Big Ten to push for 12th team

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alltimetwinsfan said:
I would be shocked if, when the Big Ten finally adds a 12th member, if it is not one of the names on this list, or some random other name that comes from the association. It would, in all likelihood, not be Notre Dame, however.
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Maybe you're right but 10 years ago the Big Ten did offer Notre Dame an invitation. Have academic standards increased for admission to the conference in the last decade? Doubt it.
 

Maybe you're right but 10 years ago the Big Ten did offer Notre Dame an invitation. Have academic standards increased for admission to the conference in the last decade? Doubt it.
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I am aware of this...however, it is possible that the conference could have stipulated certain increases in research from Notre Dame as part of the deal, which could have possibly led to the downfall (along with the massive NBC television deal). It is also possible that some in the conference (on the academic side) were not in favor of the invitation, only to lose out to the athletic powers that be.

I'm just in the belief that, if and when the conference expands, it will not be Notre Dame, and that it will come from a more powerful research university, of which all of the other schools in the conference are and would fit more seamlessly into the overall athletic AND academic goals of the Big Ten.
 

With all due respect, ATTF, you are crazy if you think the Big Ten would turn down Notre Dame.

Note Michigan State joined Big Ten in 1955 and AAU in 1964. AAU membership is by invitation, I think if the Big Ten schools cared they would use their clout to extend the invitiation.
 

My picks based on geography, "Big Ten standards" and who I would want are:

Rutgers
Pitt
Louisville
Va tech
Syracuse
West Virginia
Maryland

these schools should be in line with what the big ten would be looking for academically, athletically and geographically.

I don't think any of the big 12 or SEC schools would switch, pac 10 is too far away and ND probably won't join until forced to financially. So basically, I looked at the ACC and Big East. I also didn't think that the big ten would look at any MAC, WAC, MWC, Sun Belt teams based on geography/academics/atheletics.
 

I can't see why Maryland would want to switch. It's very far away from everyone except Penn State. It's mainly a basketball school and the ACC is still superior in that regard. And it has a good rivalry with UVa in all sports and Duke and Carolina for basketball with no obvious replacement for them in the Big 10. I don't see the appeal.

I also can't see Va. Tech for some of the same reasons. They're #1 rival is UVa, and they have an intense rivalry with Miami for football dating to the Big East. Plus they practically begged to be let into the ACC (they were going to go with Syracuse, but UVa refused to vote yes unless it was VT and they didn't have enough votes otherwise). VT is a great football school and might like the higher level of competition/exposure. But they would be slammed for leaving the ACC anytime soon after they bent over backwards trying to get in.

West Virginia frankly doesn't live up to Big 10 Academic standards and again is not a good geographic fit.

Louisville might be willing to jump. But they don't really bring many markets in that OSU doesn't already have. I'd be luke-warm on them as well.

Syracuse would dramtically increase exposure in NYC. They would be a good fit for that reason. I don't see them ditching the Big East, but if they would, it would be right behind ND and Mizzou from the Big 10's prospective.

Realistically, Rutgers and Pitt are the two that seem most likly, and as mentioned before, don't do much for me. Basically, I'd hold out for ND or Missouri and if neither can be had, I wouldn't be interested in expanding.
 


Texas will be considered. Aside from geography, it's a perfect fit. AAU member, huge endowment, large school, excellent athletics. Like ND, the sports fans and football-loving donors would resist, but the faculty would love it.

And while we're speculating about Rutgers: SUNY has been working over the years to improve SUNY-Buffalo in the mold of a Big Ten University. I see The Big Ten or the Big East adding Buffalo (branded for athletics as New York State Bulls) within the next 10 years.
 

With all due respect, ATTF, you are crazy if you think the Big Ten would turn down Notre Dame.
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A) I am crazy...I think anyone who knows me would vouch for that

B) I didn't necessarily say they would "turn down" Notre Dame; in fact, quite the contrary. I said that they would take them, despite the wishes of some of the academics that would be disappointed that the Big Ten wouldn't try to add a more research-oriented university than Notre Dame.

C) My ultimate personal belief is that Notre Dame will not agree to come to the Big Ten, and that we'll end up trying to add someone else. That doesn't mean it won't happen...I just think that at this point, they'll add someone else before the Fighting Irish.
 

ditt1605 said:
My picks based on geography, "Big Ten standards" and who I would want are:

Rutgers
Pitt
Louisville
Va tech
Syracuse
West Virginia
Maryland
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Why in the H would you want Va Tech or West Virginia having anything to do with the Big Ten? I can only assume the big ten standards you are referring to are about fan base, not academic standards.
 

year of the gopher said:
Why in the H would you want Va Tech or West Virginia having anything to do with the Big Ten? I can only assume the big ten standards you are referring to are about fan base, not academic standards.
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Virginia Tech is a fantastic academic institution. In the US News & World Report rankings that are often quoted in these discussions, they're #71 - same as Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan State. I'm not sure if they're AAU members, but it was already pointed out that not being AAU members hasn't stopped the Big Ten from inviting before. West Virginia...not so much. Their academics definitely do not meet the standards.

I think Virginia Tech is a fantastic choice, better than Pitt or Mizzou based on athletics and academics. Unfortunately, I think it's just a little bit too far away from the rest of the Big Ten (although it's only about 10 miles beyond West Virginia) to be considered. Plus they just spent a ton of effort to get into the ACC a few years ago.
 



Goldmember said:
Texas will be considered. Aside from geography, it's a perfect fit. AAU member, huge endowment, large school, excellent athletics. Like ND, the sports fans and football-loving donors would resist, but the faculty would love it.

And while we're speculating about Rutgers: SUNY has been working over the years to improve SUNY-Buffalo in the mold of a Big Ten University. I see The Big Ten or the Big East adding Buffalo (branded for athletics as New York State Bulls) within the next 10 years.
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LOL. I don't believe you really think that Texas would leave the big 12 for the big 10. This is a joke, RIGHT??? Please say you are kidding.
 

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