Big Ten and other Conference Expansion

[powerlifter]

I'll admit this might sound dumb at first but, nevertheless, I think they put to much weight on wins and losses instead of actually analyzing the teams wins and losses. Thats what kept Iowa up there. Every one was expecting Iowa to lose sooner or later yet they were still ranked really high. Another thing I hate are the predictable upsets. By that I mean is when someone gives there top 20 or so and then calls an upset. I'm thinkin' "ok why did you just rank that team higher, clearly saying that they are better (can't think of anything else that could mean), and then predict them to lose." WTF ???? I've seen this on ESPN when Kirk or someone will completely agree with the rankings and then go and predict against them.

You have to consider position in the starting polls. Also,sometimes predictions can be based off things like players being banged up or teams playing at a higher level then they were anticipating.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Assume that at some point in our lives scUM gets back to being scUM and its the Big 2 and little 8 (10) again.

-You put the two perennial powers in the same division and run the risk of a perpetually meaningless B10 CG.

-You put them in separate divisions and The Game isn't The Game anymore because you could very well have a rematch 2 weeks later.

[censored] everything else, this is what concerns me about a 12th B10 team (that and the whole name thing).

Oh come on. The Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry hasn't been hurt at all by the addition of a CCG to the Big 12...


Seriously though: Seeing what happened to that rivalry has me absolutely dead-set against any expansion of the Big Ten. Any suggestion that expansion would not lead to a CCG is naive at best, and if you don't think that hurts what we value most; read this again:

If the Big Ten adds a championship game, then The Game will no longer be the last game of the year. It will no longer decide who goes to the top bowl from the Big Ten. It will no longer be a game for "all the marbles".

Personally, I think that is a step back for Ohio State.

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And if you don't value the rivalry with TSUN above ANYTHING that conference expansion or a CCG would bring; then our standards of value are so different that we have no basis for a discussion.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Oh come on. The Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry hasn't been hurt at all by the addition of a CCG to the Big 12...


Seriously though: Seeing what happened to that rivalry has me absolutely dead-set against any expansion of the Big Ten. Any suggestion that expansion would not lead to a CCG is naive at best, and if you don't think that hurts what we value most; read this again:
.

I don't disagree with that. Then again, the Big 12 was so stupid, as to literally do away with the rivalry by placing both schools in separate divisions and refusing to carve out a special scheduling consideration that would have maintained the traditional annual Thanksgiving weekend OU-UN game.

I doubt the Big Ten would be so stupid. After all, it is first and foremost and academic conference.

 

[Steve19]

And if you don't value the rivalry with TSUN above ANYTHING that conference expansion or a CCG would bring; then our standards of value are so different that we have no basis for a discussion.

Doesn't matter what I think. I think you realize that wasn't my point.

My point is that fans of all teams voted Ohio State-TSUN as the top rivalry game precisely because so much has been on the line when The Game has been played and how many times the underdog changed the destiny of the favorite. Other conferences started having CCGs in large part because they didn't have an exciting conclusion to the season like The Game.

In most years during the last five decades, Ohio State would have played TSUN and then turned around and played them again.

I am deeply sorry that Penn State was admitted. The Big Ten should have stayed the Big 10. Alvarez only wants expansion so that Wisky can emerge as champion of a weak West Division and play for a Rose Bowl seat that it hasn't earned in the regular season.

As you say, expansion means a CCG. There is no doubt about it. A CCG that likely will be played in snow or freezing rain most years. Meanwhile, the SEC and PAC10 play in temperate weather.

A CCG means that weather might determine whether the top team in the country is denied a shot at the NC. It's not worth it.

 

[IronBuckI]

Doesn't matter what I think. I think you realize that wasn't my point.

My point is that fans of all teams voted Ohio State-TSUN as the top rivalry game precisely because so much has been on the line when The Game has been played and how many times the underdog changed the destiny of the favorite. Other conferences started having CCGs in large part because they didn't have an exciting conclusion to the season like The Game.

In most years during the last five decades, Ohio State would have played TSUN and then turned around and played them again.

I am deeply sorry that Penn State was admitted. The Big Ten should have stayed the Big 10. Alvarez only wants expansion so that Wisky can emerge as champion of a weak West Division and play for a Rose Bowl seat that it hasn't earned in the regular season.

As you say, expansion means a CCG. There is no doubt about it. A CCG that likely will be played in snow or freezing rain most years. Meanwhile, the SEC and PAC10 play in temperate weather.

A CCG means that weather might determine whether the top team in the country is denied a shot at the NC. It's not worth it.

