Big 10 expansion talk heating up

[Surfah]

Rutgers presence in the NY/NJ TV and print markets is overstated. Just because they're in that area doesn't mean they're relevant or even garner attention.

Rutgers has the distinction of being in the first football game, but their tradition otherwise sucks. They had a decent '06 season and have been mediocre since. Yeah they made bowl games the last couple of years but who doesn't these days?

It's no wonder though that the Big 10 wants them. They add a paper tiger and Michigan, tOSU and PSU continue to dominate.

[Hot Lunch]

Rutgers presence in the NY/NJ TV and print markets is overstated. Just because they're in that area doesn't mean they're relevant or even garner attention.

They don't know but would they if they joined the Little 10? As much as I hate that conference, they have tradition in a few of the programs. Would that be enough to dip into it?

[Surfah]

They don't know but would they if they joined the Little 10? As much as I hate that conference, they have tradition in a few of the programs. Would that be enough to dip into it?

Maybe that Saturday once or twice a year when UM or tOSU comes to down. But it's not like RU has been without storied programs in the Big East. Miami used to come to town with Va Tech and Syracuse used to be good.

[beefytee]

My gut tells me that when the dusts, Utah will be in the Pac-10 and BYU will be looking from the outside in, further alienated from the big boys than ever and the BCS/non-BCS divide will be the equivalent of 1-A and 1-AA at that point.

I think the only chance BYU has is joining the Big 12 and that is only possible if Missouri leaves for the Big 10 or Colorado bolts for the Pac 10. In either case, there is no guarantee that BYU gets in just the same.

And with Missouri pretty much begging to be invited to the Big 10 at this point, my guess is they aren't high on the Big 10's list.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I cannot foresee any situation, ever, in which the Pac-10 adds Boise St.

Agreed, there's no way the Pac-10 lets in Boise State.

I also don't think the Big 12 will pick up TCU should an opening develop in the Big 12 North. The Big 12 already has sufficient contacts and presence in the state of Texas and TCU in the Big 12 North is screwy geographically.

If there is indeed a domino effect like the writer says, I see the Pac-10 going after Utah and TCU. The Pac-10 can make some recruiting inroads with the state of Texas. In other words, TCU does a lot more for the Pac-10 than it does for the Big 12. The problem with TCU is the geographic alignment with the Pac-10. Most likely, the two northern Californian schools and four pacific northwest schools will be in the same division. Utah, TCU, USC, UCLA, ASU and Arizona would be in the other division. I guess this would be the Pac-10 South even though Utah would be north of the two northern California schools.

BYU would be the likely recipient of the Big 12 North spot. BYU would have to consent to not participate in the Big 12 basketball tournament and either not receive any share of the proceeds or a significantly smaller share. The Big 12 otherwise doesn't play any conference basketball games on Sunday.

I view Pitt as the most likely addition to the Big 10. The fanbase would be fine with the move and it makes sense geographically. Missouri would also make a lot of sense but I don't think the fanbase would think a move to the Big 10 would be a step up from the Big 12. Then again, maybe there is some truth to the rumors of discontent with the power that is wielded by Texas.

But if the Big 10 had its choice between the two, it would probably want Missouri. With Pitt, you get Pittsburgh and portions of western Pennsylvania, but you're kind of canibalizing your own market because a significant portion of these people are already Big 10 followers. But with Missouri, you get the entire state that's fresh territory for the Big 10 (and the population you grab is bigger than Western Pennsylvania).

The Big 10 will probably also see if Nebraska is interested.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

My gut tells me that when the dusts, Utah will be in the Pac-10 and BYU will be looking from the outside in, further alienated from the big boys than ever and the BCS/non-BCS divide will be the equivalent of 1-A and 1-AA at that point.

I think the only chance BYU has is joining the Big 12 and that is only possible if Missouri leaves for the Big 10 or Colorado bolts for the Pac 10. In either case, there is no guarantee that BYU gets in just the same.

And with Missouri pretty much begging to be invited to the Big 10 at this point, my guess is they aren't high on the Big 10's list.

Nebraska is supposedly displeased with the Big 12 for similar reasons as Missouri (crappy TV deal, bad bowl tie-ins). Nebraska could potentially view a move to the new Big 10 West as being a better spot than the Big 12 North. The Big 10 West schools probably travel better than the Big 12 North schools (and the Big 10 travels well overall and gets huge TV ratings which is why the bowl tie-ins and TV money are better). Plus, Nebraska could renew its annual rivalry with Oklahoma.

[Surfah]

Babs said it months ago when this topic came up before. BYU won't ever get an invite to the PAC 10 or Big 12. I hate to believe that but she was right. None of these schools/conferences want to deal with the Church.

[SeattleUte]

Babs said it months ago when this topic came up before. BYU won't ever get an invite to the PAC 10 or Big 12. I hate to believe that but she was right. None of these schools/conferences want to deal with the Church.

I finally scanned that article and can't resist a parody of your comment the other day. The poor Cougars, not even a mention!

[Surfah]

I finally scanned that article and can't resist a parody of your comment the other day. The poor Cougars, not even a mention!

You're thumping your chest over an article written in the Grand Rapids Express? At least the one I linked was from the Dallas Morning News.

[dabrockster]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. But I do not see this happening until Delaney is gone..


Here is my prediction: When Delany leaves. Gene Smith becomes the new Commish, and Tressel steps down to be the new AD... It may be a few more years before this happen though..


It may be a while but I can see this happening...

[SeattleUte]

You're thumping your chest over an article written in the Grand Rapids Express? At least the one I linked was from the Dallas Morning News.

The DM News was just a passing "such as..." type comment. This was an in depth analysis of BCS expansion prospects. Also, the DMN is a POS. Your estimation of it is way too high.

Anyway, I think BYU should stop being so strange and improve its chances. Isn't it obvious everyone else is right.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Babs said it months ago when this topic came up before. BYU won't ever get an invite to the PAC 10 or Big 12. I hate to believe that but she was right. None of these schools/conferences want to deal with the Church.

I don't believe that. It's probably true with the Pac 10 in combination with other reasons, but it's not true with the Big 12. They already didn't have a problem with BYU before, so I don't know why they'd have a problem now.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I don't believe that. It's probably true with the Pac 10 in combination with other reasons, but it's not true with the Big 12. They already didn't have a problem with BYU before, so I don't know why they'd have a problem now.

Didn't the Big 12 say that they wanted to extend an offer to BYU originally until Ann whats-her-name pulled some dirty tricks and forced them to invite Baylor instead?

Speaking of which, if the Big 12 is against religion-affiliated schools, how did Baylor get in?

[Jarid in Cedar]

Didn't the Big 12 say that they wanted to extend an offer to BYU originally until Ann whats-her-name pulled some dirty tricks and forced them to invite Baylor instead?

Speaking of which, if the Big 12 is against religion-affiliated schools, how did Baylor get in?

But BYU isn't a "christian school" like Baylor, SMU, TCU, et al.

And as I recall Ann pulled all the punches to get Baylor in because it was her Alma Mater

[Moliere]

But BYU isn't a "christian school" like Baylor, SMU, TCU, et al.

And as I recall Ann pulled all the punches to get Baylor in because it was her Alma Mater

This is true.

And I also agree with the second paragraph.