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

[rowech]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

Not really. Although everyone thinks the Big Ten had Texas ahead of Nebraska, I'm not sure that was the case. I get the feeling that Notre Dame was (and is still) #1, with Texas/Nebraska being 1(a) or 1(b).

The Big Ten has an "island" impression of itself (a "we don't care what you think about us mentality."). Wouldn't surprise me if they found Nebraska attractive for many of the same reasons it found Penn State attractive in 1991 (biggest college program in the state, rabid fan base, strong tradition, solid academic base).

Also, I'm not so sure that the Big Ten is all about the Super 16-team conference as people think they are. I don't think they want more than 14 teams max unless every other conference goes to 16 and forces their hand.

The only real regret would be if Notre Dame got away. That would be a problem.

I believe the Big Ten will stand pat for now and Texas will go to the Pac-10. If Notre Dame becomes available, they will add them and perhaps another team (Rutgers, Missouri, Maryland, etc.) But I really don't see 16 for them.

They might have both been 1's but it was Texas 1a and Nebraska 1z.

[Swaggs]

I think Nebraska is a great addition for the Big Ten and it kind of provides a counterbalance and worthy rival for Penn State.

Still, if the addition of Nebraska is truly what broke up the Big 12, which may just be convenient lip service, and it spurs Texas to move to a conference not named the Big Ten, I don't see how that is a desirable outcome. That move essentially delivers two of the elite football programs to a rival conference and moves the Pac 10(16) into the top tier of the BCS conferences (whereas they were a tier below the SEC and Big Ten before, in my opinion).

[RainMaker]

The irony of this whole thing is that college football has touted tradition when it came to keeping the retarded bowl system. Then shit all over it when it comes to conferences and rivalries.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The irony of this whole thing is that college football has touted tradition when it came to keeping the retarded bowl system. Then shit all over it when it comes to conferences and rivalries.

There have numerous conference and teams changes in the past 30 years. It used to be Pac 8 and Big 8, and it wasn't that long ago that the Big East didn't exist, not to mention MWC. Apart from Penn State, the Big 10 has remained traditionally static which, in my minds, led to its staid and boring perception to those outside of that region.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

There have numerous conference and teams changes in the past 30 years. It used to be Pac 8 and Big 8, and it wasn't that long ago that the Big East didn't exist, not to mention MWC. Apart from Penn State, the Big 10 has remained traditionally static which, in my minds, led to its staid and boring perception to those outside of that region.

The two most profitable conferences have been two of the conferences that have remained static (Big 10, SEC).

Nonetheless, the point was that the tradition crap they've spewed over the years was bullshit, and this proves it. Tradition doesn't matter in college sports, just money.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by timmynausea

Population of Texas - 24,782,302
Population of Pennsylvania - 12,604,767
Population of Nebraska - 1,796,619

Nebraska is a strong brand name and a good addition and all, but they're nowhere near Texas or Penn State in terms of bringing value to the conference.

Originally Posted by rowech

They might have both been 1's but it was Texas 1a and Nebraska 1z.

I'm not disagreeing with you guys, I believe that Texas is more attractive to the Big Ten than Nebraska.

Just pointing out that that might not be what they think.

[RedKingGold]

FWIW, I believe Delaney when he says the Big Ten wanted to draw out the process for awhile longer. I think they knew the Big 12 was close to exploding, but that the conference could keep trying to talk to Notre Dame for a few more months.

Missouri's inability to keep its mouth shut turned the tide, and the Big Ten had to jump on Texas or Nebraska when it had the chance.

I also believe that if Notre Dame agreed to join the Big Ten before this all went down, then the Big Ten might not have wanted or even accepted an offer from Texas or Nebraska to join.

Further, I think the Big Ten was in love with Texas, but not necessarily on board with bringing along Texas Tech or Texas A&M.

Again, this is my thoughts on what I think they were thinking, not necessarily my thoughts on what is/was best for the Big Ten.

I think.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The two most profitable conferences have been two of the conferences that have remained static (Big 10, SEC).

Um, both have expanded in the past 20 years (1990).

