Big Ten looking to expand to 12 teams?


Those schools are just playing for pride.

...and what is wrong with that? Ask the kids, parents, alums of those schools if the games are worth it. There are a lot of things in sports worth being proud of... not just a national championship. Those kids/coaches are going out there with their conferences and schools on their shoulder.

Also, ask those 5-7 teams how important it would have been for them to be in a Bowl game. Now, I DO believe that there are way too many bowl games. Some of them are a waste of time.
 
There's plenty of people talking about discontent with the northern teams in the Big 12 with the "Texification" of the league. People in Missouri are pissed that the title game got taken out of Arrowhead, and that there's little chance of it returning anytime soon, because they want to play it in Texas.

Missouri is also displeased with being passed over for bowl games (a 6-6 team from Texas was invited to a more prestigious bowl than an 8-4 Missouri team this year, nevermind 7-5 Oklahoma getting a better bowl as well).

Outside of losing their rivalry with Kansas (which they can continue as a non-conference series, a la Florida/FSU, GT/Georgia, Clemson/South Carolina). The Big 10 has more lucrative television deals as well. Being in a division with Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Northwestern isn't exacly murder's row either, if that's how the Big 10 splits their divisions.

So, more money, and possibly more respect from the league, adds up to a good reason to bolt. I'm not saying they will, but I understand if they do.
 



...and what is wrong with that? Ask the kids, parents, alums of those schools if the games are worth it. There are a lot of things in sports worth being proud of... not just a national championship. Those kids/coaches are going out there with their conferences and schools on their shoulder.

Also, ask those 5-7 teams how important it would have been for them to be in a Bowl game. Now, I DO believe that there are way too many bowl games. Some of them are a waste of time.

As a fan of the sport, I just don’t like the hype you hear ever year about Oh, the tradition of the bowl system is what’s great about college football.

It’s not great. If you are not good enough to play for a national championship after 12 or 13 games, you just don’t deserve to be rewarded with a meaningless extra game.

Conversely if you are 7-5-6-6 team you should not be rewarded for being average. As I said earlier, it is equal to giving everyone a participation trophy.

The bowl system is one of the reasons why five undefeated teams can’t all compete for the national title.

College football tries to have it both ways.

But it does not work that way. Those kids who go undefeated or win their conference title should be playing for the national title in a tournament.
Not in some bowl game in Alabama or Detroit while two other teams play for the national title because nerds came up with some math formula and punched it into a computer.

Did you know one of the people who manages one of the six BCS computers takes in account sportsmanship as determining who should be ranked in what slot?

I want to see deserving teams play for a national championship. Not to be champion of the Outback Bowl.

It is a fraud. Sheer highway robbery clouded in parades, sunshine and meager non conference matchups.
 
Just dump the damn BCS and go back to the original system. Humans will just vote in only two polls and get it over with....
 
There's plenty of people talking about discontent with the northern teams in the Big 12 with the "Texification" of the league. People in Missouri are pissed that the title game got taken out of Arrowhead, and that there's little chance of it returning anytime soon, because they want to play it in Texas.

Missouri is also displeased with being passed over for bowl games (a 6-6 team from Texas was invited to a more prestigious bowl than an 8-4 Missouri team this year, nevermind 7-5 Oklahoma getting a better bowl as well).

Outside of losing their rivalry with Kansas (which they can continue as a non-conference series, a la Florida/FSU, GT/Georgia, Clemson/South Carolina). The Big 10 has more lucrative television deals as well. Being in a division with Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Northwestern isn't exacly murder's row either, if that's how the Big 10 splits their divisions.

So, more money, and possibly more respect from the league, adds up to a good reason to bolt. I'm not saying they will, but I understand if they do.

I get this. And by reading the most recent comments coming from Missouri's SID, he doesn't rule out the possiblity of going to the BigTen (even though he has stated that Mizzou has not been contacted from anyone in the Big 10).
 
So if the Big Ten expands, what would it be named?

Don't discount this: the Big 14.

Seriously.

Multiple Big Ten sources told the Tribune Wednesday that 14 teams, even 16, could be in play as it relates to the Big Ten's potential expansion. "Anything is possible," one source said, beyond the conventional wisdom of simply adding a 12th school.

A conference statement spoke of an "evaluation of options for conference structure and expansion."

One option the Big Ten will not pursue is an odd number of schools -- again.

But don't be shocked if the conference of Bo and Woody adds three plates -- or more -- to the table.

chicagotribune.com
 
Regarding Notre Dame going to the Big Ten . . .

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Regarding Notre Dame going to the Big Ten . . .

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Notre Dame's present-day stance is clearer: If the Big Ten opts to expand, it should not bother to knock on Notre Dame's door.

"Our strong preference is to remain the way we are," Swarbrick told the Tribune. "Independence is a big part of the tradition of the program and our identity. We'd sure like to try to maintain it."

