Big Ten Expansion

[MADHAT1]

Texas and Notre Dame would be my choices.
Then all of use would be remembering the Providence gang's "status quo" destruction of BE Football with fond memories.
Especially when compared to what those two schools would be doing to the B1G right after there were admitted as members.

 

[JQRU91]

Notre Dame is still a big name in college football, but I don't think they've had enough success in the past twenty years to sustain that indefinitely. Their trip to the national championship game my have staved things off a bit, but if Notre Dame doesn't have more success in the next twenty years than they did in the last twenty, they'll eventually have to join a conference or become irrelevant. Because in another twenty to thirty years, the college football fans who actually remember Notre Dame as a perennial powerhouse program are going to start to die off.

 

[G- RUnit]

If Texas goes anywhere it is the PAC 12. They want nothing to do with cold weather anymore. Kansas and NC or UVA. UCONN is not that far fetched if partner needed for Kansas. Affluence for advertisers. Content for winter B1G network. UCF is such a diamond in the rough and would be a bold move.

 

[derleider]

If Texas goes anywhere it is the PAC 12. They want nothing to do with cold weather anymore. Kansas and NC or UVA. UCONN is not that far fetched if partner needed for Kansas. Affluence for advertisers. Content for winter B1G network. UCF is such a diamond in the rough and would be a bold move.

What???? Your answer to taking one of the smallest states in the union that is solely focused on BB is to take another relatively small population state tat is solely focused on BB?

UCF? Really? WHy wouldnt you invite FSU - who would SURELY accept.

People on here are strange.

 

[motorb54]

nm

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

People on here are strange.

is that a euphemism for something?

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Virginia and Georgia Tech to the East. Move the Michigan schools to the west.

Why the heck would they agree to move to the west when they fought so hard for both be in the East?

Also why is everyone so high of terrible Virginia, other than academics, they are not elite in anything and they are not even the most popular school in the state.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Texas, UVA, UNC... and A&M.. screw the SEC...Texas and A&M belong together... if not them.. how about Kansas or Vandy?

 

[RUaMoose]

Texas and Notre Dame would make two fine additions. Big drop off in prestige after those two.

 

[RUwoz]

You can't say "don't take UConn because they're bottom feeders" when we had by far the worst overall performance in the B1G in all sports... Sure UConn sucks at football, but for basketball (men's and women's) they add a ton. Not saying they would be the best fit in B1G, but let's not get carried away

 

[Queztastic]

Texas and ND are the no brainers, but they aren't happening.

If the ACC grant of rights ever expires and isn't renewed, I think the B1G would take UVA as a bridge to UNC and keep everything contiguous. Both state flagship schools, both AAU. Charlotte is the #24 tv market, Raleigh-Durham is the #25 tv market. Its the easiest add if UNC wants it to happen.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

You can't say "don't take UConn because they're bottom feeders" when we had by far the worst overall performance in the B1G in all sports... Sure UConn sucks at football, but for basketball (men's and women's) they add a ton. Not saying they would be the best fit in B1G, but let's not get carried away

expansion is about TV MARKETS and RECRUITING. CT is a tiny market and the small part that is part of the NYC one is already covered by us. How many high level recruits come from CT again? The Big Ten cares far more about football than basketball or we would have never been invited. Finally, Uconn doesn't have AAU membership. They are literally the worst possible fit.

 

[OriginalKnight]

If the Big Ten expanded to 16 teams, which two teams would folks like to see join?

My two choices would be Notre Dame and Virginia. Both are good academic schools. Both have great campuses and would make for nice road trips. UVA would provide a natural rivalry for Maryland. And this would force the Big East, I mean ACC to take UConn and Cincy.

Why do you want UConn in the ACC? Let them continue to suck in a bad conference. No lifelines.

 

[OriginalKnight]

Call me crazy but I wouldn't mind seeing UCONN in the Big Ten.

I think they were becoming a pretty hated rival...and that's what rivalries are all about.

Plus, it gives us another conference win the majority of the times we play them.

you're loco

 

[G- RUnit]

expansion is about TV MARKETS and RECRUITING. CT is a tiny market and the small part that is part of the NYC one is already covered by us. How many high level recruits come from CT again? The Big Ten cares far more about football than basketball or we would have never been invited. Finally, Uconn doesn't have AAU membership. They are literally the worst possible fit.

And advertising dollars and affluence and a nice shot across the bow to ESPN whose headquarters is in Conn, eastern time zone teams, Travel partners, decent pod of PSU, UMD, RU and UConn if that ever came to be.

