Who should jump to the Big Ten?

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

Espn is reporting that the Big Ten has offered Missouri, Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Rutgers spots in the Big Ten.

Should any of them switch? If so what college should switch confrences?

I'm hoping Mizzou goes for it even though I love the Big 12 the Big Ten gets all the hype and coverage. This move could get Missouri some more respect in the college athletics world.

 

[Slyfox696]

As I said in the Board Room, Mizzou won't go to the Big Ten, or I'd be very surprised if they do.

Notre Dame won't go, they're already Big East in basketball, and the football program loves being independent.

As far as Mizzou, I don't see them going either, since Mizzou's #1 rival is Kansas, and has been for over a century. Missouri moving to the Big Ten would put that rivalry in jeopardy, and that would piss off too many boosters.

I don't think either team will go.

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

As I said in the Board Room, Mizzou won't go to the Big Ten, or I'd be very surprised if they do.

Why don't you think they will? Would you like to see them switch confrences?

As I said in the OP, I think it would be good for them in the aspect of getting more coverage on television, that would lead to more money for the school. The Big 12 is great but the I think the Big Ten has something like the biggest TV contract out of all the Major confrences.

One draw back with Mizzou going to the Big Ten would be Kansas not being in the same confrence anymore, the Jayhawks game is a big draw, so maybe they could work it in there at the beginning of the season like they did with the Illinois game in recent seasons.

 

[TwistofRKO]

Off of that list, Rutgers. I really have no connections at all, but I was hoping for Pitt to be moved over, but i guess Pitt and WVU both would have been upset, and it would have dug Big East football into an even bigger hole. But I guess they weren't offered a spot anyways.

But to expand on Rutgers, they have a good market, a good young coach, and they are on the brink of being perennially good. While having to go against better Big 10 football teams would be tough, they might be able to bring in better talent due to their conference switch (easier to sell recruiting for a Big 10 program for NFL ambitions, notoriety for playing well against the OSUs, Michigans, etc), while some of the powers are on the rebound anyways. There's a good talent pool in the New York City/New Jersey/Philadelphia region, and becoming a Big 10 program may keep some of those players local (Matt Ryan, Dwayne Jarrett, etc). They'd also move out of the crowded Big East basketball picture.

Mizzou might be a good fit, but I don't think it will happen. There's almost no chance of Nebraska or Notre Dame joining either.

 

[Theo Mays]

Rutgers I think would be the team that would ultimately be the team to jump. However I think it would benefit Nebraska most. They are stuck in the Big 12 and while they can compete, they aren't going to beat the likes of Texas or Oklahoma. Going to the Big Ten they can hang with my Nittany Lions, the Buckeyes, Michigan, etc.... However I do think they stay in the Big 12.

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

Well it looks like Nebraska has made the jump to the Big Ten. Good for them, hopefully Mizzou follows suit. It really is a good idea since the Big Ten has revenue sharing that splits everything evenly throughout the confrence. This is a great idea for Mizzou to look at since in the Big 12 Texas and Oklahoma get the biggest share in the money, rightfully so, but it would be a better deal for a smaller school like the Tigers to go to. Not only will they make more money from this but the Big Ten has more media coverage and would get some bigger recruits into the school.

All and all I'm hoping Missouri jumps confrences since it really is a win-win for the Tigers.

 

[People's Champ]

Well the decision to make the move could be the begining of the end of the Big 12 or a move because of the end of the Big 12. The Pac 10 will make offers to the Texas' schools and Oklahoma schools, which would basically destroy the Big 12. So this move may be because of that. Anyways, a good decision on Nebraska's end. However, from an article on ESPN, it sounds as though Mizzuori is falling down on the Big Ten's list of teams it wants to add. Something to watch out for, because if the Pac 10 does expand and take all of the major Big 12 schools, then Mizzouri might be left without a major conference.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Since the Big 10 has their 12th team now, I don't see a real reason for Notre Dame to join the Big 10. They already have their own TV network and their schedule is top-notch. You could make a reason for ND joining the Big 10 is that they will have a easier chance to win the title but that's not necessarily the case.

