Big 10 looks for 12th team

[BuckeyeRed27]

That's only 7 games if my IU math is correct. So it would still leave space for a protected game.
Three from your division, four from other division, one rivalry game(or additional conference game for those who don't have to protect a game.)

That would actually work pretty well.

I'm not in love with the idea of going to 16 teams, but if they do I actually do like this system. By rotating the pods you make sure you don't have a really long lay off against any team in your division.

[Redsfaithful]

Being reported as a done deal:

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-fo...-join-big-ten/

WNDU.com in South Bend, Ind. is reporting that Missouri will leave the Big 12 conference, and be the first of five schools to join the Big Ten.


Other schools expected to follow, according to the report, were Nebraska, Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers.

[RedsManRick]

Going to be interesting to see what happens to Notre Dame. They haven't really been relevant in 15 years. A whole generation has grown up with them as a footnote. When NBC finally pulls the plug...

[RedsManRick]

I'm surprised the Big 10 was willing to take on some of these schools academically. I suppose it started going down that road with Penn State, but still... the CIC just got a whole lot bigger. Time to lay/buy a bunch more fiber...

[KronoRed]

The Irish could hop into the Big East in football and with a few other schools keep the conference from crumbling

[OUReds]

I'm surprised the Big 10 was willing to take on some of these schools academically. I suppose it started going down that road with Penn State, but still... the CIC just got a whole lot bigger. Time to lay/buy a bunch more fiber...

All these schools meet the minimum academic requirements of the Big Ten, though admittedly not all of them are spectacular.

[Caveat Emperor]

Being reported as a done deal:

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-fo...-join-big-ten/

Sadly, this is probably the beginning of the end for Cincinnati football on the national stage.

As for ND -- not sure why they'd ever join the leftovers from the Big East. It'd be a conference on life support, even with the addition of Notre Dame, and certainly not in a position to make them any money.

[KronoRed]

Sadly, this is probably the beginning of the end for Cincinnati football on the national stage.

As for ND -- not sure why they'd ever join the leftovers from the Big East. It'd be a conference on life support, even with the addition of Notre Dame, and certainly not in a position to make them any money.

ND still needs a conference for their other sports, propping the Big East up in football, with certain perks thrown in for them that others teams don't get, might be to their benefit.

[Cedric]

Sadly, this is probably the beginning of the end for Cincinnati football on the national stage.

As for ND -- not sure why they'd ever join the leftovers from the Big East. It'd be a conference on life support, even with the addition of Notre Dame, and certainly not in a position to make them any money.

I went to both schools so I have no hatred either way. I was raised a Buckeye fan though. Makes those bUCkeye state shirts look dumber than they already were.

[OUReds]

ND still needs a conference for their other sports, propping the Big East up in football, with certain perks thrown in for them that others teams don't get, might be to their benefit.

If the Big East doesn't survive in football, The eight catholic basketball schools will form some kind of league. ND will likely join with them and remain independent in football.

ND is turning down big bucks from Big Ten because it values it's independence so highly. It's not going to turn around and give that up just to ride to the Big East's rescue. It just doesn't make sense.

[Unassisted]

I wanted an expansion that demonstrated outside-the-box thinking. One that would really rattle the foundations of the revenue-generating sports in Division 1 and the BCS.

Mizzou, Nebraska, Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse? Yuck... and I'm both an Ohio State and Syracuse alum.

I really wanted Rutgers and I'm OK with Pitt and Syracuse. But I was hoping they'd lure Texas out of the Big 12. Nebraska's not a good get at all in terms of TV market. Mizzou fits geographically and the St. Louis market will be among the largest in the conference, but the program just doesn't impress me as a competitor.

IMO, the biggest problem with settling for these schools is the opportunity cost. If Notre Dame or Texas decide to make a move later, there won't be room for them in the Big 10. If the conference decides to go to 20 or 24 some day, those dream schools may be less inclined to share a conference with so many schools from small TV markets.

[KronoRed]

If the Big East doesn't survive in football, The eight catholic basketball schools will form some kind of league. ND will likely join with them and remain independent in football.

ND is turning down big bucks from Big Ten because it values it's independence so highly. It's not going to turn around and give that up just to ride to the Big East's rescue. It just doesn't make sense.

Oh I know it won't happen but what if they could join the Big East in name only, maintain their own TV contract and of course take the conferences BCS bid pretty much every year with a few key wins?

I wonder if some Big 10 schools that schedule ND will be forced to drop them if the Gigantic 16 goes to a larger conference schedule.

[OUReds]

I wonder if some Big 10 schools that schedule ND will be forced to drop them if the Gigantic 16 goes to a larger conference schedule.

It's a good question, I kinda wonder the same thing. It seems doubtful, but stranger things have happened.

[Yachtzee]

Oh I know it won't happen but what if they could join the Big East in name only, maintain their own TV contract and of course take the conferences BCS bid pretty much every year with a few key wins?

I wonder if some Big 10 schools that schedule ND will be forced to drop them if the Gigantic 16 goes to a larger conference schedule.

It could hurt ND more than it hurts the Big 10 schools. And you assume that if the Big 10, and after that the SEC and ACC, go poaching Big East teams that the Big East will continue to exist.

I personally think it would be smarter for the Big 10 to have a phased in expansion, adding a couple teams now and then waiting a few years so that teams like ND and Texas can see how the chips are falling. Then maybe the Big 10 picks up ND, Texas and maybe Oklahoma instead of Mizzou and Nebraska.

[Caseyfan21]

I wanted an expansion that demonstrated outside-the-box thinking. One that would really rattle the foundations of the revenue-generating sports in Division 1 and the BCS.

Mizzou, Nebraska, Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse? Yuck... and I'm both an Ohio State and Syracuse alum.

I really wanted Rutgers and I'm OK with Pitt and Syracuse. But I was hoping they'd lure Texas out of the Big 12. Nebraska's not a good get at all in terms of TV market. Mizzou fits geographically and the St. Louis market will be among the largest in the conference, but the program just doesn't impress me as a competitor.

IMO, the biggest problem with settling for these schools is the opportunity cost. If Notre Dame or Texas decide to make a move later, there won't be room for them in the Big 10. If the conference decides to go to 20 or 24 some day, those dream schools may be less inclined to share a conference with so many schools from small TV markets.

This is how I feel as well. I don't really get too excited about any of the additional teams. I do think with the projected 5 teams the Big 10 will now become the premier basketball conference hands down. Stealing Syracuse and Pitt from the Big East is a big get for basketball. As for football, Nebraska and Missouri are both intriguing but they haven't really been consistent national powers lately.

I really hope the Big 10 breaks into 4 divisions and has a mini tournament at the end of the football season - 2 semi final games between division winners and then a Championship game. That could be some fun football to watch in late November.

I could envision a setup something like:

East:
Penn State
Pitt
Syracuse
Rutgers

North:
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Northwestern
Purdue

Central:
Ohio State
Michigan
Indiana
Michigan St.

West:
Iowa
Nebraska
Missouri
Illinois