How does a resurgent B1G help the Gophers?

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BarnBoy

BarnBoy

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Harbaugh.

Now OSU.

Is the basic thought that a rising tide lifts all boats? That recruits not good enough for Michigan or Ohio State but better than we normally get are going to want to come here now because they can play against awesome teams?

(Not being passive aggressive... just haven't really thought this through... and I've had way too many beers today)
 

Recruiting. Playing against high profile teams gets you national exposure. We have to be viewed as a strong conference to overcome the weather factor. Many kids I'm guessing don't give the B10 a chance b/c we are viewed as boring, slow bad football. When you go down south and light up the "fastest" and "best" players in the country, it shows that there is good football to be played in other places. Definitely helps on the recruiting trail
 

Recruiting. That's all. Kids want to play in the best conference against the best.
 

In addition to exposure and recruiting already mentioned, you also have the "metal sharpens metal" aspect. The Gophers development will be stronger when the competition is at a higher level. And while the records are the ultimate judge, tough competition eases some losses. Playing a tough team close and losing still gives the program a level of credibility. A stronger conference helps all around in a number of ways.
 

Just a hunch, because I don't know details of the revenue models, but I'm sure the schools will be pulling in more money as the conference gets stronger and gets more prime time games, etc.
 


The $$$ that the conference gets helps too but honestly, for me, i just like seeing teams that our on our schedule do well just because. You just develop a connection when you watch them and say "Hey, we played those guys this year!"
 

IDK...do fans show up when your team is playing a top 10 foe? Do people watch on TV?

More fans = more $$$$.
 

Agree with Recruiting. Just about every recruit has a huge ego. They think they are the best, and if they aren't recruited by the best, then they want to play them. Seeing as how we have lost Minnesota players to Alabama and Arkansas recently, I will take all the help we can get to keep those players up here.
 

Agree about recruiting. Your wins and losses are weighed against the strength of the conference. This season, many people tried to play down the Gophers season by saying the Big Ten was a bad conference. Since the conference appears to be better than many thought, our wins look better too. People will judge eight wins in a good conference as more meaningful than eight wins in a poor conference.
 



Their 4th place finishes look more impressive.
I'd rather have a down conference if my goal was to win a conference title.

Wake forest didn't win the ACC because Miami and Florida State were having great seasons.

Kansas didn't go to the orange bowl because Texas was resurgent.
Stanford didn't win the PAC 12 because USC was at an historically good level.
Vanderbilt and Kentucky don't have a better shot at the SeC because it has been so good for 6-10 years
 

On the flip side, Mississippi State and Ole Miss were mediocre (in the case of the Rebels) to complete dog crap (in the case of the Bulldogs) for decades before the SEC took over from 2006-2015, and both were in the top 5 this season because of the perception of their conference. It does make a difference in terms of national perceptions (which influences recruits), but it doesn't make ALL the difference. Good coaches and good players will always be the ultimate deciding factor.
 

While the B1G does appear to be resurgent, one might argue that it's only in the East Division...not the West. The Maroon and Gold are the only thing resembling 'resurgent' in the West. I think Nebraska, Iowa and Wiscy may all be down next year.
 

BarnBoy said:
Harbaugh.
Click to expand...
You sound like all the Michigan fans - "We have Harbaugh now. Watch out B1G!"

The B1G had a great showing in the bowl games yesterday that proved the strength of the league. However, Michigan's coaching hire has nothing to do with the current state of the conference.
 



GoldenShower said:
You sound like all the Michigan fans - "We have Harbaugh now. Watch out B1G!"

The B1G had a great showing in the bowl games yesterday that proved the strength of the league. However, Michigan's coaching hire has nothing to do with the current state of the conference.
Click to expand...
And if what we saw in the Jug game is accurate, Michigan is at least two years away from doing anything. I'm not sure if they've got the stomach over in AA for the full rebuild job that Harbaugh had to do.
 

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