Assuming that UNC and UVA never leave of course. Always thought of FSU as an SEC school and kinda assumed perhaps erroneously that even though brand new that UCF was better academically than FSU.

 

[brista21]

If the internet chatter is true, then Oklahoma and Kansas is the most likely pairing out there. UConn would of course accept in a NY second and I even believe their move to go full schollie D-1 men's hockey had a "let's make a run at joining the Big Ten effort" in mind. I'd be highly interested in an Oklahoma - UConn pairing. Oklahoma adds another monster football program on the western side, revives the Oklahoma-Nebraska football rivalry, great overall athletic department, gets the conference more play in the western half of the country, etc. UConn helps lock down more of the northeast, provides an existing rivalry with Rutgers (in football and women's hoops), adds a hockey playing member for that sport, adds a women's lax member to that sport and adds a monster hoops program to the eastern side.

VT, UVA, UNC are all pipe dreams for the time being as the ACC is a stronger grouping than people realize. The Big 12 is the weakest, least cohesive of the power conferences.

For the moment, I'd like to settle in with at least 5 years of no further major changes to the conference (bringing in Hopkins' women's lax to join the men's lax doesn't count.) But, if the need to move further is there then I have faith that Delany and the powers that be will make smart moves.

 

[RUich]

Notre Dame is the biggest spoiled child in college football. There is absolutely no other program that feels they are so entitled as the domers. Even if the NCAA finally dropped the special treatment for them and forced them to finally join the rest of the college universe, they would still not be happy unless they got more than anyone else. I think which ever conference got them, there would be serious turmoil. This said, the BIG would probably still be willing to take the chance of getting them.
As for further expansion, I do think it will happen simply because it is going to happen to the other conferences so it will become a necessity. I think the teams asked to join will be similar in many ways to us and Maryland in what they bring to the footprint, academics and TV marketplace. Many here just take a look at programs with recent success on the field but I don't think that is the primary concern with the BIG.

 

[LC-88]

To 16: TEXAS, FSU. After ACC implodes - to 18: UNC, UVa

 

[sherrane]

also, if the NCAA allows changes to the conference championship you may see 20 team conferences.

Either the ACC or B12 would fold and you would have 4 20 team conferences.

Why would you need to change the rules for a conference championship? 20 teams could be divided into four five-team pods that rotate every two years to ensure that every team will have a home and home with every other conference team every six years provided you play nine conference games per season. The two divisions would still meet the current criteria. What am I failing to understand?

If the NCAA deregulates the conference championship game as requested in the ACC / Big 12 petition, then the only conference expansion that would take place would be at the lower FBS conferences adding the FCS schools coming up to the top division. If the NCAA allows a conference semi-final round, then a 20 team conference could be more likely and someone might eventually expand to 24 or 28 (I would think the American or Mountain West would be more likely to do this instead of a P5).

 

[knightfan7]

expansion is about TV MARKETS and RECRUITING. CT is a tiny market and the small part that is part of the NYC one is already covered by us. How many high level recruits come from CT again? The Big Ten cares far more about football than basketball or we would have never been invited. Finally, Uconn doesn't have AAU membership. They are literally the worst possible fit.

Exactly.

Question for the folks who bring up basketball. When was the last time a Power 5 conference added a "basketball school"? Maybe you could say Syracuse to the ACC but even then, their football was in better shape than UConn. At least they play on campus and have a decent following. Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&M, TCU, and Mizzou weren't added or moved for basketball. Rutgers and Maryland weren't chosen for hoops even tho the Terps have a history of good teams.

UConn's one chance is the SEC or B1G raids the ACC and they become desperate for replacements. Even then with Cuse and BC already in the fold they may just add a UCF or another southern school.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

My preference is leave it just the way things are. Perfect

You need to understand the endgame for the big ten is adding programs that adds major value to the conference.

Rutgers and Maryland added a MUCH bigger east coast presence for the entire conference and the effect on the BTN is enormous

Plus the big ten wants schools that FIT their model....

 

[Wutevah]

I'd go Oklahoma and Kansas.

Oklahoma has the AAU issue. Oklahoma and Kansas both have the GOR issues. They also have STATE issues. So I just don't see realignment being reasonable at this moment.

 

[imbazza]

There will be some basic requirements - one will be academic credibility - the AAU membership could likely be a must-have
... and a foothold in a large (population of people - not livestock or acreage ) market would be attractive. A while ago I heard Ga Tech mentioned ... might fit these parameters .

