Big 10 Expansion Thread -Big Ten ready for a playoff .. finally?

[britrock88]

Probably the best fit out there for Idaho.

[britrock88]

Okay, did just a little thinking about this. It could work. To get to 8 football-playing teams, the WAC would have to "call up" all 6 of the Big Sky schools that currently have FBS-level stadium capacities (15,000): Montana, Sacramento State, Portland State, Montana State, Weber State, and Northern Arizona. The WAC has a little something going for it in that Sac State and NAU are already affiliate members in a few non-revenue sports, so it'd be less than a total transition for those athletic departments.

Of course, this would leave the Big Sky with 5 all-sports members, and 2 football-only members. I don't know if the WAC's non-football schools (Seattle/Denver/Texas-Arlington) would be thrilled about being politely pushed out of the WAC and into the arms of the Big Sky to get it to 7 football members and 8 non-football members.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by britrock88

Okay, did just a little thinking about this. It could work. To get to 8 football-playing teams, the WAC would have to "call up" all 6 of the Big Sky schools that currently have FBS-level stadium capacities (15,000): Montana, Sacramento State, Portland State, Montana State, Weber State, and Northern Arizona. The WAC has a little something going for it in that Sac State and NAU are already affiliate members in a few non-revenue sports, so it'd be less than a total transition for those athletic departments.

Of course, this would leave the Big Sky with 5 all-sports members, and 2 football-only members. I don't know if the WAC's non-football schools (Seattle/Denver/Texas-Arlington) would be thrilled about being politely pushed out of the WAC and into the arms of the Big Sky to get it to 7 football members and 8 non-football members.

They way it's being discussed is as a olympic only conference. Idaho and NMSU are not the priority here, but salvaging what's left of the WAC since Boise still hasn't gotten the nod from the Big West and Denver and Seattle are decent markets but lack football teams to get picked up.

This isn't about football at all though, at least from the outset as I read it. Big Sky schools could continue playing FCS football in the Big Sky. Idaho would go independent as would NMSU for the time being. Idaho still considers FCS a last resort and political will is to keep them in FBS somehow. NMSU still thinks it can land in an FBS conference somewhere somehow.

So this is about basketball mostly.

93.1 KTIK The Ticket - Boise's FM Sports Station

Fullerton has hinted that the Big Sky might take a more proactive role in regards to the WAC, considering a move that would partially absorb the WAC into the Big Sky. The idea would have some current Big Sky schools moving to the WAC in order for the WAC to retain their NCAA auto bid.

The idea is an interesting one. If the Big Sky were to simply absorb all WAC members, it would mean quite a large conference, adding 4-5 new schools to a 13 school conference. That would mean 17-18 schools fighting it out for a single at-large NCAA bid. But in moving a few schools over to the WAC, it would mean (2) NCAA bids for the 17-18 total schools.

So for basketball, there would be two conferences. For football, there would be one. And for some of the other sports, when there are not enough members to have (2) conferences, there would be one.

For an idea of how things might look, you would have your existing (5) WAC schools (assuming Boise St. does not join the Big West), moving over a handful of schools to balance out membership.

]

[britrock88]

Interesting. Works out essentially the same except they don't "save" Idaho and NMSU football by "calling up" the FCS schools with the bigger football stadiums, and instead go by geography/whatever to get extra auto-bids. Clever, too.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The Dude of WV on WVU: Big 12 Set to Expand in 2014

[tarcone]

I wonder if the ACC will tell FSU to go ahead. After the PsU and UNC football issues, they may want to continue to de-emphasize football.

[miked]

GT will not be leaving the ACC for the B12. Neither will the U most likely. Seems like the best fit there would be Louisville and FSU if that. I'm not sure what the incentive would be for any of those teams to leave.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, I just don't see GT leaving for anything except maybe the SEC- tho we have more posters here from that part of the country with a better pulse on things. Same with Clemson.

Also, what will Miami be in a position to do this time next year? They're going to be serving year 1 of their 3 year USC-like probation. The only problem is that it's not like Miami was winning 11 and 12 games only to drop to 8 and 10. They have a lot of 5s and 7s in the last decade and that becomes 3-5 with sanctions.

