Big 12 Realignment & Expansion Thread

vp81955 · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:25 pm **Posts:** 65

JPSchmack wrote:

Quinn wrote:

Perhaps you missed the

emoticon, as I was making a joke.

I didn't mean you. I can clearly see that you get it. I just mean that the people in the media who like to redraw things based on geography like this is the NHL or MLB and present it like "the solution."

That's not a solution, its a fantasy... unless those top 40-80 teams leave the NCAA and form their own governing body, set up a sports league with equal geographic divisions. Which could happen... but probably not because they'd have to work together to make it lucrative.

One potential problem with that scenario are "regional" sports. For example, consider ice hockey, Even if all 120 teams in what was formerly called I-A broke away, how many would be playing hockey? I can only see Boston College, Army, Connecticut, Ohio State, Miami of Ohio, Bowling Green, Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Air Force and Notre Dame...13 teams (about one-third of the current NCAA Division I men's ice hockey membership). Lacrosse would have about as many members, maybe a few more, and think about "West Coast" sports such as water polo. I suppose this new governing body could encourage some colleges to add more programs, but with athletic budgets constrained as it is, how many schools would take up such an offer?

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Blog article(previously posted in another thread) out of Illinois with more info regarding possible Big Ten expansion criteria from Illinois AD.Doesn't look like Texas would be considered a geographic fit according to Mr Guenther.Link at http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2 ... _expansion

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

BE MB thread discussing possibility of Big Ten expanding with Missouri.Looks like many BE fans/posters would understandably welcome a Big Ten raid on the Big 12 instead of on the BE.Time will tell.Link at http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=413652

sec03 · **Joined:** Sat May 20, 2006 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1241

Freaked,
If B10 goes to 14, could be draws on both the B12 & BE. 2-1 or 1-2.
If selections are other than Notre Dame, maybe including if ND changes it's mind, expect at least one would come from the BE.
But then again, suprises can't be totally ruled out.

vp81955 · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:25 pm **Posts:** 65

sec03 wrote:

Freaked,
If B10 goes to 14, could be draws on both the B12 & BE. 2-1 or 1-2.
If selections are other than Notre Dame, maybe including if ND changes it's mind, expect at least one would come from the BE.
But then again, surprises can't be totally ruled out.

Which is why Maryland has to be considered a factor. In an expansion to 14, the Big Ten would cause minimal damage to three conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 12) instead of causing major damage to one. Under that scenario, Big Ten presidents then have to decide between Rutgers and Syracuse from the Big East and between Missouri and Nebraska from the Big 12.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3762

vp81955 wrote:

sec03 wrote:

Freaked,
If B10 goes to 14, could be draws on both the B12 & BE. 2-1 or 1-2.
If selections are other than Notre Dame, maybe including if ND changes it's mind, expect at least one would come from the BE.
But then again, surprises can't be totally ruled out.

Which is why Maryland has to be considered a factor. In an expansion to 14, the Big Ten would cause minimal damage to three conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 12) instead of causing major damage to one. Under that scenario, Big Ten presidents then have to decide between Rutgers and Syracuse from the Big East and between Missouri and Nebraska from the Big 12.

I don't think "hurt as many conferences as possible" is one of the keys to expansion for the Big Ten.

And to recap, I've still heard as much talk of Virginia Tech, Boston College and Uconn joining the Big Ten as I've heard Maryland. Perhaps Maryland has some secret tactic that differs from the schools like Rutgers, Missouri, Notre Dame, Texas, UConn, Pitt, Iowa St. which HAVE spoken on the topic with either cryptic responses, direct interest or straight refusal. Other than this speculation thread, I have never seen anything regarding Maryland expressing any interest in the Big Ten, leaving the ACC, or the Big Ten even looking at Maryland. Does Maryland make more sense than Florida joining? Sure. But Florida or Maryland joining the Big Ten seem to have the same amount of buzz...zero.

louisvillecard01 · **Joined:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:04 pm **Posts:** 331

Quinn wrote:

vp81955 wrote:

sec03 wrote:

Freaked,
If B10 goes to 14, could be draws on both the B12 & BE. 2-1 or 1-2.
If selections are other than Notre Dame, maybe including if ND changes it's mind, expect at least one would come from the BE.
But then again, surprises can't be totally ruled out.

Which is why Maryland has to be considered a factor. In an expansion to 14, the Big Ten would cause minimal damage to three conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 12) instead of causing major damage to one. Under that scenario, Big Ten presidents then have to decide between Rutgers and Syracuse from the Big East and between Missouri and Nebraska from the Big 12.

I don't think "hurt as many conferences as possible" is one of the keys to expansion for the Big Ten.