[Buccaneer]

1980

Independents 
Team W L T 
Pittsburgh Panthers 11 1 0 
Florida State Seminoles 10 2 0 
Penn State Nittany Lions 10 2 0 
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 9 2 1 
Miami Hurricanes 9 3 0 
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 9 3 0 
Navy Midshipmen 8 4 0 
South Carolina Gamecocks 8 4 0 
Virginia Tech Hokies 8 4 0 
Boston College Eagles 7 4 0 
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 7 4 0 
UNLV Runnin Rebels 7 4 0 
Tulane Green Wave 7 5 0 
North Texas Mean Green 6 5 0 
West Virginia Mountaineers 6 6 0 
Louisville Cardinals 5 6 0 
Syracuse Orangemen 5 6 0 

[DeToxRox]

A&M regents have apparently met and voted to join the SEC should the invitation come. Seems like a mere formality at this point.

[DeToxRox]

Dola, here is the tweet from Chip Brown:

Texas A&M regents have the votes to join the SEC and could announce that move as early as next week, sources tell Orangebloods.com

[DeToxRox]

Kinda funny that it's looking more likely that Kansas finds a new home then Mizzou, though nothing is for certain in regards to Kansas joining the Pac 10.

[Abe Sargent]

Could you not put all of those in one post?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

Could you not put all of those in one post?

Could have, but didn't.

[MJ4H]

[Galaxy]

I wonder how much Missouri's mouth turned off the other conferences during this process or if no one wanted them that much from the beginning?

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Reading stuff elsewhere, apparently Baylor administration has acted like ass hats to all the of the non Big 12 Texas schools and people are speculating that SMU and Houston may try and keep them out of the Conference USA as well for how they have acted towards them in the past.

That would be great. Sun Belt Conference?

Does Baylor have any drawing points that other schools can't fill and do it better?

I wonder if SMU or Houston will be scouted by the MWC if they expand.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

I wonder how much Missouri's mouth turned off the other conferences during this process or if no one wanted them that much from the beginning?

I still think Missouri lands on their feet. The SEC is a possibility and so is the Big Ten when they decide to expand again. At worst they'll be a Big East team. Missouri will be fine.

[DeToxRox]

Also there does seem to be quite a big of momentum behind the talk of Utah going to the Pac 10. If that occurs I wonder if Kansas moves to the SEC? Seems unlikely but who knows.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Also there does seem to be quite a big of momentum behind the talk of Utah going to the Pac 10. If that occurs I wonder if Kansas moves to the SEC? Seems unlikely but who knows.

Kansas and the SEC would be a strange fit. It would make sense if they added Missouri as well and then you'd have a some nice built in rivalries. But I'm not sure if the SEC is even interested in coming this far west. Kansas' next best bet is to join the Big East along with KSU and Iowa State.

[Izulde]

Utah to Pac-10 and Kansas to SEC would suck from a MWC perspective.

Although it reminds me of the time I took the bus out of Denver to go back to Laramie. Sat next to this gorgeous blonde girl who was going to Utah. I was in the midst of striking up a conversation with her and she borrowed my cellphone to make a call because she'd forgotten hers.. when the bus driver announced that we weren't going up to Laramie because of the snowfall, but that the others, including the Utah people, would be going on.

So they turned the bus around, headed to Denver, and I spent a night in a Denver hotel near the bus station, swearing at the elements for cockblocking me.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by the_meanstrosity

Kansas and the SEC would be a strange fit. It would make sense if they added Missouri as well and then you'd have a some nice built in rivalries. But I'm not sure if the SEC is even interested in coming this far west. Kansas' next best bet is to join the Big East along with KSU and Iowa State.

As strange as it sounds, Lawrence is closer to an SEC school than College Station is (266 road miles from Fayetteville, AR to Lawrence, 363 miles from Baton Rouge to College Station). Given that, it's probably more accurate ask whether the SEC is interested in moving so far north, especially to a "non-Confederate" territory like Kansas.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

As strange as it sounds, Lawrence is closer to an SEC school than College Station is (266 road miles from Fayetteville, AR to Lawrence, 363 miles from Baton Rouge to College Station). Given that, it's probably more accurate ask whether the SEC is interested in moving so far north, especially to a "non-Confederate" territory like Kansas.

