If the blue bloods left for a "super league", who would be hurt more, them or the also-rans like us?

Who would be hurt more?

  • Blue bloods

    Votes: 11 57.9%

  • Also-rans

    Votes: 8 42.1%
  • Total voters
    19
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SeaBee_Gopher

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I probably listen to too many national podcasts that say teams like the Gophers are begging to be kept in the Big Ten and will do whatever Michigan, Ohio State, USC and the others tell us to do. I hope that's not true. It sure isn't true for me. I'll always be a Gopher fan. I don't care if we are in the Big Ten or the Little, Regional Ten.

My friends that went to South Dakota State are Jackrabbits fans more than Gopher fans even though they live here in the cities. They don't care if SDSU is in the FCS. In fact, at least they get to win championships! Would I prefer to stay in the B1G? Yes, but only if I think we are getting a fair shake and can compete.

How many of you agree with me? How many think I'm nuts?
 

SeaBee_Gopher said:
I probably listen to too many national podcasts that say teams like the Gophers are begging to be kept in the Big Ten and will do whatever Michigan, Ohio State, USC and the others tell us to do. I hope that's not true. It sure isn't true for me. I'll always be a Gopher fan. I don't care if we are in the Big Ten or the Little, Regional Ten.

My friends that went to South Dakota State are Jackrabbits fans more than Gopher fans even though they live here in the cities. They don't care if SDSU is in the FCS. In fact, at least they get to win championships! Would I prefer to stay in the B1G? Yes, but only if I think we are getting a fair shake and can compete.

How many of you agree with me? How many think I'm nuts?
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It seems only logical to me that they cheer for the school they went to over the place that they live...
 

Blue bloods would hurt more but for totally different reasons. Someone has to lose those games. Couple that with you’re going to cut markets because you will be competing with local teams and you’re going to lose tv revenue and bargaining power that way. Would be a lose lose for both, but blue blood moreso because some will fall and some in the non blue blood will rise to the top of their grouping
 

Leaving the Big Ten and effectively becoming a mid-major in a major league sports market would make Gophers athletics programs niche and mostly irrelevant, although some might argue they've been that way for decades. We're truly one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't schools when it comes to emerging super conferences.
 



I'd still cheer for the Gophers and watch them, but not sure if I'd watch too many games with teams in the same league as the Gophers. I don't watch MAC, Amamican, or Sun Belt conf games now. I still watch the Blue Bloods
 

The also-rans would be hurting for money. ESPN and all the other networks, will pay much more for Blue Blood games. Therefore Blue Bloods will pay more money to players.
 

Come on Michigan will not leave the Big Ten period. This will get settle and Michigan will remain in the Big Ten book it.
 




Unless Congress or the courts stop this madness, inevitably most 1A teams will drop out because of the financial burden and the inherent unfairness in a buy-your-players system. The Gophers would end up with something like N. Dakota State in Fargo, which wouldn't be bad - smaller stadium, which we already have and can't fill, and loyal followers, plus a real chance to win division or conference championships. Right now the Gophers are not competitive with the top third of the B10 and it can only get worse, unless Bierman rises from the dead or Cignetti goes mental and leaves Indiana to replace PJ. This year's Gophers have some prime talent (less Emmett Johnson) and a veteran coach, but they were totally outclassed by Ohio St., Iowa and Oregon. College football will soon be falling apart, with the wealthy few basically going pro. I will not be interested in that new top tier as I'm not interested in the pros now. The college game is special, connected to college culture and tradition. The pros don't have that. I really enjoy ND State games in Fargo, and if that's Minnesota's future so be it - I'll still be a loyal fan. UNLESS Congress and the courts discipline the anarchy we now have - and when does Congress ever do anything about anything?
 


Kitzmann57 said:
The also-rans would be hurting for money. ESPN and all the other networks, will pay much more for Blue Blood games. Therefore Blue Bloods will pay more money to players.
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Without the rest of us, the Blue Bloods aren't Blue Bloods anymore, they are just average teams in a semi-pro league. Why not just watch the NFL? They'll lose 70%-80% of their audience because there just aren't that many of those schools. Casual fans will toon out. What would ESPN be paying for? Why would I watch Ohio State vs. Alabama in the super league? I watch that game now because Ohio State is in our conference and I want us to beat the south. I have at least a little skin in the game. Tribalism matters a lot in sports!

Basically, the also-ran FBS teams likely combine with FCS and become the new college football. Maybe academics actually matter again? Again, I'm not predicting any of this happens because how it really turns out is very hard to gauge which is why no one wants to try it. It could be really bad for everyone EXCEPT the NFL. Talk about nuking your own product!
 

SeaBee_Gopher said:
I probably listen to too many national podcasts that say teams like the Gophers are begging to be kept in the Big Ten and will do whatever Michigan, Ohio State, USC and the others tell us to do. I hope that's not true. . . .
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It is true. By supporting the private equity deal that puts the Gophers in the BIG's third tier, money wise, in exchange for Ohio State etc. extending their commitment to the BIG until 2046, the Gophers (and Wisconsin, Iowa etc.) are groveling to remain in the BIG.
 



BigTenGuy said:
It is true. By supporting the private equity deal that puts the Gophers in the BIG's third tier, money wise, in exchange for Ohio State etc. extending their commitment to the BIG until 2046, the Gophers (and Wisconsin, Iowa etc.) are groveling to remain in the BIG.
Click to expand...
And why? To be the Twins to their Yankees? If the big boys aren't going to give us at least a chance to be competitive, then it's not worth it. I have ABSOLUTELY no idea how all this turns out. It's like watching a train crash...or not. Who the hell knows? Someday this will be a hit Netflix drama series!
 

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