07-25-2021, 06:02 AM
After the likely Oklahoma/Texas to the SEC move, certainly Big Ten fans have to wonder how can we counter to make our conference stronger and more marketable to TV networks. If you assume the ACC (including Notre Dame) is off limits until their Grant of Rights expires (2036-37) season and most of the Big 12 outside of Oklahoma and Texas is worthless (Kansas is probably the only school that has some value), that leaves the Pac 12. All of the schools are in either the Mountain or Pacific Time Zones and all will stretch the western geographic boundary of the Big Ten, making travel more difficult, especially the Eastern most schools including the three biggest names in the conference, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. But you also have some large states available and big markets that the Big 12 just doesn't have (or are private schools or Texas Tech). California is a nightmare for travel but a gold mine for Big Ten eyeballs. Could adding two California schools to the Big 10 be enough to allow the Big 10 to maintain the same revenue/member as they do now? Could the Big 10 get more revenue/member if they add two California schools? Would two California schools by themselves bolt the Pac 12 or would you have to admit all four? Would you have to admit more West Coast schools to get California schools to join? Colorado is a closer alternative to California but fewer people live there. Will FOX/ESPN/ABC/CBS pay anywhere near as much for Colorado as they would for USC, UCLA, Cal, and/or Stanford, especially since Colorado has had the worst record in the Pac 12 in football since they joined it (2011-2019, 20-61, .247)?
I of course am philosophically against West Coast teams in the Big Ten but if the networks pay enough you might be able to twist my arm. I certainly would be much happier if the West Coast schools were football only and if they had to be all sports members then East-West travel be minimized. I would much rather add ACC members than Pac-12 members. But assuming the GOR prevents adding ACC members and the Big 10 doesn't want to wait until 2037, I rank my order of Pac 12 teams in wanting them in the Big 10. Feel free to rank them yourselves.
1. Colorado - Would be the closest Pac 12 member to the Big 10. I've heard a few proposals of Kansas/Colorado. I don't think networks will pay that much more for Kansas/Colorado than they are paying now so I wouldn't do it. They do add two AAU schools and Colorado adds the Denver market to the Big Ten and Kansas the Kansas City market although both aren't earth shattering. Kansas men's basketball in the Big 10 would be awesome but who knows if they will be hit with the Adidas violations soon? Also, both schools are at the bottom of their conferences in football. Illinois would be hurt by Colorado and Kansas coming in assuming they keep East/West as they'll get stuck with two more Western trips and fewer games vs. the Big 3. Penn State won't be hurt as much and Purdue would probably love the move as they get to move to the East Division. The Pac 12 would become the Pac 11 and have no obvious candidate to backfill that fits their geographical, academic, and cultural membership (in other words, no Boise State or BYU) but would hardly be hurt.
2. UCLA - I would choose them over USC because they are a public school, made the Final Four in men's basketball, and who wouldn't want to play in the Rose Bowl on a regular basis? Los Angeles is the preferred destination over San Francisco/the Bay Area. I guess the argument is whether UCLA or USC is the #1 school has more fans in LA? I would say when in doubt go with the public school. If USC were as good today as they were back in the Reggie Bush era you go with them. But they're not. I've actually been to the UCLA campus and have family and friends in the Los Angeles area.
3. USC - Or the Big Ten can ask, UCLA or USC? Why not both? Also, maybe getting USC helps the Big Ten get Notre Dame???
4. Oregon - Well if you're looking for a Pac 12 school in terms of athletic performance, obviously it's Oregon. What they lack in population they gain in performance. They've won the last two Pac-12 football titles and beat Wisconsin in the 2020 Rose Bowl. In men's basketball, they were the only Pac-12 team to make the Final Four in the entire 2010's (2017) and have made the Sweet 16 in four of the last five tournaments. It also can't hurt to have Nike U in your conference. The negatives are the travel and the weather isn't Los Angeles weather nor are the attractions Los Angeles attractions. Who wants to travel to Eugene/Portland/whatever?
5. California - Considering the Pac 12 has been down in football and outside of 2021 down in men's basketball, when choosing Pac 12 schools you are probably looking more for market than performance. Ideally for the Big Ten to own California they'd get both of the UC Systems top two schools and have coverage in both the LA area and the Bay area. The fans don't like Cal much but academic presidents would absolutely love Berkeley and they do have a big say in this. Now they would also like Stanford but they're a private school and they're not USC in terms of athletics. I have an uncle, aunt, and cousin that graduated from Berkeley (they are husband, wife, and daughter), and I've been on the campus several times.
6. Washington - Good academic school, good football, Seattle is better than Portland but isn't California.
7. Arizona State - Not AAU but in a decent sized market. But who wants to go to Phoenix most of the year (although in the winter it will at least be bearable for basketball season).
