Posted on Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
Big Ten expansion's next move might be toward Big Apple
By AnnArbor.com Staff
No doubt, the focus of Jim Delany's press conference next week will likely revolve around the addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten Conference. Perhaps the focus should be somewhere else, writes Lenny Robbins of the New York Post.
Big Ten expansion might not be finished, and the focus of Delany's next conquest might be the Big Apple.
"I consider the East Coast to be as important to us as the West Coast is, even though the West Coast has got the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten-Pac 10 relationship," Delany told The Post. "And it's so because of the recruitment of students, the recruitment of athletes, the size and scope of the markets. I hope it becomes more important."
Comments
Sean T.
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 : 12:24 p.m.
Wasn't Schiano looked at to be the next UofM coach after LC? Rutgers has been tough for about 5 years now and they are ranked every year at some point. Syracuse has some great tradition at RB/QB but that's about it and they haven't been relevant for a decade.
wvtroll
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
I'd really like to see you guys pick up West Virginia.
Saline Bob
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 : 11:44 a.m.
Rutgers would be an excellent choice. The academics are there. Their athletes just finished #1 in the country--even ahead of Stanford. The location is perfect--it's the New York City market. It would both help and expand recruiting. Going to NYC would be cool--as an athletic or spectator you can do much more than just attend a game--take a little side trip to the Big Apple. The football program has improved dramatically from past years and they are upgrading their athletic facilities. Women's basketball is outstanding. What's not to like other than it would create a Big 13 Conference? Rutgers is not respected in their own state? Based on what information? Princeton has a larger following? Michigan is the champion of what West? West Washtenaw County?
Sean T.
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.
Jaxon, You're right about that comment. Rutgers is probably better that our 3 bottom teams.
Jaxon5
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 9:01 p.m.
Somewhat..."Please, not Rutgers". Rutgers is better than Michigan right now. And also better than Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, and Minnesota too. That would put them 8th in the Big 10 (13).
RobbiesBoyfriend
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 5:44 p.m.
How about calling the conference "The big House" conference, that way everyone knows its all about Michigan. Maybe we can call the championship game the "Rodrigues Bowl", because im sure hell be there every year, and if he gets there he surely will win.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 4:41 p.m.
I tried to mirror the selection criteria Delany and others have mentioned, and put together a list of schools the Big Ten might consider. I do agree with jameslucas that going beyond 12 is a stretch right now. Delany and the conference presidents would prefer to let another conference attempt the risky experiment with 14 or 16. The Big Ten is in a very strong position and can afford to react rather than lead. * - violates a stated guideline that conference teams are in contiguous states. ** - violates that guideline, but would not if partnered with another school on the list (Maryland and Virginia being the only example, Kansas would without Nebraska). 1. Texas * 2. Notre Dame 3. Georgia Tech * 4. Nebraska (accepted) 5. Texas A&M * 6. Pittsburgh 7. North Carolina * 8. Maryland 9. Virginia ** 10. Missouri 11. Rutgers 12. Kansas 13. Duke * 14. Syracuse Under the circumstances, I think the conference did very well to get Nebraska. I see why the ACC is rumored to be the next big mover - it stands to lose the most if the Big Ten strikes again.
jameslucas
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
How about changing back to the original name of the conference, The Western Conference. The Champions of the west has a nice ring to it.
jameslucas
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 3:19 p.m.
How about changing back to the original name of the conference, The Western Conference. The Champions of the west has a nice ring to it.
flyerpride01
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
I love this expansion for what it brings to the table for big ten football. No longer will the big ten champions have to sit out an watch while every other confrence plays chapionship games. No longer will the big ten be idle for several weeks before the bowl season begins. An its also another opportunity for the big ten to present itself as one of the top 3 power conferences..In basketball I think it will make the big ten tourney that much more interesting as well..great job big ten quick question though..Shouldnt the big 12 and big 10 switch conference names after this year? seeing the big 12 has 10 an the big 10 has 12?
Somewhat Concerned
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.
Please, not Rutgers. It's not respected even in New Jersey.
jameslucas
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 : 2:11 p.m.
By NCAA rules, The Big Ten needed a 12th team to have a play off game. The conference cuts the TV money pie equally. Now with Nebraska they cut the pie into 12 slices instead of 11. But with added chapionship game TV money, the pie is larger so the slices stay the same size. Any added teams would just force the pie to be cut into smaller slices, without making the pie any larger. That is why Jim Delany is not looking for any more teams to join the conference.