Expansion is stressful… for everyone. ADs especially included.

Bill Byrne, the Texas A&M AD, isn’t immune to this stress and succumb to it and a somehow classy but sloppy way. Byrne received an email from an angry fan telling him he should, and I’m paraphrasing here, “lick a dog’s anus.” I don’t know about you, but that might piss me off. Well, Bill wasn’t too pleased about it and he called the emailer back to have some speaks. Here is that conversation. He’s a direct man, which is why he’s giving out his “direct” line to have a “direct” conversation.

I LOVE FRIDAYS.

Texas shed some light on NCAA athletics the past few weeks, and the picture wasn’t bright. Actually, Texas shed some light on Texas athletics over the past few weeks and THEIR philosophy became clear.

Texas threw around their weight and will benefit by playing hardball. They used the Pac-10 for MAJOR leverage and played their “actual” cards close to their chest. They wanted more money, more specifically a new T.V. deal, and while they don’t have one in stone yet, they will soon. Perhaps even sooner than we think. They might even get their own station, only further lubing the giant engine that could.

The smaller schools who were in serious trouble had the Pac-16 formed, can rest uncomfortably easy. Yes, they stay in the Big 12, (which now has 10 teams), but it comes at a price. Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa State and Missouri agreed to give up their conference buyout payments from both Colorado and Nebraska, and hand them over to Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Texas. They also must endure the embarrassment of being second fiddle, which became painfully obvious here.

This was all about money from the get-go, although commissioner Dan Beebe is putting on his big smile and saying that’s not the case.

“A strong, strong consideration … by the institutions to remain is the association of these schools, the fact that college athletics is very much a regional, regionally supported endeavor, and that it would be a great travesty for this part of this country if it’s major institutions located with conferences that aren’t in this region.”

Regional? This issue was a classic geography lesson, folks. That’s what Beebe says and he’s sticking to it. After all, the man has a job at the end of the day. And if that doesn’t last, (which is very possible), he could be looking for a new job. Perhaps like maintaining the stalls below…

The T.V. deal will come, but all is not right in the Big 12. Kansas and company will remember how they were treated, or should I say mistreated, and will think about these few helpless weeks a lot over the next season. This uneasiness isn’t something that teams, ADs, and other suits will forget, hence Bebee’s job insecurity only weeks after they saved the day.

Texas had control over the entire expansion situations because they wanted more dollars. Their popularity has given them the ability to do just that. The NCAA has basically sat back and allowed teams to control the landscape of the sport so they can net a few more millions. While we won’t debate the control schools could/should have, it is something to note.

In the end, Texas controlled the wheel and they got more money. The smaller schools gave in, and the big-time program prevailed. It’s pretty disgusting when you look back at this entire chain of events. While it’s uncharacteristic to look at a university as a large corporation, I feel that was exactly how this all went down. And after all they are one of the nation’s biggest companies. The only difference, however, is I doubt we will see Bill Self holding a picket sign outside Jayhawk U.

Still, I feel dirty. And it’ll be hard to disassociate Texas from greed going forward. At least they were able to shakedown Colorado and send them packing. I suppose that is worth something. But… (or should I say “butt”)

Do you smell something?

Watching the NCAA Basketball National Championship made me think of many things. While most of them revolved about how much I crave pigskin (like the actual skin of pigs), the other made me think about how badly I hate Duke. I mean I HATE Duke. And I know I’m not alone.

There are thousands, scratch that, MILLIONS of you out there. The funny thing is, we can’t quite put a finger on why we hate them. Coach K’s nerdy ass? BAD pros? Unexciting, sometimes boring basketball? Their female lacrosse cheerleading crew?

The question shouldn’t be why we hate them, because frankly us haters can hate as we please. Instead, I want to know which teams we could possibly hate on or have hated on in the fall – aka college football for you first timers.

I posted this question on Twitter and the responses came flying in. Here’s what Twitter Nation had to say, and some added nuggets from someone who has plenty of hatin’ in his veins.

Notre Dame: This was by far the loudest clamoring on Twitter, and boy oh boy do people hate the Irish. Not the drunk ones that talk funny at the local pub, the ones that are nationally televised and ESPN glorified constantly. I think this alone is enough reason to dislike a team, particularly one that hasn’t won a meaningful bowl game in ages. The problem with comparing Notre Dame and Duke is just that. Duke actually wins, all be it with unathletic white guys. Why I don’t necessary agree that this is the most accurate comparison, I can’t argue with such vocal hating. The Irish are a spectacle, and if you’re not on board with the mediocrity then you’ll likely hate loud and proud.

Ohio State: Sweater vests. Sweater vests, sweater vests, sweater vests. There I’m done. No wait, I can’t finish on that note. Deep breaths. While I could probably include most of the Big 10 in this discussion, Ohio State has the rep. of losing big games, but they do play and win some of them on occasion – ala the Rose Bowl back in January.  The key hating matter for me however, is their coach and their fans. J-Tress as I call him on a personal level just isn’t a likable guy. On top of that, they have a fan base that has a reputation for being d-bags. For anyone that has been around some of their vocal (drunk, obnoxious, arrogant) fans, they know exactly what I’m talking about.

Oklahoma: First and foremost, it’s the visor. Bob Stoops and more specifically his visor antagonize everyone who isn’t a Sooner fan. His overall coaching demeanor doesn’t make up for that obnoxious bullseye on top of his head. Outside of typically winning a ton of regular season games, Oklahoma has been known to choke HUGE. They are also an easy team to hate because they are an absolute powerhouse. Again, it’s hard to pinpoint direct hate beyond this, but many (beyond Big 12 fans) root against them when and whoever they play. Oh, and Jason White was a total boner.

Florida:I don’t personally hate the Gators as much as some of the teams above, but I get why they were a popular choice in this poll. Forget Tebow (and all the different routes haters could go), what about Urban Meyer – perhaps the game’s best coach and public prick. Go back a little further and you’ve got the ol’ ball coach and plenty of wins (cough, cough, visor). The Gators have been really good and get a lot of notoriety nationally. This enrages other SEC fans who are without question the most passionate football fans in the country. Tebow + Meyer + successful seasons = Plenty of hatin’.

Boise State: This is my own person hatin’ but I have to throw it in. The trick plays, the soft schedule, the engagement from Ian Johnson post BCS, and I could go on, and on. This team drives me bat $%^& but I have to respect their record in big games. don’t know why I despise the underdog in this instance, but I do. With that said, I simply cannot wait for them to take on Virginia Tech come week 1 of the college football season. The Haterade will be flowin’ – spiked of course with a variety of alcohols.

Silky Johnson, the 2002 Hater of the Year said it best…

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I think @GoDuckYourself (great name by the way) says it even better. He provided without question THE most productive Tweet throughout this poll.

“Washington Sucks.”

Hate on, brother.