(09-15-2018 11:37 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(09-15-2018 03:58 PM)seaking4steel Wrote:  Nebraska just got a new coach, give them time.
Maryland did beat Texas two weeks ago, but they are in a hot mess with the Durkin scandal.
And Rutgers is Rutgers. Expanding to include teams in big markets has not worked out at all. C-USA knows a lot about that.

On Rutgers, I think what they gained besides the TV market (they pay for themselves) is dominance of the rich New Jersey recruiting. The Buckeye's QB was born in the Garden state and spent time in Maryland.

Unfortunately for Rutgers not very many of those Garden State 3-4-5 star recruits are choosing them, preferring the likes of Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan and Northwestern. But at least those kids are no longer going to the ACC and SEC.

tOSU doesn’t need Rutgers in the B10 to get those recruits. They have been recruiting on a national level for decades (w/ the exception of Jim Tressel who chose to make Ohio a priority).

(09-16-2018 11:38 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:31 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Illinois’ attendance in Soldier Field yesterday afternoon was 25k vs USF.

No one should ever criticize South Florida’s attendance in an NFL stadium again.

Why? Chicago is two hours away from their campus. Illinois playing at Soldier Field is more like UMass playing in Foxboro rather than USF playing in their own city.

Don’t they have thousands of alumni and fans in Chicago? That’s like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M having 25k at AT&T Stadium or the Cotton Bowl.

Let’s face it. It’s Illinois. They’ve been bad for a long time. Programs like Illinois should not be playing neutral games in NFL stadiums. Just leave it for the big programs.

(09-15-2018 09:22 PM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(09-15-2018 08:07 PM)Gamecock Wrote:  The Big Ten is bad right now. Just a result of the same problems everyone has been pointing to for a while

Yes, the B1G is bad right not, but blaming conference expansion (like some people) for the woes of several teams just isn't realistic.


The problems come from many of the B1G teams needing to get better, faster, more talented kids at the skill positions...... which has nothing to do with adding Rutgers.

I agree. It basically just comes down to recruiting and recruiting footprints. Hasn’t stopped several schools from running really strong programs, but it explains the occasional bad non conference losses

(09-16-2018 10:23 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Bottom line is SEVEN Big 10 teams lost OOC games this weekend, and the newcomers were responsible for just three of those, so can't pin this debacle on them alone.

Agree, the whole B10 this year should be part of the G5. and move the AAC up.

I made an error posting Illinois’ attendance as 25k.

Illinois actually sold 21k tickets, for a 2:30 80-degree sunny Saturday at Soldier Field.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/gam...=401012806

(09-15-2018 03:58 PM)seaking4steel Wrote:  Nebraska just got a new coach, give them time.
Maryland did beat Texas two weeks ago, but they are in a hot mess with the Durkin scandal.
And Rutgers is Rutgers. Expanding to include teams in big markets has not worked out at all. C-USA knows a lot about that.

Maybe the Big 10 should have expanded for good athletic programs at big Midwestern universities. You know, continuing what made the Big 10 the richest conference in the country. Instead of trying to copy strategies that made everyone else poorer than them.

I know one school with 45,000 students, 2 national titles in basketball, and four recent Big East football titles that would love to be in the Big Ten.

(09-16-2018 04:39 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  I made an error posting Illinois’ attendance as 25k.

Illinois actually sold 21k tickets, for a 2:30 80-degree sunny Saturday at Soldier Field.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/gam...=401012806

Yeah, I was at the game and that feels about right. I didn't even pay for my tickets, but I'm assuming the sponsor that gave them out did.

It was actually a good tailgate on the grounds for a good 2 hours plus before game time. Good for the alumni around Chicago, but I can imagine students not wanting or being able to trek 2 hours and deal with downtown traffic/parking. Good chunk of change for a student to spend to see their team vice the ease of being on campus.

(09-16-2018 03:52 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 10:23 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Bottom line is SEVEN Big 10 teams lost OOC games this weekend, and the newcomers were responsible for just three of those, so can't pin this debacle on them alone.

Agree, the whole B10 this year should be part of the G5. and move the AAC up.

OK, let's pump the brakes JUST a bit here.

The B1G had a BAD week. No one is denying that or making excuses, but "moving up" the AAC based on one week is absurd.

I mean, let's take a closer look.

