Big 10 Expansion ... Who Should Be Considered, Who Shouldn't

With all of the speculation surrounding the expansion of the Big 10 (11) there are undoubtedly going to be a large number of hack writers putting in their two cents about what schools make the most sense for the conference to court, this is my hack attempt to sort it all out. 

Starting off, I want to dismiss any talk of a MAC team joining the Big 10.  Not because I don’t think that they have quality athletic programs, and more importantly football teams, but more so because as a Big 10 fan they aren’t sexy enough for me to want to join the conference.  The teams don’t add to the conference competitively in the way that the Big 10 needs to stay relevant, and with a couple exceptions they do not meet the academic standards that the conference tries to meet.  Sorry guys, growing up in between Bowling Green and Toledo makes me an expert on how little hype is associated with all the teams in this conference, even if it isn’t completely justified. 

NOTRE DAME

We can just get this one over with too.  Ain’t gonna happen.  As much as I would love to see the golden domers join the B10, Notre Dame doesn’t want to join.  It would be Big 10 heaven, and the amount of tradition Notre Dame brings rivals the entire conference combined.  Obviously the academia meets and exceeds the standards set by other Big 10 schools.  The basketball program while on a down year is traditionally in the mix and will have continued success.  Not to mention the boost in fan base.  I get excited every time I think about it, and then immediately depressed at the realization that it will never happen, at least not until hell freezes over.

Moving on…

BIG EAST

Pitt: 

They have football tradition, more importantly current football success, great academic standards, great basketball program, and a natural rival with Penn St.  It makes sense geographically.  The only problem is it doesn’t really add a huge new market.  The city of Pittsburg is so Pro crazy that I’m not sure that college football really ranks that high among the sports viewers.  That being said I believe that they are the most attractive realistic choice for the Big 10 to go after.

Cincinnati: 

Cincy’s football program has risen from the ashes and has proven over the last two seasons that they can play with anyone.  The problem being that the coach that brought them to life just left for the Big 10’s dream school.  Cincy also has a quality basketball program, which is a big bonus for the Big 10, but the academic standards may be a little lower than the conference is shooting for.  In the end the program is a risk, it doesn’t add a whole lot of tradition and may not be enough of a reward for the Big 10 to consider.

Rutgers, Syracuse, and the rest of the Big East:

Syracuse is a basketball school, which would be good for the conference, but we all know where the money comes from, and the B10 wants to add a football school.  Rutgers most likely won’t be considered because its football program while historic, hasn’t had continued success save the last couple of years.  This is a similar situation to Cincy, they are good now, but in five years there is no guarantee that their success will be sustained.  Rutgers’s basketball program and academics situation is the exact opposite of Cincinnati’s.  The other schools in the Big East either don’t have enough national draw to join or the football program isn’t strong enough.

Conference:

Big East is going to fight any of their top tier teams leaving tooth and nail.  If they drop a Pitt or Cincinnati it could bring about a huge shift in how they align the conference and would force them to add more teams.  After the ACC raided their proverbial cabinet they do not want to lose any more moneymakers.

BIG 12

Missouri:

The more I think about Missouri joining the more sense it makes.  They have a quality football program, both in history and current results, and even have a rival built in with Illinois.  Their athletic department seems like a Big 10 fit, and the academic standards are right on par with the other schools.  The biggest problem is pulling them away from the Big 12, and the tradition that exists in the conference.  They would be leaving some great rivalries and it could get messy.  I like this pick…. A lot.

Iowa State:

The only fans that would want Iowa State to join the Big 10 are Iowa fans and Big 12 fans.  I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am.

Texas:

No Way

Nebraska:

No Way

Conference:

I think that the Big 12 would be more lenient in letting one of their schools leave, especially a north school.  TCU would be an easy replacement and with the slightest jostle of north and south allegiances, the Big 12 would be just fine, possibly stronger.

Finally ….

Other Independents and Mid Majors (Navy, Army, Boise St, TCU, Utah)

Army & Navy:

For the same reason Notre Dame won’t join, these schools won’t join.  They don’t want to, they don’t need to, and they rely on their tradition to keep butts in the seats and viewers tuned in.

Boise St, TCU, and Utah:

Aside from the logistical problems with all of these, non of them have the tradition or fan base necessary to really be considered.  I think it would make great football, but not great sense for the rest of the conference. 

If you are reading this Jack Swarbrick, you know what I want for Festivus.  Pitt and Missouri are on the top of my realistic wish list, and they should be on the top of the Big 10’s.  It is going to come down to if the Big 10 can get these schools away from their current conferences, which will be no easy task.  If they can’t get these two schools they should keep status quo and stay the Big 10(11), continuing on with the tradition that has been a recipe for success thus far.