 last year. Stanzi is a big loss as well, and although I like James Vandy's potential at QB, he ain't no Ricky Stanzi (although he only really came into his own his senior year). Ferentz always coaches up the o-line well, though. I also do not like their depth at tailback. They have some good wideouts (really looking forward to see Keenan Davis) and they have that young Tight End that came in as a freshman last year with a lot of hype.

Well, interestingly, right after the Pac-12 changed its revenue-sharing policy, the Big 12 changed theirs, so it used to be somewhat shared but based on tv appearances, but now all revenues are shared equally. If our tv deals went under $170 million (which they won't since Scott just inked a pretty sweet deal for us), then UCLA and USC would have gotten $2 million additional.

I think Texas would balk at losing that LHN which wouldn't fly in the Pac-12. I mean, if USC couldn't make that happen (though they'd probably love to), Texas isn't going to make it happen in this conference. I doubt they would give up the LHN to join our conference at this point and I can't see USC specifically being willing to let Texas rule the roost in the Pac-12 the way they have in the Big 12. The phrase, "this town ain't big enough for the two of us" comes to mind. :).

I'm not against the 4 super conference really - I think that would lead to a play off system which I would LOVE.

I don't know how everyone else feels about this, but I still do not see how TCU is a good fit for the Big East-geographically speaking. Quite a travel from Pittsburgh to Fort Worth for a conference game, eh?

Apparently Miami is about the best argument for a college football death penalty revival these days. Yahoo Sports deserves a Pulitzer. For sports news, be warned, this ain't light reading.

http://sports.yahoo.com/investigatio...enefits_081611

Thanks for posting this.

TCU alum, here.

Yes, that was a common theme back when the conference change was announced, and I do agree that is seems odd at first. However, the crazy thing is that TCU's travel *decreases* with the move to the Big East. Most (all?) the schools in the Big East are a direct flight from DFW, so the team is there in a few hours, max. Many of the teams in the Mountain West were not direct flights, and were 2 time zones removed from Fort Worth. Therefore, the travel was horrendous- sometime feeling like an entire day to get home. This negatively impacted not only the student athlete's time but also the alumnae travel.

Therefore, the travel to Pittsburgh, as per your example, is far more appealing to us that traveling to Laramie or Provo.

I won't argue that in just simply looking at a map the geography is weird.

Great post! This will certainly help with recruiting and I believe they'll consistently be a favorite to win the conference. This year will be interesting. Defensively, they lost some key guys but also return some key guys like Tank and Brock. Offensively they should be all set in the backfield, and although they lost guys like Johnson, Kerley and Young, I think Boyce is an all-conference talent and Hicks should return to his 2009 form. Pachall was highly recruited and I'm looking forward to see what he can do. The o-line is a question mark with only Dooley coming back. Play some tough games on the road, as well.

Pachall has sat out two days with a sore shoulder and is getting an MRI today. :(

Even since LT graduated, there have been questions as to whether TCU can replace the big names that left. Every single year new guys step up to the plate. You mentioned Tank et. al, who will be back and solid. I just never seem to worry about our defense.

I have expected this year to be a little different offensively, though. Andy Dalton was a 4 year starter, and Pachall is young. Total wild card there. While I hope that we can continue the Top 10 streak/BCS appearances, it would truly be an accomplishment if that happens this year with the young QB. Honestly, I will be very happy with just a solid season.

The schedule is a little odd this year... a couple of non-conf games were dropped when the opponent pulled out, so the replacements are random. Boise was supposed to be a home game, but as soon as TCU announced the Big Eight move, the MWC met and moved the game to Boise. Clearly they want their conference to look good and their teams superior. However, TCU and their fans/alumni have been crying for years for respect. If our team is good, then no probs going up to the silly blue turf and playing our game.

Go Frogs.

So the two big games that we have this year are both away games and not televised. BOO!

ahem

http://smartshopbuy.com/images/Sport...otball-rug.jpg

I don't go to ND, but my school doesn't have a football team and I was born bleeding blue and gold. Dayne Crist is like, pssh. Way too accident prone. I'm glad Michael Floyd is back (and will hopefully stay 'scandal' free this season), because I think he and Rees could be unstoppable. I'm excited for their (now) seasoned offensive line and some good D and I'm ready for coach Kelly to prove that he's worth ALL THIS MONEY that ND is just dousing him with.

I actually think Crist is a pretty darn good player. It'd be helpful if he could actually make it through a full season, though. He's more athletic than people think (4.6 forty). Their front 7 could be very scary, Te'o is a first round talent, Prince Shembo showed promise and Aaron Lynch is an absolute beast. Ishaq Williams and Stephon Tuitt were five star recruits and are very talented. I think Kelly was a great hire. I wish Auburn turned up the heat on Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt when they recruited them (considering they are both from nearby: Tuitt-GA and Lynch-FL). Davaris Daniels is another freshman I like and I also wish AU gave him a stronger look. Perhaps this is the year they can finally live up to the hype. College Football is better when teams like Notre Dame, Michigan who have struggled for the last few years, are good. I think Brady Hoke will turn around UM as well, although it will likely take 2 years or so.

As far as Auburn is concerned, the campus is buzzing over the news that Trotter just got named the starter-there's a lot of debate too. You really can't go to lunch or into a classroom without a bunch of people talking about it. I think BT is a good choice. He's been in Gus' system for 3 years, and everything he has said indicates that BT knows the offense like the back of his hand. Clint Moseley will make for a pretty good backup. He doesn't go for the homerun all the time, but he takes what the defense gives him and makes the short, safe 6 yard completions (but at some point when it's 3rd and long you need a guy that can make reads farther downfield). I really hope Kiehl Frazier gets some playing time this year. He's a great athlete and was one of the top QB recruits in the 2011 class. Gus is really close with him too. The backfield speaks for itself, and I think people are underestimating our skill position players on the outside: Lutz is reliable and can stretch the field, Blake is solid and Reed looks primed for a big year. The OL is a HUGE question mark, but there is a lot of talent. Moseley and Greene have both started, and guys like Sullen, Mack and Dismukes will need to step up. The DL has a ton of talent, but outside of Nosa and Whitaker and Lemonier-to a degree, are untested. What really hurts is Kris Frost is out for the year.

Major :( that I couldn't go to the first home football game

Massive :D that the game is being broadcast online and on the radio by our student station @ http.kuoi.org

All I have to contribute to this thread:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PIG SOOIEE!

That's it.

Oh, forreal Georgia, your Dawgs needs to bite the ankles of those jackasses from that other school in Idaho, and I don't mean Idaho State University in Pocatello, or Lewis & Clark State College in Lewiston, or BYU-Idaho, but that school where only about 25% graduate in six years. I mean WTF that only 4% of students graduate in four years, but you're winning awards for your athletes graduating? Priorities should be for all students because surprisingly the football team can't exist without the school.

Oh and for the smack talkers who want to call out Idaho for our APR issues and losing a scholarship, we were still having the first year of Coach Akey taking charge factored in. He booted 18 players, many who came from the hot coach messes that preceded him, including Dennis Erickson who wasn't the classiest individual when it came to recruiting scholars & athletes.