SMU has been pummeled by that playoff contender North Texas
Houston had 63 hung on them by a mediocre Texas Tech team
ECU lost to that juggernaut NC A&T
U Conn finally got a win against perennial powerhouse Rhode Island but managed to give up 49 points in the process.

The AAC has a LONG way to go before it can make a claim to "replace" the B1G or anyone else.

(09-16-2018 12:54 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:38 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:31 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Illinois’ attendance in Soldier Field yesterday afternoon was 25k vs USF.

No one should ever criticize South Florida’s attendance in an NFL stadium again.

Why? Chicago is two hours away from their campus. Illinois playing at Soldier Field is more like UMass playing in Foxboro rather than USF playing in their own city.

Don’t they have thousands of alumni and fans in Chicago? That’s like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M having 25k at AT&T Stadium or the Cotton Bowl.

Let’s face it. It’s Illinois. They’ve been bad for a long time. Programs like Illinois should not be playing neutral games in NFL stadiums. Just leave it for the big programs.

It's not a bad idea to try and expand their presence in Chicago, the problem is the (1) they're bad like you say, and (2) USF isn't a program that'll generate excitement even if they are one of the best G5 programs. If Illinois was coming off an eight-win year and played another P5 then it might work out, otherwise the timing is very flawed.

Also one has to consider that Illinois is second in the nation in 'exported' college students - something like 41% of high school grads who go to college end up out of state, and that means loyalties to Wisconsin, IU, Michigan, etc. Plus when you factor in transplants and entrenched loyalties to Notre Dame, U of I really doesn't capture Chicago on a proportional level like Mizzou does in St. Louis for example.

(09-17-2018 07:12 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 03:52 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 10:23 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Bottom line is SEVEN Big 10 teams lost OOC games this weekend, and the newcomers were responsible for just three of those, so can't pin this debacle on them alone.

Agree, the whole B10 this year should be part of the G5. and move the AAC up.

OK, let's pump the brakes JUST a bit here.

The B1G had a BAD week. No one is denying that or making excuses, but "moving up" the AAC based on one week is absurd.

I mean, let's take a closer look.

There's no need. He was being facetious. He's good at that.

(09-17-2018 07:51 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 12:54 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:38 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:31 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Illinois’ attendance in Soldier Field yesterday afternoon was 25k vs USF.

No one should ever criticize South Florida’s attendance in an NFL stadium again.

Why? Chicago is two hours away from their campus. Illinois playing at Soldier Field is more like UMass playing in Foxboro rather than USF playing in their own city.

Don’t they have thousands of alumni and fans in Chicago? That’s like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M having 25k at AT&T Stadium or the Cotton Bowl.

Let’s face it. It’s Illinois. They’ve been bad for a long time. Programs like Illinois should not be playing neutral games in NFL stadiums. Just leave it for the big programs.

It's not a bad idea to try and expand their presence in Chicago, the problem is the (1) they're bad like you say, and (2) USF isn't a program that'll generate excitement even if they are one of the best G5 programs. If Illinois was coming off an eight-win year and played another P5 then it might work out, otherwise the timing is very flawed.

Also one has to consider that Illinois is second in the nation in 'exported' college students - something like 41% of high school grads who go to college end up out of state, and that means loyalties to Wisconsin, IU, Michigan, etc. Plus when you factor in transplants and entrenched loyalties to Notre Dame, U of I really doesn't capture Chicago on a proportional level like Mizzou does in St. Louis for example.

Part of that is simply due to the size of Chicago. Chicagoland is bigger than Iowa and Missouri combined.

Illinois is undoubtedly the #1 college team in Chicago. But like any pro town, it's hard for a college team to get press unless it's a winner.

(09-15-2018 06:54 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  It's easy to crap on the three newest additions but what about perennial underachiever Illinois? What about Michigan? Why is Iowa such a one special year out of four type of team? Ferentz should be better than that after all these years and the down western division.

Because someone has to finish in 3rd each year. Go Hawks!

(09-15-2018 03:28 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  As a Big Ten fan I need to lament at what a disappointment Big Ten expansion has been and how dismally the 3 expansion schools have performed. Of all the schools we could have grabbed we grabbed two schools who we all knew would be cellar dwellers and a former blueblood who is riding the downward slide towards just being any other program.

