Joe Paterno wants Rutgers in the Big Ten, I want Penn State in the Big East

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

In the beginning of the summer, Joe Paterno said at a press conference that he wanted another team to join the Big Ten—really the Big Eleven. This way, the Big Ten would have 12 teams and could split into two divisions and have a conference championship game at the end of the regular season.

Paterno told reporters, "I've tried to talk to the Big Ten people about, 'Let's get a 12th team -- Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt -- we could have a little bit of a playoff.'"

Then, a few weeks ago I read an article on Bleacher Report about how Rutgers is a perfect fit for the Big Ten. It made a lot of sense why they should join, and the Scarlet Knights could be a good fit in the Big Ten.

Moving to the Big Ten might provide Rutgers more opportunities to play in a better bowls, make a lot more money, and grow as a program, but Rutgers is already growing quite well.

You know what Mr. Paterno?

Instead of Rutgers leaving the Big East and having to charter a flight to every school besides Ohio State and Penn State, why not have Penn State join the Big East?

After all, Penn State technically is on the East coast. If teams like Pittsburgh and West Virginia, who are farther to the west, are in the Big East, why not Penn State?

If Penn State joined the Big East, the Big Ten's name could actually be the same as the number of teams that they have.

And let's not stop at just adding one team, why not steal JoePa's idea and expand the Big East to twelve teams?

With twelve teams, the Big East could split into two divisions and have a conference championship game.

There are many teams who can fill the other three remaining spots in the Big East.

The first one is Notre Dame.

As a perennial powerhouse in football with a rich tradition, Notre Dame makes the most sense. It already is in the Big East for every sport besides for football; why not football too?

Notre Dame is already partially affiliated with the Big East in football. They share the Big East's bowl agreements but get their own, special conditions for it.

The Sun Bowl and Gator Bowl's agreements are as follows:

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?