A Big 12 school's executive told the Omaha World-Herald on Tuesday that he expects Nebraska to leave the Big 12 for the Big Ten as early as Friday, ahead of the Big 12's deadline reported previously.
Lee Barfknecht writes:
Direct confirmation from Nebraska of a conference change for the Huskers wasn't immediately available. Sources at two other Big 12 schools told The World-Herald that their athletic directors have instructed them to be ready by week's end for a briefing on probable Big 12 changes.
But athletic director Tom Osborne spoke to a Nebraska radio station on Tuesday evening and his comments are consistent with the anonymous report.
"I think before too long, and I don't know exactly what that time frame is, we'll be able to put this thing to bed because I'm getting tired of it, you're probably getting tired of it, the fans are getting tired of it."
As for the report's validity, it would mean a dynamic shift from the Big Ten's announced time frame. When the Big Ten first announced its intentions to expand in December, it laid out a 12-to-18 month time frame, and held firm to it despite reports to the contrary through its spring meetings last month.
But on Sunday, commissioner Jim Delany admitted that the Pac-10's recent efforts may have accelerated that time table.
"The timeline could be affected," he said.
If tonight's report is correct, then clearly, that acceleration indicates Delany respected the reported ultimatum given to Nebraska and Missouri to pledge a commitment to the Big Ten, making his move six months before the window for his timeline opened.
But, if that's the case, then it would make sense for an invitation to apply to also be sent to Missouri. Nebraska's official silence makes sense and assures nothing is official yet, but it's probably safe to assume the athletic facilities attached to Memorial Stadium will be swarming with reporters by the time the work day arrives.
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/22977/nebraska-to-big-ten-on-friday
Lee Barfknecht writes:
Direct confirmation from Nebraska of a conference change for the Huskers wasn't immediately available. Sources at two other Big 12 schools told The World-Herald that their athletic directors have instructed them to be ready by week's end for a briefing on probable Big 12 changes.
But athletic director Tom Osborne spoke to a Nebraska radio station on Tuesday evening and his comments are consistent with the anonymous report.
"I think before too long, and I don't know exactly what that time frame is, we'll be able to put this thing to bed because I'm getting tired of it, you're probably getting tired of it, the fans are getting tired of it."
As for the report's validity, it would mean a dynamic shift from the Big Ten's announced time frame. When the Big Ten first announced its intentions to expand in December, it laid out a 12-to-18 month time frame, and held firm to it despite reports to the contrary through its spring meetings last month.
But on Sunday, commissioner Jim Delany admitted that the Pac-10's recent efforts may have accelerated that time table.
"The timeline could be affected," he said.
If tonight's report is correct, then clearly, that acceleration indicates Delany respected the reported ultimatum given to Nebraska and Missouri to pledge a commitment to the Big Ten, making his move six months before the window for his timeline opened.
But, if that's the case, then it would make sense for an invitation to apply to also be sent to Missouri. Nebraska's official silence makes sense and assures nothing is official yet, but it's probably safe to assume the athletic facilities attached to Memorial Stadium will be swarming with reporters by the time the work day arrives.
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/22977/nebraska-to-big-ten-on-friday