If the Big 12 wants to stay the Big 12, I can see two options to keep it that way. Either get TCU or get Iowa if Notre Dame decides to join the Big 10.

 

[Davi323]

As a long time Michigan Wolverine fan, obviously, I want Notre Dame to be the first priority. They are half of a B10 team already, based on schedule. Notre Dame's stubborness aside, I think realistically, other than Notre Dame, ALL of the schools mentioned will jump. For Nebraska and Missouri, its geography. They already border the B10. Plus, with the Pac 10 looking to raid the Big 12 too, there is a strong chance that even if Nebraska and Missouri elect to stay, that the conference will be weakened with the departures of Texas, Colorado, and a few other teams the Pac 10 is rumored to be interested in. Better to get out and join a super conference in the making now, then be forced to later. For Rutgers, its about jumping to a much higher profile conference, which means more televised games.

Speaking of which, TV is going to be the biggest incentive...even for Notre Dame. The Big Ten Network paid each member school 22 million dollars in revenue last year. That is more than twice what Notre Dame gets from NBC each year. Money talks. With 22 million dollars a year JUST from the Big Ten Network, you can afford a lot of things you couldn't afford before, if you are an athletic director. Update your stadium, renovate the basketball arena, build a state of the art weight training facility, etc.

 

[Megatron]

I'm glad the Big 10 finally got to twelve teams, and I'd like how it is with twelve. Split up the divisions as:

East:
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Indiana

West:
Illinois
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska

However, if they were to add Missouri, which is a strong possibility if the Big 12 crashes apart, then add Rutgers, and add them to the West and East, respectively. Any more then 14 seems a big much, imo.

 

[Stormtrooper]

As a long time Michigan Wolverine fan, obviously, I want Notre Dame to be the first priority. They are half of a B10 team already, based on schedule. Notre Dame's stubborness aside, I think realistically, other than Notre Dame, ALL of the schools mentioned will jump.

Speaking of which, TV is going to be the biggest incentive...even for Notre Dame. The Big Ten Network paid each member school 22 million dollars in revenue last year. That is more than twice what Notre Dame gets from NBC each year. Money talks. With 22 million dollars a year JUST from the Big Ten Network, you can afford a lot of things you couldn't afford before, if you are an athletic director. Update your stadium, renovate the basketball arena, build a state of the art weight training facility, etc.

Why should Notre Dame go to the Big 10 (which better change it's name once they add more schools)? They get a sweetheart deal from the BCS that gives them entry into said corrupt crap polling system (said deal is one that pretty much any school would want). They have an open schedule to work with thanks to no conference games (again, something every school would want). Most importantly however, they have a monster television deal that is better then some lowly Digital Cable channel that isn't readily available in most markets. NBC is 100 thousand times bigger then the Big Ten Network (not to mention NBC Sports is better then the Big Ten Network). Notre Dame has a national fanbase, plays a national schedule, and doesn't need to be restricted to a regional conference, unless the BCS turns on them and tells them they need to join one to qualify for a national championship. Then they will go to the Big East, which they are a member of (and it has some decent football).


Now on to the question at hand. The Big 10 would be smart to try and steal Rutgers, because with Rutgers comes the New York market, which is the #1 media market in America. Also Rutgers is a very good football team, with excellent coaching. Also, as has been mentioned, it is smart for Missouri and Nebraska to leave for the Big 10+, because they won't have to compete against perennial national championship contenders Texas and Oklahoma.

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

Nebraska would be a good fit for the Big Ten, but it would still leave the Eastern Division way too freaking stacked for football.

What I DON'T understand is why the Big 12 would dissolve if Nebraska left. I mean....this is an easy fix. You add either TCU, Boise St., or Utah and you are in good shape. All 3 of those programs would jump at the chance to join a BCS conference. Besides making the Big 12 championship game last year, of what relevancy has Nebraska been over the last 10 years?

