College sports

[cactuswatcher]

Word out of the Big 10 is that they want to try to expand the conference again. The commissioner has asked for recommendations for the Council of Presidents and Chancellors to consider over the next 12 to 18 months. Already topics of speculation are Syracuse (Penn State's favorite), Iowa State and Missouri. Until recently I'd say Missouri would never leave the Big 12, but getting the shaft three years in a row at bowl time has definitely changed some minds at least in St. Louis. For me it would be tough giving up the KU rivalry, but, hey, we've been murdering Illinois lately. ;o) I can't see Syracuse being brought in for anything except their basketball program. As much as Penn State wants them I don't think they fit with the other schools very well. Their football program is 'stuck' with a covered stadium that is very nice, but not expandable and very small by Big 10 standards. Iowa State might be willing to accept a big enough bribe, but I don't think they even offer as much as Syracuse other than shorter travel distances for the western teams. Naturally Notre Dame is the perfect fit, but I'm convinced ND still thinks they don't need to share with anybody. I don't wish the new coach bad luck, but a 2 - 10 season next year might change NBCs thinking and Notre Dame's as well. Right now, I don't think the Big 10 will get a 12th team this time around, either.

Who would the Big 12 invite should Iowa State or Missouri leave? Colorado State would work, or maybe the Texas teams would swallow their pride and ask TCU to come back to the party they were booted out of in 1996. In terms of bad feelings, Colorado State would leave a bigger hole in the Mountain West than TCU.

Comments

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised that, with that list, Pittsburgh is absent. In many ways, Pitt is as good a fit for the Big 10 as Syracuse is. Of course, I don't like the idea. Heck, I still think Penn State should have joined the Big East instead...

As to the Big XII, on the one hand, they'd probably want to replace Iowa State/Mizzou with Colorado State, because it's a northern team. On the other hand, TCU and Houston would probably be more attractive - giving them bigger hooks in the Dallas or Houston media markets.

I still don't really like these 12 team super conferences. Let's hope nothing comes of it.

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

Pitt would be a better choice than any of the other three.

Despite the fact Penn State was the biggest promoter of the Big East idea it could never come together as long as Joe Paterno was going to be in it and largely have it run his way. Paterno wants Syracuse and not Pitt. If Paterno were out of the way, who knows.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

That's interesting. I always wondered why Penn State went to the Big 10 when it made so much more sense for them to be in a conference with West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Rutgers and Temple.

Damn that JoePa.