Big Ten Realignment: 10 More Schools To Consider

With the Big Ten recently adding Nebraska as the 12th team in the conference, talks of further expansion for the Big Ten are continuing.

While it is unclear if the Big Ten will be content with 12 teams, here are some other options the Big Ten might consider if they are further expanding their conference.

Pittsburgh Panthers

— Currently a member of the Big East

Adding the Pittsburgh Panthers to the Big Ten is an obvious favorite choice.

There would be an interstate rivalry with Penn State University, which is sure to benefit the conference.

The Big Ten's basketball program could use some help right now too.

Pitt's basketball program would undoubtedly help in this area.

Football in the Big Ten is all about tradition. The Panthers could uphold this tradition with their football team, and their big stadium doesn't hurt either.

Academically, Pitt would have no problem keeping up with the high demands of the Big Ten schools.

They are also ranked number 22 in the media market, and adding them to the conference would secure a complete Pennsylvania audience.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

— Currently independent

Locking down the independent Notre Dame Fighting Irish is no easy feat. However, if the Big East implodes, chances are the Irish will be looking to the Big Ten to take them in.

As more teams realign and join these "megaconferences," Notre Dame will look for a conference to join, and it seems that the Big Ten will be their go-to guy.

The Irish would bring a lot to the Big Ten, starting with their intense football rivalries.

They already have many rivalries set with many of the teams in the conference, and joining would only intensify these match-ups.

Notre Dame is currently ranked as No. 20 in the U.S. News & World Report of the Best Colleges. They would add to the Big Ten's rich pool of academically advanced schools.

In the media market, Notre Dame is much envied for their exclusive T.V. contract with NBC.

NBC nationally carries all of the Fighting Irish's home games, which is a reason they might be nervous to join a conference.

They rank as No. 89 in the media market.

Louisville Cardinals

— Currently a member of the Big East

Louisville is a less obvious choice for the Big Ten.

Their main selling point is the fact that gaining them would also mean gaining T.V. markets in Kentucky, which would be a huge benefit for the Big Ten.

They are currently ranked as No. 48 in the T.V. market.

The Cardinals are traditionally rich in all aspects, something the Big Ten prides itself on.

However, there is the question of their academics being able to meet the rigorous standards in the conference.

While Louisville has a relatively strong basketball team, they don't have much to offer in the form of a football team.

It is likely that their football team wouldn't be able to seriously compete with most of the inter-conference teams.

Missouri Tigers

— Currently a member of the Big 12

Location is key for the Missouri Tigers joining the Big Ten.

The Tigers don't have a sound football team, which has a bowl game record of 12-15.

Last year, they lost to Navy in the Texas Bowl, which is not something to be proud of.

Missouri has more to offer in the form of their basketball program. They finished fifth in the Big 12 last year, and made it to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the second round.

However, they seem to be unfit for the Big Ten academically.

They are currently ranked No. 102 in the U.S. News & World Report, and all current Big Ten schools are ranked in the top 100. While 102 isn't a stretch from the top 100, it still breaks the claim that the Big Ten is so proud of.

Like other potential members, their media market is their biggest selling point.

They currently receive between seven—12 million dollars in television revenue, compared to Big Ten teams' revenue of 20—22 million dollars.

Kansas Jayhawks

— Currently a member of the Big 12

It's obvious that the Jayhawks' basketball program is their greatest strength.

They are a national powerhouse, and have the longest current streak of NCAA Tournament appearances at 21.

They were also the no. one seed in the 2010 tournament.

As far as football goes, Kansas wouldn't be the best option for the Big Ten.

They haven't won a conference championship since 1968.

There has been recent improvement in their football program however, as they won the BCS Orange Bowl in 2007.

Moving to the Big Ten would enable the Jayhawks to maintain their rivalry with Nebraska.

Beyond basketball, Kansas has something to offer in Track and Field.

They recently finished seventh in the 2010 NCAA Track and Field Tournament, and are looking to improve.

Kansas holds the best T.V. media market numbers in the Big 12, and are ranked at No. 31.

Kansas State Wildcats

— Currently a member of the Big 12

Similar to their rival Kansas, the Kansas State Wildcats offer a powerful basketball program to the Big Ten.