I guess if the Big XII wants to offer FSU the Texas/Oklahoma revenue treatment, they could get them. I think Louisville tags along to be the second team of a two team deal because no one is rushing out to add Louisville and split the pot another direction just to add them.

SI

[Kodos]

Georgia Tech has expressed interest but is thought to be more open to a potential offer from the Big 10.

But why would the Big Ten be interested in Georgia Tech?

[Swaggs]

"The Dude" was in a chat on the scout board last night and has been on about this stuff for awhile. Not much other than in that article, but he seems to think that VPI already has a deal with the SEC, but that the SEC doesn't want to be the first to act against the ACC. It was mentioned that UNC is also talking to them and that they'll watch out for themselves (many think they're stuck with NC State and/or Duke, but I guess they are looking out for #1). Georgia Tech and Maryland want out, but not necessarily to the Big 12.

I think the overall feeling is that anyone who is serious about football in the ACC has had it with Swofford and that he really screwed up with the last TV deal and the additions of Syracuse/Pitt (not that there is anything wrong w/ them, but that they didn't add any additional value to the TV deal). He is willing to give ND a ridiculous sweetheart deal, but even if they accept (unlikely), it won't save teams from leaving because it will just further minimize their shares.

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Kodos

But why would the Big Ten be interested in Georgia Tech?

Southern footprint? Buddy school to Northwestern?

[tarcone]

With the Leaders (or is it Legends?) division pretty decimated with the PsU and OSU scandals, I bet the B1G would be more willing to get bigger to make the divisions a little more competitive.
If Wisky has a bad year, they could roll into the B1G championship game at 4-4.
Im sure Delaney would not like that.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, but you don't make a decision like that based on a couple years. Penn State will take some time to recover but Ohio State should have their death star back up and running in a couple of years

SI

[britrock88]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Southern footprint? Buddy school to Northwestern?

Probably too far south. (And GT's academics wouldn't put it on level footing with NU, but that's just me being picky.)

Without any sources, just on my instinct, I think the Big Ten:
1. stays with these 12 long-term;
2. finagles PSU out and Notre Dame in (if they can reconcile); or
3. eventually tries for the 2-4 closest AAU members with the most well-heeled athletic departments.

Reading off the list, AAU members as close to Indianapolis or closer than Georgia Tech (that are already FBS):

Duke       Georgia Tech Iowa State Rutgers
Kansas     Maryland     Missouri   North Carolina 
Pittsburgh Virginia     Vanderbilt

Crossing this list with some ESPN revenue figures College Athletics Revenues and Expenses - ESPN, the richest candidates:
Kansas, $83M revenue
Duke, $68M
North Carolina, $66M
Virginia, $64M
Maryland, $60M

In this scenario, I'd bet they'd pull 2 or 4 of those ACC schools. (Remember that Kansas got an 8-figure BCS boost that year.)

---
Finally, a far-fetched thought: the B1G decides to shoot higher than Texas, and courts Cal, Stanford, UCLA, and USC.

All this said, though, I don't expect movement in the Big Ten until the 13+ team conferences fall apart in 5-10 years. Even then, I think they'd get the point not to expand. So I suppose I don't expect the Big Ten to grow for a while.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by tarcone

With the Leaders (or is it Legends?) division pretty decimated with the PsU and OSU scandals

OSU isn't exactly hurt that much by the sanctions. It's more like a slap on the wrist. I don't expect Meyer to allow that much of a drop off.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, this year all that matters is that Wisconsin is the only decent team eligible to win the division. I'd expect it to be at least a 2 team race after this year.

[Kodos]

Watch out for my Hoosiers! Dark horse alert!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by britrock88

Finally, a far-fetched thought: the B1G decides to shoot higher than Texas, and courts Cal, Stanford, UCLA, and USC.

Haha as a UCLA fan, to me, that would be nutty to see that happen.

It's an interesting thought, but my guess is that the B1G and the Pac 12, as long time partners, have longstanding agreements between each other (back room, nothing contractual) to not go after the other's school members.

[bronconick]

Plus, that would ruin the Rose Bowl, which is pretty much Jim Delany's only reason for existing.

[britrock88]

Maybe if the playoffs grow and obviate the bowls someday...

Or maybe if the Big Ten and Pac-12 someday find themselves with big imbalances in program strength, the top members will conspire together.

Not that I'm banking on it.

