Big 10 Expansion Thread -Big Ten ready for a playoff .. finally?

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

One thing to also consider is the conferences could try and put games on their respective networks to force cable companies hands into putting them on cable. If the Big Ten Network can get traction in California for instance, well why even bother expanding anymore?

My first thought was that it was a push to get Big Ten Network on basic cable in Pac 12 country and vice verse for the Pac 12. I'd expect there will be one big matchup on national TV and then the next best games are going to be on either BTN or Pac 12 Network.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

ESPN_BigTen Rittenberg/Bennett
Big piece of story: Big Ten will re-evaluate whether to go with nine conference games beginning in 2017. Could be tough now.

If they go to 9 it would probably lead to few Big Ten teams playing other big conferences because they would likely be unwilling to give up a home game for the two games they can schedule. I'd be curious to see if Iowa would want to continue to play Iowa State every year or anyone would want to play Notre Dame regularly.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

@PeteThamelNYT Also interesting: Pac-12 and Big Ten are open to discussion about creating a bowl game to play on their networks.

The NCAA would have to lift their moratorium on approving additional bowl games first. Considering one of their biggest concerns is that new standards will mean years when there aren't enough eligible teams to fill all the contractual slots, approval of a new bowl doesn't seem like something they'll be in a hurry to do until some of the existing ones die off.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

The NCAA would have to lift their moratorium on approving additional bowl games first. Considering one of their biggest concerns is that new standards will mean years when there aren't enough eligible teams to fill all the contractual slots, approval of a new bowl doesn't seem like something they'll be in a hurry to do until some of the existing ones die off.

Take Bowl #1 where a Pac-12 team goes and Bowl #2 where a Big Ten team goes. Wait for their contracts to run out and then use either of the bowls for a Pac-12/Big Ten game.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by mckerney

My first thought was that it was a push to get Big Ten Network on basic cable in Pac 12 country and vice verse for the Pac 12. I'd expect there will be one big matchup on national TV and then the next best games are going to be on either BTN or Pac 12 Network.

This is what it seems like to me, too: something to make both networks carried in other parts of the country.

SI

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by mckerney

If they go to 9 it would probably lead to few Big Ten teams playing other big conferences because they would likely be unwilling to give up a home game for the two games they can schedule. I'd be curious to see if Iowa would want to continue to play Iowa State every year or anyone would want to play Notre Dame regularly.

I believe Iowa has specifically come out and said there will be no 9 game conference schedule and they will continue playing ISU.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Matthean

Take Bowl #1 where a Pac-12 team goes and Bowl #2 where a Big Ten team goes. Wait for their contracts to run out and then use either of the bowls for a Pac-12/Big Ten game.

Except that the o.p. said "creating a bowl game", not "working out a new TV deal & conference agreement with an existing bowl game"

[tarcone]

B1G and PAC 12 positioning themselves as Kings of College. They will have a schedule for football by 2017 where one B1G faces a PAC12. Every school will partcipate. They will set up more games between member schools in Womens and Olympic sports.
Both Commisioners see this as a better option then expanding. In 10 years you may see you 1st "super conference".

[Matthean]

If I'm the SEC, I'm looking for a dance partner and the likely choice would be the Big 12. Any other partnership doesn't really compare.

[Ksyrup]

Can they do that now, at least not without a few years passing due to hard feelings? And the Big 12 picking up a couple more teams? They could have done this with Mizzou and aTm staying, picking up WVU and someone else, and having 2 12-team conferences to pair up. Kudos to the Big 10 and Pac 12 for coming up with a reasonable solution/alternative to expansion.

[Matthean]

Actually, the number of teams does make it an issue. I would still think if this pans out for the Pac 12/Big Ten, other conferences would do something similar.

[Swaggs]

I tend to think that the SEC would rather have their home games, against cupcakes, rather than forming a partnership like this. Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and most of the rest are going to sell out their home games regardless, so I have a tough time thinking that they'd trade a home game for a potential road game against non-Texas (and probably Oklahoma) Big 12 teams or non-Florida or rival games against ACC teams.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I tend to think that the SEC would rather have their home games, against cupcakes, rather than forming a partnership like this. Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and most of the rest are going to sell out their home games regardless, so I have a tough time thinking that they'd trade a home game for a potential road game against non-Texas (and probably Oklahoma) Big 12 teams or non-Florida or rival games against ACC teams.

Why risk a game against Oklahoma State or Texas Tech when you can play Kent State, North Texas, and Georgia Southern (and, yes, Penn State) and still get to the BCS Championship game?

