Big TelEveN To Explore Expansion.

[zippy5]

It's going to be Pitt, if JoePa lets it happen.

[g-mann17]

Sorry, the more I read, the more it looks like Mizzou.Kansas City and St. Louis are nice size media markets, Mizzou has been unhappy with the bowl selection in the Big 12 and the distribution of money. Mizzou is also the most academically significant of the schools mentioned (Outside of Rutgers). And again Big 10 tends to stick with the larger state/flagship institutions.

[UAZipster0305]

Sorry, the more I read, the more it looks like Mizzou.Kansas City and St. Louis are nice size media markets, Mizzou has been unhappy with the bowl selection in the Big 12 and the distribution of money. Mizzou is also the most academically significant of the schools mentioned (Outside of Rutgers). And again Big 10 tends to stick with the larger state/flagship institutions.

I agree. I think it will be Mizzou. Not sure the dominoes will have any impact on UA at all if Mizzou is the choice.

[GP1]

Sorry, the more I read, the more it looks like Mizzou.

I hope you are wrong about Missouri. Missouri sided with the south in the Civil War and their troops engaged in some of the most despicable acts of violence in the history of warfare. They were an uncivilized, backward people then and they still are today as their ancestors remain in the genes of modern day Missourians. A northern conference should turn their backs on such a lowly people and say NO to Missouri.I say good day!

[g-mann17]

Sorry, the more I read, the more it looks like Mizzou.

I hope you are wrong about Missouri. Missouri sided with the south in the Civil War and their troops engaged in some of the most despicable acts of violence in the history of warfare. They were an uncivilized, backward people then and they still are today as their ancestors remain in the genes of modern day Missourians. A northern conference should turn their backs on such a lowly people and say NO to Missouri.I say good day!

Michigan was ok with letting OSU be in the conference and this was after the redneck western Ohioans murdered countless Michiganders in the Battle of Toledo. Those same redneck western and southern Ohioans still have that same ignorant blood coursing through their veins.*Ok so no one actually died because they never found each other, but Ohioans were hell bent on destroying Michigan, which is why years later they started to buy more and more Japanese cars until Detroit finally fell.

[xu9697]

Pitt is a CITY school= not going to happen. Does very little to open things up for the Big Ten.Missouri is a definite possiblity, but not sure how much they really open things up for the Big Ten. I would guess there is a pool of 10-15 schools that will be considered.

[johnnyzip84]

Mizzou has made the most sense for a long time. They have to be the favorite.

[ZachTheZip]

It gets really interesting if Arkansas comes in to replace Mizzou. That could cause a major chain reaction in the east.

[g-mann17]

It gets really interesting if Arkansas comes in to replace Mizzou. That could cause a major chain reaction in the east.

That is the "logical" Big 12 replacement, but you have to figure that the SEC and Big 12 would be willing to consider TCU as a possibility.If that happens, then the merry-go-round ends right there.

[ZachTheZip]

It gets really interesting if Arkansas comes in to replace Mizzou. That could cause a major chain reaction in the east.

That is the "logical" Big 12 replacement, but you have to figure that the SEC and Big 12 would be willing to consider TCU as a possibility.If that happens, then the merry-go-round ends right there.

The merry-go-round ends for us, but it gets really interesting in the west. If the Big XII takes any of the MWC teams, it creates a monster of a problem. The MWC is left with 8 teams, which is a problem for scheduling. So they add Boise State, and then the WAC has the same problem. No western schools have plans to move up. You could see the MWC take more teams from the WAC to get a championship game and kill off the WAC (their main competition) entirely. Nevada, Fresno State, and New Mexico State are the biggest candidates, plus one more. LA Tech would be forced into joining the Sun Belt, even though they are adamantly against it, if they want to survive.

[g-mann17]

It gets really interesting if Arkansas comes in to replace Mizzou. That could cause a major chain reaction in the east.

That is the "logical" Big 12 replacement, but you have to figure that the SEC and Big 12 would be willing to consider TCU as a possibility.If that happens, then the merry-go-round ends right there.