True, lol. Though I have a feeling the SEC isn't interested in recruiting the state of Kansas like it is the state of Texas. Though Barry Sanders did come from this area so maybe...

[GrantDawg]

As an SEC fan, I can state we have no interest in Kansas, and I think I could safely say that the actual conference has no interest as well. A&M? Well, ok. But much more if they can actually bring their successfull cousin (Texas) with them. By themselves, they are not exactly exciting.

[Swaggs]

If they get the call, good for Utah. They have beaten a lot of good BCS conference teams over the past 7 or 8 years and earned the "promotion" on the field, in my opinion. They probably won't be making BCS bowl games as regularly, but at least they'll be able to increase their revenues and improve the overall infrastructure of their AD.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

As an SEC fan, I can state we have no interest in Kansas, and I think I could safely say that the actual conference has no interest as well. A&M? Well, ok. But much more if they can actually bring their successfull cousin (Texas) with them. By themselves, they are not exactly exciting.

Why would you not be excited for A&M? Great football school which would give you solid recruiting ties into the state of Texas. Having A&M will definitely help the SEC when it comes to tv contracts. It's probably the best addition possible for the SEC right now.

[Scarecrow]

It just scrolled across the bottom of ESPN...

- OU met with Pac 10 commissioner today, and has scheduled an emergency regents meeting for Wednesday.

- KU, K-State, and Mizzou to the Mountain West Conference.

Wonder if adding those 3 gives the MWC a BCS bid?

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by the_meanstrosity

Why would you not be excited for A&M? Great football school which would give you solid recruiting ties into the state of Texas. Having A&M will definitely help the SEC when it comes to tv contracts. It's probably the best addition possible for the SEC right now.

In my opinion? We already recruit Texas. A&M is not a dominate program that brings a lot of prestige with it. Miami would bring a whole lot more with it in my opinion (A&M will not bring the state of Texas, but a small corner of the state. It is like Auburn without Alabama. Almost worthless. Miami would bring southern Florida, a much larger population/recruiting base). There are probably 4 or 5 programs that would excite me more than A&M.

[GrantDawg]

Before the question of which five comes:

Miami
Texas
Oklohama
FSU
Hell, Notre Dame. Even Virginia Tech would be better.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by the_meanstrosity

Why would you not be excited for A&M? Great football school which would give you solid recruiting ties into the state of Texas. Having A&M will definitely help the SEC when it comes to tv contracts. It's probably the best addition possible for the SEC right now.

I think great is a bit of a stretch for A&M. They have a strong tradition and good fans, but they haven't really been competitive in the Big 12 in over 10-years (last double digit win season was in '98 and they have been hovering around .500 for the better part of a decade).

It is a good move for the SEC because it gets them into Texas, but it isn't like they are adding another alpha dog into the SEC. I don't think any of the big dogs are going to be threatened by the addition and I doubt too many SEC fans (outside of maybe Arkansas and LSU) are going to be anticipating games against A&M a whole lot.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

In my opinion? We already recruit Texas. A&M is not a dominate program that brings a lot of prestige with it. Miami would bring a whole lot more with it in my opinion (A&M will not bring the state of Texas, but a small corner of the state. It is like Auburn without Alabama. Almost worthless. Miami would bring southern Florida, a much larger population/recruiting base). There are probably 4 or 5 programs that would excite me more than A&M.

But how well do you recruit Texas? I can tell you as a Big 12 fan that every Big 12 team improved their recruiting in the state of Texas when the conference was formed. Not only does it give players an opportunity to play in front of their family and friends at least once every other year, but it also puts the conference name (and thus the teams) in front of those athletes when they are young.

I would trust your conference front office has a reason why they are going after Texas A&M so hard. You may not be excited, but I guarantee you the SEC front office probably is. And I'm sure they have multiple reasons for being excited. A&M would be a great pickup for the SEC.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Before the question of which five comes:

Miami
Texas
Oklohama
FSU
Hell, Notre Dame. Even Virginia Tech would be better.

