Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[jwinslow]

This is beyond the reach of your devices of destruction.

 

[jwinslow]

6-5-2010 Director's Cup Standings

2. OSU
3. Virginia
8. PSU
10. Minn
13. A&M
14. Nebraska
15. Wisc
17. ND
18. Maryland
19. Texas
21. Mich
29. MSU
36. Ill
40. IU
46. NW
47. Pur
48. Ga Tech
52. Syracuse
54. Missouri
55. Iowa
61. UConn
88. Rutgers
93. Pitt
98. Kansas

 

[Dryden]

What does Nebraska basketball bring to the Big Ten table? Baseball? Women's sports? Do they even have a hockey team?

Not even touching academics.

Women's volleyball! :p Academics aren't that bad. Going by the ever-popular USNWR ratings, they're immediately the worst rated school in the Big Ten, but still Top-100 with plans already in place for significant upgrades over the coming decade, which was even before becoming a member of the CIC. I see no reason to think that membership can't prop them up and this will be looked back upon as a non-issue in 15 to 20 years.

Oklahoma is another interesting case because there seems to be a stong movement there to prop themselves up academically as well. From what I've read from an insider on shaggybevo (who may be no more/less credible than any other "source" over recent weeks, but he appears to have 100% support among members over there, so I suppose he's legit), Oklahoma may want to distance themselves from Okie State just like Texas wants to separate from Aggie, Tech, etc ...

Recruiting Texas is a non-issue IMHO. Arky, LSU, and others have already been there for years. If recruit poaching is a real concern, Texas is probably best served going anywhere other than the Pac-10. No reason to let Arizona and California into their turf.

 

[Buckeye Nut]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Big Ten is taking these teams/colleges in their entirety. What does Nebraska basketball bring to the Big Ten table? Baseball? Women's sports? Do they even have a hockey team?

Not even touching academics.

Men's basketball not very good, women's basketball was a #1 seed in tournament this year. Baseball has great tradition, just had five players drafted last week and have three CWS appearances('01, '02, '05). Women's volleyball is a national power(national champs 1995, 2000, 2006). Men's and women's track and field are very good(both have won multiple Big XII titles in indoor & outdoor). Softball has three Big XII regular season and tournament titles and seven WCWS appearances(2002 most recent appearance). They don't have a varsity hockey team, but neither does Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State or Purdue. There is no Big Ten in hockey anyway so that really doesn't matter.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Screen capture of the latest ESPN SportsNation poll (for posterity, since it'll disappear forever sometime soon): Which new Big 10 rivalry does the nation want to see?

Clean sweep of the farm states with a smattering of some in the northeast for Neb/Iowa.

Rest of the nation (and the world) says Neb/Ohio State.

Lone hold outs are Michigan and Penn State, who both think they're relevant in this discussion.

I would love to see Nebraska/Ohio State rivalry. The Nebraska/Iowa makes the most sense for a yearly rivalry. Manufactured rivalries do not work. How bitter is the fight for the Land Grant trophy? These things need to be built over time.

 

[Dryden]

I would love to see Nebraska/Ohio State rivalry. The Nebraska/Iowa makes the most sense for a yearly rivalry. Manufactured rivalries do not work. How bitter is the fight for the Land Grant trophy? These things need to be built over time.

A beat writer for Nebraska was interviewed on 97.1 yesterday morning and he mentioned that the Neb/Iowa rivalry will be fierce. According to him, Omaha is hardcore Husker country, but the moment you head east and cross the Missouri River into Council Bluffs Iowa, you see Hawkeye flags.

 

[BrowardBuck]

I'm not sure where I read it sometime in the last couple of weeks, where someone was bemoaning the B10 for not going after OU with UT. But I swear I read someplace that their academics were not actually bad and were improving. I think this COULD be an interesting move. If the B10 can find a way to get past the perception of poor academics at OU and make an offer to both UT and OU, along with the offer to ND, the conference could HELP OU become a better academic institution to the point of being in a position to apply for membership in the AAU.

Unfortunately, I don't think the B10 is going to go in that direction. So, it boils down to either UT and A&M with ND or just UT. As much as many of the B10 schools pride themselves on giving athletes a second chance to prove themselves, I would think they could do the same with a uni that is moving up with their academic standards. Not sure if the academically minded within the other B10 schools would agree to add a team like OU though.

However, if the goal is to expand south and the only option available to do that is to offer OU along with UT, I think it is work the risk. The rewards could be off the charts and if OU isn't able to make the grade over say the next 10 years, they go bye bye. However, with the help of the other schools, I think OU could improve significantly to the point of a potential AAU membership.

*shrug* Of course, I am a nobody OSU fan. What do I know!

BB

Oklahoma is another interesting case because there seems to be a stong movement there to prop themselves up academically as well. From what I've read from an insider on shaggybevo (who may be no more/less credible than any other "source" over recent weeks, but he appears to have 100% support among members over there, so I suppose he's legit), Oklahoma may want to distance themselves from Okie State just like Texas wants to separate from Aggie, Tech, etc ...

 

[Buckeye Nut]

I would love to see Nebraska/Ohio State rivalry. The Nebraska/Iowa makes the most sense for a yearly rivalry. Manufactured rivalries do not work. How bitter is the fight for the Land Grant trophy? These things need to be built over time.