All 3 managed to lose games they should have won today in the noon timeslot.

We can we have a redo and bring some schools in that actually add to the conference.

1. The B1G didn't need new world beaters. Do you want to lose you spot as the team in the conference to embarrass itself in Jan?

2. Money, for how sucky we are we got you paid more than those more talented, more accomplished and better funded programs down south.

3. Enjoy the money because we ain't going anywhere. We're on you like stink on Tressels vest.

(09-15-2018 04:10 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(09-15-2018 03:28 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  As a Big Ten fan I need to lament at what a disappointment Big Ten expansion has been and how dismally the 3 expansion schools have performed. Of all the schools we could have grabbed we grabbed two schools who we all knew would be cellar dwellers and a former blueblood who is riding the downward slide towards just being any other program.

All 3 managed to lose games they should have won today in the noon timeslot.

We can we have a redo and bring some schools in that actually add to the conference.

It's all a function of Delany's fixation with the East Coast. Keep in mind that Missouri and Colorado were both available for the taking had the Big Ten offered them around the time it added Nebraska. Could've had 2 really strong divisions, IMO (and probably bait the ACC into taking Rutgers while keeping Maryland).

You mean that fixation he, the commissioner has in making his conference the most rich and powerful? What a kook.

(09-16-2018 01:33 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I think the Big 10 grab the wrong New York market team. AAU Buffalo is 3-0 while Rutgers is 1-2.

(09-19-2018 08:38 PM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 01:33 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I think the Big 10 grab the wrong New York market team. AAU Buffalo is 3-0 while Rutgers is 1-2.

Because Eastern Michigan, Delaware State, and Temple is such a hard schedule.

(09-17-2018 11:27 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(09-17-2018 07:51 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 12:54 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:38 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:31 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Illinois’ attendance in Soldier Field yesterday afternoon was 25k vs USF.

No one should ever criticize South Florida’s attendance in an NFL stadium again.

Why? Chicago is two hours away from their campus. Illinois playing at Soldier Field is more like UMass playing in Foxboro rather than USF playing in their own city.

Don’t they have thousands of alumni and fans in Chicago? That’s like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M having 25k at AT&T Stadium or the Cotton Bowl.

Let’s face it. It’s Illinois. They’ve been bad for a long time. Programs like Illinois should not be playing neutral games in NFL stadiums. Just leave it for the big programs.

It's not a bad idea to try and expand their presence in Chicago, the problem is the (1) they're bad like you say, and (2) USF isn't a program that'll generate excitement even if they are one of the best G5 programs. If Illinois was coming off an eight-win year and played another P5 then it might work out, otherwise the timing is very flawed.

Also one has to consider that Illinois is second in the nation in 'exported' college students - something like 41% of high school grads who go to college end up out of state, and that means loyalties to Wisconsin, IU, Michigan, etc. Plus when you factor in transplants and entrenched loyalties to Notre Dame, U of I really doesn't capture Chicago on a proportional level like Mizzou does in St. Louis for example.

Part of that is simply due to the size of Chicago. Chicagoland is bigger than Iowa and Missouri combined.

Illinois is undoubtedly the #1 college team in Chicago. But like any pro town, it's hard for a college team to get press unless it's a winner.

Chicago would bandwagon any Illinois team, kind of like what they did for NIU in the orange bowl or Loyola in the mens ncaa tourney. Otherwise its a mish mash of fandom. Kids go to school outside the state and bring it back with them, or other states ship their grads to Chicago for good paying jobs. There are 10x more Wiscy/Iowa/Mizzou/OSU/ND/IU etc bars than Illinois bars in Chicago. I dont think Chicago cares about the Illini except their own alums, unless they are winning.

(09-20-2018 12:05 AM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(09-17-2018 11:27 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(09-17-2018 07:51 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 12:54 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 11:38 AM)esayem Wrote:  Why? Chicago is two hours away from their campus. Illinois playing at Soldier Field is more like UMass playing in Foxboro rather than USF playing in their own city.

Don’t they have thousands of alumni and fans in Chicago? That’s like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M having 25k at AT&T Stadium or the Cotton Bowl.

Let’s face it. It’s Illinois. They’ve been bad for a long time. Programs like Illinois should not be playing neutral games in NFL stadiums. Just leave it for the big programs.

