Big Ten: Exploring Expansion To a 12th Team

In light of the latest reports coming from the Associated Press, the Big Ten has reportedly been considering the notion of a 12th team . The report goes on to state that with a 12th team, the Big Ten can finally gain prestige, respect and most of all, a lucrative conference championship.

With 11 teams currently in the conference (despite the name of the conference referring to 10), the conference has the debacle of stats and standings defining conference champions and no money-making championship game to compete with the likes of the SEC or Big 12.

Well, it's safe to say that there are plenty of options available to schools. Those that want out of conferences that are too weak, too strong, or simply not respected. Many have respectable basketball operations but fail miserably when it comes to football and vice versa.

Here's a look at the possible schools that might consider joining the Big Ten based on: Location, Basketball Factor, Football Factor, Academics (since the Big Ten is anal about that) and Interest...(Sorry baseball fans, but baseball will not be the driving factor in a school joining the Big Ten. It may factor in, but won't be the deciding one.)

Notre Dame
Location: A —Perfect locale
Basketball:  C —Currently playing in the Big East
Football: A —Currently playing as an independent
Academics: Acceptable
Interest: F —No interest whatsoever.

Bottom Line: With no interest in joining the Big Ten ultimately leads to this venture going nowhere in a hurry. Not happening.

Pittsburgh
Location: C+ —With Penn State a part of the Big Ten, Pitt isn't too big a stretch
Basketball:  A —Currently playing in the Big East, Resurgent Program, Great Conference
Football:  B —Currently playing in the Big East, Great Tradition, Mediocre Conference
Academics: Acceptable
Interest:  ?

Bottom Line: Ideal for Big Ten, but it comes down to whether Pitt would want to leave the Big East...for basketball, no. For football, maybe.

Boise State
Location: C-— Kinda a long drive...
Basketball:  D —Currently playing in the Western Athletic Conference
Football: A —Currently playing in the Western Athletic Conference
Academics: Acceptable
Interest:  ?

Bottom Line: BSU needs to get their starved football program out of the WAC; WAC probably wants them out. Problem is the basketball program and the distance make this one a testy one for the Big Ten to consider.

Cincinnati
Location: A —Smack dab in the middle of perfection
Basketball:  C —Currently playing in the Big East, Currently No. 25 in the nation
Football: A —Currently playing in the Big East, Conference champs
Academics: Acceptable
Interest:  ?

Bottom Line: Cincy has the perfect location and top-notch programs...one problem...they probably want to keep kicking the crap out of the rest of the Big East then come meet some unwanted surprises in the Big Ten.

Missouri
Location:  B —A bit south, but not too far.
Basketball:  C —Currently playing in the Big 12, Currently 6-3... a Big 12 bottom-feeder
Football:  B —Currently playing in the Big 12, Big prestigious program, big conference
Academics: Acceptable
Interest: D —Leaving rival Kansas out of the mix might not go so well for Jayhawks.

Bottom Line: Although everything would seem to line up despite semi-decent programs, it's the lack of tradition (and money to be made) against Big Ten opponents (and leaving the likes of their Big 12 foes including Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas) that will keep them from going through with this.

Who do you think the Big Ten should consider?