Big Ten Realignment: Is Joe Paterno Changing the Face of College Football?

Is one man capable of transforming college football as we know it?

If such a man exists, it is Joe Paterno.

Arguably one of the most influential figures in college football history—and certainly the most influential in Penn State football history—Joe Paterno has the power to move mountains.

If he says that he wants 12 teams in the Big Ten, you can be sure he will use his legendary status to make sure that it happens.

As we are all witnesses to the expansion of the Big Ten, I think a large part of it is due to the persuasive words of Joe Paterno.

He looks out for Penn State and the Big Ten as a whole, and has said that expansion is coming.

I don't think it is just coincidence that Joe Pa's words for the need for Big Ten expansion have become a reality.

Including Paterno's reasoning, there are numerous advantages for Big Ten expansion,  such as evening out college football competition, creating a playoff-type atmosphere, adding more television exposure for the Big Ten, and trying to get rid of the long break the Big Ten has between the end of their season and the bowl games.

All are very valid points that are mostly favorable for the Big Ten and would give the conference as much popularity as say, the SEC and the Big 12.

As Nebraska plans of joining the Big Ten in 2011, you have to wonder if Joe Paterno is trying to make the Big Ten into the most popular and dominant conference in college football.

I think the answer to that is yes. And I think proof of this statement is in Nebraska transferring from the Big 12 to Big Ten.

By picking and choosing teams from the other power conferences (such as the Big 12), the Big Ten can slowly transform into the most dominant conference in football.

Who knows what conference and what teams could be next.

Providing the Big Ten with more competition besides the usual two or three teams that dominate the conference will provide more television exposure for the conference and shorten the aforementioned break between the end of the regular season and bowl season. Moreover, the Big Ten would have just as much exposure as the other conferences who are actually competing during that time.

Television exposure brings an increase in recruits, and also brings a promise of financial success. Television ratings are essential for sports today, and this is an important aspect for the Big Ten expansion.

Not only would this bring Big Ten exposure, it would also create four power conferences in college football that would lay the foundation for a playoff system to replace the BCS system: another one of Joe Paterno's suggestions.

Will these radical changes in conference layout lead to a playoff system as the next major transformation for college football?

If Joe Paterno dreams it, it will happen. And soon.

With so many possibilities for the future of college football, Joe Paterno will make sure that he is around to see it through the way that he feels is best.  

The man, the myth, the legend that is Joe Paterno will continue to revolutionize college football as long as there is breath in his lung. 

In the words of Bob Dylan, "For the times, they are a changing."