Posted on Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 11:18 a.m.
Big Ten could begin push for 12th team soon, coach says
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez anticipates the Big Ten will soon renew its push for a 12th member.
Although there's no timetable on the search, Alvarez told ESPN.com he thinks Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany will respond to a group of athletic directors and coaches who support expansion.
"I have a sense he is going to take this year to be really be more aggressive about it," Alvarez said.
Comments
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Dec 15, 2009 : 1:47 p.m.
The BCS represents a huge problem for the Big Ten. The 2006 experience taught us that a conference without a title game is at a huge disadvantage when considering the national championship game. The SEC realized that the system requires a better strength of schedule right now. So SEC teams, once the laughing stock for their weak schedules, dialed it up a bit. Meanwhile, the Big Ten dumbed theirs down. The Big Ten now plays the weakest schedules of the majors. Immediate change is necessary on those fronts. I'd even advocate adding a ninth conference game, though Michigan would hate losing a home game every other year. It has worked well for the Pac Ten. Pitt would help revenue. Television markets aren't black-and-white. Pitt would strengthen several markets. And don't oversell Rutgers - it has very little presence in New York. Enough to make a tiny difference, but it's not like New York City would be Big Ten Country if we grabbed the state school of New Jersey. I do think Rutgers would have more television impact than Pitt, but not by as much as some would say.
blueiniowa
Tue, Dec 15, 2009 : 10:53 a.m.
I should say one more thing. As we continue to debate this, the great thing is that any of these teams would be a huge gain-- even Pitt as I bash them. (Except Iowa State. Who brought those losers in the argument?) Bo fought tooth and nail to keep PSU out, and he ended up being on the wrong side of history on that one. This 12th team is so going to happen because the revenue potential is too big to deny.
blueiniowa
Tue, Dec 15, 2009 : 10:40 a.m.
azwolverine-- With all due respect, you really have no concept on how shabbily the Big12 treats the north ex-Nebraska. Big12 BBall has an incredible TV package, Big12 Fball has an awful TV package. Missouri has been getting slighted often the bowl picture. Raiding the Big12 doesn't 'open a can of worms'. There will be exactly zero backlash because the Big12 is in no position to go after any Big10 teams, and Missouri will LOVE the treatment they get as a member of the Big10. In fact, the Big12 is no shape to raid any BCS conference. They have no value proposition. They would have to settle for a Houston or TCU. Circumstances have changed greatly since ND said no last. Throw it to them first, if they insist on being stupid, then freeze them out and forget them. As I said before, ND needs the Big10 a lot more than we need them. Those of you who keep saying Pitt don't understand the opportunity a 12th team presents. It's about opening new markets, not oversaturating a place you already own.
PortageLkBlu
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 11:52 p.m.
According to the philosophy of the RR bashers maybe since USC had a so so year they'll fire Pete Carrol and join the big 10.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 7:43 p.m.
Yes, any university ranked in the top 250 in the world is an excellent university. Not meant as a slam of Rutgers. The university presidents don't care all that much about graduation rates among athletes who shouldn't be there at all. The NCAA does, because it likes to pretend college athletics have some greater meaning. The QS ratings are 40% peer review, 20% citings, a few other factors. Supposedly an independent analysis of the university's international prestige. There, Pitt is about 112th, Rutgers closer to 200th. No Big Ten school is below the 220s (Michigan State, Iowa). The Big Ten is the only major conference where all the schools have great international reputations.
DJC115
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 7:13 p.m.
To the comment "Rutgers would be a huge plus from a media perspective, but is a longer road trip and not quite as strong academically." I have to defend my institution; Rutgers is very strong academically, when the NCAA released its first four-year cycle on the Academic Progress Rate, it cited Rutgers for being one of only six major college football teams to rank among the APR's top 10 percent all four years. Rutgers, Stanford, Rice, Duke, Navy and Air Force were the six Football Bowl Subdivision programs (out of the 119) to earn the distinction of being in the top 10 percent every year since 2004. Any Big Ten schools on that list? It would be great for Rutgers to join the Big Ten and since we are already sharing a 30 million dollar research grant with Purdue, why not play them in football too!
azwolverine
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 6:46 p.m.
