Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[sepia5]

But, from the Notre Dame standpoint, I think you'd like to have at least one protected conference rivalry against a program of similar caliber to your own.

I think the real problem in this regard is the view from Notre Dame's standpoint. The reality is that MSU and Purdue have been programs of similar caliber to Notre Dame for the past 15 years.

 

[BB73]

I don't think there's any real chance at this, but Vanderbilt has somehow been included in speculation about expansion, and here's an article about it from the Vandy perspective.

Scout.free

 

[zincfinger]

I think the real problem in this regard is the view from Notre Dame's standpoint. The reality is that MSU and Purdue have been programs of similar caliber to Notre Dame for the past 15 years.

And that's fine, but in a process like this, I think it's far more important to look at prospects for future success, which are largely predicated on long-term consistency in the past, and the name-brand that goes with that. The past 15 years is of middling importance, because pretty much every elite program has had a period where the past 15 years wouldn't look so elite. So while Purdue and MSU may have been about as successful as ND over the past 15 years, I don't think there's any question that ND is a bigger program with greater potential for future success. On a smaller note, if your goal is to lure Notre Dame, you need to offer them something. The BigTen will not and should not offer them a "special deal". But they can offer them, among other things, a protected rivalry with an elite program. Purdue and MSU are great BigTen members, but they're not elite football programs. Penn State is. An annual matchup against Penn State gives ND fans and alums something to look forward to in a way that an annual matchup against Purdue or MSU does not.

 

[FCollinsBuckeye]

I don't think there's any real chance at this, but Vanderbilt has somehow been included in speculation about expansion, and here's an article about it from the Vandy perspective.

Scout.free

I thought about mentioning Vandy awhile ago, but opted not to. I'm sure the SEC fans would think it's a hoot if we were to take one of their athletic bottom feeders, but academically, it would be a coup.

E.G.G. certainly would have a unique perspective on the prospect of Vandy joining the BigTen - I'd be curious to hear his thoughts.

 

[Gatorubet]

I thought about mentioning Vandy awhile ago, but opted not to. I'm sure the SEC fans would think it's a hoot if we were to take one of their athletic bottom feeders, but academically, it would be a coup.

E.G.G. certainly would have a unique perspective on the prospect of Vandy joining the BigTen - I'd be curious to hear his thoughts.

I'm a big Vandy fan. Good baseball and basketball effort on a consistant basis. One of two SEC AAU schools. I don't think it would be a "hoot".

I'd be unhappy about it, and feel that the conference was diminished.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I'm a big Vandy fan. Good baseball and basketball effort on a consistant basis. One of two SEC AAU schools. I don't think it would be a "hoot".

I'd be unhappy about it, and feel that the conference was diminished.

And as a Florida fan with 15K posts on BP, you are perfectly representative of the average SEC fan... right?

:tongue2:

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

And now for something completely different:

At Shaggy Bevo, a State Penn fan linked to a Sparty Blog where the writer does a good job of pretending to have the inside scoop. I say pretending, because there is no reason to assign any credibility to this source at the present.

The gist of the blog is that "anonymous sources" say the conference is working hard at getting the Horns and the Irish, and they expect the BTN payout to grow as high as $40M per team if that happens.

The Shaggy Bevo LINK

The Sparty Blog LINK

Interesting to me is that the first response at Shaggy Bevo was to opine that UT should join the Big 10 if ND does.

 

[OSU_D/]

# Delany on non-expansion "I would hope that it wouldn?t be a big disappointment and they would feel it?s the prudent outcome." 13 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# Delany reiterates that he'll give other conference commissioner a head's up before engaging in formal talks with institutions. 29 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# Delany: Changing population demographics (to the south) and the Big Ten Network are the two main factors driving expansion. 32 minutes ago via TweetDeck

Some interesting comments from Delany. If you are looking at population shifts then it really says schools such as Texas, Maryland, Georgia Tech should get a much longer look.


O-Zone: Some comments from Delany at the B10 meetings today....(m)

 

[Piney]

Some interesting comments from Delany. If you are looking at population shifts then it really says schools such as Texas, Maryland, Georgia Tech should get a much longer look.


O-Zone: Some comments from Delany at the B10 meetings today....(m)

Yeah, the population shift comment is REALLY going to feed the expanion hysteria. People are going to take that comment and run with it creating even more scenarios.

What was even more fun was his comments about respecting Notre Dame's wishes to remain independent.

So what does this mean? Texas is the target once again

Quick comment though on Vandy. I can see them actually being a target, but the reason is to appease the presidents that don't particularly like Missouri/Nebraska and will only accept them if they bring an academic powerhouse like Vandy into the Big 10.

 

[zincfinger]

At Shaggy Bevo, a State Penn fan linked to a Sparty Blog where the writer does a good job of pretending to have the inside scoop.

"Shaggy Bevo", eh? I guess everything is bigger in Texas.

 

[jwinslow]

beyond the three fan interactions, there's no excuse for a life lived without experiencing the ms paint tales from that board.

"Shaggy Bevo", eh? I guess everything is bigger in Texas.

 

[y0yoyoin]

Big Ten expansion is still 'months away,' says commissioner Jim Delany | cleveland.com

He says gaining a foothold in growing Southern markets and expanding the reach of the lucrative Big Ten television network would be the main goals. He also says the Big Ten is "not looking for a championship game" in football.

 

[cincibuck]

Quick comment though on Vandy. I can see them actually being a target, but the reason is to appease the presidents that don't particularly like Missouri/Nebraska and will only accept them if they bring an academic powerhouse like Vandy into the Big 10.

And the previous president at Vandy was... just now thought of that, could be a reason why the sudden interest.

I just hope that if ND says no a second time Delaney steps in and puts pressure on the Big 10 schools to drop them from their schedules.

As for expanding to the South -- that's a real cultural chasm to cross and outside of Texas the only football programs worth the trouble are in the SEC. Ga Tech and Vandy run a distant second in their states in terms of fan base. That leaves Miami and FSU neither of which is much of an academic power, both of which bring a history of NCAA violations with them. doesn't sound like something the Big 10 presidents want to touch.

 

[Steve19]

just hope that if ND says no a second time Delaney steps in and puts pressure on the Big 10 schools to drop them from their schedules.

Me too, especially after their new coach makes these comments about independence today. I'd love to watch them eat humble pie and slide into obscurity as they travel around the US to get decent games or get forced to join the Big East.

Personally, I say look South. Forget the East.

 

[sepia5]

And that's fine, but in a process like this, I think it's far more important to look at prospects for future success, which are largely predicated on long-term consistency in the past, and the name-brand that goes with that. The past 15 years is of middling importance, because pretty much every elite program has had a period where the past 15 years wouldn't look so elite. So while Purdue and MSU may have been about as successful as ND over the past 15 years, I don't think there's any question that ND is a bigger program with greater potential for future success. On a smaller note, if your goal is to lure Notre Dame, you need to offer them something. The BigTen will not and should not offer them a "special deal". But they can offer them, among other things, a protected rivalry with an elite program. Purdue and MSU are great BigTen members, but they're not elite football programs. Penn State is. An annual matchup against Penn State gives ND fans and alums something to look forward to in a way that an annual matchup against Purdue or MSU does not.

I agree. I just wanted to take a shot at Notre Dame.