Penn St. desperately desires an eastern rival in the conference. Going west would not satisfy them.

(05-01-2009 11:07 AM)uakronkid Wrote:  As for some of the other schools mentioned, the Big Ten has a rule that they cannot add a new school unless it is either in a current Big Ten state or bordering one. VA Tech and Nebraska are not possible.

I didn't know that...guess that means DELAWARE! That would really tick off Michigan! (No offense Blue Hen fans, you're some of the best in the country)

Just out of curiousity, does the Big 10 have any odd members in niche sports, like the MAC had KY in soccer and L'ville in field hockey?

Doesn't Nebraska border Iowa?

(05-01-2009 11:49 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Doesn't Nebraska border Iowa?

Not in the fantasy world of MACbbs expansion threads where reality is whatever you want it to be in between doses of Haldol. Pay no mind; it all goes away before long when people start counting and averaging recruit stars with the same earnest insistence upon its dire meaning for the future of D-I football and the MAC.

The real story here is Joe has been around long enough to realize that the Big 10 football is becoming more and more irrelevant on a national scale and power brokers within the Big 10 "snicker" at the old man's candor.

When a really poor 3-9 Toledo team beats a 3-9 Michigan team, Jo Pa is right on with this one

(05-01-2009 10:40 AM)mpurdy22 Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 06:22 AM)mattsarz Wrote:  The key here is that no one, supposedly, is actually listening to JoePa. The article mentions how he feels that he is viewed as the old man in the room who is allowed to talk, but doesn't have an opinion that anyone there seems to value.

That was my thought as well.

Agreed. It's one thing if there were support outside of Paterno - other coaches and/or, more importantly, university presidents. That's not the case, though.

Typical JoePa, just yammering away.

(05-01-2009 01:17 PM)UT Astrophysics Wrote:  The real story here is Joe has been around long enough to realize that the Big 10 football is becoming more and more irrelevant on a national scale and power brokers within the Big 10 "snicker" at the old man's candor.

When a really poor 3-9 Toledo team beats a 3-9 Michigan team, Jo Pa is right on with this one

Kinda. Only b/c the Big 10 doesn't live up to the impossible hype that media outlets push. "Irrelevant" isn't exactly the word I'd use, rather the Big 10 is simply more like the others.

These things are cyclical. When I was at ASU, the Pac 10 was becoming "irrelevant" in the aftermath of Don James. Now? They're more highly regarded, even though it's essentially all U$C.

Furthermore, that's in terms of W/L only. In the end, the Big 10 still puts butts in seats.

But what it all comes down to is marketing. The Big 10 was given a heel push, just like King Kong Bundy or the Iron Sheik. And every other conference hated them for it, and wanted their babyface team to win. Now it's the SEC's turn.

Big Ten likely adds Notre Dame which would place Notre Dame in the West to give Notre Dame a better chance as reaching the BT Title game vs a Michigan or Ohio State which could fetch gigantic ratings. The Big Ten west schools would be thrilled getting Notre Dame at home every other year. Big Ten Title game in Indianapolis Dome which would be a huge event in the Midwest. Second option would be Iowa State. I don't see Missouri leaving Kansas in the Big 12. Iowa State would be trilled to play in the same conference as Iowa and Minnesota.

Big Ten East
Penn State
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Indiana
Purdue


Big Ten West
Notre Dame
Northwestern
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Wisconsin

As for the Big East they would have an open spot if Notre Dames goes to the Big Ten. They likely add another basketball only in the short run like UMass and perhaps for football down the road.

(05-01-2009 11:56 AM)axeme Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 11:49 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Doesn't Nebraska border Iowa?

Not in the fantasy world of MACbbs expansion threads where reality is whatever you want it to be in between doses of Haldol.

Now that this is said, it this where I suggest NIU as a Big Ten expansion candidate?

STOP PLEASE!!!!!

Notre Dame will never join the BIG TEN!!!! Their contract with NBC, is better than what the Big Ten has, period. They have already said that they will not join the Big Ten.

(05-01-2009 03:38 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 11:56 AM)axeme Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 11:49 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Doesn't Nebraska border Iowa?

Not in the fantasy world of MACbbs expansion threads where reality is whatever you want it to be in between doses of Haldol.

Now that this is said, it this where I suggest NIU as a Big Ten expansion candidate?

Precisely.

Now up your dosage!

(05-01-2009 03:38 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 11:56 AM)axeme Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 11:49 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Doesn't Nebraska border Iowa?

Not in the fantasy world of MACbbs expansion threads where reality is whatever you want it to be in between doses of Haldol.

Now that this is said, it this where I suggest NIU as a Big Ten expansion candidate?

No the Big 11 will give invited to Kent St., Akron, BG, Toledo and OU and kick out Wisconsin, Northwestern, Indiana, Purdue and Penn State causing me to hear Illinois fans ***** about a Ohio/Michigan bias!

(05-01-2009 06:40 AM)Airport KC Wrote:  

(05-01-2009 06:30 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  My guess would be Missouri or WVU if expansion happens.

WVU no way, its small market and they don't have the academics.

The short list is:

ND
Rutgers
Missouri
Nebraska (kind of an out there pick but I like it)

Then Harvard's a perfect fit.

The Big Ten can't add Notre Dame if they follow their own rules. ND isn't a member of the AAU, an excuse they bring up to shoot down everyone who mentions adding a MAC school.

(05-01-2009 02:22 PM)BGSUalum1987 Wrote:  Agreed. It's one thing if there were support outside of Paterno - other coaches and/or, more importantly, university presidents. That's not the case, though.

Typical JoePa, just yammering away.

And wouldn't people do well to listen to him? He's one of the brighter football minds out there. He knows what he's talking about. Just because they aren't listening doesn't mean he's not saying the right things.

not a huge joepa fan but he makes sense here.

With respect to ND, I would not eliminate them for consideration to the Big 10, despite what they have said in the past. I assume they are losing their ability to command top dollar for television rights due to what I expect to be decreasing viewership. Their play on the field is subpar and the shear number of televised games currently offered across networks are driving down the number of random folks watching their games. Ultimately, I think we will see ND to the Big 10 within the next 15 years as their viewership continues to drop.

(05-03-2009 06:32 AM)IULurker Wrote:  With respect to ND, I would not eliminate them for consideration to the Big 10, despite what they have said in the past. I assume they are losing their ability to command top dollar for television rights due to what I expect to be decreasing viewership. Their play on the field is subpar and the shear number of televised games currently offered across networks are driving down the number of random folks watching their games. Ultimately, I think we will see ND to the Big 10 within the next 15 years as their viewership continues to drop.

I partially agree with Lurker.

Because something was true 5, 10 or 15 years ago doesn't make it true 5, 10, or 15 years out.

I've been reading the papers too much. Things happen!!

I do NOT see ND --> BT in the next 5 years but wouldn't venture a guess 10 - 15 years down the road.

This could be guessing a coin flip. Maybe 50 - 50??????

you guys make a good point about ND.
however with econmey & people cancelling cable.
ND viewership might go up