Conference Realignment
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So. . . who would the B1G go after if the Big 12 lost OU and UT?
Kansas?
Go Nats 88 Illini
Fairfax, VA
$$$ The Big 12 almost got deimated several years back.
I was thinking KU, OSU - maybe Texas Tech? Then there’s West Virginia too, maybe Baylor? None seem like a great fit - too bad Notre Dame Is off the table.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I agree with this. I don't think either are going to beat Bama on a consistent basis, to even make the SEC title game. Plus, no way the SEC allows Texas to continue to have their own TV station.
I mean, UNC, Duke, ND and Virginia would be outstanding - this will be interesting
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
There is a less than zero percent chance of either of these schools joining. They don't have strong enough academics for B1G presidents and they don't have large enough fanbases to justify an equal share of conference revenue. Regional fit hasn't been the justification for conference expansion for a long time.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Ding ding. If we expand it's either going to be through the ACC or even, frankly, the Pac-12, which is struggling monetarily.
PAC 12 would be very interesting too, aside from travel times for the non revenue sports - but who knows - this will get crazy if UT and OU make a move.
I agree on ISU, but I have to imagine KU has a pretty big fan base, and while certainly below the majority of Big 10 schools, they wouldn't be the lowest ranked per US News and World Report. That would be Nebraska at #133. KU is #124.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Nebraska barely made it through due to their academics. And, at the time, their football program was still a name brand with national appeal.
Kansas, with an athletic department riddled with scandal, a football program that would immediately become a basement dweller, AND poor academics would be extremely hard to swallow. Ultimately, conference expansion is about football, it's about bringing in more viewers to the BTN, and to some extent in our conference specifically, it's about academics. I doubt KU's basketball program will be enough to justify their inclusion for the B1G presidents.
Would Notre Dame deign to lower itself to be a member of the same conference as those “other” schools in the state?
We’d need on more to even it out. I’ll throw out Georgia tech as I assume if we’re going south along the east coast, might as well try to get into that Atlanta market.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I thought we looked at Georgia tech in the past, could make a lot of sense.
I feel like culturally, academically, money-wise you are really looking at Va Tech, Virginia, and UNC. West Va doesn’t have the academics. Colorado is probably too far west. You aren’t taking ISU, KSU, Kansas, or Okla State. There just isn’t much room to maneuver here.
GT and FSU are probably too far south. ND wants nothing to do with the B10.
GT and FSU are probably too far south. ND wants nothing to do with the B10.
One of the big factors not yet mentioned here is TV markets. It's no secret Big Ten acquired Rutgers and Maryland for the TV markets in NYC and DC. That's the big reason Georgia Tech is always brought up (including academics) is the Atlanta TV revenue. Most of the Big 12 names come from absolutely tiny markets.
Priorities for Big Ten expansion:
1) TV markets (location and fanbase)
2) Football success
3) Academics
Priorities for Big Ten expansion:
1) TV markets (location and fanbase)
2) Football success
3) Academics
this is all driven by football
we get nothing really with any school from the B12 other than Texas.
why would Texas A&M want UT in their league? I doubt they have veto power, but still
I see GTech and Virginia as the most interesting.
Doubt any of this is on the short term horizon
we get nothing really with any school from the B12 other than Texas.
why would Texas A&M want UT in their league? I doubt they have veto power, but still
I see GTech and Virginia as the most interesting.
Doubt any of this is on the short term horizon
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
football drives the conference expansion bus. Basketball is a far second
with the B1G, its all about eyeballs they can bring to the B1G Network.
the B1G would love to get into the state of Florida, but :
UF isnt leaving the SEC
Miami has too few eyeballs
FSU is not academically strong enough
UCF is not prestigious enough of an institution - nfw
hence, Gtech and UVa and/or UNC make most sense to us
ND isnt coming, had their chance and blew it. Unless Warren has contacts there and can do this thru back channels, but there is a lot of bad blood from the B1G side on this , that I dont see it.
with the B1G, its all about eyeballs they can bring to the B1G Network.
the B1G would love to get into the state of Florida, but :
UF isnt leaving the SEC
Miami has too few eyeballs
FSU is not academically strong enough
UCF is not prestigious enough of an institution - nfw
hence, Gtech and UVa and/or UNC make most sense to us
ND isnt coming, had their chance and blew it. Unless Warren has contacts there and can do this thru back channels, but there is a lot of bad blood from the B1G side on this , that I dont see it.
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