big 10 expansion & conf. championship game would not only be good for our gophers...

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

big 10 expansion & conf. championship game would not only be good for our gophers...

first and foremost it would be a benefit to the exposure of the gophers football program (and i am guessing to wisconsin and iowa as well) by breaking up the yearly cabal of michigan-osu and to a lesser extent penn state being the total focus of the conference office big-wigs. it finally forces to the big ten to stop force-feeding the rest of the conference schools the "greatness" that is michigan-osu and always giving them top billing on the year-end tv schedule over everyone else in the conference. michigan-osu will not artificially be "THE" last and more important game of the big ten regular season anymore (thank God) because you are not gong to schedule them at the end of the season if they might have to play each other in the big ten conf. championship. finally, the rest of the conference gets to step out of the shadow of the year-end michian-osu circus.

that being said. the big ten is going to play the annual conf. championship game in a rotating big city venue within the big ten footprint. in a city that has an indoor or retractable roof football facility. right now indianapolis and detroit are the only realistic candidates. retractable-roof lucas oil stadium (indy) and indoor ford field (detroit).

but after that what other city and/or state in the big ten footprint is a legit candidate? iowa? ha! no one in their right mind wants to spend any more time in hogville, u.s.a. than is required. wisconsin? thanks, but no thanks you bunch of loud-mouthed drunks. pennsylvania? no indoor football facility. ohio? same problem as pennsylvania.

then we come to chicago. immediately some want to say "oh it has to be chicago! i like to visit there on the weekend! the big midwestern metropolis! the midwest hub! blah, blah, blah." absolutely not. chicago does not have an indoor football facility or one on the way. the big ten is not going to take the chance of playing a decemeber conference championship game on that piece of crap playing surface they have at solider field. and they would also have no interest in playing the game outdoors in potentially artic december chicago weather. just look at the SEC if you don't believe that the big ten would have no interest in playing the conf. championship at soldier field in chicago. SEC teams play in some of the warmest weather year round (including at conf. championship time) and there are plenty of open-air football facilities throughout the conference that could handle the conf. championship game. but, where does the SEC always play their championshiop game? usually it is in new orleans (superdome) or atlanta (georgia dome). both are indoor football facilities.

finally, that brings us to the city we care about the most......minneapolis. a city that currently has the metrodome available. understandably the metrodome is not the best option nor would it be the #1 choice of the conference. minneapolis is a major city within the big ten footprint that covers all of the other criteria of hosting big ten conference championships (football and basketball) with flying colors: major american city with easy transportation access via car or by air. tons of hotel rooms. lots of great restaurants. lots of night clubs, bars, theatres, museums, dining and shopping options. easy access to the game/downtown site by car or transit (bus and rail). entertainment-wise and fun-wise i would say it is a better option than both indianapolis and detroit.

so what should minneapolis (and the surrounding economic region) start doing a.s.a.p. to ensure their rightful place and rightful portion of this yearly big ten football and basketball action? as well as the accompanying spending spree by thousands of big ten fans that will come with it every few years? get to work on building the new retractable-roof football facility on the current site of the metrodome that the vikings and many in the state of minnesota are proposing.

you solve multiple problems by building it and building it soon.

1.) our vikings are secure in minnesota for generations to come. 2.) our city and region likely gets to host a superbowl in the not too distant future 3.) our city and region likely gets to host multiple final fours in the not too distant future 4.) our city and region is right at or very near the top of the big-ten list to host the annual big ten conf. championship games in both football and basketball on a pretty frequent basis. 5.) you provide good-paying jobs for at least 3 years to thousands of laid-off construction laborers, tradesmen, architects, etc. 6.) you continue the economic engine and tax-revenue generator that is the vikings franchise in the state of minnesota 7.) you create a NEW economic engine and tax-revenue generator for the region by now having the ability (we are not going to get anything worthwhile with the stinking metrodome) the attract truly marquee events at a new facility (i.e. big ten championships in football and basketball, superbowl, final four, etc. etc.)

it is a no-brainer both economically and strategically to build this new retractable-roof football stadium that is being proposed in downtown minneapolis. the potential to frequently host an annual big ten conf. championship football game is just a very "nice" coincidence.

