NCAA Conference Realignment

[MSG T]

is nebraska really in the same class as most of the conference academically? and i know they're big into football but their basketball team always sucks. plus the population of the state is less than 2 million. i don't see this move as being a big deal for the conference, frankly.

 

Research wise, they're behind but not by a lot. And they have been upgrading facilities to try to draw more research funds. Once in the B10, and able to at least partially take advantage of the CIC and it's research cooperatives, they should move into lower to middle tier B10.

 

However, they are not in that area yet. Some of the other schools mentioned as B10 possibilities, Mizzou, Rutgers, Pitt, Maryland, VA, Ga Tech and the like, are much better equipped on the research side. 2-3 of those would jump into the top 3-4 of B10 schools immediately.

[Andy]

is nebraska really in the same class as most of the conference academically? and i know they're big into football but their basketball team always sucks. plus the population of the state is less than 2 million. i don't see this move as being a big deal for the conference, frankly.

It's a huge deal in that the Big Ten now has to find a way to put the number 12 in its logo.

[EhDubya]

is nebraska really in the same class as most of the conference academically? and i know they're big into football but their basketball team always sucks. plus the population of the state is less than 2 million. i don't see this move as being a big deal for the conference, frankly.

It's a huge deal in that the Big Ten now has to find a way to put the number 12 in its logo.

 

I'm telling you, after Nebraska, Notre Dame will join along with 1 other school (Missouri, Syracuse, or Rutgers) giving you 14 schools from 10 states = The Big Ten. :D

[Jon]

Joe Schad of ESPN is saying that the Big Ten likes either Rutgers or Maryland for that 14th school, not Missouri.

[UMFan83]

Joe Schad of ESPN is saying that the Big Ten likes either Rutgers or Maryland for that 14th school, not Missouri.

 

Maryland in the Big 10 just feels weird.

[SouthSideRyan]

Enough with this Rutgers [expletive]

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Enough with this Rutgers [expletive]

they have a good women's basketball team

[Banedon]

Enough with this Rutgers [expletive]

they have a good women's basketball team

 

Ok Cubbiebum.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I miss than sumbitch

[Jon]

Enough with this Rutgers [expletive]

There's really no way to tell what kind of value Rutgers adds if the Big Ten eventually adds Notre Dame. There was a Bloomberg article the other day about its impact on New York and New Jersey cable subscribers, in addition to Philadelphia. It's still possible there could be some additional value there. Probably not to the extent of Notre Dame and Missouri, though. And regardless, Big Ten Network revenue was just under 25% of the money that each athletic department took in from revenue sharing. There are other factors.

 

 

Here's how I'd currently summarize the Big Ten situation based on reports over the last 24 hours:

 

Nebraska will most likely be the first change. Their addition would bring the Big Ten up to 12, meaning they'll take either 2 or 4 more schools right now, but not 1 or 3. This would likely trigger other Big 12 schools to jump to the Pac-10, most likely resulting in the collapse of the conference. Notre Dame doesn't want to join the Big Ten, yet they know they'll be screwed in a world of super conferences. But they also don't want to be part of a large Big Ten. Their preference is to be the 12th team and have it stop there, which, of course, isn't something they actually want to happen. If the Big Ten doesn't invite a 12th team, the dominoes may never start to fall and Notre Dame stays independent. If they invite Nebraska, Notre Dame would probably be part of a pair of additional schools to bring it up to 14. Some lucky school like Missouri or Rutgers would get to go along for the ride in part because odd numbers are not divisible by 2. Notre Dame would probably make the rest of the Big Ten agree to not go beyond 14 (by the way, right now 8 of the 11 schools would have to be in favor of inviting a school). That would leave an expanded but not bloated Big Ten. And also a really rich Big Ten.

 

In my opinion, I don't see Notre Dame biting the bullet and becoming the 12th team. And I'm sure Jim Delaney and the rest of the Big Ten would prefer if things fell out as I outlined above to get to 14 instead of stopping at 12.

 

Then there's Texas and the rest of the Texas schools, who seem to be playing a different game right now.

[SouthSideRyan]

For those who hadn't seen the link earlier, the link below has been a great blog following the expansion process.

