Big Ten expansion thread

[jerzy234]

It also speculates of the divisions... "One logical projection would have Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota in the West and Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana in the East." Which you will notice does leave out Missouri.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/reports-nebraska-ready-to-join-big-ten.html

 

[mixman]

This blog post was from yesterday morning, so disregard that bits about Missouri being in, but it does raise a good point on Delaney still trying to rope in Texas.

http://frankthetank.wordpress.com/2...s-for-a-super-death-star-conference/#comments

So, it’s not a surprise that the Pac-10/CAA is approaching Texas, the equivalent of LeBron in the conference expansion sweepstakes, with the idea of selling the school a package. (Another sports columnist made that LeBron/Texas comparison but I can’t find the applicable article to give the appropriate credit. I’ll put up a link as soon as I can locate it again.) If this were about making the most money for Texas, then there are only 2 real choices for the school: the Big Ten and SEC. The proposed Pac-10 expansion is projected to only hopefully match the per school revenue that the Big Ten and SEC members already enjoy today. CAA understood that it couldn’t win the financial game for its client, so what it recommended the Pac-10 to sell Texas is “comfort”. It’s all about making it as easy as possible for Texas to make a move: politically expedient, easy travel companions and keeping all of its Big XII South rivalries on the conference slate. Who cares if the Pac-10 has rejected the notion of adding BYU for many years based on religious grounds and then all of the sudden has Baylor fever when Texas is now an option. (I have nothing against Baylor, but shame on the Pac-10 if it adds that school while turning its back on BYU for so long.) It’s like buying a Kia – you’re not going to break the bank, it’s certainly better than the used Ford Pinto of the Big XII that Texas is currently driving, and it won’t upset the neighbors in Waco and Lubbock. This can only mean one thing for the Pac-10: it’s inviting LeBron to become a member, moving its conference headquarters to Akron, and John Calipari will be installed as the new commissioner. Worldwide Wes will get it done.

Does that mean that Jim Delany and the Big Ten are just going to give up on Texas? Hell to naw! Anyone that thinks otherwise clearly doesn’t understand the long-term demographic, academic and financial ambitions of the conference. The double chess smack talk has only begun. IF the Big Ten gets a commitment from Notre Dame (and once again, that’s a massive IF), then the conference has a completely different sale strategy to make one final power play to Texas. The Big XII will effectively be destroyed with Nebraska and Missouri joining. That leaves the Big Ten at 14 schools with 2 natural spots remaining to get up to 16. Instead of selling a quick and easy Kia like the Pac-10, it’s telling Texas that it can have a Rolls Royce. Imagine Delany calling up UT president Bill Powers over the next few days:

“Bill, we’ve got 2 spots left reserved for you and the Aggies. With Notre Dame aboard, we’re going to be the most powerful entity in all of sports outside of the NFL with or without you. You can receive around $40 million per year in TV revenue just for showing up and we’re not even getting into the academic benefits of the CIC. Are you going to let some meth-on-the-breath legislators down the street from your campus determine your future and shackle you with a ‘Tech-Baylor-UTEP-UTSA-UTD-Northeast Texas Community College problem’ forever? Maybe you can tell them that the legislature is going to have to figure out a way to make up for the $20 million per year in athletic money that you’re leaving on the table if you don’t get to actually do what’s best for your school, you know, like any other president of a world-class university is empowered to do without thinking about appeasing some overzealous politicians that would rather save a couple of football games in Waco and Lubbock than create the best flagship school possible. Heh, your friends at Missouri and Nebraska are looking to make twice as much TV money as you because they don’t have a ‘Tech problem’. That would suck for you. Let me know. We’ll need to know by June 30th whether we’re going to invade New York and New Jersey instead. Delany out.”

The Big Ten has to be true to its brand – its selling point to Texas is to be the highest class academic and athletic conference top-to-bottom. It can’t and shouldn’t try to get into a fight with the Pac-10 on concessions on the low end. If Texas can’t fend off the legislators or the school actually would rather be part of a provincial Eastern appendage to the Pac-10 or keep the Big XII as opposed to joining the top national conference, then it is what it is. At that point, Jim Delany just has to say, WTF and make his move. Looks like the University of Pittgers!

I think dropping Missouri makes a Texas offer stronger. That way, Texas can still have Tech attached to it for a trip over to the big ten, which makes the move more palatable in the Texas legislature.

The best thing in the Big 10's favor is this. If Texas goes to the Pac-10, the most they could be hoping to make starting out is what the Big 10 makes RIGHT NOW.