Snicker if you must, but Swarbrick said finances would not play much of a role. Yes, Notre Dame has a television deal with NBC that pays the school $9 million annually.

But Swarbrick agreed that Big Ten and SEC schools derive more money from their conferences' media deals. Big Ten schools receive about $20 million a year in TV and radio rights fees.

"All of this has a lot more to do with our priorities than it does with business issues," he said. "Our independence is tied up in a lot of the rivalries we have. We play Navy every year and have the tradition of USC weekends. Frankly, it works pretty well to play USC in October at home and in November at their place."

www.chicagotribune.com
 
What a load of b.s. Notre Dame is spewing about keeping their rivalries alive. You get four non-conference games, there's nothing to prevent you from still playing Navy and your yearly beating at the hands of Southern Cal.
 
It would be interesting of Missouri or Kentucky make the move, just to see the fallout for other conferences. Who gets into the Big 12 to replace Missouri?


HOUSTON-bring back the old SWAC conference rivalry. You already have Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M & Baylor.

If the Big 12 wanted the Dallas/Forth Worth market back-TCU.

SMU would REALLY try but their high academics and "we CHOOSE who we recruit" mindset will hurt them.

North Texas would try as well-in terms of conference traveling it would save money.

All those guys are fighting for the same recruits in state and would probably get more of them if they were in the Big 12.

You can count Kansas out of the Big 10. They dominate basketball too much to give that up. Which way to NCAA and a top seed is easier-
facing Colorado, Baylor, Nebraska, K-State & O-State
or facing the Big 10 teams that beat the mess out of each other nightly.
 
HOUSTON-bring back the old SWAC conference rivalry. You already have Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M & Baylor.

If the Big 12 wanted the Dallas/Forth Worth market back-TCU.

SMU would REALLY try but their high academics and "we CHOOSE who we recruit" mindset will hurt them.

North Texas would try as well-in terms of conference traveling it would save money.

All those guys are fighting for the same recruits in state and would probably get more of them if they were in the Big 12.

You can count Kansas out of the Big 10. They dominate basketball too much to give that up. Which way to NCAA and a top seed is easier-
facing Colorado, Baylor, Nebraska, K-State & O-State
or facing the Big 10 teams that beat the mess out of each other nightly.

I Think you mean SWC, but ok.... I think the choice to replace Mizzou would be either Houston or TCU. SMU's program's still smalltime, since the death penalty.
 
I Think you mean SWC, but ok.... I think the choice to replace Mizzou would be either Houston or TCU. SMU's program's still smalltime, since the death penalty.

I had the SWAC on my mind during my typing.

SMU is just so dang selective that prevents them from being halfway decent in basketball. Football is somewaht improving because they can brag that they have a former NFL coach running the football program (and had a good program with teh Rainbows in that state I can't spell Hawiai.

I still think Houston & TCU would be the front runners.
 
What a load of b.s. Notre Dame is spewing about keeping their rivalries alive. You get four non-conference games, there's nothing to prevent you from still playing Navy and your yearly beating at the hands of Southern Cal.

I agree. That is some BS. It is all about money for them. They want to keep it all to themselves. LOL. They already play Michigan, Purdue and Michigan State which would now be conference games. They would have been able to keep USC, Navy and Boston College or whomever they wanted out of conference.

ND just should say it aint enough money to join the Big 10. :lol:
 
JR,

ND just should say it aint enough money to join the Big 10.

Notre Dame's athletic director actually is saying the opposite. He understanding that that joing the Big Ten would more than likely create revenue, but Notre Dame currently fundamentally believes that the independent status provides some catche that can not be quantified on revenue alone.

But Swarbrick [Notre Dame's athletic director] agreed that Big Ten and SEC schools derive more money from their conferences'

Intriguing!!
 



JR,



Notre Dame's athletic director actually is saying the opposite. He understanding that that joing the Big Ten would more than likely create revenue, but Notre Dame currently fundamentally believes that the independent status provides some catche that can not be quantified on revenue alone.



Intriguing!!

True. I guess I meant the money wasn't so huge that it would be hard to refuse. Of course they like their status now. It is a win win for them if they are winning on the gridiron.

I think they feel if they go 10-1 or even 9-2 they will get a BCS invite and not share the money. If they join the Big 10 they will not be sure they could win 8,9 or 10 games a year to get that Big 10 automatic invite. I am sure they realize it will not be easy to beat Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Iowa on a regular basis to get to that BCS game. As an independent they don't have to worry about that since their name carries so much weight. All they need to do is win and they will be in. If ND had been 11-0 going into the end of season. They would probably be playing Alabama in the National Championship game over Texas. Ole Mack Brown would have had a cow. LOL.

Definitely intriguing. I always thought if NBC had ended their deal when they were losing then that would have been the catalyst for them to look for a conference to join. They really have made at ND. If only they could figure out how to win like they used to.
 