THIS IS A FUNDEMENTAL REQUIREMENT ***AAU***
So Ucan't is not even in the conversation
That leaves Tx UNC UV GT and ND
the market share grabbers are ND and Tx but ND 2027 contract tie up tell us all when that breakaway will take place
And Tx with the longhorn network is the albatross on the their neck.
Them most logical would be UNC and/or UV and/or GT but as stated above no movement until 2027.
So if the second place teams UNC and/or UV and/or GT become just that back to second place team and ND comes back into play.
So expect on or around 2025-2027 with fact #1 ND over the next 10 years they do not smell the final four due to the fact that they do not play a championship game. They will see they must join a conference to even have a chance at the final 4. BUT we all know ND pulls strings for their advantage they will push to go to an 8 team play off which will keep them independent and we fall back to option two. BUT still Tx is a major pick of we can get them and it will implode the B12 and cause ACC take the upper crust of the B12 to get the ACC to 16 teams.
so the crystal ball says Tx and ND if we stay at 4 team playoff but we go to 8 team playoff before 2027. Tx and UV* market share and good mesh/recruiting area with RU and Maryland, if not UV then GT then UNC

 

[Scarlet Knut]

Ideally - Texas and ND. We would be rolling in money and chances are both end up in the western division, so we wouldnt even have to play them that often.

Of the teams that might accept - VT and UNC.

VT - UNC would be my choice too. No UNC get UCF. Florida recruiting trip.

 

[cRURah]

Texas and Notre Dame would make two fine additions. Big drop off in prestige after those two.

While we're at it, let's put both of them in the Eastern division and move Indiana to the West. That way we'll get to play Michigan, Michigan State, PSU, OSU, ND and Texas each and every year. Whoopie!!!!

 

[BuggsyRU]

Well, you said it first my man ...but NO ...You DON'T want U-Can't and not because of a so called heated rivalry...U'Can't would clearly become the media darlings of ESPIN and if that
happens , we better be a top 4-5 program in the B1G with several New Years Day Bowl games to our credit...Let's enjoy this so called advantage of being in a P- 5 conference let's say 10 years then we can discuss the why's and how comes...Some of you supposed fans of Rutgers need a lobotomy.

So you're saying that you'd be scared of UCONN and its potential if they were to join the Big Ten?
And I need a lobotomy?

 

[Knight_Light]

WHy wouldnt you invite FSU - who would SURELY accept.

People on here are strange.

I don't think FSU would join "North" (i.e. cold weather) conference...especially when they are the top dog of a "weak" (and usually easy to win) conf that gives them the best shot at making it into the Final 4.

Probably the same thought process from the other poster...as some teams would say no to a Big Ten invite (i.e. teams like Georgia, Florida, FSU, etc...), while others have hinted in the past about being open to one (i.e. Ga Tech) and/or those willing to do anything to move up (i.e. Boise St, Houston, UCF, ECU, etc...).

 

[krup]

I like being in the B1G, not the ACC. The UNC, UVa, G Tech additions mentioned would just end up with RU being in a division/pod dominated by ex-ACC teams.

I would prefer things stay as they are or, if adding two teams is necessary, that they are just two current B12 teams added to the West and Purdue shifted to the B1G East to balance the divisions a little.

 

[Mr Magoo]

ND not joining. Would love to see UNC and UVA but doubt that will happen either.

 

[Ty Webb]

Notre Dame is the biggest spoiled child in college football. There is absolutely no other program that feels they are so entitled as the domers. Even if the NCAA finally dropped the special treatment for them and forced them to finally join the rest of the college universe, they would still not be happy unless they got more than anyone else. I think which ever conference got them, there would be serious turmoil. This said, the BIG would probably still be willing to take the chance of getting them.
As for further expansion, I do think it will happen simply because it is going to happen to the other conferences so it will become a necessity. I think the teams asked to join will be similar in many ways to us and Maryland in what they bring to the footprint, academics and TV marketplace. Many here just take a look at programs with recent success on the field but I don't think that is the primary concern with the BIG.

When people type this stuff, do they do it with a straight face?

I ask because I am curious as to where this whole "NCAA drops the special treatment for them" comes from? The NCAA doesn't control TV contracts, and as an independent, ND is free to sign with whomever they want. The NCAA doesn't really control the playoffs, that's really the control of the conferences. And it was the very conferences that you want ND to join that allowed ND to partake in the playoffs. The NCAA doesn't control the bowls. That's also left to the conferences and the bowls themselves and if the ACC and some bowls have cut deals with ND, how can anyone have a real issue with that?

