College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

[unofan]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Why would Nebraska be interested in the Big Ten? It's like hypothesizing that Alabama would leave the SEC. Wha--?

Because the Big XII's TV deal pales in comparison to the Big Televen, SEC, and ACC. That, and the fact there's always been tension between the former Big Eight schools and the Texas schools since the conference's formation, leads to a logical concolusion that there's unrest brewing.

Rumors of Missouri to the Big Televen have been around since Penn State joined. Now Texas is talked about as joining the Big Televen, and Colorado's rumored to be looking at the Pac-10. Any one of those starts a chain reaction that ends badly for the Big XII, and the (remaining) northern schools in particular. If Texas leaves, the conference loses its biggest media presence and it probably ends up being somewhere between the Pac-10 and Mountain West in terms of tv contracts. If Misssouri leaves, Colorado will almost assuredly do so too, and the schools most likely to replace them are TCU and...no one knows. Either way, the power shifts further south. The ultimate nightmare for NU is Missouri to the Big Televen with Colorado AND Texas both going to the Pac-10. Now the remaining schools are basically the Missouri Valley Conference with 1-A football.

Most talk of Nebraska joining the Big Televen, therefore, is from Nebraska fans looking out for #1. In that respect, it makes sense, and were Nebraska to get such an invite, they should jump on it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately for the myopic bunch around here, that invite'll come when pigs learn to fly.

 

[Kepler]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

ND isn't going to accept an offer unless they want to.

The Big Ten could force Notre Dame to accept -- freeze them out of NC games. Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue would take a significant short term hit, but the conference would reap an enormous long term gain. Obviously ND wouldn't take kindly to having a gun put to their head, but even speaking as an old grumpy Irish fan... what other choice would they really have? Schedule Navy 5 times? Join the ACC?

 

[alfablue]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

So, in terms of the best of the best B10 candidates- are there any other that can come realistically close to Texas and Notre Dame?

With what you say, unofan, if Texas goes, I'm quite sure Colorado will be happy to jump ship to the Pac10, it then becomes a question who goes with them- Utah or another B12 team?

And now that the former B8/12 now has 10 or 9 teams, then what happens? While I can see some benefit to adding teams like BSU and Fresno- the only one that makes any marketing sense is either Nevada or UNLV. Boise is WAY to small, even if you count the entire state of Idaho. BYU is interesting, and since acedemics are not a huge issue, their focus would not be a distraction- Utah is a decent sized state. TCU? I guess to replace Texas for the market- but why do you need another texas team- they are already covered (and now taken by the B10/11/12).

It seems to be lost that all of this unrest, possible departures- there is a major consequence to the remaining members of the conference.

Not that I care that much, but I'm bored right now at work....

 

[bronconick]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

The Big Ten could force Notre Dame to accept -- freeze them out of NC games. Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue would take a significant short term hit, but the conference would reap an enormous long term gain. Obviously ND wouldn't take kindly to having a gun put to their head, but even speaking as an old grumpy Irish fan... what other choice would they really have? Schedule Navy 5 times? Join the ACC?

I don't think that's much of a threat. I'm kind of curious as the size of a buyout to get out of the current Michigan-Notre Dame contract. I also can't imagine it being that hard for Notre Dame to find 2-3 new schools to make year to year deals with.

Of the three, Michigan's the only one that people outside of the Big Ten would even notice missing.

 

[Kepler]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Great post! To take a couple points.

(1) Because the Big XII's TV deal pales in comparison to the Big Televen, SEC, and ACC.

(2) the fact there's always been tension between the former Big Eight schools and the Texas schools since the conference's formation, leads to a logical concolusion that there's unrest brewing.

(3) Rumors of Missouri to the Big Televen have been around since Penn State joined. Now Texas is talked about as joining the Big Televen, and Colorado's rumored to be looking at the Pac-10. Any one of those starts a chain reaction that ends badly for the Big XII, and the (remaining) northern schools in particular.

(1) Relative to the B10, that should will vary over time. Texas (unfortunately) has a far better economic future than the rust belt. OTOH, if the SEC keeps turning into a third conference of the NFL, no one else will be able to compete with their package, so Nebraska should join them.

(2) I guess I discount those perma-rumors the way I discount the north-south tensions in the Pac10. I don't see a viable strategy for either group to force a split up. You've already detailed the fate of the northern schools if they lost TX. Meanwhile, with the death of the SWC and absorption of Arkansas into the SEC, that ship sailed for the TX schools, too. They're stuck.*

(3) I can imagine Missouri going to the B10, though IMHO Iowa State would be a much better fit. If Colorado were actually to go to the Pac10 then yeah, I'd reevaluate everything, and from a Colorado POV I would do that in a heartbeat, but the Pac10 makes the Ivies look flexible and spry.

* One thing that will, inevitably, change over time will be the rise and fall of schools. Central and South Florida could someday rival Florida State, Houston could become another big Texas school, the "also ran" UC's could make a run at the UCLA-Cal axis of evil. Who knows what will happen as the state deficits balloon and state universities teeter or even go under?