The merry-go-round ends for us, but it gets really interesting in the west. If the Big XII takes any of the MWC teams, it creates a monster of a problem. The MWC is left with 8 teams, which is a problem for scheduling. So they add Boise State, and then the WAC has the same problem. No western schools have plans to move up. You could see the MWC take more teams from the WAC to get a championship game and kill off the WAC (their main competition) entirely. Nevada, Fresno State, and New Mexico State are the biggest candidates, plus one more. LA Tech would be forced into joining the Sun Belt, even though they are adamantly against it, if they want to survive.

LOL, 8 teams is the NCAA minimum requirement for a conference, the MWC would be fine (and have no incentive to do anything) with it I doubt they would try and get another team (the Big East has done it for 5 years now with no major problems). Additionally how would it be advantagious to Boise State to play in a conference with Utah? If TCU replaces a team in the Big 12 or SEC because of Big 10 expansion, nothing really happens after that.Now, I will say this. The BCS (no it's not going away) has been rumored to be heavily considering requiring all affiliate conferences to have a conference championship game. That means current members Big 10, PAC-10, and Big East will need 12 teams (NCAA requirement to have a championship game).

[ZachTheZip]

Now, I will say this. The BCS (no it's not going away) has been rumored to be heavily considering requiring all affiliate conferences to have a conference championship game. That means current members Big 10, PAC-10, and Big East will need 12 teams (NCAA requirement to have a championship game).

Every FBS conference is affiliated with the BCS. The MAC, WAC, MWC, CUSA, and SBC are all signed on the contract.That means that the MWC, WAC, and Sun Belt would also have to expand or be absorbed into another conference.

[g-mann17]

Now, I will say this. The BCS (no it's not going away) has been rumored to be heavily considering requiring all affiliate conferences to have a conference championship game. That means current members Big 10, PAC-10, and Big East will need 12 teams (NCAA requirement to have a championship game).

Every FBS conference is affiliated with the BCS. The MAC, WAC, MWC, CUSA, and SBC are all signed on the contract.That means that the MWC, WAC, and Sun Belt would also have to expand or be absorbed into another conference.

Two things, first they are signed onto the contract (because of the "ranked 12th" qualifier rule), but they are not Bowl Championship Series affiliates(the BCS consists of the SEC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, ACC, PAC-10 and Notre Dame). Secondly for there to be 10 or 11 conferences of 12 teams is not that out of the question when there are currently 120 FBS schools. Is it so hard to see an expansion to 132 or contraction to a solid 120? There are currently teams that should be FCS anyway, and FCS schools chomping to fill those shoes.

[johnnyzip84]

It gets really interesting if Arkansas comes in to replace Mizzou. That could cause a major chain reaction in the east.

That is the "logical" Big 12 replacement, but you have to figure that the SEC and Big 12 would be willing to consider TCU as a possibility.If that happens, then the merry-go-round ends right there.

The merry-go-round ends for us, but it gets really interesting in the west. If the Big XII takes any of the MWC teams, it creates a monster of a problem. The MWC is left with 8 teams, which is a problem for scheduling. So they add Boise State, and then the WAC has the same problem. No western schools have plans to move up. You could see the MWC take more teams from the WAC to get a championship game and kill off the WAC (their main competition) entirely. Nevada, Fresno State, and New Mexico State are the biggest candidates, plus one more. LA Tech would be forced into joining the Sun Belt, even though they are adamantly against it, if they want to survive.

LOL, 8 teams is the NCAA minimum requirement for a conference, the MWC would be fine (and have no incentive to do anything) with it I doubt they would try and get another team (the Big East has done it for 5 years now with no major problems). Additionally how would it be advantagious to Boise State to play in a conference with Utah? If TCU replaces a team in the Big 12 or SEC because of Big 10 expansion, nothing really happens after that.Now, I will say this. The BCS (no it's not going away) has been rumored to be heavily considering requiring all affiliate conferences to have a conference championship game. That means current members Big 10, PAC-10, and Big East will need 12 teams (NCAA requirement to have a championship game).

