ACC commish (doesn't) talk FSU/Big 12

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby refused to address Florida State by name this week when asked about expansion, but made it clear the issue would remain on the Big 12's agenda, like every conference. ACC commissioner John Swofford took a similar approach when asked about the possibility of Florida State leaving for the Big 12. "I don't deal in hypotheticals, I deal with what's tangible. It's what we're doing as a league with the current 12-, soon to be 14-membership league, and we're moving ahead on the basis of that full membership.

TCU sets season ticket record with sellout

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

TCU will have a new league and a new stadium this fall. It will also have a new record for season ticket sales. The Horned Frogs announced Wednesday that they had sold out of an allotted 30,000 season tickets, shattering the school record of 22,500 sold for the 2011 season. The new Amon G. Carter Stadium will seat about 45,000. TCU set the old mark on the heels of a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin, but rejoining old Southwest Conference rivals has the Horned Frogs fan base fired up.

The Mid-Morning Dump - 5/17/12

Source: Wide Right & Natty Lite by CanAzn

BUBU GETS A SCHOLLIE. Fred Hoiberg announced that former walkon Bubu Palo will stay on scholarship this season, leaving one scholarship remaining.

MORE FEUDING. Cyclone Feud, Round Three.

DEFENSIVE LINE DEPTH. Ben Durbin is returning home to

Long-time Iowa State assistant softball coach retires

Source: Des Moines Register

Iowa State issued the following press release:

The Big 12's spring breakout players

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

We're taking a look at spring breakout players across college football today, and here's who made a big impact across the Big 12. Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma: Metoyer may have had the best spring of anyone in the Big 12. The physical freshman spent last season in prep school, but walked in this spring and essentially earned a starting job. Then three Sooners receivers were suspended indefinitely. Metoyer was already going to play and probably going to start.

Special Olympics lights the way for for personal growth, hope

Source: Iowa State Daily

Marissa Yessak reached for the worn yellow baton hanging from a rope at the edge of the track on the morning of May 5. Her teammates held the rope, and her coach, Tammy Zimmerman, stood at her side. Y

Kameel Jackson not transferring from OU

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Oklahoma freshman receiver Kameel Jackson, who announced last week on Twitter that he was transferring to Texas A&M and then was suspended indefinitely by Sooners head coach Bob Stoops, has apparently had a change of heart about his status at the university. Jackson tweeted early Thursday morning that he has "decided to stay at OU." He also explained the reason he was suspended. "My suspensions came from my failure to meet my class attendance policy," Jackson said on Twitter.

Special Olympics lights the way for for personal growth, hope

Source: Iowa State Daily

Marissa Yessak reached for the worn yellow baton hanging from a rope at the edge of the track on the morning of May 5. Her teammates held the rope, and her coach, Tammy Zimmerman, stood at her side. Y

Big 12 Conference hopes to prove stability with new comissioner

Source: Iowa State Daily

In office as ISU president for only four months, Steven Leath has been forced to learn fast as the Big 12 Conference quickly changes.

One-on-one with Fred Hoiberg: An illustrious career

Source: Iowa State Daily

Fred Hoiberg recently finished his second season as the head coach of the ISU men's basketball team. Prior to taking over as the head coach at Iowa State, Hoiberg played 10 seasons in the NBA for the

Cyclone Tailgate Tour Day Three Multimedia

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

WATERLOO, Iowa - Day three of the 2012 Cyclone Tailgate Tour featured stops in Marshalltown and Waterloo.

"The Cyclone Feud" Round Three

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

WATERLOO, Iowa - Remember Tailgate Tour Trivia? This year, it's "The Family Feud" style contest with the "families" of Kevin Jackson, Paul Rhoads and Bill Fennelly against Fred Hoiberg, Jamie Pollard and Christy Johnson-Lynch participating against each other.

Future Cyclone Madison Baier Attends Tailgate Tour

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa - Future Iowa State women's basketball player Madison Baier attended Wednesday's Cyclone Tailgate Tour stop at the Best Western Regency Inn in Marshalltown.

Video: Importance of DE depth for Texas

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Sean Adams from HornsNation takes a look at the state of the Texas Football program. In this video, Sean looks at the depth on at the defensive end position.