 

[howeda7]

It would be a nice bonus to a new Vikings stadium, but I'm not sure I see the Big 10 giving the game to Minneapolis even once, and certainly not regularly. It's not 'central' enough for the fans of the teams they care about (OSU, Michigan and Penn State). At most you might be able to arm twist one game out of them, but I think it will eventually settle in Indy just like the basketball tournament. They would include Chicago, but I think you're right, they won't play it outside. Ford Field would have a much better chance.

 

[GoAUpher]

first and foremost it would be a benefit to the exposure of the gophers football program (and i am guessing to wisconsin and iowa as well) by breaking up the yearly cabal of michigan-osu and to a lesser extent penn state being the total focus of the conference office big-wigs. it finally forces to the big ten to stop force-feeding the rest of the conference schools the "greatness" that is michigan-osu and always giving them top billing on the year-end tv schedule over everyone else in the conference. michigan-osu will not artificially be "THE" last and more important game of the big ten regular season anymore (thank God) because you are not gong to schedule them at the end of the season if they might have to play each other in the big ten conf. championship. finally, the rest of the conference gets to step out of the shadow of the year-end michian-osu circus.

Lots of stuff here Bronko. I'm just going to focus on one area where I feel you might be wrong. Michigan and OSU are not going to approve a plan that moves their game out of its traditional end of the year spot. Everything about The Game is f-ing sacred to both schools. If we go to 12 they'll deal with there being a conference title game after it, but that is it. What I would fully expect (assuming expansion happens) is for Michigan and OSU to be in the same division and continue to play The Game as the last regular season matchup each season (albeit later in the calendar then was traditional).

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

It would be a nice bonus to a new Vikings stadium, but I'm not sure I see the Big 10 giving the game to Minneapolis even once, and certainly not regularly. It's not 'central' enough for the fans of the teams they care about (OSU, Michigan and Penn State). At most you might be able to arm twist one game out of them, but I think it will eventually settle in Indy just like the basketball tournament. They would include Chicago, but I think you're right, they won't play it outside. Ford Field would have a much better chance.

completely disagree here. new orleans is not central to the SEC east. atlanta is not central to the SEC west.

i think the big ten basketball tourney is its own little monster that will probably stick around indy in the near term, but has the chance to move elsewhere within the midwest once the current indy contract is up.

that said. i see the big ten football game getting shared amongst minneapolis, indy and detroit. indy does not deserve to have both the basketball and football championships and their economic benefit on an annual basis.....regardless of central geographic location within the conference. there would be many arguing against giving indy both the basketball and football tournaments.

 

[GoAUpher]

I don't have an opinion one way or the other on what the Big Ten would do. But I can see them sticking with Detroit/Indy given the fact that the stadiums are newer than the Dome.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

I don't have an opinion one way or the other on what the Big Ten would do. But I can see them sticking with Detroit/Indy given the fact that the stadiums are newer than the Dome.

which was the whole point i was making about why this would be another very good reason to quickly build the multi-use, retractable-roof football facility currently being proposed for downtown minneapolis by the vikings and many others in the state of mn.

it had nothing to do with the metrodome as i noted in the post that the metrodome would be the only thing holding back minneapolis (when it is compared to indy and detroit) when it comes to hosting the big ten conference football championship game.

 

[tjgopher]

new orleans is not central to the SEC east. atlanta is not central to the SEC west.

??????

1) The SEC title game has never been played in New Orleans.

2) Atlanta is fairly centrally located relative to the entire SEC footprint. It is an easy drive from UGA (1-hr), Auburn (2-hr), Bama (3-hr), TN (3-hr), Vandy (4-hr), MSU (4-hr), Ole Miss (5-hr), FL (5-hr), & KY (6-hr). A little longer for LSU and Ark.

3) Ten of the 12 SEC schools are within a six-hour drive of Atlanta. Eight are within a four-hour drive. There are only two Big Ten schools within a 6-hr drive to MSP. There are NINE Big Ten schools within a six-hour drive of Indy (NW, IA, WIS, ILL, PU, IU, OSU, Mich, MSU). Seven are within four-hours.

4) And, finally, I have no way of knowing this, but my guess is a Big Ten title game in Indy would sell out every year. I don't think we have a chance in the world to sell one out in Minneapolis simply because of our location and lack of casual fan interest. Therefore, I don't think a Big Ten title game would be some big boon for MSP.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

where does the SEC always play their championshiop game? usually it is in new orleans (superdome) or atlanta (georgia dome).

