Off Season-Off Topic: Big Ten Expansion

Well, my friends, we find ourselves at an odd spot within the realm of fantasy football. With league champions freshly anointed, coaching changes in progression and the draft far off, it’s much too early to make predictions. Sure, I could make a conjecture or two, but let’s face it whatever I do say will either be (a) forgotten and/ or (b) amended due to the football shuffle that occurs during the coming months (and I’m not talking about anything conjured up by “Sweetness,” “Punky QB,” or “Samurai”) So what is there to talk about, well this is when I get to be a bit selfish with my choice of topics (as if I wasn’t already) and get to discuss those things especially near and dear to my heart. This week it’s the Big Ten. More specifically, the Big Ten expansion.

As many of you have already heard, there are many rumors circulating that the Big Ten is looking to expand. I, for one, whole heartedly support this move. For far too long have we Big Ten supporters suffered from shorter seasons, lack of conference Championship game excitement, and ridicule for our illogical name. But who should join? Here’s a quick glance at the current contenders.


Pitt:
Pros: Location, location, location. Evident by its name, the University of Pittsburgh is conveniently nestled in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, placing squarely within Big Ten country. Thus, travel costs incurred by the universities, and fans alike, for all sports would be on par with what they are currently expending. Now, you may not think this is a big deal, but think about it. While football programs are not usually pinching their pennies when it comes to travel, lesser funded sports such as lacrosse, soccer and field hockey, which play many more games per year, aren’t as fortunate. As a result, the closer the schools are grouped together, the better it is for the majority of college athletics. Academically, Pitt fits in nicely with the rest of the Big 10 school s as it is a major research institute. With regards to athletics, adding Pitt would make two enormous contributions: (1) boost Big Ten basketball, and (2) giving PSU back its natural rivalry. Seriously, this charade with MSU needs to stop! No one cares. That Land Grant Trophy is fugly and I never want to see it again. Lastly, adding Pitt would seriously add to my entertainment as my father and I have agreed that if PSU and Pitt were ever to play again, we would get tickets, don our respective team’s apparel, and fight in the parking lot. This needs to happen.
Cons: Although, it’s conveniently located, the urban campus setting doesn’t really go with the land grant image of the Big Ten; but then again neither does OSU. Also, there are some grumblings that adding Pitt doesn’t make financial sense. Basically, the arguments are that (1) because Pitt is located in southwest PA, the Big Ten would not gain any further television markets because the area already shows OSU and PSU games, and (2) because Pitt cannot consistently filled is 65,050 capacity stadium, while OSU, PSU and Michigan regularly fill their 100,000+ stadiums, it would actually be Pitt who would benefit from addition and the Big Ten would be better off adding Notre Dame or Mizzou.

Notre Dame:
Pros: Notre Dame is located in the heart of Big Ten country and for that significance please refer to above because I am far too lazy to retype it. Also, as much as I hate to say it, Notre Dame is a crown jewel of college football and acquiring it would not only entail bringing in a prestigious school rich in tradition and history, but also an enormous fan base who is notoriously loyal. Evidence: (1) Despite their recent mediocrity, the Fighting Irish closed out their 2009 home schedule with their 212 consecutive sellout of their 80,795 capacity stadium…..Eat your heart out Pitt, (2) who doesn’t like Notre Dame just a little bit because of Rudy.
Cons: Since Notre Dame currently has a lucrative contract with NBC and has no troubling scheduling, Notre Dame could come at a high cost to the Big Ten, if they were willing to come at all.


Mizzou:
Pros: Mizzou fits in the Big 10 as a land grant university and a major research institute and geographically it makes sense as its both close and would provide a natural way to divide the Big 10 into East and West divisions. Hypothetically, West would contain Minnesota, Mizzou, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern and Wisconsin, while East would contain Michigan State, Michigan, OSU, PSU, Indiana and Purdue. Thus preserving the rivalries of Wisky-Minnesota and OSU-Michigan. Furthermore, Mizzou seems winning to consider the idea of joining and Missouri’s Governor has even suggested creating reciprocal tuition agreements with Big 10 schools, if it would join, like the one currently in place with Kansas.
Cons: Mizzou would be like a stranger to the Big 10 and some question whether the academic level is on par with the Big Ten (I’m not saying it, I’ve just read it several places), but I’m not familiar enough with Mizzou to make that judgment.


Rutgers:
Pros: On the rise (relatively) and could expand the Big 10 market into the New York/New Jersey area.
Cons: That market is too small to make the Big 10 salivate. Also, the Big 10 should be looking for a bigger name in college football to add who is more consistent. (My feelings on adding Rutgers are illustrated by the photograph to your right)



Nebraska:
Pros: Nebraska is almost everything the Big 10 is looking for. It fits the Midwestern flavor of the Big 10, is a land grant school, and is contiguous with current Big 10 states. Also, it brings the positives of Notre Dame (rich in history and tradition, huge fan base) without the pesky uppity-ness of being “too good for a conference.” Also, like Mizzou, adding Nebraska would create the natural East-West division which still preserves rivalries.
Cons: Doesn’t quite fit in with the Big 10 academically, I’m not putting down a Nebraska education, it’s just not known as a research institute.


Other names floating around: Texas (yes, Texas), WVU, Boston College and Maryland.

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