If you read the non Big Ten fans at the other boards apparently the Big Ten is divided and everyone (or at least the top teams) want out because of the Big Ten's decision not to play football this fall. I got my bachelor's degree from Illinois and my master's degree from Penn State. Yes, I'm disappointed that we're not playing football this fall or that Ohio State, Michigan, and the rest of the conference aren't either. But I wouldn't want Illinois or Penn State in any other conference but the Big Ten. I would hope other Big Ten teams' fans (well other than Nebraska and maybe Rutgers) would agree with me. You can be upset or even angry about not playing football and yes it wasn't handled properly. But it doesn't mean you leave the conference because of it. We're the best sports conference and this one issue or football season shouldn't divide us or break us apart.
It took a pandemic to create a divide within the conference based on political views. CardinalJim called it a long time ago and I credit him with seeing it play out.
A line was drawn in the sand more than once within the conference during this whole schedule ordeal. That's never really happened before in this conference and this conference has/had a very strong history.
To all the blowhards out there that have always said Ohio State runs this conference, well, I think this whole situation proves otherwise and I've always said they DO NOT run the show and was mocked for it.
The president's are responsible, but the commissioner should demand order and present a response to all and any situation. They have all failed and it's been an absolute disaster to a proud conference. I have been extremely hard on everything and every way the conference has handled this. Hell, they may have made the perfect decisions, but the transparency has been horrible. The damn head coaches of these schools are going to social media to Express frustration because they have no clue what's going on. That is an enormous issue!
There are a couple schools I really would not have an issue with leaving. I wouldn't mind this conference being at a 10 or 11 membership and play a round-robin.
It appears it's Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and Purdue that are on one side and everyone else on the other. Do you feel that way too?
I personally don't want to lose games against Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa, but there is a line drawn in the sand and priorities are very far apart between the two sides.
Nebraska's not going anywhere. But if Nebraska were to leave, who would you want as a replacement?
I picked on Nebraska, because it can go to a conference where it shared a 100-year history with its northern members.
Although Maryland was a founding member of the ACC, it cannot afford to take a pay cut, and will follow the leader.
Ohio State and Penn State are academically and culturally integrated in the Big Ten.
Not sure about Rutgers.
(09-12-2020 06:52 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska's not going anywhere. But if Nebraska were to leave, who would you want as a replacement?
Pittsburgh and/or Notre Dame. Problem is they're both tied up with the ACC's GOR. I guess the best choices available east of the Mississippi would be UConn or Temple. I'd probably rather Rutgers, Iowa (west), or Northwestern (private school) go with Nebraska and we just have 12 teams.
Nebraska matters!!!
Leave them alone!
(09-12-2020 07:29 PM)schmolik Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2020 06:52 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska's not going anywhere. But if Nebraska were to leave, who would you want as a replacement?
Pittsburgh and/or Notre Dame. Problem is they're both tied up with the ACC's GOR. I guess the best choices available east of the Mississippi would be UConn or Temple. I'd probably rather Rutgers, Iowa (west), or Northwestern (private school) go with Nebraska and we just have 12 teams.
Let UConn and Temple compete against each other for the 14th slot. Establish metrics. The school that grades the highest in say, 5 years, gets full membership. But the winner must meet certain thresholds. Otherwise no winner.
Of course someone would have tell UConn that women's basketball gets zero points.
(09-12-2020 07:33 PM)cubucks Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska matters!!!
Leave them alone!
As I wrote above, Nebraska isn't leaving the conference. But it has voiced its displeasure the loudest, leaving some posters on the other board to speculate that Nebraska will be returning to the Big 12.
First of all, it's absolutely bat crap crazy to kick out/drive away Nebraska. On top of that, not only is Pittsburgh a poor replacement, but UConn and Temple are even worse. Only Notre Dame, Texas, and Oklahoma make a positive financial impact and a decision won't be a negative to the bottom line.
As a Penn State fan, I'm fine with leaving but where are we going and who's going with us? If a core group goes to the Big 12, that could make financial sense while still having enough familiar opponents. The ACC has a lot of former rivals but the money is poor and they don't have as many openings. The SEC would be tough geographically but doable with the right companions.
Staying is probably the best option right now but there are definitely schools that I'd like to see leave.
(09-12-2020 07:50 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2020 07:33 PM)cubucks Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska matters!!!
Leave them alone!
As I wrote above, Nebraska isn't leaving the conference. But it has voiced its displeasure the loudest, leaving some posters on the other board to speculate that Nebraska will be returning to the Big 12.
I know!
I was referring to Shmolik and his hate for Nebraska.
(09-12-2020 09:05 PM)cubucks Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2020 07:50 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2020 07:33 PM)cubucks Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska matters!!!
Leave them alone!
As I wrote above, Nebraska isn't leaving the conference. But it has voiced its displeasure the loudest, leaving some posters on the other board to speculate that Nebraska will be returning to the Big 12.
I know!
I was referring to Shmolik and his hate for Nebraska.
Schmolik, sorry.
From the standpoint of my program, there is no other home. If worse comes to worse then a small group of programs will stick around and continue as a G conference. Only if everyone agrees to head elsewhere that there's a chance to be a +1 at another major conference.
Penn State fan here. Haven’t posted in a few years. Anyway, I’ve never loved Penn State in the Big Ten but where else would they go? To me the only option that would make any sense would be the ACC and that makes little sense at best so I guess the Lions shouldn’t go any anywhere.
Nebraska leaving the Big Ten? Ironically there is precedent for them leaving a conference because the rest of their members didn't play football because of a pandemic before!
https://www.offtackleempire.com/2020/9/1...tory-covid
"Amusingly, in 1918, the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ football conference—the Missouri Valley Conference, home of Iowa State’s only championship—ALSO did not play football because of a pandemic. The next year, Nebraska was an independent (and still lost to Iowa)."
(09-12-2020 06:52 PM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote: [ -> ]Nebraska's not going anywhere. But if Nebraska were to leave, who would you want as a replacement?
I picked on Nebraska, because it can go to a conference where it shared a 100-year history with its northern members.
Although Maryland was a founding member of the ACC, it cannot afford to take a pay cut, and will follow the leader.
Ohio State and Penn State are academically and culturally integrated in the Big Ten.
Not sure about Rutgers.
We like it here. We love it here. We finally found a home!
RU isn't going anywhere without a fight, or a GIANT payout to go away.
In all seriousness, the RU administration, faculty and fan base are all very happy to be affiliated with the Big Ten. This was always the outcome that RU dreamed of when we started the push to big time sports.
Was definitely a bad year to have a new commissioner. I'm not sure things would have played out that differently if this had been last year, but it probably would not have hurt.
Rutgers in the B1G is growing on me. I actually would prefer them to stick with Pittsburgh and Syracuse and those schools join the B1G.