The Wildcats have 24 NCAA Tournament appearances, and were the no. two seed in 2010.

They advanced to the Elite Eight last year.

Again, football is their downfall.

They have a 6-7 bowl game record, and don't have too much to offer in sports except basketball.

They are ranked No. 139 in the media market, an unimpressive number. The main reason they would go to the Big Ten is because of their buddy Kansas.

Syracuse Orange

— Currently a member of the Big East

Pursuing Syracuse has been in the talks of the Big Ten for a while now, mostly for their media market.

With the Orange on board, the Big Ten would be able to expand into the heavily populated area of New York.

Penn State has a long-standing rivalry with Syracuse, and hardly get the chance to play them. Adding the Orange to the Big Ten would ensure a match-up every year.

They are ranked at the middle of the road in the media market at No. 80, and the chances of them actually making the switch are rare.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

— Currently a member of the Big East

In this football based expansion, Rutgers is not a team to have on your list.

The Scarlet Knights would not be able to match up to the powerhouse football teams of the Big Ten, and fans feel this would ultimately lower the fan base and decrease attendance.

However, Rutgers holds the No. one spot in the media market, a huge point to consider.

Iowa State Cyclones

— Currently a member of the Big 12

Realistically, the Iowa State Cyclones don't have much to offer to the Big Ten in terms of sports or media market.

The main reason they would join the Big Ten is to fill out the west, and because they geographically make sense.

Iowa State would have natural rivalries in the Big Ten, like the Iowa Hawkeyes.

They are also ranked number 88 academically, and would be able to withstand the academic expectations of the Big Ten.

Iowa State Cyclones

-Currently a member of the Big 12

Realistically, the Iowa State Cyclones don't have much to offer to the Big Ten in terms of sports or media market.

The main reason they would join the Big Ten is to fill out the west, and because they geographically make sense.

Iowa State would have natural rivalries in the Big Ten, like the Iowa Hawkeyes.

They are also ranked number 88 academically, and would be able to withstand the academic expectations of the Big Ten.

Iowa State Cyclones

— Currently a member of the Big 12

Realistically, the Iowa State Cyclones don't have much to offer to the Big Ten in terms of sports or media market.

The main reason they would join the Big Ten is to fill out the west, and because they geographically make sense.

Iowa State would have natural rivalries in the Big Ten, like the Iowa Hawkeyes.

They are also ranked No. 88 academically, and would be able to withstand the academic expectations of the Big Ten.

Texas A&M Aggies

— Currently a member of the Big 12

Pretty much the only reason the Aggies would ever join the Big Ten is if the Texas Longhorns joined as well.

Everyone knows the Aggies and the Longhorns are attached at the hip, and since the Big Ten has looked at Texas, a look at A&M is also necessary.

In football, their rival with the Longhorns is a necessity. However, they haven't finished in the AP Top 25 poll since 1999, and have a 13-18 bowl game record.

Their basketball program has something to offer.

The Aggies finished out the 09-10 season ranked as No. 25, and in the past have been the only Big 12 school to have both their men and women teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Their track and field team also brings something to the table: they were the 2010 Men and Women NCAA National Champions.

As far as academics is concerned, they are the seventh largest university in the nation which ultimately means a large fan base.

They would also be able to keep up with other schools in the Big Ten. They are ranked among the top 10 public universities in their number of National Merit Scholars.

Ranked at No. 95 in the media market, they are currently ahead of four other Big Ten schools.

Texas Longhorns

— Currently a member of the Big 12

Some say the Texas Longhorns and the Big Ten are a match made in heaven.

The Longhorns have great football rivalries, and joining the conference would mean no lopsided competition, and the Big Ten would have a national title contender.

In basketball, the Longhorns have been a consistent top 25 team the last 10 years, and would be able to face better competition in the Big Ten then they currently have in the Big 12.

Texas also has a powerful baseball team which could bring a much needed rejuvenation to the baseball program in the Big Ten.

Academically ranked No. 47 in the U.S. News & World Report, Texas could continue the tradition of all Big Ten schools being ranked in the top 100.

If Texas joined the Big Ten, profits for the Big Ten Network would see a definite increase.

The Longhorns currently see a T.V. revenue of 10.2 million dollars, and could see a revenue of 22 million dollars if they were to join the Big Ten.