Big10 Expansion Targets?

[bws258]

We all know the primary target is Notre Dame. Since Nebraska joined, I've thought if ND ever decided they wanted to be #13, the first choice for #14 was Maryland. They have a natural rivalry with Penn State (as in the Mason/Dixon Line), they fit academically, and they bring the Baltimore market and part of the DC market. Even better would be to get UVA to come with them, locking up DC, and another great fit.

However, with the new $20 Million buyout the ACC schools just voted into place, I don't see any of them bolting. I think they go get Rutgers and UConn and lock down the East Coast and millions of eyeballs and TV sets. They don't need the Big10.

So if we can't target ACC schools, and the ACC has already taken most of the Big East schools that are worth a damn. Who does that leave us?

1) Notre Dame ... ND is still the primary target, no doubt.
2) Missouri ... no sizzle, but lots of eyeballs in StL, KC, and in-between.
3) Kansas ... top-5 all-time basketball program, plus the rest of KC market.
4) Oklahoma ... do they really want to join the Pac-12, or stay Midwest?
5) Texas ... are they worth the headache? start counting and let's see.
6) Iowa St ... good geographic and academic fit, but no real appeal.
7/8) Kentucky or Arkansas ... would they leave the SEC? probably not.
9/10) Kansas St or Oklahoma St ... only if we must, as a condition of KU or OU.
11/12/13) West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnati ... good fit geographically, but nothing else.

Did I miss anyone?

 

[WhitUp]

I'm guessing AAU member I kind of did the math on possibilities in another thread...it's looking like we'd just go to 14 not alot of options.

Here’s is a list of D1 football teams that are members of the AAU not already in the big ten

AAU members that are probably not an option to join

Cal
UCLA
USC
Stanford
Oregon
Tex AM
Vanderbilt
Duke
UNC
Texas
Washington
Colorado
Arizona
Florida

AAU members that are options to join
Gtech
ISU
Kansas
Maryland
Missouri
Rutgers
Pittsburgh
Virginia
Rice
Tulane
Buffalo

Now if Rutgers join ACC and ACC raises exit fees u can take out Rutgers, pitt and already existing acc teams

That leaves
Missouri
Kansas
ISU
Rice
Tulane
Buffalo

 

[bigdrumtuner]

While I'm not much in favor of further expansion on the Big 10, I understand it may be inevitable. And if it does happen (to any conference) I think that geography should play a huge part in it. I don't think leagues should be spread all over the country.

All that to say, has anyone considered adding BYU? I think the Big 10 has plenty of exposure in the east, but what about the west? I realize that they are more mountain than west coast, but with the addition of Nebby things may be pushing out that way, anyway. I'm not sure of their AAU status, but they seem to be a pretty well respected school and now are an independent in football.

 

[clicheusername3]

I do not want any Southern teams in the conference. The secessionists can stay where they are. Mizzou is borderline but I'll give them a pass because there were some good Yankees there. KEntucky and Louisville sorry Kentucky is a craphole and I'll not have you in our conference.

Southern Ohio is pretty southish as well but they get the pass because another school in the state is already in the conference.

 

[dchawk03]

I think Iowa would block ISU from entering the B1G..

 

[DwayneTwill]

I think Iowa would block ISU from entering the B1G..

Iowa plus the other 11 Big Ten schools would do that.

 

[HawkeyeFever]

I am wondering why Oklahoma hasn't gotten more interest from the Big Ten. I think it would be cool to have Ferentz and Stoops go head to head on occasion, and you would also secure the Oklahoma/Nebraska rivalry.

Of course, Okla St would go with them I assume, but those would be two good gets if the Big Ten has to expand.

Good football teams, decent basketball teams, and good wrestling...I am for it.

 

[goods10]

I think Iowa would block ISU from entering the B1G..

That would be awesome!

 

[goods10]

I am wondering why Oklahoma hasn't gotten more interest from the Big Ten. I think it would be cool to have Ferentz and Stoops go head to head on occasion, and you would also secure the Oklahoma/Nebraska rivalry.

