Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[Napoleonbuck]

Rutgers and Syracuse just don't make sense from a quality or revenue standpoint.

Rutgers has no history whatsoever, so what's to say that if Schiano leaves that they don't immediately go back in the crapper? It isn't even like they have that high of a ceiling if Schiano stays. At best I could see them turning them into Iowa, which basically is a top 5 team that challenges for the title every 4-5 years. This isn't even taking into account their complete lack of a good basketball program or their lack of recognition in any other sports(wrestling, baseball, soccer, anything).

Syracuse makes slightly more sense because they're good at basketball, and they have a history of being good at football. However, they've stunk horribly at football for what seems like the past decade, and even if they do return to form, does anyone really see them challenging any of Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, or Iowa?

This has to be posturing on Delany's part. For what? I don't know, but adding anyone but Notre Dame makes zero sense.

Edit: Does Rutgers really bring in the NY market? How much coverage does Rutgers anything get in New York? A few percent?

 

[Thump]

Any way of snagging West Virginia?

 

[OregonBuckeye]

If this has to be done, I'd like to pick up Louisville. Quality football team, and good tradition for basketball.

UL doesn't really have the academic prestige that the Big-10 is looking for though.

 

[BuckeyeSoldier]

The academic side they are more worried about graduate programs and research than the undergrad you linked.

Rutgers and Syracuse aren't academic lightweights, and I'd think along with Notre Dame they're the only three feasible candidates.

9. University of Chicago (they're in the "academic Big 10," if I recall correctly)
14. Northwestern University(IL)
20. University of Notre Dame(IN)
24. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
34. Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison
41. U. of Illinois - Urbana - Champaign
47. Pennsylvania State U. - University Park
52. Syracuse University(NY)
57. Ohio State University - Columbus
60. Rutgers - New Brunswick(NJ)
64. Purdue Univ. - West Lafayette(IN)
64. University of Iowa
67. Univ. of Minnesota - Twin Cities
70. Indiana University - Bloomington
70. Michigan State University
88. Univ. of Missouri - Columbia

I know the US News rankings aren't perfect, but they are convenient.

 

[TheMile]

Rutgers and Syracuse just don't make sense from a quality or revenue standpoint.

Like 27 just said, they bring the NY market. That's where the revenue comes from.

Rutgers has no history whatsoever, so what's to say that if Schiano leaves that they don't immediately go back in the crapper?

Totally agree, but I do think Rutgers has the biggest risk and reward of the candidates. If Schiano stuck around long term and they entered the Big 10, he'd have a chance of building a long term strong program that brings Big 10 football to the huge NY market. They could also go the way of Northwestern/Indiana/Illinois, though.

I think they're a strong enough candidate for the Big 10 to effectively give the best candidate, Notre Dame, an ultimatum - It's your last chance, stop fucking around with NBC or Rutgers takes your spot.

The academic side they are more worried about graduate programs and research than the undergrad you linked.

I know; like I said, it was convenient and is nonetheless pertinent.

 

[BuckeyeSoldier]

This has to be posturing on Delany's part. For what? I don't know, but adding anyone but Notre Dame makes zero sense.

Edit: Does Rutgers really bring in the NY market? How much coverage does Rutgers anything get in New York? A few percent?

It is likely posturing against the cable networks to pick up the b10 network, saying hey look we are adding another big market like new york/new jersey/ND its gonna be important you get us....

 

[jwinslow]

I'd be up for trading Penn State for Notre Dame, just to read the humorous mixture of meltdown & jubilation from PSU's fans. They've never really fit in here, and maybe they'd finally be 'back' in an easier conference.

Like 27 just said, they bring the NY market. That's where the revenue comes from.

If we have to ruin the greatest rivalry in sports, it better not be for some money-driven patsy selection like Cuse. Minnesota to Syracuse is a pretty long trip.

I think they're a strong enough candidate for the Big 10 to effectively give the best candidate, Notre Dame, an ultimatum - It's your last chance, stop fucking around with NBC or Rutgers takes your spot.

Excellent point. I loathe ND, but I'm sick of them suckling from the B10 teet without facing the entire gauntlet (ie OSU, Wisky, etc).

 

[Best Buckeye]

I'm thinking that an east coast team could help our recruiting in that neck of the woods.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

I think if anyone were to give Notre Dame an ultimatum, it would be the Big East. If they're worried about the Big Ten poaching one of their teams(thus causing them to lose their BCS status), they could easily just tell Notre Dame to join or their non-football teams are out of the conference. Notre Dame can be independent in football, but I doubt they have the money or resources to be independent in all their other olympic sports.

I imagine some event like this(or a college playoff) will cause Notre Dame to join the Big Ten years down the line. I just can't see the Big East being willing to be taken advantage by Notre Dame for all these years. I know Notre Dame fans are already pissed that they have to play three Big East teams per year in football starting in a few years, so the next step could be an ultimatum.

 

[starBUCKS]

If we split it into Big 10 East and West... The East would be stacked. And Notre Dame were the choice. With one of the NY/NJ teams we could slide Purdue over.

EAST: Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana


West: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Minnesota

 

[jwinslow]

That would be pretty even for basketball. Looks too lopsided for football.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

I honestly don't think we'd do east/west divisions if we add another team. I think they'll just give them arbitrary names and split it as evenly as possible.

 

[Taosman]

Another thought I have heard is Penn State leaving.
A lot of Nits aren't happy with how things have turned out for them.
They really thought they would dominate the conference. :tongue2:
After JoePa leaves this could be a possibility as he is against leaving the conference.

Then, the conference would go back to a round robin of 10 teams.

 

[starBUCKS]

I honestly don't think we'd do east/west divisions if we add another team. I think they'll just give them arbitrary names and split it as evenly as possible.

Big Ten Hayes

Big Ten Schembechler ???

Would be nice.

 

[sandgk]

Any way of snagging West Virginia?

I'm sure that a corn dog lure and #5 line is all you would need.

But for the Big 10 - I don't think so.