Big Ten Conference—Not 12, Still 11

Joe Paterno confronts the Big Ten and calls for an expansion. Adding a 12th team would give this conference a championship game and more credibility.

However, the Big Ten has already buried this conversation. With no intentions of adding another member, which would make them the second Big 12 conference if you want to get technical, and will continue to play with 11 teams.

Pitt, Rutgers, and Syracuse seemed to be labeled as the most likely to get brought over to the Big Ten. Pittsburgh would be a great choice. Adding the Panthers would rekindle the Penn State-Pitt rivalry that has not been scheduled since 2000, when Pitt won 12-0.

Yet, the Big Ten says no.

Rutgers and Syracuse each could each bring something to the Big Ten. Syracuse may not be able to bring immediate competition, but the Orange have that old-school football that the Big Ten is known for.

Yet, the Big Ten says no.

So as we sit here and bask in the "what ifs" and wonder what a Big Ten Championship game could bring to the conference, it will still remain that we could see another PSU/OSU split of the title this season. No definite conference champion, no heightened credibility with the BCS voters, and no, "Why not add Notre Dame?"

The Big Ten will still remain the Big 11 with no sign of coming the Big 12 soon.