I agree with NOT raiding the Big 12. That could open a whole can of worms that no one wants to get into, and the Big 12 is comparable to the Big Ten in terms of national stature. Pitt, imo, would be the best choice in terms of both overall athletics and academics, and as someone said, would renew the great Pitt v PSU rivalry.
Danny
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 6:08 p.m.
I also would like to see Pitt or Rutgers as well as Virginia Tech, Virginia or possibly BC. Virginia Tech, however has a sweet deal from the ACC so probably not a good fit.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 6:08 p.m.
The conference will insist on a school with a world reputation for academics. Check out the QS ratings. The Big Ten is the only conference, other the Ivy League, that has nothing but the best. While Cincinnati, Iowa State, Missouri and Nebraska are strong, they aren't strong enough. Syracuse and West Virginia aren't even in the top 500. Geographically, only Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Rutgers meet the criteria. Excellent world reputation and adding or greatly enhancing a major media market. Notre Dame said no. Rutgers would be a huge plus from a media perspective, but is a longer road trip and not quite as strong academically. Rutgers is a land grant university, though. Pittsburgh is a safe bet with a built-in rivalry with Penn State. I think either one would be a very welcome addition to the conference. I would be unhappy with any other school joining. Vanderbilt and Virginia also meet a lot of the criteria, but would have no reason to leave their respective conferences. For that matter, trying to raid the Big XII doesn't seem all that wise.
OSUbeBetter
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 6:05 p.m.
Maybe we can get Delaware state or Central, and Michigan can play them every year. That would help Michigan Allot! Rich Rod would also benefit by the weak "Big East like" competition.
blueiniowa
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 3:09 p.m.
2015-- it will be done by then. That's when the new TV contract with the BCS will be effective. Pitt doesn't open a new market. Perfect academically, but so many other better option that puts more viewers in front of the TV. That's what this is about. If the Big10 choose correctly, they will rock the world of college football. The right addition makes it the SEC and Big10's world, with everybody else just a satellite. ND now needs the Big10 more than the Big10 needs them. If you are still under the impression that ND's national contract and not sharing bowl money is gaining them something extra, you need to reevaluate your facts. The Big10 Network is a cash register, and ND gets tier-2 money for most; if not all bowl games. There have been articles written on this. The Big10 makes ND consequential and it needs to stop. Either the domers join the conference or they don't play the conference. Bill Martin is an idiot keeping us linked to that school. The first move I pray the new AD does is kill the ND contract. I love beating the domers but we are the ones doing them a favor by playing them. We could ink a home and away to replace ND with a USC/TX/OU/VT/Pitt tomorrow and cash the check. Missorri-- screwed once again by being in the Big12 and not being Nebraska. If we invited them today, they would immediately accept. Have a rivalry with IL. Opens a new market in KC and St. Louis. Land-grant research school. Perfect fit. This steal would force the Big12 to act like a real conference or watch the little relevance they have in midwest football (outside of NE) completely die. Living in Big12 North country gives one a very good impression how the North ex-Nebraska is treated like a red-headed stepchild by the conference. Rutgers - Opens a VAST new market, including the richest state in the U.S. by person. Could be PSU's natural rival. Land grant research school. Only problem is distance and understanding that college sports don't end with fball and bball. Gotta foot the bill to send the girl's field hockey team there. My order of preference is-- 1. Missouri 2. Notre Dame 3. Rutgers 4. UConn 5. Pitt
Detroitrocks
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 2:05 p.m.
It will be Rutgers. Big 10 wants that east coast presence.
michboy40
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 1:17 p.m.
I would love to get PITT in the Big Ten. They have a strong program, decent academics, and they are geographically favorable for travel reasons. ND has made it clear on several occations that they are too good for the Big Ten and don't need us, so $^@*! them. They will see the error of their ways when Brian Kelley struggles, and the NBC money goes away. Hopefully when that happens, it will be too late for them to come crawling around looking for help.
tcmaizefan
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 12:30 p.m.
I would like Pitt too, but they may like the situation they are currently in. I would also think Syracuse and Rutgers may be interested as well.
RJ11GOBLUE
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 12:11 p.m.
Cincy would not be an option because of their Academics. Pitt would be the best fit besides ND.
Blue Marker
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 12:08 p.m.
May as well be Pitt. ND will not join. How about Cincy?