It's not a bad idea to try and expand their presence in Chicago, the problem is the (1) they're bad like you say, and (2) USF isn't a program that'll generate excitement even if they are one of the best G5 programs. If Illinois was coming off an eight-win year and played another P5 then it might work out, otherwise the timing is very flawed.

Also one has to consider that Illinois is second in the nation in 'exported' college students - something like 41% of high school grads who go to college end up out of state, and that means loyalties to Wisconsin, IU, Michigan, etc. Plus when you factor in transplants and entrenched loyalties to Notre Dame, U of I really doesn't capture Chicago on a proportional level like Mizzou does in St. Louis for example.

Part of that is simply due to the size of Chicago. Chicagoland is bigger than Iowa and Missouri combined.

Illinois is undoubtedly the #1 college team in Chicago. But like any pro town, it's hard for a college team to get press unless it's a winner.

Chicago would bandwagon any Illinois team, kind of like what they did for NIU in the orange bowl or Loyola in the mens ncaa tourney. Otherwise its a mish mash of fandom. Kids go to school outside the state and bring it back with them, or other states ship their grads to Chicago for good paying jobs. There are 10x more Wiscy/Iowa/Mizzou/OSU/ND/IU etc bars than Illinois bars in Chicago. I dont think Chicago cares about the Illini except their own alums, unless they are winning.

We’ll have to wait for Illinois to win in order to test that hypothesis.

(09-20-2018 01:14 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(09-20-2018 12:05 AM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(09-17-2018 11:27 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(09-17-2018 07:51 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 12:54 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  Don’t they have thousands of alumni and fans in Chicago? That’s like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M having 25k at AT&T Stadium or the Cotton Bowl.

Let’s face it. It’s Illinois. They’ve been bad for a long time. Programs like Illinois should not be playing neutral games in NFL stadiums. Just leave it for the big programs.

It's not a bad idea to try and expand their presence in Chicago, the problem is the (1) they're bad like you say, and (2) USF isn't a program that'll generate excitement even if they are one of the best G5 programs. If Illinois was coming off an eight-win year and played another P5 then it might work out, otherwise the timing is very flawed.

Also one has to consider that Illinois is second in the nation in 'exported' college students - something like 41% of high school grads who go to college end up out of state, and that means loyalties to Wisconsin, IU, Michigan, etc. Plus when you factor in transplants and entrenched loyalties to Notre Dame, U of I really doesn't capture Chicago on a proportional level like Mizzou does in St. Louis for example.

Part of that is simply due to the size of Chicago. Chicagoland is bigger than Iowa and Missouri combined.

Illinois is undoubtedly the #1 college team in Chicago. But like any pro town, it's hard for a college team to get press unless it's a winner.

Chicago would bandwagon any Illinois team, kind of like what they did for NIU in the orange bowl or Loyola in the mens ncaa tourney. Otherwise its a mish mash of fandom. Kids go to school outside the state and bring it back with them, or other states ship their grads to Chicago for good paying jobs. There are 10x more Wiscy/Iowa/Mizzou/OSU/ND/IU etc bars than Illinois bars in Chicago. I dont think Chicago cares about the Illini except their own alums, unless they are winning.

We’ll have to wait for Illinois to win in order to test that hypothesis.

You don't have to go that far back. They went to the Rose Bowl in 2008 and won the Big 10 outright in 2001.

In 2005, Illinois basketball went 37-2, with their only losses coming on the last day of the regular season and the national championship game.

I wasn't in Chicago in the early 00s - how big of a deal was this?

(09-19-2018 09:24 PM)seaking4steel Wrote:  

(09-19-2018 08:38 PM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(09-16-2018 01:33 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I think the Big 10 grab the wrong New York market team. AAU Buffalo is 3-0 while Rutgers is 1-2.

Because Eastern Michigan, Delaware State, and Temple is such a hard schedule.

They wanted New York CITY, not the state of New York. No one gives a rat's @$$ about Buffalo when it comes to market size (no offense to anyone from Buffalo; I hear it's a lovely place to start a family). NYC is #1 in TV; Buffalo is #51 sandwiched between Louisville and Providence. You could make the argument that they picked the wrong school with a red color scheme (Louisville instead of Rutgers, if academics are removed from the equation), but c'mon... Buffalo?