[snoodmonger]

Enough with this Rutgers [expletive]

There's really no way to tell what kind of value Rutgers adds if the Big Ten eventually adds Notre Dame. There was a Bloomberg article the other day about its impact on New York and New Jersey cable subscribers, in addition to Philadelphia. It's still possible there could be some additional value there. Probably not to the extent of Notre Dame and Missouri, though. And regardless, Big Ten Network revenue was just under 25% of the money that each athletic department took in from revenue sharing. There are other factors.

 

 

Here's how I'd currently summarize the Big Ten situation based on reports over the last 24 hours:

 

Nebraska will most likely be the first change. Their addition would bring the Big Ten up to 12, meaning they'll take either 2 or 4 more schools right now, but not 1 or 3. This would likely trigger other Big 12 schools to jump to the Pac-10, most likely resulting in the collapse of the conference. Notre Dame doesn't want to join the Big Ten, yet they know they'll be screwed in a world of super conferences. But they also don't want to be part of a large Big Ten. Their preference is to be the 12th team and have it stop there, which, of course, isn't something they actually want to happen. If the Big Ten doesn't invite a 12th team, the dominoes may never start to fall and Notre Dame stays independent. If they invite Nebraska, Notre Dame would probably be part of a pair of additional schools to bring it up to 14. Some lucky school like Missouri or Rutgers would get to go along for the ride in part because odd numbers are not divisible by 2. Notre Dame would probably make the rest of the Big Ten agree to not go beyond 14 (by the way, right now 8 of the 11 schools would have to be in favor of inviting a school). That would leave an expanded but not bloated Big Ten. And also a really rich Big Ten.

 

In my opinion, I don't see Notre Dame biting the bullet and becoming the 12th team. And I'm sure Jim Delaney and the rest of the Big Ten would prefer if things fell out as I outlined above to get to 14 instead of stopping at 12.

 

Then there's Texas and the rest of the Texas schools, who seem to be playing a different game right now.

 

that all sounds about right.

 

if missouri is left out in the cold, I could see them catching on in the SEC.

 

Other variables include--how much sway does texas really have when negotiating a migration to the pac 10?

 

Does aTm decide to go to the SEC?

 

Does CU have a Pac-10 invite or not?

 

Can the Pac-10 really stomach schools like Baylor, Tech, and Okie St?

 

How do the remaining conferences (ACC/ Big East/MW) respond?

[Jon]

The Texas Rivals site is reporting that the Nebraska board of regents have "informally agreed to leave for the Big Ten" and will make an announcement Friday.

 

There's going to be so much going on between this and the World Cup.

[SouthSideRyan]

Bear in mind, I've said all along that Texas was the biggest fish in this process(and was ripped for it) But, I think adding all these loser schools for the sake of landing Texas is a horrible idea for the Pac-10.

[Jon]

It's a tough call for the Pac-10. Academically they'll be really watered down, but what leverage will they have without expansion? They don't have a good TV situation and they've got to keep pace with the Big Ten and SEC.

 

I'm glad the Big Ten isn't in that position. They certainly wouldn't take all those schools just to grab Texas.

 

By the way, good timing on the APR scores for Colorado, who have forfeited scholarships in both football (4) and basketball (1). Their football APR was 920. My goodness that's bad.

[Guest]

Mizzou would be way down the SEC's list after all those ACC schools in their footprint, if they considered Mizzou at all.

 

The one thing I can't put my finger on is what the Big 12 does if just Nebraska leaves. Does the South still split for the Pac-10? Do they explore someone like Utah(who from a TV households standpoint might not be very different from Nebraska) for themselves?

[Jon]

Mizzou would be way down the SEC's list after all those ACC schools in their footprint, if they considered Mizzou at all.

 

The one thing I can't put my finger on is what the Big 12 does if just Nebraska leaves. Does the South still split for the Pac-10? Do they explore someone like Utah(who from a TV households standpoint might not be very different from Nebraska) for themselves?

The questions is where is the money coming from? Even if it's just the Big Ten and possibly the SEC that make some additions, they'll being going into TV negotiations (within the next year, I believe) with the real possibility of not having a viable long-term plan to remain competitive.

[SpongeWorthy]

I don't know enough about college sports to know why the academics are that important to the makeup of an athletic conference. Is it just marketing?

 

Are Stanford and Berkeley really being held back by Arizona State?

[Jon]

I don't know enough about college sports to know why the academics are that important to the makeup of an athletic conference. Is it just marketing?

 

Are Stanford and Berkeley really being held back by Arizona State?