 

[Davi323]

Stormtrooper85, I believe I already mentioned that...22 million dollars a year is a lot more than 9 million dollars a year. NBC is available in more homes, that is true. But the Big Ten Network already pays a LOT better than NBC does. Plus, with expansion to the Big Ten, the Big Ten Network will expand too.

Notre Dame's sweet BCS deal? Do they look like they are going to be cashing it in any time soon? If the Big Ten, Pac Ten and other conferences expand, and Notre Dame stays independent, whose BCS bargaining power gets stronger, and whose gets weaker? Obviously, an independent Notre Dame, surreounded by mega conferences, will be diminished. When the time comes to renegotiate the BCS, what makes you think Notre Dame will be able to get the same sweetheart deal that they have now? As college football consolidates into large powerful conferences, Notre Dame runs the risk of being left out completely. They need to join the Big Ten to protect their own interests. An independent Notre Dame in a time of fewer but larger conferences has far less bargaining power, because they become less relevant.

Then there is scheduling. With teams becoming part of mega conferences, why should they bother scheduling Notre Dame anymore? Notre Dame fans seriously don't get it. Notre Dame is only as relevant as the teams that agree to play them. If USC suddenly has to worry about Texas and Oklahoma every year, they aren't going to have time for Notre Dame on the schedule. The more big programs in their conference that they have to play, the more they will try to schedule weak teams in the non conference schedule, to avoid the potential losses. The Pac 10 could refuse to schedule Notre Dame anymore. The Big Ten could also refuse to schedule Notre Dame. Who does Notre Dame schedule? All of the scheduling power is within the conferences, not with Notre Dame.

Next, by joining the Big Ten, Michigan, MSU and Purdue are conference games...Notre Dame would still have 4 non conference games to schedule against some of the same teams they try to play now. They can still lose to Navy if they want.

The college football landscape is about to change drastically. Notre Dame will not be in the same position they have been. They need to be proactive in joining a conference, or be put in the position where they are forced to, or get completely shut out of the BCS picture. Notre Dame needs to see the writing on the wall. Their independent status is only as important to them as long as they can still schedule the teams they want. But, it isn't absolute. You brought up Notre Dame being forced to join a conference to qualify for the BCS...well, that time is quickly approaching. Its too bad stubborn Notre Dame fans refuse to open their eyes to it.

Notre Dame is already affiliated with the Big East in basketball season, so you can't claim that they are absolutely opposed to joining conferences. But Notre Dame in the Big East for football makes no geographic sense. Notre Dame in the Big Ten makes perfect geographic sense. Plus, what makes you think the Big East will survive as a football conference much longer? They are already the weakest of the BCS conferences, and as other conferences bulk up, do you really think the ACC isn't going to be looking to raid the Big East? The Big East could end up in the same boat as the Big XII could be...non existent. But, that is a moot point...because Notre Dame in the Big East or Big Ten means your argument about Notre Dame and NBC, and how NBC is much bigger etc, is completely irrelevant. How does Notre Dame joining the Big East, without a cable network paying them over 20 million a year better than joining the Big Ten?

Steamboat Ricky, its simple. Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado will join the Pac 10 if Nebraska leaves, they have all pretty much said so already. No Nebraska, no Big XII. What you will see is Nebraska announcing its intent to join the Big Ten, Missouri will follow, and then half of the remaining teams will go to the Pac 10. The others will probably be absorbed by other conferences. You can replace one team with a team from a non-BCS conference, and still be good...you can't replace over half of your entire conference with them and still expect to keep your BCS automatic berth. The Big XII will dissolve.

 

[Stormtrooper]

Stormtrooper85, I believe I already mentioned that...22 million dollars a year is a lot more than 9 million dollars a year. NBC is available in more homes, that is true. But the Big Ten Network already pays a LOT better than NBC does. Plus, with expansion to the Big Ten, the Big Ten Network will expand too.