The Big 12's returning 100-tackle defenders

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

The Big 12 had eight players notch at least 100 tackles in 2011. Of that group, five return. Here's a look at the Big 12's returning 100-tackle defenders. 1. A.J. Klein, LB, Iowa State: Klein's no joke. He shared Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors with Frank Alexander, and is the Big 12's leading returning tackler. Only Kansas' Steven Johnson had more than Klein's 116 tackles in 2011. He's physical and a sure tackler, and ISU's defense has enjoyed the benefits.

Regional, national qualifiers aid Cyclones at conference championships

Source: Iowa State Daily

The Big 12 Conference season came to a close with the May 13 conference outdoor championships. However, coaches said the final results did not reflect the teams’ abilities accurately.

Cyclones add Durbin for 2012-13 football season

Source: Iowa State Daily

Ben Durbin is coming back to Iowa to play his senior season at Jack Trice Stadium.

Most indispensable player: TCU

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

We're moving on in our series on the Big 12 Blog pegging the single player each team in the Big 12 can't afford to lose. He's also the player that will be most responsible for the team's ultimate success. Next up, the TCU Horned Frogs. Find more indispensable players here. Most indispensable player(s): QB Casey Pachall 2011 stats: 228-of-343 (66.5 percent) for 2,921 yards, 25 TD, 7 INT. 51 yards rushing, 2 TD Why TCU can't afford to lose him: Pachall didn't put up huge stats as a first-year starter and replacement for Andy Dalton, but he was really good and had three backs on his team that each had at least 100 carries.

Ranking Big 12 nonconference schedules

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

All nonconference schedules are not created equal. Some schedule ambitiously. Others prefer to pay for wins. To each his own. We'll be keeping track either way. Some games were cancelled, others were late fill-ins. Here's how it stands, from most to least difficult. 1. Oklahoma -- at UTEP, Florida A&M, Notre Dame The Sooners can't help that Notre Dame can't get its act together, but the storied program will visit Norman in October. Oklahoma also had to put together a last-minute game to kick off its season, traveling to El Paso to face the Miners, who went 5-7 in 2011.

Lunch links: Big 12 reached out to FSU?

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

It’s a progressive culture. Most of them travel by zip line. One reason Florida State should bolt to the Big 12? For a better schedule, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman. The interest from Florida State is a testament to the Big 12's strength, writes Bobby La Gesse of the Ames Tribune. The Big 12 should make its move in relation to Florida State. Sean Keeler of Fox Sports explains the positives. Florida State's mad at the ACC? The league's downfall is the Seminoles' fault, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.

Big 12 defenders and the Heisman Trophy

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Let's get this out of the way right now: None of these guys can win the Heisman. It's a new day, and simply put, we'll never see a defensive player win the Heisman. If Ndamukong Suh couldn't win it (and I would have voted for him if I'd had a Heisman vote that year), then nobody could. It wouldn't stop me from voting for a defender who deserved it, but lots of voters just won't make it possible. Charles Woodson did it in 1997, but we live in a new day full of high-powered, fast-paced offenses and he was a dynamic return man, too.

HornsNation links: Texas king for a day

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

HornsNation has more coverage of the Texas Longhorns: HornsNation roundtable : The HornsNation staff takes turns sitting in Mack Brown's throne to make their call about the Longhorns' quarterback decision. Issues facing Texas : Sean Adams looks at the issues facing Texas and how depth at defensive end is a key factor facing the Longhorns in 2012. Cayleb Jones Q&A: The incoming freshman wide receiver went to high school 10 minutes from the Texas campus but he's still viewing his transition as a very big move.

How does FSU stack up vs. the Big 12?

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

What's that you hear? The faint whispers of realignment rumormongering? Oh, we all hear them. And when they happen, it's time to compare the prospective team to its possible future home. We always do these for the Big 12, and I definitely always learn a thing or two. I hope you do, too. Here's our history: Nebraska vs. the Big Ten Texas A&M vs. the SEC TCU vs. the Big 12 Missouri vs. the Big Ten Missouri vs. the SEC West Virginia vs.

The Mid-Morning Dump - 5/16/12

Source: Wide Right & Natty Lite by CanAzn

CYCLONE FEUD. There's something hilarious about this idea.

NO WAY! Paul Rhoads would like bowl eligibility to stay at 6 wins.

KO STANDING OUT. John Harbaugh has been impressed with Kelechi Osemele so far.

WE BEAT SNYDER!

Big 12's Bowlsby wants 'pause' on realignment, but ...

