Big Ten expansion

Delany's statement, boiled down: No decision now, we will study the issue over 12-18 months.

 

Yeah, I agree with you. The only other conference I could see BYU joining is the Big XII, and that would be a long shot.

 

But they would only need one Utah school to get the SLC TV market and then Colorado would give them Denver (#16). It would suck travel wise, but TV ratings would increase and they would be able to expand their recruiting footprint. (Not that its ever been a problem for SC, but I think they are an exception.)

 

Because they beat Oklahoma in a bowl game?

 

Hey Big Ten, you know you want it, bitch!

 

To add a 12th member, not duplicate coverage in the state of Utah, and not add an explicitly-religiously-oriented institution. No other reason.

On the research-institution issue: there are no other AAU member institutions in the regional area which would be even remote candidates. Three of the current Pac-10 members (ASU, OSU and WSU) are not AAU members.

 

Boise State to the Mountain West seems so damn logical.

Pac 10? Utah and UNLV, even though the Rebs' add nothing as a football program and live in the past with basketball. The market wouldn't hurt though.

Big Ten? I'd prefer Mizzou. Arkansas can join its traditional SWC brethren in the Big 12 and the SEC can poach Florida State, Miami, etc.

This all depends on Indiana State not being invited to the Big Ten of course. ;D

 

I don't think anyone is *advocating* Boise to the Pac-10. It's just that there aren't a hell of a lot of Pac 10-area schools from which to choose.

 

Weak. Do not understand the "duplicate coverage" argument. Schools are not football coaches -- adding one school in Utah and one school in Idaho for the sake of not adding two schools in Utah does not benefit the Pac-10 in any way.

 

Hardly. Outside of football and men's basketball, Northwestern has a fine athletic program.

 

The argument would be that you're getting two different TV markets.

/not that the Boise market is worth anything, admittedly

 

Mizzou says it's willing to listen to the Big 11: http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/1632957.html