Hear Me Out...

[trj]

Depends on what the endgame is. If it is inevitable that we are heading toward two super conferences and becoming NFL-lite…winning some 7 or 8 team regional division, once every 2 or 3 years, is a reasonable expectation, WITH THE RIGHT HIRE.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Knowing that we will be on the outside looking in every year, rooting for some of the traditional rivals seems reasonable if there is something about the program that is appealing (e.g., Bielema), but, if, and it's a big IF, we eventually see collective bargaining and salary caps, we will not want any program that competes with us in terms of recruiting to gain any traction whatsoever. In that scenario, I would love to see OSU, Oregon, etc., beat the complete shit out of them every year.

 

[dagdaj]

I dislike every team that is not Iowa. I will root for any Big 10 team that Iowa has beaten (unless it somehow prevents opportunity for the Hawks). I used to think it wss that simple, but...

Exceptions being Nebraska (who we play last, so moot anyway, but I will root against them in a bowl game if necessary) and OSU. Currently, Minnesota as well. I am irrationally irritated by Fleck. Also Michigan. Cause they cheated. Except when Minnesota or Michigan plays OSU. Then I root for a non fatal blimp disaster on the field that results in a non finished game and each team is awarded a DNF and a boot to the head.

Will root for OSU or any Big 10 team playing Nebraska.

As for the rest of the non Big 10? Notre Dame at Nebraska is another blimp disaster situation. Any other Big 10 team against Notre Dame (including OSU gets my vote). Then any other team not named Nebraska who plays Notre Dame.

ISU vs. Nebraska or Notre Dame? Yah I would root for ISU. I guess I kinda want them to win if we have the CyHawk. But I won't root for them. And, if they get embarrassed or choke, I do get a warm feeling in my tummy.

OSU vs ISU? Go Big 10!

I would generally root against Missouri. Don't tell my oldest son.

As for the rest? Gonna go with whoever's the underdog for the most part. Or against any team that does not deserve the hype and takes more air in the room than they deserve. Notre Dame, always. Lately Colorado.

Oooh..also...I don't care much for Oregon. Cause Nike money has bought them more than that tiny ass school deserves. Same enrollment as Northwestern. But I do appreciate them and Nebraska for bumping Iowa up a bit in the size ranking in tthe B10. Also, Oregon crushed Iowa in my first ever game at Kinnick.

I will never claim to be rational. Or, underestimate my ability to hold a grudge.

 

[Seth53]

Yup.

Except I don't think Iowa will ever be in the hunt. Like not even once in a while. Unless things change, Iowa needs to have 3 out of Michigan, OSU, Penn State, and Oregon to have a down year, and at the same time can only lose 1 game on their schedule. That odds of that ever happening all in 1 year just don't pencil out. It is what it is.

I gave my thoughts about a 4 conference league with 4 divisions each, winner of each of the 16 divisions makes the playoffs. Could possibly happen in that scenario but they'll never go that route. The alternative is breaking away and either leaving the B1G (never happen because the program would die out with no B1G money), or like @HuckFinn suggested, the blue bloods leave their conferences to form a new one. That won't happen wither because it's too easy for the OSUs and PSUs to beat up on the Iowas and Wisconsins of the world.

I'm fine with it...what choice do I have?

Honestly, eventually, I see the NCAA (nationally) adopting the NFL model of geographically-based conferences/pods. Four to eight teams to a pod if you will. More teams per pod, less pods. Less teams, more pods.


The debacle of say USC being in the same "conference" as Rutgers would be terminated.

Fan interest would remain heightened, 16 teams enter the playoffs, seeding becomes even more paramount similar to the BB tourney. Strength of schedule will rule the day. The money will roll in as never before.

Of course the singular NCAA commissioner will be sticky as the SEC and B1G will fight tooth and nail over it. Perhaps a rotating commissioner might work.

The only constant in life is change. As Baldwin sagely told Connery .."welcome to the new world."

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

Would bielema take the Iowa job if it was available?