The Nebraska Decision Depends on Big Ten

[jameskalina]

According to ESPN.com Nebraska will not leave the Big Twelve without the assurance of an invitation to join the Big Ten.

As I understand it there is no publically known confirmation that the Big Ten has or will invite Nebraska to join the conference by the Big Twelve deadline when Nebraska must state its committment to remain in the conference or do otherwise.

It's obvious to me the Big Ten holds the cards on which direction the conference realignments go and the fate of up to dozens of schools.

 

[hawkeyescott]

ESPN out did themselves with this one. You mean to tell me Nebraska won't leave the Big 12 without knowing 100% sure they are going to the Big Ten?

 

[jameskalina]

Yes, as I understand it.

Nebraska wants to be assured of remaining in a power conference.

Go to ESPN.com and check it out.

 

[LG210]

Is there any actual recourse that can be taken against Nebraska if the deadline comes and goes and Nebraska remains silent? I have heard of the ultimatum, but I have not seen anything that the ultimatum is backed-up with consequences.

If there are no consequences, and the Big 10 has neither invited Nebraska nor expressly declined to invite Nebraska, do not be surprised if Nebraska stays silent.

 

[Cosity82]

It's not really "outdoing themselves." This is all just posturing by the conferences through the best avenue they have - the media. Think of it as a poker game. Everyone wants to see the Big 10's cards (intentions) but they're keeping them very close to their chest. The Pac 10 'announcement' may be little more than an attempt to see what kind of cards the Big 10 is holding (plans for 16, 14, 12 or none?). I put announcemnt in quotes in regard to the Pac 10 because really thats all it was, they did not officially invite anyone or actually do anything. All they did was say they might invite up to 6 teams possibly from the Big 12. So far all anyone has succeeded at doing is to say nothing with a very large amount of words.

My big question is will it be impossible for NE or MO to leave if they have no other choice but to 'commit' to the Big 12 at the end of the deadline. To me it seems unlikely, but maybe I am missing something here.

 

[tiggerhawk]

According to ESPN.com Nebraska will not leave the Big Twelve without the assurance of an invitation to join the Big Ten.

As I understand it there is no publically known confirmation that the Big Ten has or will invite Nebraska to join the conference by the Big Twelve deadline when Nebraska must state its committment to remain in the conference or do otherwise.

It's obvious to me the Big Ten holds the cards on which direction the conference realignments go and the fate of up to dozens of schools.

There are only three realistic possibilities for Big Ten expansion--and the one at the top of the wish list for the BT, U of Texas-Austin, probably will be blocked by Texas politicians from jumping to the BT as it wants very much to do.

The other two are a toss-up. A year ago it looked like Rutgers was the clear probable choice some years into the future. Obama's election, and his success in getting health care reform enacted, sets in motion his planned vast expansion of federal funding to university-based research--and with that government money being concentrated to a great extent in medical research & expanded care facilities, that makes Pitt perhaps an even money bet.

In the meantime, the BT is also talking with Washington U in St Louis, Johns Hopkins, and Cornell University about potential affiliation with the CIC, the BT research consortium--but obviously their status would be like that of current BT member U of Chicago as a non-participant in BT athletics, so they are apart from the speculation about expansion of BT athletics.

 

[jameskalina]

One way or another I think Nebraska will let the Big Twelve Conference know their intent by the deadline.

If the Big Ten extends a formal invitation by the deadline I think Nebraska goes to the Big Ten, otherwise Nebraska stays in the Big Twelve.

 

[twine]

ESPN out did themselves with this one. You mean to tell me Nebraska won't leave the Big 12 without knowing 100% sure they are going to the Big Ten?

I'm pretty sure this comment was meant to be sarcastic.

 

[homes]

According to ESPN.com Nebraska will not leave the Big Twelve without the assurance of an invitation to join the Big Ten.

As I understand it there is no publically known confirmation that the Big Ten has or will invite Nebraska to join the conference by the Big Twelve deadline when Nebraska must state its committment to remain in the conference or do otherwise.

It's obvious to me the Big Ten holds the cards on which direction the conference realignments go and the fate of up to dozens of schools.

