Everyone just assumes whoever the Big Ten invites to join the cash-rich conference will just jump. But that may not be accurate.Notre Dame is still a longshot and probably out of reach. It was also a stretch to consider Texas and the Longhorns are in a pretty strong position and will more than likely remain put (or maybe consider a jump to the SEC one day).
So of course the most likely choices are Nebraska and Missouri from the Big 12 or Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers from the Big East. Look, Rutgers jumps right now. Missouri probably does the same. But is Rutgers or Missouri really the splash Jim Delany is looking for by moving the Big Ten to 12 teams?
Nebraska is better and possible. But Syracuse and Pitt aren't necessarily guaranteed to bolt the Big East for the bigger dollars of the Big Ten.
After recently speaking with a Syracuse source, he said Orange coach Doug Marrone does not support a move and would consider it a big mistake. And a recent article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review makes some valid points as to why Pitt should stay put as well. One key reason is the increasing intensity of the Backyard Brawl.
Now is the time for the Big East to seek new members. What are you waiting for Commissioner Marinatto?
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3 comments:
To me the biggest question is why does the Big 11 want to expand? Just to get to the 12th team for a football championship? If that's the case, Missouri is the answer. If they want to build a bigger and better conference, the best choice would be to expand by three and add Missouri, West Virginia and Pitt. Then you have natural matchups for Penn State and for the existing teams on the eastern edge of the Big 11 and with Missouri, you show concern for the remainder of the conference.
However, the column by Kevin Gorman in the Trib is correct. The Big East needs to move and needs to add teams -- but the reason the Big East conference commisioner is doing nothing is because he is from Providence.
Addtionally, how can a conference with 16 basketball playing teams recruit more without telling the original basketball powerhouse programs to hit the road (i.e. St. Johns, PROVIDENCE, Seton Hall, Georgetown(?), Villanova)?
Additionally, who are they going to bring in? Convince ND to play football? Doubtful, they are already basically in the conference with their bowl tie-in, the Irish just doesn't have to play a Big East schedule. Boston College? Maybe, but doubtful they would jump back. Penn State? Although, Penn State fans wouldn't admit it, this would be the best thing for them. They would dominate the football conference (against the same programs JoePa built his reputation on in the 70's and 80's), get BCS bids, be oonstantly ranked in the top 10 without having to go through the small drought they had last decade and they would be in a better basketball conference.
In the end, when the Big 11 becomes the Big 12 but remains the Big 10, it will be with Missouri.
Jmar
I can see one way in which the Big Ten can legitimately keep its name: have the "Ten" refer not to the number of schools but the number of States. Right now we're at 8 (East to West): Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. Adding Rutgers (New Jersey) and West Virginia would firm us up in the East and bring in the big revenue markets of New York and New Jersey. Syracuse could be an option if we wanted an in-state NY school. If we want to shore up things in the West, we could go for Missouri and Texas. With the State model, we would be free to add additional schools in any of the member states (though I would go no higher than 16). Under this model, Notre Dame could be added as some time as well as Iowa State, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati or other comparable school. Now I grant, the power spread of these schools across sports is broader than what's found in the Big Ten now, but they are all Division I. Just a thought.
Jmar is correct about the BE commish being from Providence and that does create a conflict of interest. Booting Providence makes sense. Bringing back Boston College and adding Penn State are also legitimate. I could see BC coming back, but there's no way PSU leaves the B10.
E.J. also makes a good point about the 10 states. I have heard that one a few times and there's a good chance that will happen. However, adding WVU, Cincinnati or Texas A&M won't happen. Right now, the B10 is putting pressure on Notre Dame by basically saying this is the last time we'll come calling. If you turn us down now you'll have to settle on the Big East or ACC in the future.
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