There is one potential ENORMOUS advantage for Boise St to join the MWC.MWC 1/2 Way to BCS Automatic Bid?Of course if TCU leaves, that might change things a little. But I don't think it completely eliminates the chances for the MWC (especially one with Boise St) a shot at an automatic BCS bid.

[Zipmeister]

Sorry, the more I read, the more it looks like Mizzou.

I hope you are wrong about Missouri. Missouri sided with the south in the Civil War and their troops engaged in some of the most despicable acts of violence in the history of warfare. They were an uncivilized, backward people then and they still are today as their ancestors remain in the genes of modern day Missourians. A northern conference should turn their backs on such a lowly people and say NO to Missouri.I say good day!

That's nothing. They didn't get flush toilets in Missouri until 1996

[Zipmeister]

How about becoming a member of the PAC 12?from ESPN.comPac-10 will consider expansionDecember, 16, 2009Dec 165:02PM ETEmail Print ShareBy Ted MillerWith potential conference expansion again all the rage, first-year Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott knew the question would be coming.What about Pac-10 expansion?Kirby Lee/Image of Sport/US PresswirePac-10 conference commissioner Larry Scott said he is considering expansion... again."Expansion is something we will take a look at," Scott said Wednesday.For expansion enthusiasts that will sound like a more open-minded approach than long-time commissioner Tom Hansen, whom Scott replaced over the summer.But don't make plans for a Pac-10 Championship Game just yet.Yes, expansion is something Scott will look at with a "fresh set of eyes" -- his phrase -- and the timing makes sense because the conference television contracts expire after the 2011-12 academic year.But this is nothing new -- he said the same in July before Pac-10 media day -- and the same reasoning and sentiments that school and conference administrators have used to resist calls for expansion in the past remain entrenched, so nothing is imminent."There's a pretty high hurdle for us, academically, athletically, geographically," Scott said. "We're hard-pressed to really see how you improve upon the structure of the Pac-10 as it is with five sets of natural rivals in four states."Expansion is a subject that has repeatedly come up since the mid-90s when the conference courted Texas and Colorado before they joined the new Big 12, but the Big Ten's public declaration this week that it is considering adding a member to reach the 12-program threshold necessary to split into divisions and hold a championship game, makes the issue relevant again.If the the Big Ten joins the Big 12, ACC and SEC as a 12-team conference that would leave the Pac-10 and eight-team Big East looking, well, smaller.Scott said that bigger doesn't necessarily mean better, particularly in terms of revenue per program. If adding teams means a potentially smaller slice of the conference revenue pie, it will be hard to sell expansion to the membership.The first issue is the small pool of potential candidates. The teams most often mentioned -- mostly by fans -- are Utah, BYU, Boise State, Akron, San Diego State, Colorado, Fresno State, Nevada, UNLV and TCU.A couple of those are intriguing possibilities, but a couple wouldn't even be considered.Programs need to be an academic and athletic match. That means admission standards and research accreditation are issues. On the athletic side, it's not just about football. How strong is the entire athletic department? Recall the Pac-10 is the "Conference of Champions" and Olympic and women's sports are part of that foundation.Then there's the biggest issue: Money. If the Pac-10 were to expand, it wants that expansion to mean more of it. There's widespread concern that a number of the potential candidates don't come from markets that will increase revenue.Bringing in Utah and Colorado might be a winner (Salt Lake City and Denver markets), and at least one Pac-10 athletic director said that's the most likely scenario. Of course, prying Colorado away from the Big 12 might not be easy.TCU, perhaps? There are issues -- distance being an obvious one -- but Pac-10 coaches would salivate over a bigger potential recruiting footprint in Texas.What Scott has or will shortly realize: There are no slam-dunk solutions that will make everyone cheer.There will be enthusiasts for expansion and there will be skeptics. What's clear is there should be a renewed sense of urgency over the matter because Scott expects the new TV deals to be long-term contracts.That might mean expansion or not by 2012."The most logical time for that is when you're going to sell your media rights," Scott said. "This is essentially the shop window, so this would be a very natural time to consider it, if we are going to consider it."