And to recap, I've still heard as much talk of Virginia Tech, Boston College and Uconn joining the Big Ten as I've heard Maryland. Perhaps Maryland has some secret tactic that differs from the schools like Rutgers, Missouri, Notre Dame, Texas, UConn, Pitt, Iowa St. which HAVE spoken on the topic with either cryptic responses, direct interest or straight refusal. Other than this speculation thread, I have never seen anything regarding Maryland expressing any interest in the Big Ten, leaving the ACC, or the Big Ten even looking at Maryland. Does Maryland make more sense than Florida joining? Sure. But Florida or Maryland joining the Big Ten seem to have the same amount of buzz...zero.

Quinn,
I concur on this point. What is implied in some posts and even some media disbursements is that the B10 is in a position to pick whomever they want, Notre Dame perhaps excluded. Minimally, the serious interest has to be mutal. Granted, the B10 offers upward prestige to most. However, I am not convinced everyone they ask may bite, even considering some of the revenue ehancements involved. Outside a Notre Dame change of mind, I would expect B10 expansion selections to be from contiguous states with respectable and compatible sports offering and institutions the B10 would embrace academically. Maryland would technically fit the criteria, but it would also require a significant motive to exit the ACC and feel reasonably secure to make the transition.
I also agree the B10 will be focused on individual schools to reach their objective and not be preoccuppied with how this impacts the viability of the conferences schools may be extracted from. Their tact may be more courteous and deliberative than what the ACC did around 2003, but they will pursue their prime choice(s) nevertheless.

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Kansas City Star article(previously posted in another thread)discussing Missouri and Big 12 angle to Big Ten expansion at http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1704959.html

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

San Jose Mercury blog article(previously posted in another thread) is reporting that the Pac-10 is interested in expanding and has hired former Big 12 Commish Kevin Weiberg.Does this move portend a possible attempt by the Pac-10 to raid the Big 12 using Weiberg's contacts?Link at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespo ... k-and-more

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

MU paper calling on Missouri to move to the Big Ten.Link at http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2010 ... ve-big-ten

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3762

Blog article saying Pac 10 expansion might be about keeping USC happy so they don't leave for the Big 12???

http://bustersports.com/blog/buster-blo ... -anything/

I just don't buy the rationale. Would USC leave the Pac-10 with Arizona St. to join a Big 14? Not a chance. And he mentions UCLA as a candidate if it were say, a 4 team Big 12 expansion. So you're telling me UCLA is going to leave Cal behind? Good luck getting the state to OK that move. The Big 12 just isn't in the position to pull off such a coup. And in reality, as much of a stretch as it really is, Texas leaving the big 12 for the P10 or B10 is more probable.

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Article out of Denver with comments from Colorado AD regarding PAC-10 expansion situation.Link at http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14367217?source=rss

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Article out of Nebraska(previously posted in another thread)with comments from Tom Osborne regarding possible Big 12 realignment situation.Link at http://www.huskerextra.com/articles/201 ... 452790.txt

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Column out of Boulder regarding possible Big 12 realignment at http://www.dailycamera.com/sports-colum ... z0pKtbnkbJ

JPSchmack · **Joined:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:21 pm **Posts:** 851

Quinn wrote:

Blog article saying Pac 10 expansion might be about keeping USC happy so they don't leave for the Big 12???

http://bustersports.com/blog/buster-blo ... -anything/

I just don't buy the rationale. Would USC leave the Pac-10 with Arizona St. to join a Big 14? Not a chance. And he mentions UCLA as a candidate if it were say, a 4 team Big 12 expansion. So you're telling me UCLA is going to leave Cal behind? Good luck getting the state to OK that move. The Big 12 just isn't in the position to pull off such a coup. And in reality, as much of a stretch as it really is, Texas leaving the big 12 for the P10 or B10 is more probable.

Yeah, I don't think he's serious at all about that. I think what he means is that "You have to be pro-active, you have to be the one growing and adding rather than waiting around to lose schools"

I mean, we're talking about a conference that's had the fewest membership changes of anyone in the last 30 years.

The only real threat to the Pac 10 is their lack of TV presence compared to other conferences. The Big XII is in no position to pilfer the Pac 10 schools, since the Pac 10 has bigger TV markets should have the bigger TV deal.

The Pac 10 need only worry about down the road when the idea of a TV super-conference comes up (i.e. Texas, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, Miami/FSU, USC, UCLA). But a "west branch" of a conference for TV would pretty much include 6/10 of the Pac 10 anyway, since they are in TV markets #2, #12, #13, #15, #23 and #31.

Big 12 Realignment & Expansion Thread

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