Big Ten Bleacher Report - Expansion from Big 12

[Wesley]

Big 10 Expansion: It's a Matter of Time | Bleacher Report
Big 10 Expansion: It's a Matter of Time

The envelopes please... Bob DaBuckeye breaks down the Big 10
by Bob DaBuckeye (Scribe)
13 comments

This article has not been edited yet.



With the creation of the Big 10 Network and being available on HD channels, the expansion of the Big 10 is probably being expedited.
Who will get the call and will the Big 10 expand by more than one team?
Let's examine some possibilities.
The Big 10 adds one team scenario.
The “Pitt” Panthers would give the Conference two teams in Penn., but the Philadelphia market would not bring TV money.
PSU with Paterno would veto this— odds are not likely with any major media market.
WVU are a team on the rise in football and basketball. The Mountaineers are not a major television market and bring no "must have" to the table.
Syracuse Orange is an interesting team.
They were once a football power and currently have a great basketball program. However, they are not looked on, as New York City's team, which means the TV area they control, would not be as large as you might think.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights are New Jersey's team and the first to bring substantial broadcast revenue to the bargaining table.
They have gone from “no” to “whoa!”
They are historically, not a general, good program in either football or basketball, but playing the Big 10 schedule would result in about a .500.
Louisville Cardinals— a Kentucky market, is not a major viewing plus, however, they are a program on the rise in both football and basketball.
The fact they are the northern most southern, than any current Big 10 teams give them variety.
Cincinnati Bearcats?
Ohio State doesn't want another “Ohio” school and that market is already on the fritz with all Buckeye fans in the area.
Fat chance for “Cincy.”
The Mac teams are the little brothers of the Big 10, and none would be considered as they bring, essentially, nothing substantial to the table.
Fat chance part II.
Iowa State Cyclones are a natural rival for Iowa. They bring nothing to the table.
Nebraska Cornhuskers are arguably America’s football legend that has stumbled lately.
While they bring little to the pot as far as viewer revenues go, they are still, Big Red.
Odds are that the Big 10 will accept that collect call— a definite short list team.
Missouri is geographically not that far from the current schools, but then again neither is Kentucky.
They’re a program on the rise in football and a legitimate contender to win the Big 10 basketball title any year.
The St. Louis market is a bonus as well and odds are as good as Nebraska's.
Colorado Buffaloes are a major market in Denver and have been a top football program in the past, but recently in a rebuilding stage.
The program has had many problems and the Big 10 may decide they are too big of a risk.
Years ago after the formation of the Big 12 they turned down a Pac 10 invite.
Odds are 50-50, but don’t hold your breath.
The Naval Academy is my “Dark horse” candidate. They are obviously a major player in academics.
Their sports programs are not the powers they were 50-years ago. TV impact is hard to consider, but they would add ratings with the number of Navy veterans all over the country.
Chances of any team being asked to leave the Big 10 are slim to none.
Penn State would be the only team likely to leave, but they realize the power of the Big 10 with non-revenue producing sports and I don't see them leaving.
Now, here's another possibility: 14 Teams
With two seven team divisions the schedule would work. Each team would play every team in their division and two teams on a rotating basis in the other division.
This still leaves four non-conference games.
Let's look at what this could mean: three teams could be brought in.
This would expand the coverage area nicely depending on who is invited to join.
Let's look at some possibilities:
A three-team raid on the Big 12 with invites to Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado. Iowa State if needed would be considered if it meant two of the Big “3” would come in with one refusing to join.
The Texas “Two Step.”
Would Texas and Texas A&M be willing to jump ship for the Big 10?
Any of the other Big 12 schools would be welcomed with these two teams. The Big 10 would be drooling to get a foot in the Texas media market and recruiting pool.
Then we have the possibilities of Eastern Expansion
A trifecta of Pitt, Louisville and a team from this list: Rutgers, Syracuse, WVU or Navy wouldn't be that badbad.
Then we have the dream if Notre Dame agrees to come in and is allowed to keep their contract, but wouldn't get any Big 10 revenues until their contract expires.
Along with ND joining any other two teams mentioned would be acceptable.
Teams that the Big 10 would be willing to talk to not mentioned: Boston College, Air Force Academy, Kentucky, SEC Powerhouses, BYU and Boise State.
Sure some of these are wishful thinking but you never know when money is involved.
Expansion will happen and the Big 10 needs to be proactive not reactive.

