I think the idea of expansion is interesting. On the one hand it would be great to have a Big Ten Championship Game, on the other hand would it bring the Big Ten down? The first question in my mind was would we continue to get as many teams in the BCS? My gut reaction is no. Had there been a championship game this year between Iowa and Ohio State (which there was but I mean a second game - which by the way could happen if there is one) my guess is that the loser would not have made it in, esp if it were Iowa. Second, will a championship game hurt bowl attendance? Again my gut here is yes. Most people can't do both so they will have to choose. Either the championship game will suffer or a bowl will suffer. Granted this year the Big 12 and SEC games were packed but both games were in warm weather places. Also the SEC was #1 vs #2 and the Big 12 game featured a team in its home state. There have been numerous times the ACC game has not drawn a large crowd. I don't think the Big 10 attendance would be as bad as the ACC but I don't know if it would ever be as good as the SEC unless it was a 1 vs 2 matchup like this year. The weather can can be bad, and it's not during a week where people are typically on vacation.
My idea for the game is this. Why not have the team with a better record host the game? If both teams have the same conference and overall record, the home team will be the team with the higher BCS ranking. I know, I know this will never happen. The game will rotate between Detroit, Indy, and maybe St. Louis if Missouri is asked to join the Big 10. However, I think it would be awesome. One team would get an extra home game, the people that can afford to travel from the visiting team will still come, and the stadium would be full. Additionally, it will not force people to make a decision between the championship game and a bowl game. I also get that championship game is supposed to be at a neutral site. I hear you. This is just sort of a pipe dream that I though would be interesting to discuss. I really wonder if having a 12th team is really all that beneficial. Why not just extend the season until after Thanksgiving so that the Big Ten remain relevant and can play for an extra couple of weeks?
My idea for the game is this. Why not have the team with a better record host the game? If both teams have the same conference and overall record, the home team will be the team with the higher BCS ranking. I know, I know this will never happen. The game will rotate between Detroit, Indy, and maybe St. Louis if Missouri is asked to join the Big 10. However, I think it would be awesome. One team would get an extra home game, the people that can afford to travel from the visiting team will still come, and the stadium would be full. Additionally, it will not force people to make a decision between the championship game and a bowl game. I also get that championship game is supposed to be at a neutral site. I hear you. This is just sort of a pipe dream that I though would be interesting to discuss. I really wonder if having a 12th team is really all that beneficial. Why not just extend the season until after Thanksgiving so that the Big Ten remain relevant and can play for an extra couple of weeks?