8. Arizona - AAU but in a smaller market. Better basketball history but same with Kansas, waiting for the Adidas shoe (no pun intended) to drop. Same heat problems.
9. Utah - Just became an AAU member. Second closest school to the Big Ten and in the Mountain Time Zone which would be better TV wise for the B1G. Salt Lake City is a smaller market than Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, San Fran, Denver, or LA but not insignificant.
10. Stanford - Does the Big 10 need another Northwestern? If we want the Bay Area, take Cal. There is some value in taking both schools though to get the "Big Game" as a conference battle.
11. Washington State - Only thing cool is the flag flying on College Game Day each week. Otherwise, over my dead body.
12. Oregon State - Umm, there's only room for one OSU in the Big Ten. That message goes out to that school in Stillwater too.
I of course am philosophically against West Coast teams in the Big Ten but if the networks pay enough you might be able to twist my arm. I certainly would be much happier if the West Coast schools were football only and if they had to be all sports members then East-West travel be minimized. I would much rather add ACC members than Pac-12 members. But assuming the GOR prevents adding ACC members and the Big 10 doesn't want to wait until 2037, I rank my order of Pac 12 teams in wanting them in the Big 10. Feel free to rank them yourselves.
1. Colorado - Would be the closest Pac 12 member to the Big 10. I've heard a few proposals of Kansas/Colorado. I don't think networks will pay that much more for Kansas/Colorado than they are paying now so I wouldn't do it. They do add two AAU schools and Colorado adds the Denver market to the Big Ten and Kansas the Kansas City market although both aren't earth shattering. Kansas men's basketball in the Big 10 would be awesome but who knows if they will be hit with the Adidas violations soon? Also, both schools are at the bottom of their conferences in football. Illinois would be hurt by Colorado and Kansas coming in assuming they keep East/West as they'll get stuck with two more Western trips and fewer games vs. the Big 3. Penn State won't be hurt as much and Purdue would probably love the move as they get to move to the East Division. The Pac 12 would become the Pac 11 and have no obvious candidate to backfill that fits their geographical, academic, and cultural membership (in other words, no Boise State or BYU) but would hardly be hurt.
2. UCLA - I would choose them over USC because they are a public school, made the Final Four in men's basketball, and who wouldn't want to play in the Rose Bowl on a regular basis? Los Angeles is the preferred destination over San Francisco/the Bay Area. I guess the argument is whether UCLA or USC is the #1 school has more fans in LA? I would say when in doubt go with the public school. If USC were as good today as they were back in the Reggie Bush era you go with them. But they're not. I've actually been to the UCLA campus and have family and friends in the Los Angeles area.
3. USC - Or the Big Ten can ask, UCLA or USC? Why not both? Also, maybe getting USC helps the Big Ten get Notre Dame???
4. Oregon - Well if you're looking for a Pac 12 school in terms of athletic performance, obviously it's Oregon. What they lack in population they gain in performance. They've won the last two Pac-12 football titles and beat Wisconsin in the 2020 Rose Bowl. In men's basketball, they were the only Pac-12 team to make the Final Four in the entire 2010's (2017) and have made the Sweet 16 in four of the last five tournaments. It also can't hurt to have Nike U in your conference. The negatives are the travel and the weather isn't Los Angeles weather nor are the attractions Los Angeles attractions. Who wants to travel to Eugene/Portland/whatever?
5. California - Considering the Pac 12 has been down in football and outside of 2021 down in men's basketball, when choosing Pac 12 schools you are probably looking more for market than performance. Ideally for the Big Ten to own California they'd get both of the UC Systems top two schools and have coverage in both the LA area and the Bay area. The fans don't like Cal much but academic presidents would absolutely love Berkeley and they do have a big say in this. Now they would also like Stanford but they're a private school and they're not USC in terms of athletics. I have an uncle, aunt, and cousin that graduated from Berkeley (they are husband, wife, and daughter), and I've been on the campus several times.
6. Washington - Good academic school, good football, Seattle is better than Portland but isn't California.
7. Arizona State - Not AAU but in a decent sized market. But who wants to go to Phoenix most of the year (although in the winter it will at least be bearable for basketball season).
8. Arizona - AAU but in a smaller market. Better basketball history but same with Kansas, waiting for the Adidas shoe (no pun intended) to drop. Same heat problems.
9. Utah - Just became an AAU member. Second closest school to the Big Ten and in the Mountain Time Zone which would be better TV wise for the B1G. Salt Lake City is a smaller market than Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, San Fran, Denver, or LA but not insignificant.
10. Stanford - Does the Big 10 need another Northwestern? If we want the Bay Area, take Cal. There is some value in taking both schools though to get the "Big Game" as a conference battle.
11. Washington State - Only thing cool is the flag flying on College Game Day each week. Otherwise, over my dead body.
12. Oregon State - Umm, there's only room for one OSU in the Big Ten. That message goes out to that school in Stillwater too.