We all know about the statement that Big Ten officials made in mid-December of 2009 that they’re looking into expanding the oldest conference in the college world, from 11 to 12 schools or possibly 14-16 schools. I know a lot of people go into fan mode when it comes to this issue and see what school makes sense. However, as what blogger Frank the Tank has stated when it comes to this issue, you should “think like a university president and NOT like a sports fan”. So, I’ll try to act like one, but probably will rarely occur in this topic which I’m about to depart in.

But before I get my hands all dirty in this topic, I just want to point out that some folks out there say that a conference should invite a school that’s within a state or in a state that’s next to that conference’s state. The truth is there is no existing rule for that matter and there’s proof that you can invite a school that’s not in a bordering state, such as the ACC Conference. The school that’s farthest from any school in that conference is Boston College, of course located in Massachusetts, and the closest school to Boston College is Maryland, and the same goes in the WAC with Louisiana Tech. So any conference can invite a school that’s not within the bordering state. Now since we’ve got that part all cleared up, onwards with what school would/would not be suitable for the Big Ten.

THE NO-NOs FOR THE BIG TEN

Seriously?…

CINCINNATI

Seriously… Cincinnati for the Big Ten? We know that their athletics are OK, but the school is small compared to the Big Ten schools, and plus it’s a Tier 3 school, according to US News. The football program’s stadium is pretty small for a big conference standards and it rarely sells out its games. Sure, Cincinnati’s football program has been pretty good recently and played in two BCS games, but something that Big Ten would consider. However, the main reason that Cincinnati is a No-No is the TV Market. The city and the state of Ohio is already covering the Big Ten games through the Big Ten Network, courtesy of Ohio State, thus not expanding Big Ten Network’s coverage. Ohio State would also reject Cincinnati from being invited into the conference for the sake of avoiding recruitment conflicts within that state. The school also will not bring in a lot of money to the conference.

Yea No…

IOWA STATE

Others have also suggested that Iowa State might be a candidate for the Big Ten, plus it’s a fellow member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) which all of the Big Ten schools are members of. As a native to the great state of Iowa, I’ve been to Ames many times where the school is located and have seen its facilities. Their facilities are OK, but not as good as Iowa’s. But, they’re in development of renovating Jack Trice Stadium by adding more seating on the south-side of the Stadium, which you can read more on that topic here. However, I don’t feel as much tradition around that school as I do when I’m at Iowa City, where Iowa is located. The main reason that Iowa State is a No-No is pretty much the same with Cincinnati. The state is already covered by the Big Ten Network and not expanding its coverage, and Iowa would reject their invitation. Their athletic programs isn’t all that great, except for the Wrestling program, just like Iowa, are extremely talented. Iowa State is better off in the Big 12  or in other conferences (ie. WAC, C-USA, MAC, or Big East) than the Big Ten and their rivalry with Iowa wouldn’t change at all.

Uh, We'll Pass.

LOUISVILLE

Although the school is pretty decent, but a relativity small school compared to Big Ten schools. Louisville is also a Tier 3 school, with an OK athletics program. Their basketball program has done pretty well for years which could be a good asset for Big Ten basketball, and their football program was good a couple years ago, but has gone downhill again lately. Louisville wouldn’t contribute much for the Big Ten when it comes to money. Plus, there’s really no major TV markets in Kentucky for the Big Ten Network to expand into. So Louisville is a pretty passable school with no regrets what so ever.

Pretty good, but passable.

PITTSBURGH

This school is a bit larger than its Big East counterparts that I mentioned earlier (Cincinnati and Louisville) and has a well talented athletic program than Cincinnati and Louisville, and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). It could restore the rivalry with Penn State, but that doesn’t really matter and wouldn’t change anything. IF invited to the Big Ten, its football program would be the only one in the Big Ten to share a stadium with a pro-team. But again… the state is covered by the Big Ten Network with the help of Penn State, and won’t expand its TV coverage. It’s safe to say that Pitt is a passable school.

DON’T KNOWs/MAYBEs FOR THE BIG TEN

Hmm… Intriguing…

KENTUCKY

I saw one opinion post several weeks ago that mentioned Kentucky as one of the candidates for the Big Ten, which intrigued me, and so I decided to mention them again as a Don’t Know/Maybe school for the Big Ten. The school is as big as Pittsburgh, but just a little bigger. Their athletic program is pretty talented, due to the help of their basketball program which has always been very talented over the years. Again, though, there’s really no major television markets in Kentucky for Big Ten Network to expand in, and plus, I don’t think that Kentucky would want to leave its rich history in the SEC for the Big Ten. Too, I’m not entirely sure if I can imagine Kentucky as a Big Ten school.

A School That's Worth Looking Into.

MARYLAND

Yet, another school that I saw mentioned as a POSSIBLE candidate for the Big Ten, and also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Maryland is a bigger school than Kentucky and a well-stabled athletic program. The school might contribute some money to the conference, plus, it would expand the Big Ten Network’s coverage into a couple of major markets: Baltimore and Washington, D.C. But again, just like Kentucky, I don’t believe that Maryland would leave its rich history in the ACC for the Big Ten.