I like the move made by the Big 12. It might blow up in their face, but at least they'll know where they stand, and will help those schools decide what to do going forward. If Nebraska gets nervous because the Big 10 won't commit to them, then maybe Nebraska stays put and the rest of the Big 12 stays in place as well. If Nebraska says they're leaving, then we know an invite to the Big 10 has been given or at least it's surely coming. No way Nebraska cuts its ties with the Big 12 unless they've gotten something solid from the Big 10. If the latter happens, I think that means the Big 12 will be broken up, with the southern schools going out west to the Pac 10. ISU, KU, ISU, B.U. then join with Rice, TCU, maybe SMU, maybe Colo. St., maybe Boise State to form a new conference - or maybe they'll join the Mtn. West. Either way, Nebraska just got called. We'll see if they're holding a hand and will rake in the chips, or if they will fold and stay put.

 

[hawkeyescott]

I'm pretty sure this comment was meant to be sarcastic.

Glad you caught it, of course Nebraska won't leave the Big 12 if they don't have a home in the Big Ten, therefore as ESPN reported, Nebraska's decision does depend on the Big Ten, outstanding journalism on ESPN's part with this story.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

Nicely done with the sarcasm Scott! Next thing you know ESPN will tell us that "insert anything here" could happen as early as today!"

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

I never really thought about it, but any chance the Big 12 tries to move to 16 teams? Re them being proactive about their conference getting raided made me consider it. Logistically their situated well in terms of being in the middle of the country, and there are some potential schools - CO State, Rice, TCU, SMU, Utah, BYU, etc. (And so it's clear, I don't think this is under any consideration whatsoever, but has it been voiced or has anybody else put any thought into it?)

 

[GravyJones]

Glad you caught it, of course Nebraska won't leave the Big 12 if they don't have a home in the Big Ten, therefore as ESPN reported, Nebraska's decision does depend on the Big Ten, outstanding journalism on ESPN's part with this story.

I thought it was pretty obvious.

 

[TheBattman]

I really think the whole Nebraska deal is a staredown with the Big 12 about a more equal package deal for the schools with Texas. Osborne never wanted to go into the Big 12, forseeing the inequality of the deal it left for the northern schools. This is just the first time Nebraska had any sort of bargaining chip. My gut feeling is that Nebraska and the rest of the Little 12 renegotiate a tv deal for the Big 12 that is more fair and balanced.

 

[loesshillshawk]

Talk radio out of Omaha today is saying it is a done deal....Nebraska to the B10. Of course with that the banter about how they immediately become the best program in the conference. Living this close to them is going to make me sick!!!!! Their fans are completely clueless...

 

[IcomeInPeace]

Talk radio out of Omaha today is saying it is a done deal....Nebraska to the B10. Of course with that the banter about how they immediately become the best program in the conference. Living this close to them is going to make me sick!!!!! Their fans are completely clueless...

Yep. Nebraska fans are by far the most delusional & arrogant in college athletics.

I know this goes against popular opinion, but I think Nebraska is merely posturing at this point and will stay in the BigXII. We'll see in due time if I am correct.

 

[KnightHawk9]

Yep. Nebraska fans are by far the most delusional & arrogant in college athletics.

I agree. Plus, they always generalize.

 

[hawkeyescott]

Talk radio out of Omaha today is saying it is a done deal....Nebraska to the B10. Of course with that the banter about how they immediately become the best program in the conference. Living this close to them is going to make me sick!!!!! Their fans are completely clueless...

ESPN reported that someone told Chris Mortensen that in the last 24 hours Osborne informed the athletic department they were moving to the Big Ten. If not credible I doubt ESPN throws Mortensen's name on this.

 

[jameskalina]

ESPN News is reporting the Nebraska Board of Regents will meet again on Friday. ESPN news also said notice is being given internally Nebraska is making the move.

It appears the Big Ten made an offer, then yesterday the Board met to informally approve the move.

I think Friday is the day the Regents will formally accept the Big Ten offer and announce their acceptance.

I think it's a done deal.