The Big 10 expansion talks is the first domino to fall in what will be major conference alignments to come in the next few years. We all know that the major motivation for the conference wanted to expand is one thing, and one thing only...MONEY!

By expanding the conference, it will allow the Big 10 to have a conference championship game in football, and what does that mean....more money and more exposure. The Big 10's BCS record this decade hasn't exactly been ideal as well.On the first weekend of December, you have the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 playing their conference championship games that are nationally televised, and where is the Big 10 on that first weekend of December...at home.

The most ideal candidates would be Missouri, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers. Missouri is currently comfortable in the Big 12, however, it would be a difficult decision for them not to take the Big 10 up on that offer.

Pittsburgh would be able to renew a rivalry with Penn State that was somewhat disbanded when Penn State became a member of the Big 10 and was no longer and independent. Pittsburgh, also appeals to the make up of other conference members in the terms of “blue collarâ€￾ community.

With all of that being said, the most logical choice would be Rutgers. That will finally open up the TV market in the backdrop of Manhattan to the tune of around 10 million additional viewers. If I'm not mistaken, the new Big 10 network is currently available in that area on television and doesn't require a premium package.

Kentucky is out of the question IMO. I don't think any school leaves the SEC and the amount of $$$ that's coming in every year. I've read on a lot of message boards about the possibility of Kentucky moving to the Big 10, but seems to me that some people have forgotten about the new TV deal that was agreed to recently 2.25 billion over 15 years for games that are NOT televised on the CBS networks.

The Big East has been floating around the possibilities once more about expansion as well, as they would like to have a conference championship game. Lets not even forget about the Pac 10...they will not be left behind.

I strongly believe that the talks of expansion are directly related to Congress wanting to disband the BCS format for determining a national champion. College football is all about the haves and the have notes. Imagine this conference set up.

Big 10
Penn State
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Illinois
Purdue
Rutgers
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Indiana

Pac 10
USC
Stanford
UCLA
Arizona
Arizona State
Oregon
Oregon State
Washington
Washington State
Boise State – (already apart for men's wrestling)
Utah
BYU
California

Big East
Syracuse
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
South Florida
Cincy
Louisville
Memphis
Connecticut
Villanova – could be put on notice to make the move to FBS level football
Eastern Carolina
Central Florida – expanding the Florida market
 
Pac 10
USC
Stanford
UCLA
Arizona
Arizona State
Oregon
Oregon State
Washington
Washington State
Boise State – (already apart for men's wrestling)
Utah
BYU
California

Big East
Syracuse
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
South Florida
Cincy
Louisville
Memphis
Connecticut
Villanova – could be put on notice to make the move to FBS level football
Eastern Carolina
Central Florida – expanding the Florida market

What the hell are you smoking??? You got the PAC-10 having 13 teams and the Big East having 11 teams... Why do you have these conferences with odd number teams? I would take out Utah from the PAC-10 and leave it at twelve. Then leave Memphis, ECU and UCF from the Big East. They should add Temple, Army & Navy instead and have Villanova, Georgetown move up from FCS, since they already play in the Big East in BB.

The New Big East Would Look Like This:
East - G'Town, UCONN, Army, Navy, Nova, Temple
West - Cincy, Louisville, Pitt, W.Virginia, Cuse, USF

And they could rotate the championship game between NYC, Balt., DC, Philly, NJ & Pitt
 
Sorry about that, I messed up on the numbers. Villanova would be the most logical choice for Big East football. Earlier in the decade when the Big East was shuffled, UConn and Villanova were both put on notice to move up from then 1AA to 1A. Only UConn took the bait.

I strongly believe that the conferences that will be changed the most during the realignment is the WAC and the MWC. Those have been the conferences that have constantly "invaded" the BCS games, and those are the conferences that have teams that would be a decent "fit" to move to major conferences. I believe that Temple is apart of the MAC in Football and A10 in basketball, but Temple has been a member of the Big East once before.
 
First off, the Pac-10 has been on record saying that they will only expand with schools with similar academic reps...

plus, look at the Pac-10: all of those members have natural rivals. That will play big in their expansion...plus the fact that the Las Vegas market is WIDE OPEN....

So expect any combination of UNLV, Nevada, Utah or BYU to join the Pac-10 in the future.

Also, the Big East is driven by BASKETBALL, not football. Y'all are forgetting that part when talking about the Big East.

If Villanova hasn't moved its football program up to FBS by now, it won't anytime soon.

Why would Missouri leave the Big 12, and theoretically easier run at a BCS bowl, just to go into the Big 10? That don't make no sense. Pittsburgh has the football and basketball lineage with the Big 10 schools, plus its academic status is right along with the other Big 10 schools.

What's next? LSU gonna join Conference USA?
 
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