SI

[Swaggs]

Some smoke coming out that the Big 12 is going to add Louisville and take one last swing at BYU to form a 12 team conference and that Texas' AD has come around in recent weeks.

[Ksyrup]

I sure hope WVU is able to wrap up the Big East stuff, because both WVU and FSU want out of next year's game but can't break it because the Big East wants it. They both want out because there's no reason to add another difficult OOC game to the schedule, plus the return game in 2013 would leave FSU with only 6 homes games, which doesn't work monetarily.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I sure hope WVU is able to wrap up the Big East stuff, because both WVU and FSU want out of next year's game but can't break it because the Big East wants it. They both want out because there's no reason to add another difficult OOC game to the schedule, plus the return game in 2013 would leave FSU with only 6 homes games, which doesn't work monetarily.

From everything I have heard, WVU will end up paying a $250K buyout and next season's will be gone (not sure if that constitutes an end to the two game series or if FSU will have to do likewise or if they will just agree to dump both).

[Ksyrup]

I've heard it entirely depends on whether they get out of the Big East. Those games were scheduled as part of the settlement of the VT/UM/BC defections, and the Big East still wants them for the TV draw.

I hope your info means it's just a matter of when, not if, the Big East lawsuits are resolved.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I've heard it entirely depends on whether they get out of the Big East. Those games were scheduled as part of the settlement of the VT/UM/BC defections, and the Big East still wants them for the TV draw.

I hope your info means it's just a matter of when, not if, the Big East lawsuits are resolved.

FWIW, Greg Swaim said he was told by some ESPN and Fox execs at the Fiesta Bowl that things should be wrapped up by March and that WVU will be in the Big 12 next season. I still haven't seen a knowledgeable person close to WVU that expects to be in the Big East next year. I haven't even seen it mentioned as a possibility.

[Ksyrup]

I'd probably trust TV people to be more in the know than school sources.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Atocep

FWIW, Greg Swaim said he was told by some ESPN and Fox execs at the Fiesta Bowl that things should be wrapped up by March and that WVU will be in the Big 12 next season. I still haven't seen a knowledgeable person close to WVU that expects to be in the Big East next year. I haven't even seen it mentioned as a possibility.

Yup.

I don't claim to understand all of the legal wrangling going on, but it seems unlikely that there will be an injunction (and if it is, it will be after schedules come out). So, short of the Rhode Island judge somehow sending out state troopers to stop the team from playing their Big 12 scheduled games, I don't see how they can stop WVU from leaving.

Now, what WVU will have to pay in compensation is another story altogether. Hopefully, our AD and lawyers know what they are doing.

[General Mike]

If there is an injunction and you play games, the damages against WVU and the Big 12 are going to be sky high. If you want to get $5 million more short term to lose 30 million long term, fine.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by General Mike

If there is an injunction and you play games, the damages against WVU and the Big 12 are going to be sky high. If you want to get $5 million more short term to lose 30 million long term, fine.

They could be sky high or they could be much less than WVU is currently offering. Any trial ruling has that type of volatility as a possibility, which is why neither side is likely to let it get to that point.

WVU has made considerable counter claims (some silly and some quite substantial) against the Big East, as well.

I'm not crazy about our exit strategy, but if WVU playing in the Big 12 in 2012 was one of the big reasons why we were invited over other programs, I'm fine with it (particularly when it appears that the current BCS model will be gone within the next year or two and the Big East leftovers will no longer have access to top tier bowls).

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I'd probably trust TV people to be more in the know than school sources.

The TV people are probably the most in the know people in this whole thing. That's why I'm trusting what people around the school are saying since it matches up with what Swaim said the execs were telling him.

[cartman]

Oops...............

Error reveals athletic department spent millions less on football than reported | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by cartman

Oops...............

Error reveals athletic department spent millions less on football than reported | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

Is there an ongoing record attempt on FOFC for number of times the same article is posted on the board?

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Is there an ongoing record attempt on FOFC for number of times the same article is posted on the board?

I dunno - what are you selling today, Baghdad Bob?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

I dunno - what are you selling today, Baghdad Bob?

Just amused that a fan of the king of spending is pointing out that his team lost to a school that was spending even less than we originally thought and is posting it after it's already been posted twice on this board.

That's about it for today, Chip.