The SEC Title game has never been played in New Orleans.

 

[GoAUpher]

which was the whole point i was making about why this would be another very good reason to quickly build the multi-use, retractable-roof football facility currently being proposed for downtown minneapolis by the vikings and many others in the state of mn.

it had nothing to do with the metrodome as i noted in the post that the metrodome would be the only thing holding back minneapolis (when it is compared to indy and detroit) when it comes to hosting the big ten conference football championship game.

My thoughts on this are all over the map but ultimately I wouldn't disagree that a new stadium could seal the deal. My guess is it will come down to whether or not the B10 thinks a Minneapolis game would be a likely sellout regardless of who plays. I think that is easier to guarantee with Indy and to some extent Detroit due to their more central location.

While you are correct in noting that Atlanta is not centrally located in the conference, I'd note that the fan bases of the SEC schools are better at traveling IMO. I'm not talking top of the table schools, but the Minnesotas/Northwesterns of the SEC. I would bet than the SEC title game would sell out regardless of who played in it. OSU/Iowa will sell out regardless of venue. But would a Purdue/Illinois or Indiana/Northwestern (assuming the divisions would set up one of these matchups) game sell out in Minneapolis? I don't know. I'm not saying it'd be better attended in Detroit or Indy for sure, but I think the odds are better that the smaller traveling fanbases in the Big 10 would be more likely to show up in Indy then Minneapolis. Especially since the traditionally lower travel fan bases besides Minnesota's are from more centrally located schools.

 

[rcpratt]

Nothing against Minneapolis, but it makes zero sense to have championship game there and it will never happen. There's just no need to ever leave Indy now that they have a fantastic new dome.

Also, you couldn't pay me to go to that hell called the metrodome. And I'm pretty sure any other Tigers, White Sox, or Indians fans would all agree

 

[GoAUpher]

that said. i see the big ten football game getting shared amongst minneapolis, indy and detroit. indy does not deserve to have both the basketball and football championships and their economic benefit on an annual basis.....regardless of central geographic location within the conference. there would be many arguing against giving indy both the basketball and football tournaments.

Also, deserve will have nothing to do with it. It will be about money. If Minneapolis can prove that it will sell out regardless of what teams are playing then yes, I can see it hosting. Having a new stadium should help that cause. But if they can't guarantee this then it will be all Indy all the time.

 

[GoAUpher]

??????

1) The SEC title game has never been played in New Orleans.

2) Atlanta is fairly centrally located relative to the entire SEC footprint. It is an easy drive from UGA (1-hr), Auburn (2-hr), Bama (3-hr), TN (3-hr), Vandy (4-hr), MSU (4-hr), Ole Miss (5-hr), FL (5-hr), & KY (6-hr). A little longer for LSU and Ark.

3) Ten of the 12 SEC schools are within a six-hour drive of Atlanta. Eight are within a four-hour drive. There are only two Big Ten schools within a 6-hr drive to MSP. There are NINE Big Ten schools within a six-hour drive of Indy (NW, IA, WIS, ILL, PU, IU, OSU, Mich, MSU). Seven are within four-hours.

4) And, finally, I have no way of knowing this, but my guess is a Big Ten title game in Indy would sell out every year. I don't think we have a chance in the world to sell one out in Minneapolis simply because of our location and lack of casual fan interest. Therefore, I don't think a Big Ten title game would be some big boon for MSP.

Nice work on the stats tj.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

??????

1) The SEC title game has never been played in New Orleans.

2) Atlanta is fairly centrally located relative to the entire SEC footprint. It is an easy drive from UGA (1-hr), Auburn (2-hr), Bama (3-hr), TN (3-hr), Vandy (4-hr), MSU (4-hr), Ole Miss (5-hr), FL (5-hr), & KY (6-hr). A little longer for LSU and Ark.

3) Ten of the 12 SEC schools are within a six-hour drive of Atlanta. Eight are within a four-hour drive. There are only two Big Ten schools within a 6-hr drive to MSP. There are NINE Big Ten schools within a six-hour drive of Indy (NW, IA, WIS, ILL, PU, IU, OSU, Mich, MSU). Seven are within four-hours.