[tejasclone]

I generally tend to discredit anything that contains such horrid writing. Comma splices all over the place.

Anyway, to the point of the article. This whole thing sounds 100% speculative. Is the Big Ten really so arrogant to think that their reach can spread all the way to Colorado and Texas? They must be really be intent on becoming THE premier super conference. I have a hard time believing they'd spread anywhere west or south. I'm guessing they'll point their tentacles in the direction of Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, etc.

[ripvdub]

This guy isnt very bright. Texas, aTm wouldnt leave, they already own their own conference.

No way they would bring in Navy. Thats just mind blowing someone would suggest that.

I like how at in the end he mentioned in "teams the big ten would be willing to talk to", he mentions "SEC powerehouses".

Sure this guys name isnt Bob DaHawkeye.

[superdorf]

They mention nearly every school except Notre Dame... Hasn't there always been rumors of this? I realize that it doesn't make a lot of sense for ND.

[superdorf]

This article has not been edited yet.

Then why did he post it?

[CYdTracked]

Iowa State Cyclones are a natural rival for Iowa. They bring nothing to the table.

Gotta agree with this one. They are looking at markets more than necessarily quality of teams. I think Missouri makes the most sense as you bring in the KC and St. Louis markets plus they provide a good rivarly with Illinois.

[Cy Hard]

The Big Ten (little eleven) is quickly becoming one of the weakest BCS conferences all ready. No team in another BCS conference would jump ship to the Big Ten, especially from the SEC or the Big 12. The BTN does nothing for them as many of the other power conferences will have their own network if it becomes fiscally more advantageous for them at that time. I think I should post a blog how the Big Ten will be disbanded by the year 2015.

[HILLCYD]

The Big Ten (little eleven) is quickly becoming one of the weakest BCS conferences all ready. No team in another BCS conference would jump ship to the Big Ten, especially from the SEC or the Big 12. The BTN does nothing for them as many of the other power conferences will have their own network if it becomes fiscally more advantageous for them at that time. I think I should post a blog how the Big Ten will be disbanded by the year 2015.

This is exactly why a Big 12/SEC team would join up.

[Clonefan94]

Just sounds to me like more of the typical Big 10 arrogance. The southern schools are not and I repeat NOT going to want to have to deal with multiple cold weather games each year. As others have said, the Texas Schools own the Big XII, why fight with 11 schools for your share of revenue now.

Personally, I think it's more of a case of the Big 10 realizing they need someone other than midwest schools and 1 east coast school to keep their national prominence alive.

[cycloneworld]

The Big Ten (little eleven) is quickly becoming one of the weakest BCS conferences all ready. No team in another BCS conference would jump ship to the Big Ten, especially from the SEC or the Big 12. The BTN does nothing for them as many of the other power conferences will have their own network if it becomes fiscally more advantageous for them at that time. I think I should post a blog how the Big Ten will be disbanded by the year 2015.

While the football level in the Big 10 is down...its still seen as an elite conference.

While I don't think Big 12 or SEC teams will jump to the Big 10, any other team would be turning down truckloads of money if they didn't join.

[zdorr40]

This is exactly why a Big 12/SEC team would join up.

If Mizzou or Knebraska would join the Big 10 for some reason, who does the Big XII add? Another TX school? IMO, that would be awful. The Big XII focuses enough on that state as it is.

[superfan]

Bob, Bob, Bob...

1.) Nobody outside of the midwest cares about the Big 10.
2.) Notre Dame will never join the Big 10, they just signed a big deal with NBC.
3.) Mizzou, Colorado, and Nebraska are not going to drop all the old Big 8 rivalries to join the Big 10.
4.) SEC Powerhouses? Yeah, they're going to leave their rivalries at the drop of a hat. On the other hand, you'd virtually guarantee them a national championship bid every year.
5.) Texas team(s)? If they ever leave, they're going to the SEC.

[CyinCo]

How arrogant to believe that the Big 10/11 can just go pick a team and that is that. I think it is more challenging than that.

[zdorr40]

How arrogant to believe that the Big 10/11 can just go pick a team and that is that. I think it is more challenging than that.

I understand why ND will never join. I just wish they would do it anyway and get all this speculation over with.

[Wesley]

Maybe EIU fans are more tolerable than Buckeye fans?