It varies from conference to conference, but there's still far more potentional money in research than there is in academics. The relationships that each school has does affect that money. The CIC (Big Ten plus University of Chicago) is a really strong group of schools that really helps out each institution. It's also a factor in getting the best students from each state.

 

I can't speak for the Pac-10 and I don't know what their voting process is like, but I'd have to imagine that the top schools wouldn't be thrilled with the prospect of inviting schools not up to their current standards.

 

I can speak for the SEC, though, and say it isn't.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't know enough about college sports to know why the academics are that important to the makeup of an athletic conference. Is it just marketing?

 

Are Stanford and Berkeley really being held back by Arizona State?

 

At least for the Big Ten it's shared research capabilities. I believe the Pac 10 is in the same boat. I don't think the other conferences give a [expletive]. (Maybe the ACC to an extent)

 

On that note, I wonder if Texas is well aware that Stanford is going to shoot down Tech and Baylor anyway, so this way they can say hey we tried to bring them with, wasn't our fault.

[snoodmonger]

Mizzou would be way down the SEC's list after all those ACC schools in their footprint, if they considered Mizzou at all.

 

The one thing I can't put my finger on is what the Big 12 does if just Nebraska leaves. Does the South still split for the Pac-10? Do they explore someone like Utah(who from a TV households standpoint might not be very different from Nebraska) for themselves?

The questions is where is the money coming from? Even if it's just the Big Ten and possibly the SEC that make some additions, they'll being going into TV negotiations (within the next year, I believe) with the real possibility of not having a viable long-term plan to remain competitive.

 

don't know how legit the rumor is, but allegedly Fox wants to marry the pac 10 and big 12 in a giant tv deal (while keeping the leagues separate.

 

http://www.bedlamsports.net/2010/06/fox-sports-wants-to-marry-the-big-12/

[SpongeWorthy]

I don't know enough about college sports to know why the academics are that important to the makeup of an athletic conference. Is it just marketing?

 

Are Stanford and Berkeley really being held back by Arizona State?

It varies from conference to conference, but there's still far more potentional money in research than there is in academics. The relationships that each school has does affect that money. The CIC (Big Ten plus University of Chicago) is a really strong group of schools that really helps out each institution. It's also a factor in getting the best students from each state.

 

I can't speak for the Pac-10 and I don't know what their voting process is like, but I'd have to imagine that the top schools wouldn't be thrilled with the prospect of inviting schools not up to their current standards.

 

I can speak for the SEC, though, and say it isn't.

 

I don't see why one affects the other though. I suppose if the Big 10 is obligated to let more schools into the CIC it could water down the brand. Are research dollars going to be with held for that reason though?

[Jon]

don't know how legit the rumor is, but allegedly Fox wants to marry the pac 10 and big 12 in a giant tv deal (while keeping the leagues separate.

 

http://www.bedlamsports.net/2010/06/fox-sports-wants-to-marry-the-big-12/

I can't see Nebraska hanging around for that deal to happen, though, regardless of the word that they'll announce a jump on Friday. And according that rumor, if there's no Nebraska, there's no deal.

 

Understandable on Fox's part. Their national presence during the season leaves a lot to be desired aside from their stake in the Big Ten Network.

[Jon]

I don't see why one affects the other though. I suppose if the Big 10 is obligated to let more schools into the CIC it could water down the brand. Are research dollars going to be with held for that reason though?

I can't say I have my head fully around the academic implications since few journalists or bloggers have really done any in-depth writing on it. But that's because it is rather complex and not many people with sports backgrounds have enough knowledge of how these academic groups operate to form a suitable starting point.

 

Here are just two factors:

 

There are other benefits besides money. Conference members, plus founding Big Ten member the University of Chicago, compose the prestigious Council on Institutional Cooperation, a consortium of research universities that pools resources to enhance academic collaboration.

 

One Big Ten administrator estimated the CIC saves schools millions annually because of the group's purchasing power and sharing ability.

 

All 11 members belong to the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only organization of the nation's top 63 research institutions that offers funding for research projects and promotes policy initiatives for national and international issues. Pitt is also a member.

Not many sports journalists are going to know what "promotes policy initiatives for national and international issues" means in terms of dollar value.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yeah, Mizzou is totally going to get left in the dust once this comes to a conclusion. At least we can team up with KU, KSU and ISU to form the Piece of [expletive] Conference