Maybe… If They Offer Somethin' Good.

CONNECTICUT

Here’s another school that’s also been mentioned as a candidate. The school is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) with a balanced athletic program and well-kept facilities. Basketball at this school is the most well-known sport and extremely talented, both men’s and women’s, which would be a very great asset for Big Ten basketball. Their football program is OK, but not that great. However, it can expose the Big Ten Network to the NYC market and possibly the Boston market. But thinking of UConn in the Big Ten, not really too sure on that one.

Another School To Consider.

SYRACUSE

Here’s a school a lot of people are speculating that could be a Big Ten target. Syracuse is a private and small school compared to Big Ten schools, as well as being a member of Association of American Universities (AAU). The athletics program has been PRETTY stable, although their football program hasn’t been doing to well; however, their basketball program is the one that’s strong in this school. There’s a lot of tradition with this school, which the Big Ten schools have, a rich tradition. It would open up the television market for Big Ten Network on the West-side of the state of New York, and possibly NYC, specifically for basketball since residents of NYC aren’t huge fans of college football, according to some I’ve heard. But seeing Syracuse as a Big Ten Member? I really don’t know, but we’ll find out.

THE POSSIBLES FOR THE BIG TEN

We Still Want You, Sweet Love.

NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame, oh Notre Dame. The school was originally invited to the Big Ten back in 1999, but insisted on still maintaining its independent status football-wise; however, the rest of its athletic programs are in the Big East Conference. Even the Athletic Director stated several weeks ago after the Big Ten’s announcement for expansion that Notre Dame will still be independent. Although it has its own television deal with NBC, it only banks in $9million a year; but each Big Ten school earns more than $22million a year from TV deals. So will ND keep up its independence? We’ll see, and we might see Notre Dame in the future to finally make a move to a conference. Even though that the state of Indiana is covering Big Ten (where Notre Dame is located), the school has a national following, which could lead to having many households across the country demanding the Big Ten Network. This could have been some of the reasons to why the Big Ten wanted the school back in ’99 because of its national fanbase and plus putting the Big Ten back as the granddaddy of all college conferences. The school has a VERY rich tradition, but not a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which you don’t have to be one in order to be let into the Big Ten, as one of the Big Ten officials stated. So is Notre Dame still a likely candidate for the Big Ten? I possibly still think so.

The Big Red? A Definite Possibility.

NEBRASKA

This would probably be one the biggest home run deals since Big Ten invited Penn State in the ’90s. Nebraska is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and has a VERY stable athletic program, more specifically their football program, not so much with their basketball program. I should also mention that Nebraska is chalk full of rich tradition, excellent facilities, and a HUGE fanbase. When I always think of Nebraska, I think of the Big Ten too, but keep forgetting that they’re in the Big 12. That’s how Nebraska can easily fit right in with the Big Ten. Just think of when football season rolls around, Nebraska facing Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Those games would be a definite sell out and I wouldn’t mind seeing those games… in person! Nebraska would also make a good rivalry with Iowa if invited. However, there would only be two big television markets for the Big Ten which are not as big, but would have a huge following demanding it. I see Nebraska as a very good candidate for the Big Ten.

Definitely Add Them To The List.

RUTGERS

If you want a school with pure, rich tradition, I suggest you take a look at this school that gave birth to collegiate football. Rutgers was founded in November, 1766 as Queen’s College, but was renamed to Rutgers after the War of 1812 after the Revolutionary War hero and benefactor to the school, Colonel Henry Rutgers. Rutgers is also the eighth oldest college in these United States, and if invited to the Big Ten, it would certainly be the oldest school in the conference. Their student enrollment is about as big as Ohio State’s and is a member of Association of American Universities (AAU). Their athletic program is well stable and balanced and their facilities are pretty well kept, which are currently being renovated. The Big Ten Network would be able to expand into the NJ and NY markets, more specifically the NYC market, which wouldn’t be hard to figure that they really want the New York market. After reading things about Rutgers and other’s opinion about Rutgers going to the Big Ten, my opinion is that I think Rutgers would actually fit pretty well in the conference with no regrets of leaving the Big East.

Show Me A Really Good Candidate!

MISSOURI

Probably the most mentioned about school as a potential candidate for the Big Ten. I’ve been checking out this blog lately that advocates Missouri to join the Big Ten, and the blogger made some very good points why the school should join. I also think that Missouri is a VERY strong candidate to be the next Big Ten school. It’s a very good-sized school with a well-balanced athletic program which seems to get short-handed every time by the Big 12. The facilities, including the school buldings, are VERY well kept with plenty of tradition; and yes, it’s a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Missouri would make a good rivaling school for Iowa as well. As for the television market, it would bring in two pretty good markets: Kansas City and St. Louis. Also, I know about the rivalry with them and Kansas, and people complain that if Mizzou joins the Big Ten, Mizzou wouldn’t be able to play against Kansas anymore, which is just outright false. They can have their game early in the season, like Iowa-Iowa State do, or have the rivalry at the end of the regular season, much like Florida-Florida State do. So the rivalry will stay intact no matter what happens. However, I do think that there’s another school which is pretty much the darkhorse and the jackpot of jackpots of all the schools…

THE JACKPOT FOR THE BIG TEN

You Can't Pass This Up.

