Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[cincibuck]

Anyone else think we ought to get an open letter to Gene Smith going? I've seen several writers on this board who could fashion a pretty rational, comprehensive piece that we could all chop off on.

I really do not trust, like, condone the way this thing is going. And not the least of my worries is that the Big 10 schools are counting on squeezing one, possibly two more games out of KIDS... not pros, KIDS.

 

[AKAK]

I'm sure if they search hard enough, they'll find a way

Hey... cut the guy some slack... he's still got booze cruise on the brain.

 

[scooter1369]

Hey... cut the guy some slack... he's still got booze cruise on the brain.

Couldn't miss an open shot to the gut on RWSF.

 

[osugrad21]

Couldn't miss an open shot to the gut on RWSF.

No worries. The table is set. I'll be back in the groove shortly.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

DDN

Big Ten considers expanding to 12

To help the new Big Ten Network TV market, the conference will look at other big-name universities.



By Associated Press
Associated Press

Friday, July 27, 2007

DES MOINES, Iowa ? Big Ten officials will likely discuss expanding to 12 schools to accommodate the new Big Ten Network, Commissioner Jim Delany said.
The network, which is scheduled to launch Aug. 30, would benefit from an additional big-name university in a large television market, Delany said.

Cont...

Ha! Notre Dame asked to join the Big 10 years ago and Woody said no! Archie sucks!!!!!

 

[scooter1369]

Ha! Notre Dame asked to join the Big 10 years ago and Woody said no! Archie sucks!!!!!

well played ND... er BN27

 

[BrutusMaximus]

Hmm, what about Pitt? I would love to see them and State Penn play each other. Their fans kill me.

 

[rocketman]

Well, at least the BTN isn't trying to hide that the basis behind their reasoning is purely money. I wonder if they know that they're acting as the proverbial dick-in-the-ear of Big 10 tradition.

What ever happened to using the 12 game schedule to make B10 play a round robin affair so we at least don't have split championships? Isn't that how the Pac-10 does it?

 

[OSU SPORTS]

If this has to be done, I'd like to pick up Louisville. Quality football team, and good tradition for basketball.Never mind devaluing the greatest rivalry game in sports. Television executives, from a not yet started nor successful network no less, should not be involved in this monumental decision.

a) Split up OSU/UM, risk a repeat
b) Put OSU/UM in the same division, risk a 'b12 north' parallel in the other division

I think you have to put this in perspective. Delany and Silverman were in Iowa to discuss the BIG TEN NETWORK, not expansion of the Big Ten. IMO, Delany only mentioned this to promote the BTN. If you read the entire article, it's obvious that this was his intention. Delany also states in the article that season ending games would be devalued. Even when ND was being mentioned as an expansion team, a conf championship was not part of the deal. The college presidents wouldn't go for that. What happened in this long conversation about the BTN, is the media took one little part and ran with it. If you think about it, it was pretty shrewd of Delany. Now the media is pumping out stories, message boards are discussing it and now you have a large segment of the sports population(not just within the Big Ten)talking about the Big Ten and THE BIG TEN NETWORK. That's what I call some free advertising.

 

[BGriffBuckeye]

IMO, putting OSU and Michigan in the same division would have to be done. It ensures a game at the end still, but does not create the opportunity for a rematch in the B10CG. This would mean that teams like Wisconsin, Penn St and Iowa would all have to be in the other division. My favorite pick for a new team would be Louisville. We need to make the conference stronger and rival the SEC because, right now, they're the best when it comes down to competitiveness throughout the conference. You have to beat the best to be the best.

 

[NightmaresDad]

I agree with Scooter. If there is going to be change, I would MUCH rather drop a team than add one. Who was the last team in? Oh yeah, PSU. SEE YA!

Then you would have the chance to play 9 conf games and your 3 OOC games, and wouldn't have to fill in your schdl with DI-AA teams.

But IF they decided to add another team, the only legit possibility would be ND. If that happened, and the BigTentwelve was divided into 2 divisions, then you would have to keep us and scUM in the same division. Since you are putting the top 2 programs in the same division, then the next 3 would go in the other (PSU, ND, WI?). Then the next two in our half (IA, MSU?). Then the next two in the other, and so on.

So...
OSU MI IA MSU PU NW
&
PSU ND WI IL MN IN

That seems fairly reasonable

Plus, it would be fun to see ND lose at least 3 to 5 games every year, and hear them whine and wish for the days of their "tough" schedule!

 

[RoscoeParrish]

Unless it's ND, it really seems like a bad deal. Even with them, I'm not strongly in favor of it.

 

[bkochmc]

EDSBS's take

As always, some great comments, especially this exchange:

A 12 team Big Ten football conference will never work, and I can give 2 reasons why: Michigan and Ohio State. The two choices are:
A) Put them in the same conference to play the last game against each other (and one misses out on the $B$i$g$1#1$T$e#n Moneygrab…errr.Championship game or
B) They’re in opposite conferences and potentially play against each other 2 weeks in a row.

B) They’re in opposite conferences and potentially play against each other 2 weeks in a row.
- but it would make Michigan fans happy.

I’m sure that Michigan fans are doing backflips at the prospect of watching Lloyd get outeverythinged by Captain Sweatervest in consecutive weeks.

 

[cincibuck]

We don't need no stinkin' badges or playoffs ...

If the Big 10 forced a ninth conference game the MAC would go belly up...

Notre Dame student and alum reaction puts them out of the picture...

and raises the question of just how much money they put into womens athletics per title IX...

The league needs to expand it exposure to the east.

Syracuse offers a school with a proud athletic history and sound academics that would fit in with the Big 10...

Syracuse would bring back a great rivalry for Penn State...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Pitt isn't very strong academically, has a mediocre sports rep and would actually eat into Penn State and OSU fan base.

I don't think WVU, a potential BCS bowl team each year in the Big east, would be much interested in joining OSU, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue when they can play Louisville, Rutgers and four guys named Bruce.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

four guys named Bruce.

They may not have a decent football team of which to speak, but they do boast one of the finest philosphy departments in all of Australia.