No love for WVU?

I actually think we may have a decent shot if the SEC goes to 16.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I think great is a bit of a stretch for A&M. They have a strong tradition and good fans, but they haven't really been competitive in the Big 12 in over 10-years (last double digit win season was in '98 and they have been hovering around .500 for the better part of a decade).

It is a good move for the SEC because it gets them into Texas, but it isn't like they are adding another alpha dog into the SEC. I don't think any of the big dogs are going to be threatened by the addition and I doubt too many SEC fans (outside of maybe Arkansas and LSU) are going to be anticipating games against A&M a whole lot.

I use great with regards to their history and support. Once they land a quality coach (sorry not sold on Sherman) they'll be a quality program again.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

No love for WVU?

I actually think we may have a decent shot if the SEC goes to 16.

I just went to five. Yes, I'd take WVU over Texas A&M. There are a lot teams that, all things considered, would be more exciting.

[timmynausea]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

It is a good move for the SEC because it gets them into Texas, but it isn't like they are adding another alpha dog into the SEC. I don't think any of the big dogs are going to be threatened by the addition and I doubt too many SEC fans (outside of maybe Arkansas and LSU) are going to be anticipating games against A&M a whole lot.

I get the impression that the SEC doesn't want another alpha dog. They don't need one. Florida, Georgia, and Alabama are the big dogs with Tenn, LSU, and Auburn that often are just as good. Texas dissed them publicly and wouldn't listen to them, so now they grab Texas A&M which opens the state up even more for the big dogs to get in there and recruit head to head with the Longhorns.

I think the SEC's goal is to maintain their brand which is largely built on cultural identity as the most passionate conference with the best product on the field and also expand their borders into new markets, (though not as drastically as the Big Ten). A&M fits that criteria without threatening the status quo, which seems like how they want it.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by the_meanstrosity

But how well do you recruit Texas? .

Pretty well.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

It just scrolled across the bottom of ESPN...

- OU met with Pac 10 commissioner today, and has scheduled an emergency regents meeting for Wednesday.

- KU, K-State, and Mizzou to the Mountain West Conference.

Wonder if adding those 3 gives the MWC a BCS bid?

I think so, especially with Boise State already signed on.

[the_meanstrosity]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Pretty well.

I think Stafford was your last recruit from Texas. And see how well that turned out for you? Just think if you had a pipeline there. Hmmmm?!

[DeToxRox]

The President of Fed Ex has promised 10 million a year to any BCS conference that adds Memphis:

FedEx CEO Fred Smith has spoken to various conference officials and made it known that his Memphis-based company could provide millions of dollars -- perhaps as much as $10 million annually -- to a BCS-affiliated league willing to offer an invitation to the University of Memphis, multiple sources close to the Memphis program have told CBSSports.com.

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"It could be $10 million every year for a conference to use however it sees fit," said one of the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "When you think of the big picture, it could be the equivalent of a five-year, $50 million contract or a 10-year, $100-million contract. Fred is talking about a massive amount of money."

CBSSports.com could not reach Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson for comment Saturday. However, Johnson joked earlier in the week with reporters that he had "two of the highest paid assistant ADs in the history of mankind" working for him. That comment was in reference to Smith and FedEx chief financial officer Alan Graf, the latter of whom played a major role in the school's search last year to replace John Calipari as its basketball coach.

Smith -- whose son Cannon Smith is a quarterback at Memphis -- could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Graf did not immediately return an email requesting comment.

FedEx has consistently been a top 50 spender in sports advertising over the past decade, according to the Sports Business Journal. In 2009, it spent $51.6 million, placing it 48th among sports advertisers. But it should be noted that FedEx decided last month that it will not renew its entitlement of the Orange Bowl for the first time in 21 years. That move, one of the sources said, helped free money in the budget to possibly push Memphis into a power conference.

"The money that used to go to the Orange Bowl is now set to go to a league that will invite Memphis," the source said. "Fred has made it clear he'll put that money back into the budget for the right league. He's driving this thing."

