Expansion: Who's #16?

[Palpatine]

Assume ND, Rutgers, Mizzou, and Nebbie say yes, and the Big Ten needs a 16th team. Who would they invite?

The other day Deace mentioned Andy Katz's mentioning Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt as the 16th school. Would Big Ten go out of the box if it expands? - ESPN

Thoughts?

 

[denverhawkfan]

Saw on bottom line that Big 10 sent out an email or letter to it's members saying there was no truth to the report they asked schools to join the conference. FWIW

 

[Palpatine]

Saw on bottom line that Big 10 sent out an email or letter to it's members saying there was no truth to the report they asked schools to join the conference. FWIW

Right, they can't formally talk to anybody until the presidents meet. These are the "we're thinking about you" discussions before the formal "sign here" discussions. These pre-discussion discussions have to happen because of how ND dissed us last time.

 

[PENNHWK]

Saw on bottom line that Big 10 sent out an email or letter to it's members saying there was no truth to the report they asked schools to join the conference. FWIW

The Big Ten has to say that, denver. I do believe there is alot of truth to that particular
rumor. Hell. Who believed TMZ about Michael Jackson? Delaney has to squash it. The 16th team will come from the Big East. Part of the ND plan.

 

[GhostofBTT]

Nebraska won't come unless we bring in their most hated and feared rival Iowa St.

 

[rodg12]

I think the heavy favorites have to be Syracuse or Pitt with those 4 already on board. Outside chance of UCONN.

 

[CAARHawk]

Tech and Vandy would be horrible options, that would be like picking Pitt over Penn State, or ISU over Iowa. Maryland is an interesting choice. But the more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that if the perfect big state school doesn't materialize, I would pick Kansas as the 16th.

I know they don't bring a bunch to the table, but it is a good fit.

West
ND
Nebby
Iowa
Wisky
Mizzou
Kansas
Illinois

East
UM
OSU
PSU
MSU
Northwestern
IU
Purdue
Rutgers

 

[hawktransplant]

what about wvu?

 

[CAARHawk]

what about wvu?

Not AAU, and there is a reason for that. The Big Ten doesn't want to change their identity so dramatically. They want like-minded institutions.

 

[hwkwyld]

According to any ISU fan that you talk to it'll be Iowa State. Keep holding onto that pipe dream little brother!

 

[PENNHWK]

With all the talk of how many and who, my question is when? We know that any Big East school that comes aboard has to wait a MINIMUM of 27 months before becoming a member. So does Nebraska and Mizzou become official in 2012 with Rutgers, ND and say, Pitt, in 2013 IF Delaney announces in June? Time frame, anyone?

 

[hawkfarmer]

Nebraska won't come unless we bring in their most hated and feared rival Iowa St.

Laughing so hard I cried.

 

[CAARHawk]

I keep coming back to the thought that it isn't going to be as much Big East as originally thought. Might only be Rutgers.

 

[GO4ROZS]

I'm probably in the minority, but if they go to 16, I'd like to see Boston College in the mix.

 

[Palpatine]

It has to be an AAU school in a television market outside the Big Ten footprint with a decent football team. List of AAU members is here: Association of American Universities

I like Maryland.

What about Virginia? Great academics, decent football team.

 

[CAARHawk]

I'm probably in the minority, but if they go to 16, I'd like to see Boston College in the mix.

BC has no place in the Big Ten. But hey, I don't think Notre Dame does either.

Each should be in a religious league with TCU, BYU, SMU, Nova, etc.

 

[clicheusername3]

If the criteria is to bring in areas outside of the current footprint for TV revenue purposes then maybe Louisville? population 1,244,696 in the Louisville metropolitan area. Im not sure if they are in the AAU or how good of a school it is.

 

[bws258]

I think that we can be pretty sure that it won't be any city schools

no Syracuse
no Cincinnati
no Pittsburgh
no Louisville

If the Big Ten wanted a city school they would have already invited Pitt

viable options

Kentucky
Maryland
West Virginia (not really)

 

[Palpatine]

Kentucky's admissions standards are too low for the Big 4x4

 

[IowaBanker]

Folks, academics plays a huge role here too, so there's no way that the likes of Kentucky, West Virginia, or Louisville will be admitted.

I hadn't thought about Virginia, but they'd make a really solid choice. Not sure if they would leave the ACC, but it would certainly be worth exploring. Virginia Tech also, for that matter.