4) And, finally, I have no way of knowing this, but my guess is a Big Ten title game in Indy would sell out every year. I don't think we have a chance in the world to sell one out in Minneapolis simply because of our location and lack of casual fan interest. Therefore, I don't think a Big Ten title game would be some big boon for MSP.

#3: imo, this is not the same as basketball so it should not be viewed the same "prism" as the big ten basketball tournament in terms of "travel" involved, etc. people in general are more inclined to travel greater distances (either by car or by air to an easily accessible & affordable international airport like minneapolis) for a one-game college football conf. championship than a multi-game, multi-session conf. basketball tourney.

indy should not and i don't think they would get a kind of "permanent" spot as the host of the big ten football conf. championship game like they have received with the basketball tournament. part of that deal for basketball has to do with the fact that the indiana and purdue basketball fan bases are basically built into it and are right next door to the site. that helps the conf. sell enough tickets for a multi-game, multi-session basketball tourney which otherwise would not be greatly attended.


#4: i have to disagree. again i really believe that football is a different beast than a conf. basketball tourney which some seem inclined to compare a game like this to. i think you are under-stating by a large degree the number of casual football fans in the minneapolis/st. paul region (minnesota, wisconsin, iowa, the dakotas) who WOULD be interested in attending such an event. and i do believe there would be interest in such a game whether minnesota was playing in it or not. and again as i noted above minneapolis is a very accesible city for many big tens fans because of its airline "hub" status in the midwest.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

My thoughts on this are all over the map but ultimately I wouldn't disagree that a new stadium could seal the deal. My guess is it will come down to whether or not the B10 thinks a Minneapolis game would be a likely sellout regardless of who plays. I think that is easier to guarantee with Indy and to some extent Detroit due to their more central location.

While you are correct in noting that Atlanta is not centrally located in the conference, I'd note that the fan bases of the SEC schools are better at traveling IMO. I'm not talking top of the table schools, but the Minnesotas/Northwesterns of the SEC. I would bet than the SEC title game would sell out regardless of who played in it. OSU/Iowa will sell out regardless of venue. But would a Purdue/Illinois or Indiana/Northwestern (assuming the divisions would set up one of these matchups) game sell out in Minneapolis? I don't know. I'm not saying it'd be better attended in Detroit or Indy for sure, but I think the odds are better that the smaller traveling fanbases in the Big 10 would be more likely to show up in Indy then Minneapolis. Especially since the traditionally lower travel fan bases besides Minnesota's are from more centrally located schools.

but, i think by just forcing it into indy because of a somewhat central location that you (i.e. the big ten conference) would be unnecessarily trying to mitigate "travel risk" for an event (especially indiana vs. northwestern; and to a lesser extent purdue vs. illinois) that has a very high probability of never or very rarely happening.

i just don't think the indy "central" location theory holds as much water when it comes to a one-game conf. football championship. i get the theory a bit more when it is applied to a multi-game, multi-session basketball tourney since you have the indiana and purdue basketball fan bases right next door to indy to buy up tickets that otherwise would probably go unsold to other conference member fans.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

The SEC Title game has never been played in New Orleans.

my bad. for some reason i thought it has been. i might be getting some new orleans bowl games mixed up with the sec conf. championship since they are fairly close on the calendar. anyways, it seems like so many other football (college and pro) related games/events are played there, so that is surprising to say the least.

 

[GopherGod]

#3: imo, this is not the same as basketball so it should not be viewed the same "prism" as the big ten basketball tournament in terms of "travel" involved, etc. people in general are more inclined to travel greater distances (either by car or by air to an easily accessible & affordable international airport like minneapolis) for a one-game college football conf. championship than a multi-game, multi-session conf. basketball tourney.

indy should not and i don't think they would get a kind of "permanent" spot as the host of the big ten football conf. championship game like they have received with the basketball tournament. part of that deal for basketball has to do with the fact that the indiana and purdue basketball fan bases are basically built into it and are right next door to the site. that helps the conf. sell enough tickets for a multi-game, multi-session basketball tourney which otherwise would not be greatly attended.