[miked]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I sure hope WVU is able to wrap up the Big East stuff, because both WVU and FSU want out of next year's game but can't break it because the Big East wants it. They both want out because there's no reason to add another difficult OOC game to the schedule, plus the return game in 2013 would leave FSU with only 6 homes games, which doesn't work monetarily.

Right, with WVU playing Marshall and James Madison, I guess they don't want a real OOC opponent. FSU's is tough with WVU, USF, and UF. Though USF isn't that great and UF doesn't appear to be all that much currently.

Maybe RU should schedule a better OOC opponent instead of Kent State, Howard, Army, and Tulane.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by miked

Right, with WVU playing Marshall and James Madison, I guess they don't want a real OOC opponent. FSU's is tough with WVU, USF, and UF. Though USF isn't that great and UF doesn't appear to be all that much currently.

Maybe RU should schedule a better OOC opponent instead of Kent State, Howard, Army, and Tulane.

WVU doesn't have a choice. A game has to be bought out or there's going to be 13 on the schedule. The James Madison game is at Fed Ex field so there's no getting out of it. The Marshall game is played by state mandate (WVU doesn't want to play the series) and is a much needed home game on next year's schedule. There is a buyout in the contract for it, but WVU will need the home game and it would create a political mess if there was an attempt to buy the game out.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Just amused that a fan of the king of spending is pointing out that his team lost to a school that was spending even less than we originally thought and is posting it after it's already been posted twice on this board.

That's about it for today, Chip.

Your reading comprehension sucks.

[Swaggs]

Big East invites Princeton football - The Daily Princetonian

[Chubby]

i'll laugh when Swaggs admits to not reading the end of the article

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

SEC encouraging both St. Louis and KC to bid on SEC basketball tourney. Will be interesting to see how this all falls out. KC is tied to the Big 12-2-2+2 until 2014. With the conference being on relatively shaky ground past that point, does KC look to bid on the SEC Conference tournament to fill that void or do they allow St. Louis to land that tournament? Does the Big 12 offer future years of tournaments right away to avoid the SEC coming in to what has been the most lucrative location of the Big 12 tournament spots?

SEC official visits MU, encourages St. Louis bid for tourneys

[bronconick]

Having Kansas City bid on an SEC tournament is like having Boston try to get the current ACC tourney or Philly to get the Big Ten. That will last one year, tops.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Having Kansas City bid on an SEC tournament is like having Boston try to get the current ACC tourney or Philly to get the Big Ten. That will last one year, tops.

I'm assuming you read the article, but if not, you'll note that they plan to keep it on a rotating basis. So it would be a situation where it rotates through every 3-4 years if they got it. I think St. Louis is the much better option out of the two. Located within driving distance of several SEC schools and they wouldn't have to fight for a schedule slot like they might in KC with the Big 12. It's a good flight hub as well with lots of easy connections from SEC-land.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by miked

Right, with WVU playing Marshall and James Madison, I guess they don't want a real OOC opponent. FSU's is tough with WVU, USF, and UF. Though USF isn't that great and UF doesn't appear to be all that much currently.

Maybe RU should schedule a better OOC opponent instead of Kent State, Howard, Army, and Tulane.

I really have no idea about WVU. I just know FSU's schedule. I wasn't vouching for WVU's tough schedule or anything. Pick your fight with them.

All I know is that Jimbo is at odds with the former administration about the need to schedule tough OOC schools. We already have UF built in, so take 3 cupcakes and don't hurt yourself unnecessarily. The USF contract is a joke - there is no positive to it for FSU, all it can do is strengthen USF as a legit Florida football program (as it did when they beat FSU in Tally under Bowden 3 years ago). I think to the extent possible, FSU is trying to extract itself from these types of contracts in the future. As a football fan, I don't like it, but as a fan of the team, I understand it.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I really have no idea about WVU. I just know FSU's schedule. I wasn't vouching for WVU's tough schedule or anything. Pick your fight with them.

All I know is that Jimbo is at odds with the former administration about the need to schedule tough OOC schools. We already have UF built in, so take 3 cupcakes and don't hurt yourself unnecessarily. The USF contract is a joke - there is no positive to it for FSU, all it can do is strengthen USF as a legit Florida football program (as it did when they beat FSU in Tally under Bowden 3 years ago). I think to the extent possible, FSU is trying to extract itself from these types of contracts in the future. As a football fan, I don't like it, but as a fan of the team, I understand it.

