Big Ten acknowledges expansion possibility

[The Ancient Enemy]

ESPN and SI both reporting that the Big Ten is looking into expansion over the next 12-18 months. What that means, kids, is that they are throwing out a life line to see who tries to grab it. Will be very, very, very interesting.

Kentucky is also supposedly in consideration. I don't want Kentucky. Rutgers is the university they need to snag.

[frostlion]

Here's the link from USAToday

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ ... titialskip

It looks like the University presidents are behind this and pretty much told Delany to get off of his hind end and do something about it. The story credits JoePa as the driving force.

[frostlion]

Missouri Chancellor says they are willing to talk...

http://www.kansascity.com/116/story/163 ... ni_popular

[The Ancient Enemy]

One of the biggest Mizzou donors has already said he doesn't like the idea.

I think it is a mistake for both parties. Missouri is essentially 1 win away from the North division crown every single season in the Big XII. Why do we need Missouri? Because of the Illinois rivalry? What pull does freakin' Illinois have all of a sudden?

And what does the Big XII do, roll Okee State North?

[frostlion]

Looks like the possibly of adding three additional teams is alive and well.

"The Big 14"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/co ... 0862.story

[Head Roadie]

As I've alluded to before....14 makes more sense for several reasons.

If they go that route I would think that both Pitt and Rutgers are "locks" and the third may come from the Big 12 (Mizzou/Nebraska) or SEC (Ky/Vandy). I can't see Maryland leaving the ACC, maybe I'm wrong.

14, with some concessions in scheduling and perhaps TV revenue, could even attract the big prize that the Big 11 covets, Notre Dame.

[El-Moldo]

When I was a kid, there were only 16 major league baseball teams, 8 in the NL and 8 in the AL. It was QUALITY baseball. Look at baseball today. How bad is that? Keep watering down the Big Ten Conference. Hey, go for 16 teams.

[abpk2903]

Moldo, Its not like the Big Ten is creating schools, they are just looking for more already existing school. That will not water down the competition at all.

[Head Roadie]

Chicago papers analysis of Pitt in an article on handicapping the Big 10 prospects....I had to chuckle at the last sentence under the "why not Pitt" category.

Pittsburgh

Undergraduate enrollment: 17,427.

Average SAT scores: 1,160-1,360.

U.S. News ranking: 56.

Why the Panthers: Strong football program with rich history, home games at Steelers' Heinz Field, a U.S. News ranking that's higher than five current Big Ten schools, geographically friendly, solid TV market (23rd), powerful basketball program and, hey, it's Da Coach's alma mater.

Why not the Panthers: Some smallish crowds at Heinz Field. A low Director's Cup ranking of 93rd in 2008-09 that reflects weakness in the overall athletic program. Penn State might balk out of fear it actually might have to play Pittsburgh.

[KirkHerbstreit]

I love how the "fearing" Pittsburgh argument keeps popping up and people actually believe it. Do you really "fear" someone you have beat 23 times in 30 years? Have you ever thought about it logically and realized you're a team that has a .500 record over the past 25 years? I mean seriously do you really think any team would fear you outside of the Red Flash of Saint Francis?