I see what you are saying Stiff Arm, but here is the problem: conferences do not operate in a vacuum. Not being in the Big 12 does not protect TCU from the bad things from the Big 12
No, I aspire for our team to be part of a conference where we are treated as equals
Who cares if TCU is "equal" with our conference peers if TCU is then unequal with the rest of the college football world. The Big East is NOT considered "equal" to the other conferences, and its members are not seen as "equals" either.
The Big 12 will be agreeing to equal revenue sharing for Tier 1 and Tier 2 rights. And I realize that doesn't stop UT from having and getting all that money from the LHN, but UT is going to have the LHN whether or not we're in the Big 12. Being in the Big East doesn't protect us from that.
And TCU will be making more in the Big 12 than they would have made in the Big East.
TCU will receive much more media attention playing in the Big 12 than they would playing in the Big East. It won't be equal to UT, but it will be more. Being in the Big East won't keep UT from getting more media attention the us.
rather than second-class citizens.
The college football world views the Big East as second class citizens. Out of all of the AQ conference, the Big East has the worst bowl tie-ins, the worst attendence, the worst accademics, the worst football product, and the worst TV contract from both a money and exposure standpoint. Being in the Big East would be much more "second class" than being in the Big 12.
And to be a part of a conference that will allow us to compete annually for a BCS spot.
UT and OU may run the conference, but that doesn't mean they will beat us on the field. I think TCU will compete for the conference championship. And the Big 12 isn't going to be losing their automatic bid like the Big East might. So TCU's chances of going to BCS bowls may be better in the Big 12 than in the Big East.