SEC in Control, Z losing $$$$, Straw Poll Insanity

It's clear Texas A&M wants to leave the Big 12, for the SEC...but does the SEC want Texas A&M? SEC presidents will get together and vote on the matter, Sunday. Some presidents are saying that it's close to 50/50 on whether or not the Aggies will be given permission to join the conference. The main roadblock in A&M's possible realignment will be the fact that the SEC will likely need to add at least one more team. Although, an uneven number didn't stop the Big Ten from having 11 teams for nearly 20 years. And the NL Central is the only division with 6 teams in Major League Baseball.

The Big 12 finally released a statement about the developments, late Saturday night:

"The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors conducted a teleconference meeting today to discuss the future of the Conference given recent developments regarding Texas A&M University. The Board strongly conveyed to Texas A&M its unanimous desire that it remain a Big 12 member, and acknowledged its value to the Conference. The Board noted that Texas A&M expressed concerns about institutional networks and that the athletics directors worked together and took actions, which the Board has approved, to adequately address those concerns. The other nine members reaffirmed their long term, unconditional and unequivocal commitments made to each other and the Conference last summer. Although the Board hopes Texas A&M remains in the Conference, the Board is prepared to aggressively move forward to explore expansion opportunities. In doing so, the Board recognizes the strength of the Big 12 Conference national brand and the opportunity to capitalize on it."

Big 12 AD's don't want to lose Texas A&M. It will only make the conference weaker, and less prominent. Dan Beebe needs to stop reacting, and start acting. The Big 12 needs to actively seek someone to replace A&M. Even if the Aggies don't get enough votes to join the SEC, you better believe this is going to be a recurring battle until they find a new home.

How in the world does Dan Beebe still have a job?

Carlos Zambrano will lose over $1.5m, thanks to his explosion after being tossed, Friday night. The Cubs put him on the DL --- the Disqualified List. He isn't allowed to participate in any team activities, or receive a paycheck, for 30 days. Carlos...do the Cubs a favor and just retire. You'll save them about $25m.

It's a sad night at the Indiana State Fair. A gust of wind claimed the lives of at least three people as a stage where the country band 'Sugarland' was about to perform http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdpzTOTo_UI

I've been watching quite a big of preseason football --- only because I have to. It's brutal. The one guy that looked like he was in mid-season form was Aaron Rodgers. He's just scary.

I'm not sure I've ever seen an uglier 54-hole leaderboard at a major than the one at this year's PGA Championship. The top-3 trio of Brendan Steele, Jason Dufner, and Keegan Bradley would look good on a country music billboard, but not a PGA leaderboard.

I think the Ames Straw Poll is one of the most ridiculous events I've ever heard of. The candidates pay the participants for their votes? Absolutely insane.