Memphis already plays basketball games inside FedExForum -- an 18,000-seat arena where FedEx owns naming rights through a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis in a BCS-league and thus on television more often would increase the value of those naming rights, which is something Smith recognizes, the source said before adding that such is only a small part of the motivating factor behind this effort.

FedEx also has naming rights on FedExField in Washington.

Though almost anything imaginable remains a possibility, the most likely scenario in this ongoing expansion frenzy, according to multiple sources, is for Memphis to receive an invitation from the Big East soon or after some of the Big East's current members move to the Big Ten. But, a source said, "it's hard to tell how this is going to shake out."

"All I'm telling you is that R.C. seems very confident," the source said. "He doesn't seem worried at all."

[Swaggs]

I wonder what will happen to the Fiesta Bowl. Will it just take at-large BCS eligible teams or align itself with the MWC or the Big East (doesn't make much geographic sense, but the Big East has, sadly, far superior attendance numbers to the MWC w/ or w/o Boise State, Kansas, KSU, and Mizzou).

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by duckman

Um, both have expanded in the past 20 years (1990).

You are the one who said the Big 10 was static. Now are you saying they aren't because the added Penn State over a decade ago?

[RainMaker]

It will also be real weird if Kansas ends up in the Mountain West. They are one of the most prominent basketball schools in the country. I wonder if this hurts the school a lot and they no longer perform as a perennial top 10 team.

[Ksyrup]

I'm really skeptical of the A&M-to-SEC stuff, mainly because we haven't heard any real smoke about who would be paired with them to join (either 1 or 3 other teams). We've had some speculation/rumors for a couple of weeks about a set of 6-8 teams that could be targets generally, but no real smoke like we supposedly have about A&M. They wouldn't just take A&M now and figure out the rest later, I don't think. I think they are using A&M to try to get UT and/or OU, but without either or both of them, A&M doesn't get the invite.

But who the hell knows...

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

The President of Fed Ex has promised 10 million a year to any BCS conference that adds Memphis:

I heard some rumblings of that this week, didn't believe it. Wow... What will be fun is hearing everyone's brain exploding at the UofM when it doesn't work out.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

The President of Fed Ex has promised 10 million a year to any BCS conference that adds Memphis:

This probably explains why Memphis fans are suddenly convinced they're going to get a Big East offer no matter what.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by the_meanstrosity

Having A&M will definitely help the SEC when it comes to tv contracts.

Have you seen their existing contract? How much help do they really need?

It's probably the best addition possible for the SEC right now.

It's a team that not a single solitary fan in the entire original conference footprint gives a damn about (I won't try to speak for Arkansas). I'd say Va Tech & WVU are both at least marginally more interesting in the territory, Clemson a great deal moreso.

[larrymcg421]

I would sure love Miami to get into the SEC, but doesn't look like that's a consideration.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's a team that not a single solitary fan in the entire original conference footprint gives a damn about (I won't try to speak for Arkansas).

Are we talking about A&M here? I think LSU gives a damn. I know Arkansas does.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's a team that not a single solitary fan in the entire original conference footprint gives a damn about (I won't try to speak for Arkansas). I'd say Va Tech & WVU are both at least marginally more interesting in the territory, Clemson a great deal moreso.

With the rumors circulating that the SEC doesn't really want to poach from the ACC and Virginia Tech wouldn't necessarily take an offer if one were extended WVU is looking like a possibility (although still a longshot, IMO) if the SEC decides to go to 16.

There's so much bullshit out there right now it's rather pointless to try to figure out what exactly is going on with the SEC, though.

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

I wonder how much Missouri's mouth turned off the other conferences during this process or if no one wanted them that much from the beginning?

Not trying to beat a dead horse from the Missouri crowd, but feel free to post a link or source of any sort from the MU President, Chancellor, Athletic Director or any other university official that use their "mouth" in any way.

I know everyone's taking delight in saying Missouri did a lot of talking, but I don't see it. The fan base? Yes. The fan base was tired of the Big 12 and its politics, and we didn't mind letting it known. But the administration never played their cards.

But as for running their mouths, we're not even in the top half of the Big 12.