So I am curious as to what this special treatment is that ND now gets from the NCAA?

 

[bingethinker]

the B1G is not expanding anytime soon. It is perfect as is. Let's not dilute the brand any further.

The Big Ten will expand at least to 16 by 2021, so its definitely going to happen relatively soon. In terms of teams, I'd love Virginia and North Carolina (even with the recent scandals, it's a major brand). Both would give me fan bases to resume disliking. I don't think either is coming without the ACC falling apart.

I'd like OU and Kansas. I do not want Texas or Notre Dame at all. Connecticut can wither on a vine in the AAC for all I care. I don't want them either.

 

[CNJKnight]

I would take Cincinnati if we could find them a suitable partner. I just don't think UVA would drop what they have going on there to come to the Big Ten. Maybe grab Iowa State in the West?

 

[knightfan7]

I would take Cincinnati if we could find them a suitable partner. I just don't think UVA would drop what they have going on there to come to the Big Ten. Maybe grab Iowa State in the West?

Neither Cincy or IaSt bring anything unique or different from what the B1G already has a solid hold on already. The other schools aren't going to accept new members unless they bring something to the table. I have to believe unless it's ND, if expansion happens at all it will be outside the current footprint.

 

[imbazza]

I would take Cincinnati if we could find them a suitable partner. I just don't think UVA would drop what they have going on there to come to the Big Ten. Maybe grab Iowa State in the West?

What part of AAU membership do you not understand? Cincy not an AAU same goes for Iowa state and by the way Iowa would not let it happen

 

[Scarlet16E]

I don't consider ND a good option.

+1

 

[AntiG]

Texas and Duke

 

[Scarlet16E]

You can't say "don't take UConn because they're bottom feeders" when we had by far the worst overall performance in the B1G in all sports... Sure UConn sucks at football, but for basketball (men's and women's) they add a ton. Not saying they would be the best fit in B1G, but let's not get carried away

Since when does basketball have anything to do with expansion?

 

[Scarlet16E]

Texas and Notre Dame would make two fine additions. Big drop off in prestige after those two.

Please GOD no!
Texas and ND are both conference killers.

 

[Nosoj]

First, let me say I didn't want to go to 14, let alone 16. No offense to anyone here, I just liked it at 12 and I don't like that we're playing Iowa and Wisconsin and Nebraska less because there's more teams in the conference. The best thing about going to 14 was getting a do over on the "Legends and Leaders" debacle. Man, that was terrible. I don't even know which one Ohio State was in.

The B1G will be, and can afford to be, picky when looking for expansion candidates. No, Cincy, Iowa State, UCF, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, WVU and NC State are not getting an invite. VT and UConn are probably not realistically candidates either. Kansas could be if they have a good partner, like Oklahoma. They'd both have "State" problems with making a move like that though.

Personally, I want nothing to do with Texas and Notre Dame, even though I think they'd both get in if they were interested. They'd both want special treatment though, which they wouldn't get in the B1G, so screw 'em.

There's really only maximum 8 programs that could potentially get an invite:

Texas*
Kansas
Notre Dame*
UVa
UNC
Georgia Tech
Florida State**

That's it. Missouri MAYBE, but now they're in the SEC I doubt it. The conference won't be going further Northeast because it's a college football deadzone, and they won't/can't be going too far West. If it happens, I'd put money that some combo of UNC, UVa and GT is what you'll see.

*Could probably bring someone along not on the list, just because of the value they'd bring.
**Only included because there are some sources that say they seriously approached the B1G in the past about exploring membership. Probably only as a move to 18 with UVa, UNC and GT.

 

[Virginiarufan]

Uconn never belonged in the Big East for football. They came in out of necessity at a time when they lucked out with a decent QB and barely beat us a few games when we were at the worst in our history. They let us know it too. They got lucky one year and backed into a football championship with an 8 and 4 record because WVU blew a game it should have won against Pitt. They then proceeded to embarrass the Big East in the worst Bowl game in the history of college football thus putting a nail in the coffin of the Big East conference. Their fans are beyond obnoxious and the school brings absolutely nothing to the table for any real league to want them. They will never be invited to the Big Ten if for no other reason than they could never pay their way in in terms of television market and that doesn't include the fact they are in one of the worst recruiting areas in the country.

They're one football season away from falling completely off the realignment map and that's probably what'll hopefully happen.