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Watch out for my Hoosiers! Dark horse alert!

Yep. They might be able to win 2 games this season.

[Kodos]

You having to have a pro-Indiana sig come basketball season will be all the compensation I need.

[sterlingice]

Do NOT look out of Kansas. Two wins seems about correct

SI

[Passacaglia]

I don't get the ND talk. It's not like the Big Ten hasn't wanted them all this time anyway -- why would the Penn State stuff change ND's mind about joining?

[bronconick]

Delany on PSU intraconference transfers:"If they're free to attend Rutgers or Pittsburgh, they oughta be able to attend Illinois, Missouri."

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Delany on PSU intraconference transfers:"If they're free to attend Rutgers or Pittsburgh, they oughta be able to attend Illinois, Missouri."

I'm sure it was just a slip of the tongue. The B10 never considered Mizzou for expansion........

[CU Tiger]

March 1st, 2013.

[digamma]

So says the Mayan Calendar.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Discussion on the Longhorn Network as it approaches its one year anniversary......

One year later, the Longhorn Network still creates frustration for Texas fans

[dawgfan]

RIP to the WAC as a football conference, and possibly as a conference period:

http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/c...er-2012-season

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

RIP to the WAC as a football conference, and possibly as a conference period:

http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/c...er-2012-season

That sucks. I have many fond memories as a kid growing up on the east coast of watching some late night WAC football. The BYU/SDSU shootouts when Marshall Faulk, Detmer, and Darnay Scott were there, plus Dilfer at Fresno and Stoney Case at New Mexico.

Very sad.

[Buccaneer]

I have spent 33 of the past 38 years living in WAC country. My first job was at ASU stadium in 1975 to see their #2 ranking. Then I went to SDSU for school and watched them battled fucking BYU. The past 23 years have been living next to Air Force Academy.

Not going to miss what has become of the WAC but it they did provide very exciting football in the 1970s and 1980s (plus Marshal Faulk in the 1990s) while nearly everyone else was still playing football like they did in the dark ages of the 1930s.

[Kodos]

I guess college football will be WAC-ing off.

[britrock88]

In smaller conference news (read: ping DC and dawgfan)...

Incarnate Word will make the jump to D-I and the Southland next season; New Orleans is set to announce that they'll also join the Southland tomorrow. Houston Baptist is rumored to be a potential 13th member for the conference.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by britrock88

In smaller conference news (read: ping DC and dawgfan)...

Incarnate Word will make the jump to D-I and the Southland next season; New Orleans is set to announce that they'll also join the Southland tomorrow. Houston Baptist is rumored to be a potential 13th member for the conference.

Guess I'm going to need to do up some more logo icons for FBCB2 then...

[britrock88]

And I'll have to sift around and find the latest FBCB csvs to do a little tweaking... :-)

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by britrock88

In smaller conference news (read: ping DC and dawgfan)...

Incarnate Word will make the jump to D-I and the Southland next season; New Orleans is set to announce that they'll also join the Southland tomorrow. Houston Baptist is rumored to be a potential 13th member for the conference.

Yeah, HBU already made (er..announced) their move late last year.

Houston Baptist Huskies moving to Southland Conference in 2013 - ESPN

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Saw these comments from the new Big 12 commish......

Bowlsby said the best way to ensure the league's long-term stability is to make the Big 12 into a conference so strong no school would ever want to leave.

''What we have to do is incentivizing people staying rather than penalize them leaving,'' Bowlsby said.

For those that weren't aware, the spur-of-the-moment announcement by Neinas a few months ago that all members had agreed to a 13 year Grant of Rights was very premature. In fact, there still is not a Grant of Rights and it's pretty well known at this point that the reason for that is Texas is not willing to agree to that stipulation.

It would appear that Bowlsby is setting the table with these comments to move forward without a Grant of Rights in place, mainly because Texas has told the rest of the conference they're not as ready to commit to the future of the conference as the other nine members are.

[cartman]

And here you were saying you didn't care about the Big 12 anymore. It is clear why you didn't post a link to the article, so that you could make up your anti-Texas story line without having it torn apart by things like reason and facts. The reason for the grant of rights not happening is that it is tied to the new TV deal, which hasn't been completed yet.

