Big Ten expansion

Press release coming out at four about the Big Ten's push for a 12th team.

Radio station rumors say it is going to be Iowa State. Which means, it probably won't be Iowa State.

This could be very interesting.

 

I think it should be the Bears.

 

Aren't they going to take 12 to 15 months, or something like that, to figure it out?

 

Jay Cutler would still throw 4 interceptions per game.

 

Yeah... that's what I just read, but the radio station just said it is going to be Iowa State. Iowa State makes no sense. Does not help the Big Ten improve in football, does not expand the footprint, does not help recruiting.

 

Several published reports...radio station. Several published reports...radio station.

 

WHAT radio station?

Iowa State's absurd. Just absurd.

 

Assuming the Big 10 can't convince ND to join, Mizzou seems like the most logical choice to me. You add a couple of large media markets, the school is pretty solid in football and basketball, and the culture of the state seems to fit with the rest of the Big 10. How does Mizzou match up academically with the rest of the Big 10? Would Mizzou want to leave the Big XII? Seems like it would hurt them in football, cutting off their connection to Texas recruiting.

What would happen if a team did leave the Big XII North? Would Arkansas be interested in a potential move to the Big XII? Geographically, it would make more sense than the SEC. It would likely open up Texas recruiting in a big way for the school. On the other hand, the Big XII's television deal blows chunks compared to the SEC. Also, I can't imagine the move would particularly help attendance.

Other possibilities would be a team like TCU or Houston, but the facilities are sub standard, they don't bring any new TV markets to the Big XII, and which team would be sent to the North?

Also, as far as the Big 10 goes, I suppose Cincinnati or Rutgers could be possibilities. I have to imagine that Ohio State would be completely against Cinci joining the conference.

 

I would go hard at Pitt. They bring the Pittsburgh area, which is the type of area to like Big Ten football/basketball. The only downside is the travel, but in the non-revenue sports, you can try to schedule Pitt/PSU back to back. And Pitt is a big state research institution, so it fits the B10 profile.

Football divisions
Big Ten Nagurski Division
Iowa
Minnesota
Northwestern
Ohio State
Pittsburgh
Purdue

Big Ten Grange Division
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State
Wisconsin

You play everyone in your division, your non-division "rival" and two non-division teams every year.

Rivalry game:
Michigan-Ohio State
Pitt-Penn State
Wisconsin-Minnesota
Indiana-Purdue
Northwestern-Illinois
Iowa-Michigan State (odd man out)

 

Iowa State is, indeed, absurd.

That said, "football" and "recruiting" are hardly the only considerations here for the conference. That's a very narrow viewpoint in which to consider any expansion.

 

Northwestern MUST go with Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Michigan, and either Purdue or Indiana. Next case.

 

Why? So Michigan-Wisconsin can decide the division winner?