Source: Des Moines Register by STEVE WIEBERG USA TODAY

November 26, 2011: Florida State Seminoles running back Devonta Freeman (8) is congratulated by wide receiver Christian Green (89) after he scored a touchdown during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (KIM KLEMENT / US PRESSWIRE)

Incoming Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says he'd prefer that conferences hit the pause button on realignment.

"My opinion," he told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, "is college athletics would be well served by some period of smooth water and not all of the angst and disorganization that goes with moves from one league to another."

That said, Florida State is churning the waters. Its president, Eric Barron, confirmed Monday that the school is weighing options, laying out the pros and cons of leaving the Atlantic Coast and specifying the Big 12 as a potential destination.

Bowlsby declined to address FSU specifically or whether the comments are likely to heighten expansion sentiment in the Big 12, but acknowledged, "Conference realignment will continue to be an issue and one we all have to be vigilant about."

In the Big 12, Bowlsby said, "I think the topic of expansion will be on every agenda going forward. But it's on every other conference's agenda going forward, too."

Texas athletics director DeLoss Dodds, a member of the league's four-man expansion committee, was close to dismissive of FSU's posturing in remarks to the Austin American-Statesman. "There's no traction" he said of the speculation.

"They're a long ways away," Dodds said of the Seminoles. "There've been no conversations between Florida State and the Big 12."

Bowlsby, athletics director at Stanford since 2006, will take over as the Big 12's commissioner around the middle of next month. He'll attend the league's spring meetings in Kansas City, Mo., starting May 30.

The league is wrapping up its first year with 10 member schools, downsized by the defections of Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pacific-12. Texas A&M and Missouri are headed out, as well, to the Southeastern Conference, but are being replaced by TCU and West Virginia. The question of whether to return to a 12-school alignment has bubbled, with speculation revolving around Louisville and, to some degree, Notre Dame.

"It's all about driving value for the member institutions," Bowlsby said. "There is a case to be made for optimal value being driven by the status quo, and there is a case to be made for some form of expansion. And I'm not prejudging or adopting either side of that right now."

Durbin Coming Home to Iowa State

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

AMES, Iowa - Growing up in Gilbert, Ben Durbin always wanted to be a Cyclone. Now he is an Iowa Stater.

Bowlsby: Talk of expansion 'on agenda'

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

New Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby doesn't want to see any future expansion in college athletics, but recent events have given him no choice but to put the issue on the Big 12's agenda, as it is on other conferences'. My opinion," he told USA Today on Tuesday, "is college athletics would be well served by some period of smooth water and not all of the angst and disorganization that goes with moves from one league to another." We've heard that from the Big 12.

Cyclone Tailgate Tour Day Two Multimedia

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa- Day two of the Cyclone Tailgate Tour had the Iowa State traveling show make stops in Bettendorf and Cedar Rapids.

"The Cyclone Feud" Round Two

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Remember Tailgate Tour Trivia? We decided to bring something similar back this year to the annual Tailgate Tour bus trip across the state.

Royce White waits and wonders about NBA destination

Source: Des Moines Register by RANDY PETERSON

Royce White averaged 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game in his only season at Iowa State. (SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER)

Ames, Ia. -- He swished a few baseline jumpers and then worked on free-throw technique this week in so much solitude that you could hear the Sukup Basketball Complex air conditioner kick in.

“But that’s all going to change real quickly,” former Iowa State star Royce White said before one of his twice-daily workouts.

Workout gym today.

Miami Heat tomorrow – May 25 to be precise.

Then it’s the Golden State Warriors on the 28th, and then Oklahoma City on the 30th.

After that’s it’s the Indiana Pacers, and then the four-day combine in Chicago between June 6-8.

Let the showcasing tryouts begin.

“It’s like it’s the start of a new life,” White, 21, said. “I’m ready to take that next step – whatever that next step may be, and wherever that next step leads me.”

White enters the June 28 NBA draft after foregoing his final two years of college eligibility. He doesn’t own the can’t-miss reputation as former Ames High School star Harrison Barnes, who many predict to be among the top 10 players picked after leaving North Carolina following his sophomore season.

“I’ve got to prove myself, not only what I can do on the court, but off it,” White said.

On the court, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game. He combined for 38 points, 22 rebounds and six assists while playing against Connecticut’s Andre Drummond and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, both likely lottery picks, in the NCAA Tournament.

“He’ll land somewhere in the first round,” ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford said. “It’s going to depend largely on interviews.”

White has no prediction where he’ll be picked, although many mock drafts expect him to be around the 20th player selected.

“My agent told me not to pay any attention to that stuff,” he said.

