Why isn't Rutgers getting a look?

**shadow** · 10-06-2011, 04:24 PM

Sorry if this was talked about in some of the big threads, but I didn't want to spend the next hour looking. Anyways, I was wondering why Rutgers wasn't getting looked at? Heck, if Tulane is getting looked at, why not Rutgers since they're:

- an AAU member
- according to the NY Times have the 32nd largest fan base
- are in the New York City market
- had a $64.2 million athletic budget (2nd in Big East)
- is about the distance away from schools as BYU is; Google maps says ~1100 miles for both from Ames
- Just completed a $102 million expansion of their football stadium in 2009 to ~52,000 seats

To me, in that light of that information, it's really surprising to me we haven't heard more about them. If we go to 12, Rutgers (along with L'ville and WVU) makes a lot more sense than Tulane or Cincinnati or heck, even BYU (due to geography among other issues).

Correction: it would be a bit longer by 300-500 miles for most schools other than ISU to go to Rutgers than BYU.

Update: Still, it seems that if you're thinking of going to 12 (w/ no Mizzou) with L'ville and WVU; Rutgers makes more sense than BYU. The geography is just crazy if they go that route. Another minor point. With TCU in, Tulane has to be out if 12 is an option since I don't see one of the OK schools being moved to the North division.

**alarson** · 10-06-2011, 04:29 PM

BYU is a stretch geographically. Rutgers is even more so. BYU is about 1000 miles from Austin, Rutgers is 1500 mi

That said, if we wanted to go to 16 i wouldnt mind a complete merger of the big 12 and big east.

**Clark** · 10-06-2011, 04:31 PM

You're asking why a school in New Jersey isn't being considered for joining a conference mostly based in and around Texas? Do you need me to post a map?

**cyman05** · 10-06-2011, 04:34 PM

Geography is a secondary concern in expansion. I agree with the OP that they should get a look. What difference does it make if the flight is another hour or two to New York as compared to Salt Lake City?

**cstrunk** · 10-06-2011, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by cyman05

Geography is a secondary concern in expansion. I agree with the OP that they should get a look. What difference does it make if the flight is another hour or two to New York as compared to Salt Lake City?

Not by much, IMO. I think it's pretty important, actually.

**mike4cy** · 10-06-2011, 04:37 PM

I heard it was because of the nappy headed...nevermind.

-Signed, Don Imus

**Clark** · 10-06-2011, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by cyman05

Geography is a secondary concern in expansion. I agree with the OP that they should get a look. What difference does it make if the flight is another hour or two to New York as compared to Salt Lake City?

Apparantly I did need to post a map. The Big 12's entire identity is a midwest conference. You can at least make the case Utah isn't far from that since they're still in flyover country but Rutgers is not only way out of the area, but so far from every single member of the conference it's ridiculous.

**jbhtexas** · 10-06-2011, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by cyman05

Geography is a secondary concern in expansion. I agree with the OP that they should get a look. What difference does it make if the flight is another hour or two to New York as compared to Salt Lake City?

Geography should be a primary concern. It's not just one team. It's 13 teams or however many sports ISU sponsors now. It's abolutely ******** to fly 1/2 of a continent for conference games, and I hope the Big 12 does everything possible to avoid it.

The Big 12 can be stable with 10-12 schools, if those schools work together to make it stable. 16 teams spread out across 1/2 the continent doesn't guarantee stability.

**shadow** · 10-06-2011, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Clark

Apparantly I did need to post a map. The Big 12's entire identity is a midwest conference. You can at least make the case Utah isn't far from that since they're still in flyover country but Rutgers is not only way out of the area, but so far from every single member of the conference it's ridiculous.

But if you're thinking about adding Louisville and West Virginia, it's not that ridiculous IMO anyways especially if you'd consider BYU, L'ville, and WVU together (that's a bit of a stretch).

**bosco** · 10-06-2011, 04:53 PM

I think the B12 should add Rutgers if we are adding WVU. It's about TV markets anymore.

**alarson** · 10-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by bosco

I think the B12 should add Rutgers if we are adding WVU. It's about TV markets anymore.

Rutgers doesnt get you a tv market any more than Northern Illinois would get you the Chicago market.

**Clark** · 10-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by shadow

But if you're thinking about adding Louisville and West Virginia, it's not that ridiculous IMO anyways especially if you'd consider BYU, L'ville, and WVU together (that's a bit of a stretch).

WVU is as far East as I'd want to go and that's only because I wouldn't want to get my *** sued.

That's why I believe the ACC will take UConn and Rutgers.

Nobody wants this to end up in court and I can guarantee you that if one of the Big East schools ends up left out they'll be singing the same tunes that Baylor and ISU were a month ago...and they have Baylor and ISU's public words to use against them.

The Big East will remain as a basketball only conference.

**bosco** · 10-06-2011, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

Rutgers doesnt get you a tv market any more than Northern Illinois would get you the Chicago market.

This article begs to differ.

The Geography of College Football Fans (and Realignment Chaos) - NYTimes.com

**Frak** · 10-06-2011, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

Rutgers doesnt get you a tv market any more than Northern Illinois would get you the Chicago market.

Exactly. If they actually brought any semblance of the NYC market, they'd be in the Big 10 already. If Mizzou stays, call it good. If they leave, grab BYU, Louisville and either AF or WV.

**shadow** · 10-06-2011, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Frak

Exactly. If they actually brought any semblance of the NYC market, they'd be in the Big 10 already. If Mizzou stays, call it good. If they leave, grab BYU, Louisville and either AF or WV.

If we're talking geography, how can you both east and west? That's why I thought Rutgers if you go east (w/ L'ville and WVU). BYU, L'ville, and AF/WVU is a mess...