Big 10 looks for 12th team

[Caveat Emperor]

Adios, Big East.

Pretty much.

Adios to Cincinnati too, at least as a big-time sports player, if this comes to pass. They'll have to hook back on with C-USA or possibly the MAC if this huge shuffle comes to pass.

Mike Thomas needs to be out, right now, working on an exit strategy for UC if all this comes to pass. If they can't buy their way into another conference, they need to at least consider forming up with some other teams (who might not necessarily be geographic "fits") to see if they can't create a better option for themselves.

[KronoRed]

The WAC tried 16 teams and it was a failure, 12 is perfect, 14 would be borderline but acceptable if there were 9 conference games.

[paintmered]

Pretty much.

Adios to Cincinnati too, at least as a big-time sports player, if this comes to pass. They'll have to hook back on with C-USA or possibly the MAC if this huge shuffle comes to pass.

Mike Thomas needs to be out, right now, working on an exit strategy for UC if all this comes to pass. If they can't buy their way into another conference, they need to at least consider forming up with some other teams (who might not necessarily be geographic "fits") to see if they can't create a better option for themselves.

The only hope for the conference to retain its automatic BCS bid (and really, that's what this is all about) is for the remaining five to break off from the basketball-only schools. Then add TCU, Memphis, UCF, East Carolina and possibly Temple. That would actually be a better football conference than the current Big East structure. Syracuse is a far cry from what they used to be and Rutgers has been a poseur for the last five years.

But unless something crazy happens, and the remaining five get assumed into other BCS conferences, UC could very easily find itself in another pseudo C-USA situation. I can't fathom how devastating it would be for UC to have a seat at the BCS table one day and the MAC the next.

The next step is for the BCS conferences to break off completely from the NCAA and form their own organization. My guess is this happens within the next five years.

[MWM]

What a colossally horrendous idea. I have yet to meet a B10 fan who thinks this is a good idea. Adding one team, good idea. Adding a bunch, awful!

[LoganBuck]

What a colossally horrendous idea. I have yet to meet a B10 fan who thinks this is a good idea. Adding one team, good idea. Adding a bunch, awful!

+1

[bucksfan2]

What a colossally horrendous idea. I have yet to meet a B10 fan who thinks this is a good idea. Adding one team, good idea. Adding a bunch, awful!

I really wonder if they are doing this to force ND's hand. ND said they want to stay independent but if more leagues start to add teams, combine, etc. they will be forced to do something. If the Big 10 adds teams that will mean another conference will add teams to compensate. I also think that if the Big 10 adds the Pac 10 will add.

[Cedric]

I really believe this is all hype to try and force ND into joining now.

That or possibly adding Syracuse, Mizzou, and Pitt and going with 14 teams.

[Chip R]

I really believe this is all hype to try and force ND into joining now.

That or possibly adding Syracuse, Mizzou, and Pitt and going with 14 teams.

I could see ND declining if they are going to add several more teams. That's going to dilute the money they will make. Sharing it with 11 other teams is one thing but with 13-15 others?

[Yachtzee]

I could see ND declining if they are going to add several more teams. That's going to dilute the money they will make. Sharing it with 11 other teams is one thing but with 13-15 others?

Or it could be that adding more teams gives the Big 10 a stronger hand to play when it comes to negotiations with cable companies for carriage of the Big 10 Network, meaning more money for all teams involved.

[Unassisted]

Bob Hunter commentary: It's time for Big Ten to force Irish's hand

[Unassisted]

Or it could be that adding more teams gives the Big 10 a stronger hand to play when it comes to negotiations with cable companies for carriage of the Big 10 Network, meaning more money for all teams involved.

With 16 teams, there might be enough games at one time to fill two networks.

[Mario-Rijo]

+1

And another 1.

[Redsfaithful]

I find this all pretty exciting, the more upheaval I figure the more chance the BCS might die. I'd really like to see a college football playoff in my lifetime.

[Chip R]

Collin Cowherd said that U Conn may be in play.

[Slyder]

Collin Cowherd said that U Conn may be in play.

Thats one that would surprise me. If the Big 10 is tired of waiting on Notre Dame to crap or get off the pot and go with the multi school plan WVU had better be BEGGING to not get left out and get into the SEC.

WVU Could thrive in the SEC, what we lack in TV market we make up in travel and national ratings.

If ND doesnt want to make a decision....

NCAA works to get it to 14 for championship games...

ACC takes Syracuse and Louisville
SEC takes WVU and Cincy/ECU maybe?
Big 10 takes Pitt, UConn, Rutgers
USF gets the hose most likely.

Thoughts of maybe that happening?