[jaycevs]

I have seen this now a few places, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear the mention of Texas. The Pac 10 went after them, they have had disagreements with the Big 12, especially after it cost them a potential National Title last year, and their academics are a Big 10 Fit. Them, along with Ohio State, are the two richest athletic departments in sports as well. With that said, it would be a complete shock to see them actually make a move like that. They would geographically be in a difficult place, but to me if they kept the OU rivalry, anything is possible.

[Dr Z]

The one thing that may make me interested in at least one little eleven game...Pitt vs PSU

[zippy5]

The one thing that may make me interested in at least one little eleven game...Pitt vs PSU

I'm a big Pitt fan, grew up near the Burgh...(still wore my Zips gear to the Pete last year though ) I can't wait till this series resumes. One of the greatest rivalries in college sports and it hasn't even been played since 2000. I was there, and I've been to many Backyard Brawls too. No comparison. That series will resume either if/when: JoePa dies, Pitt joins the Big Ten. I think it's going to be Pitt to join the Big 10. I think it's a lateral move in Football, a step down in BBall. But you finish 3rd in the BE, and you're in the Meinike Car Car Bowl. 3rd in the Big 10 gets you the Outback Bowl in Florida. The conference lives on its reputation...

[MDZip]

And how far is Philadelphia from College Park, MD .. can't be too far.

Late answer but they are only about 2 1/2 hours apart. The profile would work well for the ACC.

[ZachTheZip]

Some crack reporting from the New York Times: NIU will not be joining the Big Ten.The statement by their spokesperson betrays them as one of the schools who is content with the status quo in the MAC. They could have said something more tactful "The Big Ten hasn't officialy contacted us at this time, but we're always trying to improve our program." That leaves a little bit of doubt and gets some buzz going even if everybody knows it won't really happen. They way they flat out stomped on any possibility of it happening was not a wise way of handling the situation.

[GP1]

"The Big Ten hasn't officialy contacted us at this time, but we're always trying to improve our program."

Here is how this statement should read."The Big Ten hasn't officially contacted us at this time, but we're always trying to improve ourprogram. If that means building it through suicide, we are happy to go there."

[zip-O-matic]

Cincy, Louisville, West Virginia are all non-starters. B11's decision is driven by football needs, but it needs to take place in a manner compatible with their academic research consortium. That rules out any school--other than Notre Dame--who is not both an AAU member and ranked at least as high in the USN&WR rankings as the lowest B11 schools, which are currently Indiana, Iowa and MSU. Sure OSU would veto Cincy if it ever came to that, but unless Cincy climbs into the USN&WR top tier AND gets an AAU invite, it would never come down to that.Here's the best analysis that I've read on the subject from an Illini blogger. He comes to a rather surprising conclusion.Frank the Tank

[Zipmeister]

Cincy, Louisville, West Virginia are all non-starters. B11's decision is driven by football needs, but it needs to take place in a manner compatible with their academic research consortium. That rules out any school--other than Notre Dame--who is not both an AAU member and ranked at least as high in the USN&WR rankings as the lowest B11 schools, which are currently Indiana, Iowa and MSU. Sure OSU would veto Cincy if it ever came to that, but unless Cincy climbs into the USN&WR top tier AND gets an AAU invite, it would never come down to that.Here's the best analysis that I've read on the subject from an Illini blogger. He comes to a rather surprising conclusion.Frank the Tank

The best analysis you have read concludes that Texas would be the best addition to the bigten. What does that say about the rest of the analysis you have read?

[UA Fan]

Texas fans would be hard pressed to travel to many/any league road games. Are the teams going to want to travel that much and play in colder weather? Will potential TX recruits find that scenario attractive? I'd be very surprised if UT goes for that.