The league still has some work to do to prove its stability. But Bowlsby said the Big 12 is in the "late stages" of solving the final issues with a lucrative new, multi-year TV contract. That, in turn, will allow the member institutions to officially sign a grant of media rights deal that would essentially make their commitment to each other iron-clad.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby aims to alter perception of league - ESPN

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by cartman

And here you were saying you didn't care about the Big 12 anymore. It is clear why you didn't post a link to the article, so that you could make up your anti-Texas story line without having it torn apart by things like reason and facts. The reason for the grant of rights not happening is that it is tied to the new TV deal, which hasn't been completed yet.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby aims to alter perception of league - ESPN

We'll see if it happens. There's a lot of disagreement as to how that deal should be formed. I don't believe that Texas is going to be in any mood to agree to a Grant of Rights when all is said and done. I am impressed that Bowlsby had the guts to call out Texas indirectly in his comment. Bodes well for the other members.

[cartman]

So his saying that the TV deal is the 'late stages' means in MBBF's world that there is a lot of disagreement, and Texas isn't happy, and that the new commish is indirectly calling out Texas.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

We'll see if it happens. There's a lot of disagreement as to how that deal should be formed. I don't believe that Texas is going to be in any mood to agree to a Grant of Rights when all is said and done. I am impressed that Bowlsby had the guts to call out Texas indirectly in his comment. Bodes well for the other members.

Psst. Mizzou's not in the Big 12 anymore. You can probably shut up about that conference now, since anybody who has an opinion on Missouri leaving has, for good or ill, made their mind up at this point.

Move on so the rest of us Missouri fans can stop cringing every time we see a new post from you.

[Swaggs]

Yeah, everything that I have read is that the only hold up is between ESPN and Fox bartering for game selection in the upcoming season.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Psst. Mizzou's not in the Big 12 anymore. You can probably shut up about that conference now, since anybody who has an opinion on Missouri leaving has, for good or ill, made their mind up at this point.

Move on so the rest of us Missouri fans can stop cringing every time we see a new post from you.

Agreed. It's better to let Dodds, errrrr the B12 commish keep looking stupid all on his own.

[cartman]

The tone deafness is breathtaking. Just when you think MBBF can't be any more obtuse, he just takes it to another level.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by cartman

The tone deafness is breathtaking. Just when you think MBBF can't be any more obtuse, he just takes it to another level.

That's why the rest of the world has the good state of Texas to tell us what's really going on.

[cartman]

Just when the chicken thought it was safe..........................

[panerd]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Psst. Mizzou's not in the Big 12 anymore. You can probably shut up about that conference now, since anybody who has an opinion on Missouri leaving has, for good or ill, made their mind up at this point.

Move on so the rest of us Missouri fans can stop cringing every time we see a new post from you.

+1

We are in the SEC now. The Big 12 did great adding two really solid football schools and the SEC didn't do too bad either. I like the old Big 8 schools and will still follow a little but the problems now belong to the KU, K-States, ISU's of the world. Any more complaining about Texas is just reaching the obsession stage at this point.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by panerd

+1

We are in the SEC now. The Big 12 did great adding two really solid football schools and the SEC didn't do too bad either. I like the old Big 8 schools and will still follow a little but the problems now belong to the KU, K-States, ISU's of the world. Any more complaining about Texas is just reaching the obsession stage at this point.

Sounds like a great idea. Now if only the 'leaders' in the Big 12 would subscribe to the same standard. Any more comments about Mizzou and TAMU leaving the B12 is just reaching the obsession stage at this point.

Bob Bowlsby has come out firing as new Big 12 commissioner.

Stanford's former (and formerly laidback) AD lobbed not-so-veiled shots at Missouri and Texas A&M, the latest schools to leave the conference.

“I think it's fair to say that some [conferences] that have gotten larger are now wondering if it's going to be worth it,” Bowlsby said Thursday while visiting Kansas on a conference-wide tour. “There are complexities, especially regarding some scheduling issues, that have really caused some problems.”

“We're feeling pretty good about 10 [teams]. We're also feeling good we brought in two ranked football teams in exchange for the two that moved out.”

Big 12's Bowlsby calls out TAMU, Mizzou, SEC; so which conference is better off? - CBSSports.com

[SackAttack]

Jesus Christ, asshole.

Can you knock it the fuck off?