They need to bring the strength of schedule back openly to the BCS. They'll still be lots of crap games because teams like playing at home for millions in gate revenue, but at least that would be a counterweight to make it somewhat worthwhile for FSU-Oklahoma type games.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by bronconick

They need to bring the strength of schedule back openly to the BCS. They'll still be lots of crap games because teams like playing at home for millions in gate revenue, but at least that would be a counterweight to make it somewhat worthwhile for FSU-Oklahoma type games.

And balance home vs away, this "play 8 of 12 games at home" has to go.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

And balance home vs away, this "play 8 of 12 games at home" has to go.

As a college football fan of one of the BCS teams I could not disagree more. I enjoy attending 7-8 home games a year and could care less that it might make the debate easier in some people's minds (though it really wouldn't) on who the national champion is. I am one of those "weird" fans I guess that actually enjoys watching my team play and don't think the only objective is a national title.

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by panerd

As a college football fan of one of the BCS teams I could not disagree more. I enjoy attending 7-8 home games a year and could care less that it might make the debate easier in some people's minds (though it really wouldn't) on who the national champion is. I am one of those "weird" fans I guess that actually enjoys watching my team play and don't think the only objective is a national title.

I agree with this. There are only a handful of teams that have a legit chance at a national title in any given season. So balancing a schedule would not be a benefit to those BCS schools that wont be in the national title hunt.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

And balance home vs away, this "play 8 of 12 games at home" has to go.

Meh. Not a requirement to me.

There's no carrot in the current setup for playing difficult non-conference games unless they're rivalries. Voters look at nothing but record and name, computers don't put enough emphasis on SoS to balance it out. That's all I'd like to fix. Schools that don't care about the rankings can schedule all home non-conference games for all I care.

[Ksyrup]

Not sure what if anything has happened to prompt this, but...

Smart Football @smartfootball 1h
Seems like West Virginia will play in B12 next year but pay damages to Big East. I'd really want to minimize BE damages; ie 12gm season?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Not sure what if anything has happened to prompt this, but...

Smart Football @smartfootball 1h
Seems like West Virginia will play in B12 next year but pay damages to Big East. I'd really want to minimize BE damages; ie 12gm season?

There's a rumor that started yesterday that's picking up steam that WVU and the Big East reached an agreement in principle on a buyout.

FWIW, some are saying there's a few legal hurdles left to clear, but the pace is picking up.

I've also heard WVU/FSU buyout should be official soon.

[CU Tiger]

Jimbo wants as easy a schedule as possible, the seat is a tad warm.
Though he should be fine. Really follow the parallels between FSU and Clemsonin the coaching change.

Clemson
Year 1 of Dabo Division Champ lose CCG
Year 2 major disappointment
Year 3 Conference Champ

FSU
Year 1 of Jimbo Division Champ and loce CCG
year 2 Major Disappointment
Year 3 ???

[Ksyrup]

He'd want a softer schedule regardless. When he was hired, one of the things I read from multiple sources was that he wanted to get away from Bowden's "take on anyone" motto because it was unnecessary under the current system and with where FSU is now. The USF thing was beyond ridiculous. I have no idea what prompted them to give USF an argument for legitimacy among the big Florida teams. Let them earn it on their own; don't give them a free shot at you when there's absolutely no upside in it for you at all.

[Swaggs]

Joe Schad tweeted that Navy will soon announce that they are joining the Big East for the 2015 season.

I assume that, as an independent, they have a number of scheduling commitments that they cannot or do not want to break.

Part of me is kind of bummed that the Big East waited so long to make the move to 12. I'm happy that we landed in a better place in the Big 12, but if Pitt and Syracuse (and the other current members) were not leaving, I would probably rather have stuck in the Big East with Navy, Houston, UCF, and TCU.

[Young Drachma]

Navy Midshipmen to join Big East for football in 2015, source says - ESPN

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

It's a good flight hub as well with lots of easy connections from SEC-land.

Umm, there aren't easy flight connections to anywhere for a lot of SEC-land teams

(Hey, I live in the area, I can take shots like that if I want too)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Umm, there aren't easy flight connections to anywhere for a lot of SEC-land teams

(Hey, I live in the area, I can take shots like that if I want too)

Well, perhaps I should have stated it a bit differently. The connections to St. Louis from any area are generally better than KC. They just have more connections going through that airport.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Well, perhaps I should have stated it a bit differently. The connections to St. Louis from any area are generally better than KC. They just have more connections going through that airport.

Okay, that makes more sense.

I just kept thinking about some of the horror stories that have been told about trips to Ole Miss (the actual travel part) and was like ???