White knows, though, that interviews with team executives will be just as important as proving last year’s 49.8 percent free-throw accuracy was a fluke.

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” he said. “I’m working out twice a day. Everyone pretty much knows what I can do on the court. It’s the other stuff that I have to show them that I have in order.”

White has been transparent about an anxiety disorder that has been as much a part of his life as basketball and his varied off-the-court interests. That situation, he predicts, will come up a lot between now and the draft. That’s the reason he goes over in his mind potential questions he may need to answer.

“A lot of people will have questions about my anxiety, and I understand that,” he said. “All they need to do is talk to me. I’m very comfortable talking about it; I always have been.”

He’s even prepared to answer questions about the newest addition to his family of tattoos – the still-developing rendering of former crooner Frank Sinatra positioned on his muscular left arm.

“Frank Sinatra? Why not Frank Sinatra,” White responds. “My love for music goes way back.”

When asked about anxiety, he’ll mention plans to produce a documentary about his life.

“A film company has agreed to do it,” White said. “It’s going to be revolutionary in terms of the way we approach mental illness. People are already working on raising money for the project. Once it’s done, we’ll shop it to film festivals.”

It’s all part of his plan – as is producing music for his IAMU (I Am You) music label.

“I’m getting the other part of my life in order, too,” White said. “If basketball doesn’t work out for some reason, I’ve got a Plan A.1 – if everybody has an anxiety about people with anxiety.”

Chat: FSU/Big 12, Snyder, top coaches

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Thanks for coming to this week's chat. Here's the full transcript. Got more to say? Here's where you can reach me. Justin (Stillwater, OK): Any Big 12 coaches on the hot seat heading into next season? What about any assistant coaches who are due a head coaching gig? David Ubben: No, not really. Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville is the closest thing, but Tech should be better, and he's not legitimately on the hot seat yet. As for assistants, both of Texas' coordinators could have some opportunities at season's end.

Miller Garners First Team All-Big 12 Honors

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State first baseman Erica Miller has been named to the First Team All-Big 12, the league office announced Tuesday.

KSU's Mark Simoneau enters CFB HOF

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Kansas State linebacker Mark Simoneau has only been out of the NFL a couple years. Now, he's headed into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame. Simoneau was one of 14 players and three coaches who will be inducted into the hall after an announcement on Tuesday. Simoneau earned consensus first-team All-America status in 1999, and was a four-year starter and three-time captain under Bill Snyder in Manhattan. He won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior in 2009, too.

Chat today at 3 p.m. ET

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

We're back chatting in our usual slot this week, so come have fun with us. We'll get started at 3 p.m. ET. Here's the link. We'll start at 3 p.m. sharp, but I'll get to your questions if you send them in early and keep them coming once we start. See you all there.

Weis' two key lessons from South Bend

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Charlie Weis' struggles during his five-year tenure at Notre Dame are well-documented. Entering his first season at Kansas with a few familiar faces, Weis is looking to learn from those mistakes and bring a winning edge to a program coming off a two-win campaign in 2011. The two biggest lessons he learned with the Irish? College kids ain't easy, and building a cohesive coaching staff is essential. From the Hutchinson News' Lucas Fahrer: "I learned early on at Notre Dame that an 18-year-old kid is not like a 23-year-old young man," Weis said Thursday during a sit-down before his speaking engagement at Prairie Dunes Country Club.

Most indispensable player: Texas

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

We're moving on in our series on the Big 12 Blog pegging the single player each team in the Big 12 can't afford to lose. He's also the player that will be most responsible for the team's ultimate success. Next up, the Texas Longhorns. Find more indispensable players here. Most indispensable player(s): DEs Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat. 2011 stats: Jeffcoat: 63 tackles, 17 TFL, eight sacks, three PBUs. Okafor: 52 tackles, 12.5 TFL, six sacks, three PBUs, two forced fumbles.

Entering the Hall: Gabe Rivera

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

Texas Tech legend Gabe Rivera earned the nickname "Señor Sack" throughout his four-year career in Lubbock from 1979-82. Now, he can add "College Football Hall of Famer" to his résumé. Rivera was one of 14 players and three coaches to be inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame at an announcement on Tuesday. Rivera was a consensus All-American in 1982, and his 105 tackles that season still stands as a record among Red Raiders defensive linemen.