Of course, Okla St would go with them I assume, but those would be two good gets if the Big Ten has to expand.

Good football teams, decent basketball teams, and good wrestling...I am for it.

Poor academics and they are not AAU members.

 

[WhitUp]

I just want Texas to get into another conference not named the big ten, so the nightmare possibility of them joining is over.

 

[mbchawk]

Hadn't thought about BYU....good idea. ND, Missouri, BYU and Rutgers?

 

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

Keep it regional. Notre Dame comes first for all obvious reasons. Next comes Mizzou. Not a strong overall fanbase but it brings the state of Missouri into the fold. So those two are fairly obvious. After that the pickings get kind of thin but I think there are some gems in the rough. Louisville would be one of my picks. It gets you into the state of Kentucky which is a gateway state into the SEC. Louisville is a decent pick because they can have a football team that fairly consistently gets into low level bowls and they have a basketball team that fairly consistently gets into the NCAA tourney. My last pick would be Kansas. Kansas basically locks up the KC market because they are pretty fanatical down there when it comes to Kansas basketball. I know football is the main driving force in all of this but Kansas is an exception to the rule. Their football team had some slivers of success in the past as well. With this you add four teams, get into three new markets, and more importantly, keep everything regional and connected. I'm not a fan of conferences like the Big East is now where their members are scattered all over the US.

 

[ssckelley]

Some of the schools on this poll would not even get a look by the Big Ten due to academics. There is no way Oklahoma, Okla St, Kansas St, Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, West Virginia, or Arkansas would get consideration for membership into the Big Ten. While I doubt AAU membership is the deciding factor (see Nebraska) you have to be strong academically to be considered for the Big Ten. Others, like Iowa State, would never get considered due to of TV footprint.

I think these are the realistic options for the Big Ten:

Kansas
Missouri
Texas
Rutgers
Maryland
Notre Dame
Virginia
Vanderbilt


Also even if Rutgers joins the ACC I would still keep them on the list. The Big Ten will eventually want more exposure in the East and the amount of money that a school can make in the Big Ten will offset the 20 million dollar exit fee. Even though you hear a bunch of movements being made and nothing from the Big Ten they are still the biggest player when it comes to conference expansion. They lead the way when it comes to TV revenues and academic funding for research institutions.

 

[bws258]

^^^

I agree with a lot of what you got SSC, but, as I said above, I doubt any of the ACC schools are willing to take a $20 Million hit to leave now. That eliminates choices that I thought highly of ... UMD, UVA, GT

I think if we take Vandy we are doing the SEC a favor. Freeing them of their weakest link.

 

[theboat]

I think the only logical 13th is ND, and then the "filler" team is Missouri. I don't see it happening though and expect the Big ten to sit at 12 even if there are 16 team conferences elsewhere.

 

[SECisCRAP]

There is nothing wrong with the Big 10 right now. Honestly while adding ND and Mizzu would be good but the system isnt broken so why try to fix it?

 

[CAARHawk]

There is nothing wrong with the Big 10 right now. Honestly while adding ND and Mizzu would be good but the system isnt broken so why try to fix it?

Because it is a collusion process among the top 4 conferences. This isn't just a B1G issue.

I was pretty sure the B1G was going to steal from the ACC. But now, I think they will stay with what is available from Big East/Big 12 breakup along with ND.

People talk about teams having to produce 30 million$. That isn't accurate with the new superconference system, because of the additional revenues that system will create. You just need to requisite 16 teams to participate. Conferences don't want to take an absolute dog. But they will take a school that doesn't make money like all the other schools.

 

[bws258]

I think once the SEC picks up WVU, and UConn and Rutgers go ACC, ND will call Delany

 

[brett108]

I think once the SEC picks up WVU, and UConn and Rutgers go ACC, ND will call Delany

ND will work out a sweetheart deal with the people paying for the playoff system to be included if they win at least 3 games. Because that is the new bar for success over there.

 

[MoseSchrute]

ALL YOUR RE-ALIGNMENT THREAD ARE BELONG TO US!!!!