1. They actually get 15 Million, not 9 Million. And the 22 Million the Big Ten teams get isn't from the network, rather it's from the conference. The network rights are PART of the 22 Million.
2. No Matter how much the Big Ten Netowrk expands, it will never come CLOSE to NBC.
3. A forgotten aspect here. Notre Dame plays its home games in the daytime, so as to work with their academic scheduling (I know, a school that cares about academics is shocking). If they were to join the Big Ten and be forced into the Big Ten Network, there will be a lot of games for 1 network to air. Before 2006 (when Air Force had the rights to the game on CSTV), Notre Dame had 169 consecutive games on National TV, and I believe every game since has been on National TV as well. Trying to put a bunch of games on at the same time is impossible for such a small network, espeically if ND wants to be on nationally (which they should).

Notre Dame's sweet BCS deal? Do they look like they are going to be cashing it in any time soon?

They do every year. When they don't get in a BCS game they get 1.5 Million. When they DO play in a BCS game, the school gets 4.5 Million. If they join a conference, this money is shared by the conference.

If the Big Ten, Pac Ten and other conferences expand, and Notre Dame stays independent, whose BCS bargaining power gets stronger, and whose gets weaker? Obviously, an independent Notre Dame, surreounded by mega conferences, will be diminished.

Neither gets weaker. Notre Dame not being in a conference has nothing to do with their bargaining power. They bargain based on the fact that they are considered a national institution (whether the country believes they are or not). The BCS (which Notre Dame was one of the founding members of, along with the conferences) is not going to just leave ND high and dry.

When the time comes to renegotiate the BCS, what makes you think Notre Dame will be able to get the same sweetheart deal that they have now?

Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that 6 conferences or 5 conferences doesn't matter, even if the 5 appear to be stronger then before. Oh, and there is a (good) chance that the Mountain West can sneak into the Big XII's BCS spot. They deserve a BCS game anyway, since they always have a great team that is on par with the so-called Major Conferences.

As college football consolidates into large powerful conferences, Notre Dame runs the risk of being left out completely. They need to join the Big Ten to protect their own interests. An independent Notre Dame in a time of fewer but larger conferences has far less bargaining power, because they become less relevant.

Or Notre Dame stays the same, because the strength of the conferences means fuck all when it comes to negotiating with the BCS. So the Big 10+ and Pac 10+ gets stronger, good for them. Unless the BCS installs a playoff and tells Notre Dame to fuck off, they have no need for a conference.

Then there is scheduling. With teams becoming part of mega conferences, why should they bother scheduling Notre Dame anymore? Notre Dame fans seriously don't get it. Notre Dame is only as relevant as the teams that agree to play them. If USC suddenly has to worry about Texas and Oklahoma every year, they aren't going to have time for Notre Dame on the schedule. The more big programs in their conference that they have to play, the more they will try to schedule weak teams in the non conference schedule, to avoid the potential losses. The Pac 10 could refuse to schedule Notre Dame anymore. The Big Ten could also refuse to schedule Notre Dame. Who does Notre Dame schedule? All of the scheduling power is within the conferences, not with Notre Dame.

You don't get it, actually. Just because they join the conference doesn't mean they play each other. The new Pac 10+ teams like Texas and Oklahoma will likely not be in the same division as USC, so they would only play each other in a potential championship game. And USC would still schedule Notre Dame because it brings in a fucking truckload of money for BOTH schools, and is a bitter enough rival that they would still want to play. The Big 10+ teams would likely have a similar situation, with new powerhouse teams joining the other division. And just because a conference is stronger doesn't mean the no-conference schedule becomes full of cupcakes. In fact they wouldn't be likely to do that, because it kills the school strength of schedule, which is a BCS factor.

Next, by joining the Big Ten, Michigan, MSU and Purdue are conference games...Notre Dame would still have 4 non conference games to schedule against some of the same teams they try to play now. They can still lose to Navy if they want.

I love the little jab at their former situation there... Yes, they lost to Navy, who believe it or not are actually a GOOD TEAM. But you are right about this. If they were to join a conference, the Big 10+ is the most logical because of the rival teams in conference. I never debated that.

