http://www.omaha.com/huskers/nebraska-on...e4c86.html

Excerpt:

Quote:Far bigger rewards appear ahead for Nebraska beginning in July 2017, when the school becomes a fully vested member of the league. Not only will the school be eligible for a full share, the league will also be entering a new network television contract that year. Annual payments to league schools are expected to top $40 million, and some have suggested they could reach $50 million.


The Big Ten will soon enter a window of exclusive negotiations with its current TV rights holder, the ESPN cable network and network affiliate ABC. Some have suggested declining viewership on ESPN as consumers increasingly cut the cable could put a damper on the Big Ten’s contract position. But Traviolia remains optimistic.


“We’re very bullish,” he said. “We think we will be very successful. We need to be successful. Our programs depend on this revenue for their broad sponsorship of sports.”

That's good for Nebraska. The western division could use a national power to rise up. Iowa could be that team if they build upon this year. They have a long tenured coach who has had lots of success. Wisconsin has traditionally been the class of the west in my book (they have been in three of the five championship games) but have lost their head coach twice in the last five years too. That doesn't scream national power. Nebraska has the pedigree to claim the top but need the results.

Minnesota and Northwestern are limited in my opinion. They won't ever be a consistently top team but will have individual seasons with a senior-laden team that may challenge for the western crown. Illinois can't seem to build anything despite the built in advantages. Purdue has a long way to go.

(01-18-2016 04:08 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  That's good for Nebraska. The western division could use a national power to rise up. Iowa could be that team if they build upon this year. They have a long tenured coach who has had lots of success. Wisconsin has traditionally been the class of the west in my book (they have been in three of the five championship games) but have lost their head coach twice in the last five years too. That doesn't scream national power. Nebraska has the pedigree to claim the top but need the results.

Minnesota and Northwestern are limited in my opinion. They won't ever be a consistently top team but will have individual seasons with a senior-laden team that may challenge for the western crown. Illinois can't seem to build anything despite the built in advantages. Purdue has a long way to go.

Understatement of the decade.