 

[AZ_]

 

[BuzzerBeater]

so nebraska will be in the big ten in the upcoming football season?

 

[A Squared]

I wonder how much this will change the schedules this year

 

[jlj3184]

The Big 12 is dead.

Colorado accepts invitation to join Pac-10

DENVER(AP)—The Colorado Buffaloes have bolted from the Big 12, accepting an invitation Thursday to become the 11th member of the Pac-10 Conference.

It’s the first expansion of the league since it added Arizona and Arizona State in 1978. More teams could follow Colorado from the Big 12 to the Pac-10. Reports say Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could accept invitations soon.

Colorado’s move was first reported by The Sporting News.

Before the Buffaloes jumped ship to another conference, Nebraska looked poised to become the first team to leave the Big 12, possibly exiting for the Big Ten as soon as Friday.

With Colorado gone and Nebraska on the verge of maybe moving on, this could seriously damage remaining members’ hopes to keep the Big 12 intact. Schools such as Missouri, Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State might be left on the sidelines.

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott announced in February that the conference was exploring possible expansion. He was given the authority last weekend from the schools to offer invitations to potential new members.

“The University of Colorado is a great fit for the conference both academically and athletically,” Scott said in a statement.

Colorado president Bruce Benson echoed those thoughts, saying, “Our achievements and aspirations match those of the universities in the conference and we look forward to a productive relationship.”

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne wasn’t at all surprised by the Buffaloes’ move out West.

“That’s something we thought might happen,” he said.

Could Nebraska be next?

“Until we have a definite decision, I’m not saying anything else,” Osborne said.

 

[JayDub]

I think the only way we get Notre Dame is by breaking up the Big East. Football there is it's "own animal" but the Big ten starting taking teams from the Big East it would force NDs move. As long as the Big East stays in tact ND will not leave.

 

[Cavsfan89]

so nebraska will be in the big ten in the upcoming football season?

No, 2012 at the earliest is what I heard.

 

[Ayatolla of Slamola]

No, 2012 at the earliest is what I heard.

I heard it was as early as the 2011 season, 2012 at the latest.

And how is Kansas being left behind? I think it would be better for the conference to have the Jayhawks join rather than Mizzou.

 

[Remi]

I heard it was as early as the 2011 season, 2012 at the latest.

And how is Kansas being left behind? I think it would be better for the conference to have the Jayhawks join rather than Mizzou.

We have to remember they are taking into account academics as well as research opportunities and things of that nature. Now I don't know anything regarding Kansas in these matters but just an idea.

 

[col63onel]

Holy goodness if true

Texas Hold 'Em: Longhorns, A&M To Big Ten
Oklahoma Looking To Move To SEC, Needs 1 Other School

POSTED: 2:10 pm CDT June 10, 2010
UPDATED: 3:12 pm CDT June 10, 2010
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- High level sources in multiple conferences have told KCTV5 that Texas and Texas A&M are looking to move to the Big Ten Conference and have petitioned for membership, while the University of Oklahoma is planning on petitioning the Southeastern Conference to become a member of its conference.

KCTV5's sources said that Texas and Texas A&M do not have to include Texas Tech or Baylor in their plans. Sources told KCTV5 that there have already been discussions about the two schools entering the Big Ten and that the agreement could be made as soon as Thursday.

Oklahoma is currently working on petitioning to enter the SEC, but must find another university to enter the league with them, sources said. TMZ Sports has reported that Oklahoma State is likely to accept a bid to move to the Pac-10. Earlier Thursday, Colorado accepted an invitation to join the Pac-10.

KCTV5's sources also said that some Big 12 officials are saying decisions on which deals Big 12 schools take invitations by the end of the day Thursday, although the deals may not be officially announced. Big 12 officials also tell KCTV5's sources that some Big 12 office employees are planning to be without a job within weeks.

Those decisions would leave the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and the University of Missouri with Baylor, Texas Tech and Iowa State in the Big 12. The Missouri Board of Curators met Thursday and planned to meet Friday to discuss the future of Missouri sports.

If we add Texas, Nebraska and ND, the BT will have the 5 winning-est teams in terms of total wins, plus Penn State at #9.

SEC makes a good move adding Oklahoma + whoever (I'd assume Texas Tech), and moving Bama and Auburn to the East.

PAC 10 ends up with Colorado and Okie State.