Jamie Pollard Makes It Rain

Source: Wide Right & Natty Lite by I am a Cyentist

(Interior of The Lumberyard in Des Moines. Jamie Pollard and the rest of the Big XII ADs walk in the door. Pollard is wearing a full-length mink coat and fanny pack)

Jamie Pollard: Drink up, bitches! It's a celebration up in here!

DeLoss Dodds: Jamie, I gotta say you Iowa boys do things right. I always thought you were a bit uptight, but this here nudie-dancin' is right up my alley.

Kirby Hocutt: YEEEE-HAAWWW!!! (Shoots pistols in the air while dancing an old-timey jig)

David Boren: Jesus

Lunch links: Florida State/Big 12 fallout

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

I don't like the sound of that. A lot of amenities disappear when an H turns into an M. Florida State to the Big 12? Uh, not so fast. Or at least, not yet, says Texas AD DeLoss Dodds. Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman explains. Colleague Ivan Maisel weighs in on what each side should do in the Florida State-Big 12 debate. Mack Brown would like to see the Big 12 remain at 10 teams, reports Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

HornsNation links: Finding the right fits

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

HornsNation has more coverage of the Texas Longhorns: Carter Strickland writes : Usually by this time of year, Texas has a full deck of elite recruits. By changing gears and taking their time, the Longhorns are finding better fits. Kendall Sanders Q&A: The 2012 signee starred as a DB in high school but is ready to make the transition to WR with the Horns. Paul Boyette Q&A: The incoming freshman talks about being overlooked in the class and becoming the next great Texas DT.

Grading my Big 12 sack projections

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

We've taken a look at the projections from 2011 for the league's best, and it's time to continue: 3,000-yard passers 1,000-yard rushers 1,000-yard receivers So, what about the defense? Last April, we projected three Big 12 players to notch double-digit sack totals in 2011. Here's how it shook out: 1. Brad Madison, DE, Missouri -- Madison had, believe it or not, the most sacks of any player returning to the Big 12 next season. Most impressive?

SoonerNation links: Latu hopes to start

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

From Jake Trotter: Junior college transfer Will Latu will enroll at Oklahoma this summer with his sights set on grabbing a starting spot, just like a former Sooners tackle once did. From Bob Przybylo : After suspending three receivers last week, Oklahoma is in need of wideouts for the class of 2013. Roundtable: Should Aaron Colvin be moved back to cornerback? From Brandon Chatmon : Every weekday during the summer, SoonerNation will be evaluating a scholarship player on the Oklahoma roster.

Cyclones Prepare For NCAA Regionals

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State men's golf team in back in the postseason for the first time since 1999, and freshman Scott Fernandez is a big part of the Cyclones' resurgence.

The Mid-Morning Dump - 5/15/12

Source: Wide Right & Natty Lite by CanAzn

STANDARD AND NEALY MAKING WAVES. The young Cyclone backfield is making some heads turn during spring practice.

KICKER HYPE! Projected savior kicker Cole Netten gets to campus soon.

YOUR DAILY FSU UPDATE. FSU's President hates

Mapping out The Ultimate Big 12 Road Trip

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

We finished our Ultimate Big 12 Road Trip: 2012 this week, and it's time to take a gander at how it shook out: Week 1: West Virginia vs. Marshall Week 2: Kansas State vs. Miami Week 3: Texas at Ole Miss Week 4: Kansas State at Oklahoma Week 5: Texas at Oklahoma State Week 6: West Virginia at Texas Week 7: Oklahoma vs. Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Week 8: Kansas State at West Virginia Week 9: Notre Dame at Oklahoma Week 10: Oklahoma State at Kansas State Week 11: Kansas State at TCU Week 12: Oklahoma at West Virginia Week 13: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma Week 14: Oklahoma at TCU Some of you were, well, not happy about my weekly selections.

FSU president blasts move to Big 12

Source: Big 12 Football Blog

So, is Florida State going to make the jump to the Big 12 or not? If FSU president Dr. Eric Barron had his way, then certainly not. For one, he doesn't see it as a jump at all, at least not in the ways that matter most to him. Barron wrote a memo on Monday expressing a commitment to the ACC, and harshly criticizing a possible move to the Big 12. From colleague Joe Schad: In the memo, Baron includes more reasons for not moving that include "The ACC is an equal share conference.

Cyclone Tailgate Tour Day One Multimedia

Source: Iowa Cyclones Official Site

DUBUQUE, Iowa - An exuberant crowd met the Iowa State traveling caravan on Tailgate Tour stops at Ottumwa and Dubuque Monday.