#4: i have to disagree. again i really believe that football is a different beast than a conf. basketball tourney which some seem inclined to compare a game like this to. i think you are under-stating by a large degree the number of casual football fans in the minneapolis/st. paul region (minnesota, wisconsin, iowa, the dakotas) who WOULD be interested in attending such an event. and i do believe there would be interest in such a game whether minnesota was playing in it or not. and again as i noted above minneapolis is a very accesible city for many big tens fans because of its airline "hub" status in the midwest.

Would this bulk of caual fans in the area be the same football fans that the NFL had to keep extending the blackout deadline for last year for a playoff football game? The difference in cost between driving and flying are significant these days and Indy allows a larger number of the fans to drive to the game easily.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

1.) Nothing against Minneapolis, but it makes zero sense to have championship game there and it will never happen. There's just no need to ever leave Indy now that they have a fantastic new dome.

2.) Also, you couldn't pay me to go to that hell called the metrodome. And I'm pretty sure any other Tigers, White Sox, or Indians fans would all agree

1.) actually, it makes a lot of sense to have it in minneapolis. just as much sense as having it in indy or detroit in terms of the midwest. it is a much more fun city than either indy or detroit. being a major u.s. and international hub minneapolis is also more accessible by air than indy.

2.) if you were to actually read the OP no one is suggesting that such a game would or should be played in the metrodump. i agree that would be stupid and it would never happen. it was suggested that hosting the big ten conf. football championship would likely happen once minneapolis and the region finally agree to start building the new multi-use, retractable-roof football facility that the vikings and many in minnesota have propoed be built in the next few years as a replacement FOR the metrodump.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

Would this bulk of caual fans in the aread be the same football fans that the NFL had to keep extending the blackout deadline for last year for a playoff football game? The difference in costs between driving and flying are significant these days and Indy allows a larger number of the fans to drive to the game easily.

if i recall correctly the vikings/eagles game was in fact SOLD-OUT so your point seems to be irrelevant.

at least to me, it seems to be just the opposite in terms of air travel vs. car travel. especially with southwest now having a foothold in minneapolis international the price for flights into and out of the twin cities continue to drop. the high price of gas does not make car travel (even 5-6 hour trips) as attractive as it used to be when compared to just flying.

 

[tjgopher]

i think you are under-stating by a large degree the number of casual football fans in the minneapolis/st. paul region (minnesota, wisconsin, iowa, the dakotas) who WOULD be interested in attending such an event. and i do believe there would be interest in such a game whether minnesota was playing in it or not. and again as i noted above minneapolis is a very accesible city for many big tens fans because of its airline "hub" status in the midwest.

We'll just have to disagree. I don't think casual fans will buy tickets to this game (tix would be at least $60 each). Sorry. In addition, other schools fans would only get 1-2 weeks to plan the trip. You won't know for sure if your team is in until then. Not good when EVERY school but two are driving over 6 hours or having to fly in with late purchase high priced fares. In addition, many fans might save their "airfare" money for the bowl game each team would be in and undoubtedly have to fly to. Again, Atlanta is within 6 hours of TEN SEC schools. And within four hours of EIGHT SEC schools. MSP is not. Plain and simple. SEC fans can DRIVE to their game. As a way of comparison, Tampa has twice hosted the ACC game and drew 28,000 and 42,000. St. Louis hosted the Big 12 game twice and sold out neither time. Both are fringe locations within the conference footprint.

indy should not and i don't think they would get a kind of "permanent" spot as the host of the big ten football conf. championship game

Why? Atlanta is the permanent home to the SEC game and no one complains. It is just a given. Indy has the nicest and newest stadium, is the easiest to get to for a majority of the schools, and has hospitality experience relating to big events.

 

[GoAUpher]

but, i think by just forcing it into indy because of a somewhat central location that you (i.e. the big ten conference) would be unnecessarily trying to mitigate "travel risk" for an event (especially indiana vs. northwestern; and to a lesser extent purdue vs. illinois) that has a very high probability of never or very rarely happening.

i just don't think the indy "central" location theory holds as much water when it comes to a one-game conf. football championship. i get the theory a bit more when it is applied to a multi-game, multi-session basketball tourney since you have the indiana and purdue basketball fan bases right next door to indy to buy up tickets that otherwise would probably go unsold to other conference member fans.

While I think it's valid, I think your first point here doesn't explain why Indy wouldn't be a logical choice. Games with Iowa, Wisconsin, OSU, PSU, and Michigan will always sell out regardless of who else is playing and where the game is. But in the rare event that NW and Purdue face off, Indy is more likely to guarantee the sellout.

