I can see the logic in pursuing the Chicago market, but I have to agree with bitcruncher that adding NIU is unlikely to have enough impact on that front. I still think that if the Big 12 expands, it would likely be UL/Cincy to get to 12, and then there are a range of possibilities to go to 14. I think it's extraordinarily unlikely that ND would ever join the Big 12 even as a non-football member.

I don't know how likely it is that the Big 12 moves past 10 for a while, however. While there are a number of schools that are a pretty good fit, there aren't any slam-dunk candidates out there.

(12-16-2011 04:15 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I'll tell you why, Howl-n-Prowl. Because inviting NIU doesn't get the Big XII much market penetration in Chicago. If Notre Dame were interested, it would be a different story. NIU doesn't even move the radar...

I respectfully disagree with that assessment. That would be selling the Big 12 short. Adding NIU isn't going to hand over a large portion of the Chicago market share at first, but NIU DELIVERS market presence and opens the door to get the Big 12 televised in the Chicago area and start the market penetration process, which is what it is, a process.

B1G football is boring, given the option the casual and younger (take a tip from the tobacco industry) fans will gravitate to the more entertaining Big 12 style of football. The problem now is that these fans are not given this option due to the Big 12's absence in the market, NIU delivers that market presence and the leverage needed during contract negotiations to demand TV exposure in the market and the revenue that comes with that.

Obviously the most palatable path to this market for the Big 12 would be ND, but as I stated earlier, if ND remains a football-independent it doesn't make sense to ignore the market and the other available options (NIU) to obtain it.

I do agree that the Big 12 is poised to sit at 10 members for a while, at least until the current TV contract runs out or becomes undervalued to the point were it makes fiscal sense to add the two teams to get to 12 in order to host a Conference Championship game and renegotiate the contract terms.

Disagreeing won't change the facts, dude. Don't wait up for that Big XII invite. It won't be forthcoming...

(12-17-2011 11:14 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  Disagreeing won't change the facts, dude. Don't wait up for that Big XII invite. It won't be forthcoming...

Is that how it works? Thanks for the tip, I'm so tired...need sleep.

Good night...

I have been thinking about it.

12 Teams
Louisville
Rutgers or Cincinnati

14 Teams
Louisville
Rutgers
Cincinnati
UConn

Louv-Cin for 12
Rutgers-Conn for 14
USF-UCF for 16

Maybe it's just me but I can't seem to wrap my mind around the Big XII inviting Rutgers or UConn. Stranger things have happened I guess.

For any of you UL posters out there, what do you feel is the consensus at Louisville? Stay and make the BE work with the new teams or prefer to get the Big XII invite?

80% pro big 12.

Big 12 , then BE if better expansion ( Memphis,UNLV,Fresno St,BYU) and good contract.

While I think most would agree that the top choices for the B12 would be Cincinnati and Louisville, I wounder what ramifications are going to happen if WVU is prevented from joining in July due to the dismissal today.

I have long thought that the Pac 12 going to 16 was the best case situation for most of college football. While many people would prefer that the Big East fall apart and die, I don't see it happening. Will the realignment start up again with Ok Ok St UT and TT heading west? Poaching from the Big East is not possible with the iron clad 27 month waiting period.
If WVU can't join what does that due to the conference? I'm pretty sure the loss of TAMU and UM are not reversible. Having only nine teams is not contractually acceptable. So if WVU isn't able to join what happens?
Basically what would the top choice be if WVU cant join? Maybe the only choice BYU?

well if B-12 has to have 10 & West Va is not avaiable for 2012,
Cut MAC a check & rent Temple for 1 yr

(12-27-2011 10:34 PM)FriarTuck420 Wrote:  While I think most would agree that the top choices for the B12 would be Cincinnati and Louisville, I wounder what ramifications are going to happen if WVU is prevented from joining in July due to the dismissal today.

I have long thought that the Pac 12 going to 16 was the best case situation for most of college football. While many people would prefer that the Big East fall apart and die, I don't see it happening. Will the realignment start up again with Ok Ok St UT and TT heading west? Poaching from the Big East is not possible with the iron clad 27 month waiting period.
If WVU can't join what does that due to the conference? I'm pretty sure the loss of TAMU and UM are not reversible. Having only nine teams is not contractually acceptable. So if WVU isn't able to join what happens?
Basically what would the top choice be if WVU cant join? Maybe the only choice BYU?

If WVU is not available for 2012 I am quite sure that the Big XII and the TV partners will work their way around it. I doubt the Big XII is in any sort of desperation mode at this time. I think that, long term, it is much more likely that the AQ goes away around 2014 and the conferences can then strike their own bowl deals and only the NC game will be chosen by the BCS. How long do you think the "new" Big East will stay together after that happens?

The only way WVU won't be in the Big XII next season is if the courts force the Mountaineers to stay in The BEast. I don't see that happening...

(12-28-2011 09:02 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  The only way WVU won't be in the Big XII next season is if the courts force the Mountaineers to stay in The BEast. I don't see that happening...

I don't see it happening either, BUT if lightning strikes and WVU isn't allowed to join the Big 12, NIU would gladly step in and hold your spot while y'all sort that out.

WVU and Louisville can join the rest of us whenever the Big East is done with its .

Guys tulane has come close to scrapping athletics 3 times in the last few years. Most people in the greater new Orleans area either go to Lsu or southern miss. Having graduated from southern miss and growing up around tulane I'm telling u there are more southern miss fans in between Mobil and new Orleans than any other.

Former UL color commontator with Van Vance, Jock Southerland used to love going to USM games because they would party and stay in NO. Use that approach for BE invite. That is a big market area.

Here's an article from the Chicago Tribune (the largest newspaper in the country's 3rd largest DMA and 6th largest circulation in the USA) proclaiming NIU as "the top performing Football Bowl Subdivision program in the state."

Chicago Tribune Wrote:Northern Illinois has earned respect and credibility as the top performing Football Bowl Subdivision program in the state, and now coach Dave Doeren wants his Huskies to be recognized as a Top 25 team in the country.

No other realistic expansion candidate can offer the Big 12 this scale of media exposure.

Unlike other potential candidates that have to share their home state with long established football powerhouses, NIU only has to contend with B1G cellar dwellers Illinois and Northwestern and has the realistic potential to become the state's LEADING FBS program.

Put NIU on equal (AQ) footing and it will become the Great State of Illinois' college football program.

GO HUSKIES! GO BIG 12!

2011/12 NIU Final Rankings

AP - 28
Coaches - 26
BCS - 34
Harris - 29
CBS - 26

For comparison's sake:
Louisville
AP - N/A
Coaches - N/A
BCS - 38
Harris - 34 (Tied w/ 3)
CBS - 53