TEXAS

Yes, you heard me right, Texas. This school is the dark horse and the strongest candidate for the Big Ten than all of the schools I’ve mentioned. I have to agree with Frank the Tank’s points as to why Texas would be the best choice for the conference. Of course, a member of the AAU, with the most elite athletic program in the nation and with the best facilities around. Texas is filled with tradition and has a HUGE following. I know some of you think that Texas wouldn’t even think of joining the Big Ten; well, I bag to differ. When The Southwestern Conference imploded in the ’90s, Texas wanted to join the Big Ten after being rejected by the Pac-10, but Big Ten declined after inviting Penn State. Thus, Big Ten was the school’s second choice, along with the Pac-10 as the first. EVEN the fans are welcomed to the idea of having their school joining the Big Ten. With today, however, with television contracts being the big deal for most schools and conferences now-a-days, Texas’ choice of which conference to go will be very different than about two decades ago, as pointed out by Frank the Tank as he made this post here. Below is a list of each conference and how much they make in TV deals each year:

• Big Ten: $242 million ($22 million per school)

• SEC: $205 million ($17.08 million per school)

• Big 12: $78 million ($6.5 million per school)

• ACC: $67 million ($5.58 million per school)

• Pac-10: $58 million ($5.8 million per school)

• Big East: $13 million for football/$20 million for basketball ($2.8 million per football school)

As you can clearly see, even the Big 12 makes more than Pac-10. So clearly stating that Texas wouldn’t go to the Pac-10 today and make less money than it currently makes now. Plus, the Big Ten gives each school and equal amount of money, even the school that has the worst football program, and that school makes even more than Texas, while the Big 12 doesn’t distribute the money evenly.

Another argument I’ve heard is that Texas A&M is the backbone as Texas’ rivalry and would lose their rivalry with Oklahoma. Well, as for the Oklahoma statement, both Texas and Oklahoma had their rivalry when they weren’t in the same conference way before being in the Big 12, and would be the same statement I made with Mizzou. As for the Texas A&M argument: Texas wanted to join the Pac-10 and Big Ten two decades ago… WITHOUT EVEN THINKING OF THEIR RIVALRY WITH A&M! The school is even willing to go to another conference with or without A&M, even the Texas fans could care less, practically could care less about the entire Big 12, just as long they have their rivalry with Oklahoma.

For the television markets for the Big Ten Network, it would expose the network to some of the biggest markets in the country: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio… basically, targeting the second most populated state in the nation, which I know the Big Ten would LOVE to have. Plus, it would also expose the school to another big market in the country, Chicago, which they would really enjoy as well. That’s why the Dallas Cowboys want to stay in the NFC East Division is because they want to be exposed in the Philedelphia and New York markets.

Texas has also started a rivalry with Ohio State with future meetings and have also scheduled to play against Minnesota in football for the 2015-2016 seasons. With all that to say, Texas would be a definite home run for Big Ten, with many contributions from the school. It also goes to show that Texas legitimately willing to leave the Big 12 for the Big Ten, which would be a win-win for the two. If I were in Jim Delany’s shoes right now, I would definitely look into Texas.

So their you have it, all of the potential teams I have in mind to make or not to make it in the Big Ten. Would these selections cause a domino effect and change the landscape in the world of college sports? Quite frankly yes, with the exception of possibly getting Notre Dame, then there wouldn’t really be a domino effect. If the Big Ten invites a school from the Big East, the Big East would most likely grab a school from C-USA or MAC, or possibly implode like the Southwestern Conference. The same can go for the Big 12, trying to grab a team from the Mountain West or implode, so on and so forth.

If the Big Ten does decide to become a superconference, I believe the magic number would have to be 14 schools, instead of 16. 16 seems to be more of a megaconference number than superconference, and if the Big Ten wants to go superconference, here’s what I think would be the greatest choices of schools for the conference:

These three, I believe, would be the greatest match ever for the Big Ten to go superconference and would be a win-win for everyone. Everyone will be exposed to the biggest markets in the country, every school would probably have their money doubled or more and definitely make the Big Ten the granddaddy of all conferences. So, what are your thoughts?

Related Posts

1. Big Ten Expansion So Far
2. More Expansion Talk From The Swarbrick Camp
3. My Reaction on the Big Ten Expansion “Leaked” List
4. BIG NEWS: Texas Reportedly Talking With Big Ten
5. Pac-10 Expansion: Domino Effect Takes Place