And I understand the logic of your second point and if the Big Ten agrees with you I can see Minneapolis hosting. But in the end I think it comes down to how risk averse the Big Ten feels like being. TJ's stats make a good point...a majority of the schools are closer to Indy. Should Minneapolis get frozen out of hosting, you're really only PO'ing 1 current B10 fanbase...ours. Iowa and Wisky will travel regardless. They might grumble, but they'll travel. Of the possible 12th schools, only Nebraska is closer to Minneapolis than Indy. The safe play is Indy without a doubt. Doesn't make it right/fair, but it does make good business sense.

 

[GoAUpher]

if i recall correctly the vikings/eagles game was in fact SOLD-OUT so your point seems to be irrelevant.

Huh? How many Eagles fans do you think flew in for that? It was sold about b/c folks in MN wanted to go to a NFL playoff game that included the LOCAL TEAM. I'm not sure how this is supposed to support you point about travel at all.

 

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

Huh? How many Eagles fans do you think flew in for that? It was sold about b/c folks in MN wanted to go to a NFL playoff game that included the LOCAL TEAM. I'm not sure how this is supposed to support you point about travel at all.

not trying to disagree just for the sake of disagreeing. i promise! based on some mainstream media articles that i read on the internet leading up to and after the game there were in fact a lot of philadelphia eagles fans who flew in to minneapolis for last year's playoff game against the vikes.

 

[GopherGod]

if i recall correctly the vikings/eagles game was in fact SOLD-OUT so your point seems to be irrelevant.

at least to me, it seems to be just the opposite in terms of air travel vs. car travel. especially with southwest now having a foothold in minneapolis international the price for flights into and out of the twin cities continue to drop. the high price of gas does not make car travel (even 5-6 hour trips) as attractive as it used to be when compared to just flying.

It was SOLD OUT but the NFL had to keep extending the deadline, essentially begging/threatening people to buy tickets so they did not have to black it out. Not exactly rousing local support for football when you cannot meet the deadline for a playoff game that many of the other cities were able to meet. Flying is still expensive compared to driving especially when you start looking at buying tickets for 2-4 people when those people can all pile into one car.

 

[GoAUpher]

not trying to disagree just for the sake of disagreeing. i promise! based on some mainstream media articles that i read on the internet leading up to and after the game there were in fact a lot of philadelphia eagles fans who flew in to minneapolis for last year's playoff game against the vikes.

Also not trying to disagree for the sake of disagreeing ...but Philly pro fans are probably not the fan base to use as "average" given the fact that they are more fanatical about their teams then most...especially the Eagles. Also "a lot" in this case might be just a couple of thousand. A lot in the case of a conference title game needs to be in the 30,000 range.

 

[GoAUpher]

It was SOLD OUT but the NFL had to keep extending the deadline, essentially begging/threatening people to buy tickets so they did not have to black it out. Not exactly rousing local support for football when you cannot meet the deadline for a playoff game that many of the other cities were able to meet. Flying is still expensive compared to driving especially when you start looking at buying tickets for 2-4 people when those people can all pile into one car.

The last line is the best point. Don't forget that flying may necessitate a rental car depending on where you choose to stay. Downtown hotels won't be cheap for a conference title game and staying outside the downtown area requires a spendy cab ride or a rental car. Also, when you start getting within 6 hours it is often faster to drive when the ancillary travel time is factored in (must be to airport early/bag pickup/rental car or hotel shuttle/etc).

 

[awag777]

I glanced over the thread and read responses similar, but will throw in that I agree Indy is far more likely than we are.

The Big 10 is already in love with Indy, how often have they hosted some sort of conference tournament or major Big 10 event in the last 5 years?

 

[TAW]

i
at least to me, it seems to be just the opposite in terms of air travel vs. car travel. especially with southwest now having a foothold in minneapolis international the price for flights into and out of the twin cities continue to drop. the high price of gas does not make car travel (even 5-6 hour trips) as attractive as it used to be when compared to just flying.

Your point might be true for someone traveling alone from a location that is also a Southwest hub, but most Big 10 fans who travel to away games come with friends. A car can bring multiple people which lowers the per person cost significantly.