In what is becoming something of a regular cycle, the Big Ten has put out word that they are interested in adding another team to the conference. This will be the fifth time the Big Ten has considered expansion since Penn State joined the division in 1990. Ohio State president Gorden Gee is one of the first to come out in favor of adding a 12th team to the conference.
When we look at the number shared champions, the need for a Big Ten Championship has become apparent. In recent years, the Big Ten has slept through the month of December while the SEC and others are building momentum heading into the bowls. However, the move to play into December next year may be enough to solve this problem.
The first question that comes to mind when adding teams is who and we all tend to look to Notre Dame. Don’t count on it folks. There is absolutely no incentive for Notre Dame to play in the Big Ten. They have their own personal television contract which brings in millions and their own special place in the BCS. They turned down the offer in 2009 and it’s probably safe to say that they will turn it down again. And while I’d enjoy a good Notre Dame beatdown, do we really want them in the division.
A Penn State fan on Twitter did point out the potential of ending the regular season with Penn State/Notre Dame and Ohio State/Michigan games to decide the conference championship.
Other teams I’ve seen tossed around include West Virginia, Missouri, Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Missouri and WVU seem like good matches due to their Midwestern local. WVU has the rivalry game with Pitt that will need to be dealt with while Missouri has been building it’s own rivalries. They’ve got their thing with Illinois that could possible grow into something better.
I’m not keen on Virigina Tech and I really don’t have a good reason not to be. They just seem too far south to me. Rutgers? We’ll they’ve got football history and tradition but again..Rutgers?
From a financial perspective, Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel gives an interesting breakdown. According to Mandel, a 12th team would need to add around $22 million in revenue to make the deal worthwhile. If his numbers are correct, there’s only one school who can realistically bring in that type of cash and as I mentioned earlier, they’ve turned us down before and there’s absolutely no incentive for them to join.
Thoughts?
Since I’m tending to ramble at this point and running out of time, let me know what you think of a 12th team. Is it a good idea? Does moving games to Dec. solve our Dec. layoff problem? Who?
And what about Ohio State/Michigan. This is probably my biggest concern. Call me nostalgic but losing those years when OSU/UM decide the Rose Bowl…too much to pay.
Gorden Gee Shares His Thoughts
The Ozone.net put up a great video on YouTube. In it, Gee talks about everything from a 12th game to a 12th team.
Bowl Pickem
Our friends over at 11 Warriors are organizing a Bowl Pickem contest. I’m in although I picking in a hurry before leaving town today. Hopefully I’ll get through the opening weekend in one piece. Get in today or you may miss out on the St. Petersburg Bowl (yep…that’s where I’m headed).
Coming soon
More Oregon/OSU stuff to come. Been a busy week but think “Three Keys to Winning.” Don’t post ‘em yet…just something to think about.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
ND is a no go. Remember that this conference is more than about football or sports. The Big 10 is comprised of research schools and the grants they get for research total in the billions every year. ND is not a research school and that is the main reason they weren’t a good fit the last time. Their academics don’t match well with the B-10.
The schools I have seen mentioned have been Syracuse, Pitt, WVU, Cincinnati, Missouri and Iowa State.
Out of all of those I think Pitt and Iowa State would be the best fits.
Finally a 12th team. I’ve been advocating that for years. I think the best bets would be Cincinnati, Louisville, or West Virginia. We have a Big 12 conference, so I quess we will remain the Big Ten because of the tradition.
Go Buckeye clobber the Ducks.
Boise State. They would win the confrence title every year and go to the Rose Bowl. They would easily be the best team in the Big Ten.
Glad I could toss you the softball Tony.
I just couldn’t resist Jim. It was too easy. I almost suggested bringing on a team from the “Lingerie Football” league ( http://www.lingeriefootball.net/ ). They might give the Big 10 some competition.
Boise works better then the LFL. I’m all in favor of a hot summer game against the LFL.
I talked to a number of Rutgers fans this weekend and they all seem to think they’re a shoe in. I was trying as tactfully as possible to point out that the Big 10 needs a team much stronger then Rutgers.
He seemed to think that since Rutgers could beat the Indiana and Illinois they would be great for the league.
I’ll post more on it later. I’m afraid I’m still digging out from the snowstorm.