Trust me there will be nothing manufactured about that rivalry. They are bordering states and the two universities are connected by I-80, they recruit a lot of the same players and those two fans bases do not like each other. Quick story. I live out west, about 50 miles west of Nebraska, and was working out at the local YMCA. The TV had on the Iowa-Northwestern game and there was a Nebraska fan in the room watching as well. I happened to overhear him tell someone how bad he wanted Iowa to lose so it would shut their fans up since they were undefeated at the time. So just from that little experience I get the feeling he's not the only one who feels like that toward Iowa.
Referring back to this article, I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual.
http://www.hawkeyenation.com/football/big-10-users-guide-for-nebraska-fans

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

My understanding from three sleepless nights and unproductive work days (I really need a life) is that aTm can join the SEC if they carry Oklahoma or another school with them, and only still have the possibility, but not certainty, of being able to join the SEC alone.

My dream scenario: aTm and OK join the SEC, Texas feels fine to join the Big Ten then, Notre Dame does the same, and then we add two Eastern basketball centric but well located schools, or Rutgers.

I don't care about basketball. I have read the occasional post that says the attendance at the Schott sucks, so I don't think I'm the only one. Personally, I hope they don't take bball into consideration at all when making these decisions.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Big Ten is taking these teams/colleges in their entirety. What does Nebraska basketball bring to the Big Ten table? Baseball? Women's sports? Do they even have a hockey team?

Not even touching academics.

See previous answer...

 

[Mike80]

Trust me there will be nothing manufactured about that rivalry. They are bordering states and the two universities are connected by I-80, they recruit a lot of the same players and those two fans bases do not like each other. Quick story. I live out west, about 50 miles west of Nebraska, and was working out at the local YMCA. The TV had on the Iowa-Northwestern game and there was a Nebraska fan in the room watching as well. I happened to overhear him tell someone how bad he wanted Iowa to lose so it would shut their fans up since they were undefeated at the time. So just from that little experience I get the feeling he's not the only one who feels like that toward Iowa.
Referring back to this article, I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual.
Big 10 Users Guide for Nebraska Fans | Hawkeye Nation

Pennsylshithole and the state up north share a border? Since when???? Canada and Ohio doesn't count....

 

[Buckeye Nut]

Pennsylshithole and the state up north share a border? Since when???? Canada and Ohio doesn't count....

I'm talking about Iowa and Nebraska.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

A lenthy post by daddylew gives an in-depth perspective on Texas's current situation, and discusses the possibility of Texas and Oklahoma coming to the Big Ten (if the Sooners' academic standing could be accepted by the Big Ten).

I've only quoted a small part of his post.

NW.rivals

A couple of thoughts on this. Texas will NOT be allowed to bring Oklahoma with them to the Big Ten. Sorry not happening. There's already grumbling about Nebraska.

Secondly, maybe Aggy's decision is not ALL ABOUT TEXAS. Maybe, just maybe, they're doing what's right for them from a cultural and revenue standpoint and if getting out from under UT's thumb is part of the bargain so much the better. The tantrum that I'm witnessing is not coming from Aggy in their desire to head to the SEC, but from UT in the foot stomping and threats of never scheduling A&M in anything if they don't get their way.

BTW, what happened to their dream landing in the Pac 10? I thought that was a done deal. Oh yeah, Stanford and the UC schools let it be known that Baylor would not be joining, and the Pac 10 made the preemptive move of inviting Colorado to drive that point home. All of a sudden, Texas' well laid plans (shades of Richard III) of a hostile takeover of the Pac 10 (just convince the AZ schools to side with the B12 south schools) is in shambles, and the Pac 10 is no longer the dream it once was. First, UT tries to strongarm Nebraska into staying to keep the inequitable B12 alive, then UT comes to the B10 with demands of a 7 game conference schedule, the right to proceed with the Bevo Network, and--oh yeah--can we bring Oklahoma along.

I've come to the sincere belief that UT is absolutely incapable of just signing onto a new conference as an equal member. Seriously, they're worse than the domers. On paper, they seemed like the perfect B10 school. In practice, they are a parasitic, carpetbagging cancer.

BTW, BB. The harsh tone of my post is in response to the UT writer not you.

 

[JCOSU86]

Men's basketball not very good, women's basketball was a #1 seed in tournament this year. Baseball has great tradition, just had five players drafted last week and have three CWS appearances('01, '02, '05). Women's volleyball is a national power(national champs 1995, 2000, 2006). Men's and women's track and field are very good(both have won multiple Big XII titles in indoor & outdoor). Softball has three Big XII regular season and tournament titles and seven WCWS appearances(2002 most recent appearance). They don't have a varsity hockey team, but neither does Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State or Purdue. There is no Big Ten in hockey anyway so that really doesn't matter.

Thanks, I honestly did not know. I knew their Women's bball team was good this last year but did not know any of the other pieces of information.

 

[Hawk Spielman]

Very good post OB....they've never had to be on equal footing with either the SWC or the Big 12, and it is/was the biggest reason that both dissolved. If they "take over" the PAC 10 the way it appears they are going to then I honestly believe it is a matter of time before they destroy that conference as well.

Texas is the pretty girl who everybody wants, but when she's finally your own you realize she's a sucubus. I have come to the opinion you tell UT you can come on as an equal partner (with no special treatment) or you can get the hell lost.

Piss on them. The Big 10 is going to be fine athletically, academically, and financially without them.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Trust me there will be nothing manufactured about that rivalry. They are bordering states and the two universities are connected by I-80, they recruit a lot of the same players and those two fans bases do not like each other.

I agree. Nebraska/Iowa rivalry makes more sense than the manufactured one like MSU/PSU and UC/Pitt. That's why I don't think Nebraska/Ohio State would be bigger until one team takes a title away from the other. Michigan and Penn State have more of a history with Nebraska than Ohio State does. It will be a big game because they are big programs, but not a rivalry, yet.