 

[Clevelandfan89]

Check this out:

Texas Hold 'Em: Longhorns, A&M To Big Ten
Oklahoma Looking To Move To SEC, Needs 1 Other School

POSTED: 2:10 pm CDT June 10, 2010
UPDATED: 3:12 pm CDT June 10, 2010



KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- High level sources in multiple conferences have told KCTV5 that Texas and Texas A&M are looking to move to the Big Ten Conference and have petitioned for membership, while the University of Oklahoma is planning on petitioning the Southeastern Conference to become a member of its conference.

KCTV5's sources said that Texas and Texas A&M do not have to include Texas Tech or Baylor in their plans. Sources told KCTV5 that there have already been discussions about the two schools entering the Big Ten and that the agreement could be made as soon as Thursday.

Oklahoma is currently working on petitioning to enter the SEC, but must find another university to enter the league with them, sources said. TMZ Sports has reported that Oklahoma State is likely to accept a bid to move to the Pac-10. Earlier Thursday, Colorado accepted an invitation to join the Pac-10.

KCTV5's sources also said that some Big 12 officials are saying decisions on which deals Big 12 schools take invitations by the end of the day Thursday, although the deals may not be officially announced. Big 12 officials also tell KCTV5's sources that some Big 12 office employees are planning to be without a job within weeks.

Those decisions would leave the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and the University of Missouri with Baylor, Texas Tech and Iowa State in the Big 12. The Missouri Board of Curators met Thursday and planned to meet Friday to discuss the future of Missouri sports.


http://www.kctv5.com/sports/23860558/detail.html

 

[Remi]

Holy goodness if true



If we add Texas, Nebraska and ND, the BT will have the 5 winning-est teams in terms of total wins, plus Penn State at #9.

SEC makes a good move adding Oklahoma + whoever (I'd assume Texas Tech), and moving Bama and Auburn to the East.

PAC 10 ends up with Colorado and Okie State.

The move by Texas will most definitely be contingent on the Big Ten taking A&M as well. They want to keep one of their rivalries, so they would be a package. I still have a very hard time believing ND gives up their independence. To stuck up to join a conference. This could potentially give them incentive, but if ND won't join who would you want to be the 16th team assuming Nebraska accepts as well.

 

[col63onel]

The move by Texas will most definitely be contingent on the Big Ten taking A&M as well. They want to keep one of their rivalries, so they would be a package. I still have a very hard time believing ND gives up their independence. To stuck up to join a conference. This could potentially give them incentive, but if ND won't join who would you want to be the 16th team assuming Nebraska accepts as well.

This is pure speculation by me, but if Texas and A&M come on board, the BT will wait out ND. Eventually, some Big East schools might get raided, meaning ND will have to find a conference for it's "non revenue" sports, and will be forced to join the BT. Also, if some sort of +1 or playoff system comes about in football, ND might need to be in a conference to have a legit shot. With ND, they'd add Syracuse or Rutgers or Pitt, with Maryland as a long shot.

But say somehow ND can stay independent, then it's interesting. Likely 1 of Missouri/Kansas, and 1 of Cuse/Pitt/Rutgers. Or maybe no more B12 schools 2 of of Cuse/Pitt/Rutgers, to balance out the geography of it.

 

[Dungong]

This is actually exciting, with every conference seemingly getting better which I think would be good for College Football all around, every conference having a championship game will make it at least seem like a playoff and having less conferences makes it more likely to arrive at a consensus 1 and 2.

Looks like Colorado is headed to the Pac 10 and that Nebraska is going to the Big 10. Its conceivable that Mizzou comes along too and that Rutgers or Syracuse gets pulled out of the Big East to make an even number (not that it has been a problem for the Big 10 to have an odd number of teams)

If Oklahoma goes to the SEC and then the SEC brings in say West Virginia or Pitt or someone from that region of the country, then it could start another chain reaction that dissolves the Big East, freeing up ND to join the Big 10 along, the remainder of the Big East gets distributed among the SEC and ACC. In the meantime, the Pac 10 will likely absorb the entire Texas Rivalry, giving that conference some teams besides USC thats semicompetitive. The Mountain West would hopefully suck in Boise State and some legit schools from the Big 12, and itself become a respectable conference.

So in the end you have a Pac 16, Really Big 10, Improved SEC and ACC, and the MWC gets some recognition by default. Every conference has a championship game as well, and schools like Utah, Boise State, BYU get legit shots at the NC game. After a round of regular season plus championships, it leaves only 5 possible candidates for the #1 and 2, no its not foolproof but its at least better. Also the conference championship games will all have a playoff feel at least.

What is lost is some of the rivalry games as well as the frequency that schools play each other within the conference with such big conferences.