The college football landscape is about to change drastically. Notre Dame will not be in the same position they have been. They need to be proactive in joining a conference, or be put in the position where they are forced to, or get completely shut out of the BCS picture. Notre Dame needs to see the writing on the wall. Their independent status is only as important to them as long as they can still schedule the teams they want. But, it isn't absolute. You brought up Notre Dame being forced to join a conference to qualify for the BCS...well, that time is quickly approaching. Its too bad stubborn Notre Dame fans refuse to open their eyes to it.

First of all, you have to see the big picture. The second the BCS tells Notre Dame that they NEED to join a conference, and they will likely have 4 conferences knocking on their door trying to get them to come to them. Thus they wouldn't be shut out of the BCS. As I said I doubt scheduling will be an issue, even in the new power conferences.

Notre Dame is already affiliated with the Big East in basketball season, so you can't claim that they are absolutely opposed to joining conferences.

Actually, football and the other sports have nothing to do with each other. Notre Dame has always tried to remain independent in FOOTBALL, not in all sports.

But Notre Dame in the Big East for football makes no geographic sense. Notre Dame in the Big Ten makes perfect geographic sense.

Texas and Oklahoma in the Pac 10+ makes no geographical sense either, so don't bring geography into it. It's all about MONEY. And as I said, Notre Dame gets plenty of it by being independent.

Plus, what makes you think the Big East will survive as a football conference much longer? They are already the weakest of the BCS conferences, and as other conferences bulk up, do you really think the ACC isn't going to be looking to raid the Big East? The Big East could end up in the same boat as the Big XII could be...non existent.

You're right, except for the fact that Cincinnati (a Big East school) was ranked 3rd in the nation this season, and some people wanted to see them play for the National Championship.

But, that is a moot point...because Notre Dame in the Big East or Big Ten means your argument about Notre Dame and NBC, and how NBC is much bigger etc, is completely irrelevant. How does Notre Dame joining the Big East, without a cable network paying them over 20 million a year better than joining the Big Ten?

Why are you acting like Notre Dame has officially joined a conference? NBC being bigger then the Big Ten Netowrk is not irrelevant. All I said was that if they were forced to join a conference, they would likely go Big East because they have been Big East supporters, and are in the conference already. I never said anything about they SHOULD join the Big East. And why are you acting like 20 million dollars is a big deal? Notre Dame's endowment fund is over 5 BILLION dollars. 20 million from a crap digital cable network is meaningless to them, especially when they can get close to that from a MUCH MUCH MUCH bigger network. And if they were forced to join the Big East, since they DON'T have a network, they might be able to keep their NBC deal. anyway.

 

[Davi323]

You are a fool if you believe the formation of fewer but more powerful conferences is neutral for Notre Dame. If it means nothing to Notre Dame, why hasn't Jack Swarbrik or however its spelled simply stated Notre Dame isn't budging? Because he understands the implications, he knows that theu have to do some soul searching before telling the Big Ten no. He is worried...shouldn't you be?

 

[Stormtrooper]

You are a fool if you believe the formation of fewer but more powerful conferences is neutral for Notre Dame. If it means nothing to Notre Dame, why hasn't Jack Swarbrik or however its spelled simply stated Notre Dame isn't budging? Because he understands the implications, he knows that theu have to do some soul searching before telling the Big Ten no. He is worried...shouldn't you be?

No I shouldn't be worried. I'm a fan, it doesn't make a lick of fucking difference to me if they are independent or in a conference. Not only that, but it's not like I can call up Nebraska and tell them to go back to the Big Dozen. Since it has virtually no affect on me, I don't care. All that matters for me as a Notre Dame fan is having Brian Kelley put a competitive team on the gridiron, and get to and win a Bowl Game.

All I was trying to say that going to the Big Ten isn't a necessity for Notre Dame, and it isn't about being stubborn. Swarbrick hasn't said they aren't budging because they may feel forced into considering a conference. That doesn't mean that they need a conference, or even that they SHOULD go to a conference. It just means that he isn't ruling it out, which he shouldn't.

 

[Davi323]

If it made no difference to you at all, you wouldn't have bothered to post. Clearly, it does make a difference, or you wouldn't be trying so hard to convince yourself Notre Dame is going to stay independent.