The Orphaned 10 Conference

With reports that the Big 12 conference is on the verge of total collapse, Iowa State University fans aren't sure what to expect for the future, except that much of the decision is beyond the school's control.
"We just have to play with the cards we're dealt and everybody else is dealing. We're not. We're not in a position to deal," said former associate athletic director Frank Randall.

He said it's hard to know where Iowa State will land if the conference dissolves. He said it's a question of what Iowa State can offer in terms of exposure.

"It's just too bad that we don't have a good TV program, but when you don't have the market, you don't have it," he said.

"It's all about the money and nothing else," said Iowa State broadcaster Gary Thompson. "They can throw away (the phrase) student-athletes on this one. They can't hide behind this one because this is all about money."
He said he hates the fact that money will likely trump the tradition and history of the Big 12.

He said if Iowa State winds up in another conference that's not affiliated with the Bowl Championship Series, it will hurt revenue and recruiting.
"If it gets down to (a recruit who's) not sure whether we're going to be in a BCS conference, they might choose to not want to sign and come here," Thompson said.

Randall said another thing to consider with a new conference is costly travel expenses, especially if Iowa State doesn't get similar money from TV contracts.
"If we end up with a bunch of leftovers out of a bunch of conferences, then I don't know how it's going to turn out," he said. "It's going to be tough financially."

Right now, the school seems to be on the outside looking in during the realignment talks.

"I think the impact on Iowa State could be dramatic," Thompson said. "We're kind of left out there by our lonesome and not for any fault of our own."

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