Detroit, Minnesota, and Indianapolis might have a solution to the weather problem.

I'm not a proponent for a CCG. However, with three domes in Big Ten territory, I don't think that weather will be a factor.

 

[Steve19]

Detroit, Minnesota, and Indianapolis might have a solution to the weather problem.

I'm not a proponent for a CCG. However, with three domes in Big Ten territory, I don't think that weather will be a factor.

I realized this but then, Ohio State plays a CCG as an away game every year?

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Detroit, Minnesota, and Indianapolis might have a solution to the weather problem.

I'm not a proponent for a CCG. However, with three domes in Big Ten territory, I don't think that weather will be a factor.

Seriously, who is going to want to go to any one of those cities in December? Or Clevleand. Or Cincy. or Milwaukee.

The CCG would be held in Chicago at Soldier Field. Anything else would be a joke.

 

[Mike80]

Seriously, who is going to want to go to any one of those cities in December? Or Clevleand. Or Cincy. or Milwaukee.

The CCG would be held in Chicago at Soldier Field. Anything else would be a joke.

Who the hell wants to go to Chicago in December??

The CCG will be held in an indoor stadium much like the Big XII and the SEC. That means Minny, Detroit or, as I would guess if it were to happen, Lucas Oil Field in Indy.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Who the hell wants to go to Chicago in December??

The CCG will be held in an indoor stadium much like the Big XII and the SEC. That means Minny, Detroit or, as I would guess if it were to happen, Lucas Oil Field in Indy.

I don't know? People who might want to spend a few days before Christmas in a world class city with world class dining, shopping and cultural institutions instead of a regional city just like the one they live in/near.

I've been to Indy numerous times and couldn't wait to finish up business and get the hell out. It's Milwaukee without the glitter.

 

[Mike80]

I don't know? People who might want to spend a few days before Christmas in a world class city with world class dining, shopping and cultural institutions instead of a regional city just like the one they live in/near.

I've been to Indy numerous times and couldn't wait to finish up business and get the hell out. It's Milwaukee without the glitter.

If it's about shopping, go to Minny.

I'm telling you, it will be (theoretically) Indy unless scUM and Sparty sway it to Detroit.

of course if the Daley machine gets into full gear, it might be Chicago - or else

 

[MUBuck]

I don't know? People who might want to spend a few days before Christmas in a world class city with world class dining, shopping and cultural institutions instead of a regional city just like the one they live in/near.

I've been to Indy numerous times and couldn't wait to finish up business and get the hell out. It's Milwaukee without the glitter.

Big XII: San Antonio and Arlington, TX, Kansas City
ACC: Tampa and Jacksonville, FL
SEC: Atlanta, GA

Big cities, for sure, but I think you would agree that these cities aren't considered "world class cities" either. I don't see how Indi is any different from these cities, and the other championship games seem to be filling the seats without problem.

 

[matcar]

I don't know? People who might want to spend a few days before Christmas in a world class city with world class dining, shopping and cultural institutions instead of a regional city just like the one they live in/near.

I've been to Indy numerous times and couldn't wait to finish up business and get the hell out. It's Milwaukee without the glitter.

I like Milwaukee...better than Chicago. Especially in the summer. But that's not what we're talking about is it.

I don't like expansion. I don't like CCG. I don't like the BCS and the push for some "real" championship playoffs. I wish things were as they were years ago. I am virtually alone in that. Soon, all those things will come to pass. I won't like it, but I'm sure I'll survive.

 

[jwinslow]

Who the hell wants to go to Chicago in December??

Is there a reason you're treating Chicago like Cleveland?

I don't like expansion. I don't like CCG. I don't like the BCS and the push for some "real" championship playoffs. I wish things were as they were years ago. I am virtually alone in that.

Not among big ten fans.

 

[Ttown]

Is there a reason you're treating Chicago like Cleveland?Not among big ten fans.

Impossible. Their football team wins games.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

If it's about shopping, go to Minny.

I'm telling you, it will be (theoretically) Indy unless scUM and Sparty sway it to Detroit.

of course if the Daley machine gets into full gear, it might be Chicago - or else

Minny doesn't have any shopping that Columbus or Indy don't. They just cram it into some god awful suburban monstrosity mall. There are still some things for which you have to head to a Chicago or NY.

That being said, I do think you're right that it will be in a domed stadium. I'm not saying it's the best move, but since when is that the main criteria.

Funny thing is that I do know some West Coast alums who no longer come to the BB tournament now that it's in Indy. In their words, they don't want to spend four days with nothing to do but go to the games and eat at a chain restaurant. For a one game deal, that may not prove a deciding factor.