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Great post! To take a couple points.



(1) Relative to the B10, that should will vary over time. Texas (unfortunately) has a far better economic future than the rust belt. OTOH, if the SEC keeps turning into a third conference of the NFL, no one else will be able to compete with their package, so Nebraska should join them.

(2) I guess I discount those perma-rumors the way I discount the north-south tensions in the Pac10for either group split up -- you've already detailed the fate of the northern schools if they lost TX. meanwhile, with the death of the SWC and absorption of Arkansas into the SEC, that ship sailed for the TX schools, too. They're stuck.

(3) I can imagine Missouri going to the B10, though IMHO Iowa State would be a much better fit. If Colorado were actually to go to the Pac10 then yeah, I'd reevaluate everything, and from a Colorado POV I would do that in a heartbeat, but the Pac10 makes the Ivies look flexible and spry.

The guy in the article does an excellent job demolishing the Iowa State to the Big 10 argument. My family is from Fort Dodge and they include some Cyclone alums and even they agree that their lucky to be in a BCS conference. They have virtually nothing to offer in a suitor in a game of musical chairs.

 

[unofan]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

(1) Relative to the B10, that should will vary over time. Texas (unfortunately) has a far better economic future than the rust belt. OTOH, if the SEC keeps turning into a third conference of the NFL, no one else will be able to compete with their package, so Nebraska should join them.

In theory it could, but in reality it won't anytime soon. The Big Ten's media footprint is simply bigger, even with Texas in the Big XII. Texas may be growing, but not enough to offset the Chicago and Minneapolis markets anytime soon.

(2) I guess I discount those perma-rumors the way I discount the north-south tensions in the Pac10for either group split up -- you've already detailed the fate of the northern schools if they lost TX. meanwhile, with the death of the SWC and absorption of Arkansas into the SEC, that ship sailed for the TX schools, too. They're stuck.

Unfortunatly, Nebraska needs Texas more than Texas needs Nebraska. Texas could reform the SWC with the other 5 Big XII south schools, TCU, and maybe New Mexico or something and do just fine.

I agree that the status quo is that they're all stuck with each other. But if one or two schools bolt, we could see a major shakeup like we saw 10 years ago or so with the Big East/ACC.

(3) I can imagine Missouri going to the B10, though IMHO Iowa State would be a much better fit. If Colorado were actually to go to the Pac10 then yeah, I'd reevaluate everything, and from a Colorado POV I would do that in a heartbeat, but the Pac10 makes the Ivies look flexible and spry.

Iowa State has even less to offer the Big Televen than Nebraska. Outside of its engineering school, it's academics are worse than Nebraska's, it doesn't bring in a single new media market, and its sports teams are worse all-around. Adding Iowa State would be like adding another Purdue or Northwestern, just with weaker academics.

 

[blockski]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

(1) Relative to the B10, that should will vary over time. Texas (unfortunately) has a far better economic future than the rust belt. OTOH, if the SEC keeps turning into a third conference of the NFL, no one else will be able to compete with their package, so Nebraska should join them.

No, not really. Because on-field performance isn't the main factor in TV ratings. The Big Ten has a national presence thanks to the huge alumni base. Within its own footprint, you have a very large population base with several huge media markets - Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indy, etc. (as opposed to the SEC, with lots of population, but fewer big city markets). Those are the macro factors that ensure the Big Ten gets ratings even when the teams stink. And when they're good - bonus.

(3) I can imagine Missouri going to the B10, though IMHO Iowa State would be a much better fit. If Colorado were actually to go to the Pac10 then yeah, I'd reevaluate everything, and from a Colorado POV I would do that in a heartbeat, but the Pac10 makes the Ivies look flexible and spry.

As noted, Iowa State brings nothing to the table.

Nebraska at least brings tradition. Not much else.

You should read that blog post if you have the time. It shows the very high bar that a team has to make for the Big Ten to take them on.

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

So, in terms of the best of the best B10 candidates- are there any other that can come realistically close to Texas and Notre Dame?

Not really, but if message board chatter and media talk is any indication, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt and Mizzou all think they do (whether the numbers support that is a different story).

With what you say, unofan, if Texas goes, I'm quite sure Colorado will be happy to jump ship to the Pac10, it then becomes a question who goes with them- Utah or another B12 team?

Utah is probably the only team that makes sense financially (as it gives the P10 access to the SLC market). Although an intriguing possibility might be Air Force; it's not a historic rivalry for the Buffs, but it does fulfill travel geography and academic concerns (if not necessarily competitive ones, and certainly doesn't add a market that CU doesn't already bring).

And now that the former B8/12 now has 10 or 9 teams, then what happens? While I can see some benefit to adding teams like BSU and Fresno- the only one that makes any marketing sense is either Nevada or UNLV. Boise is WAY to small, even if you count the entire state of Idaho. BYU is interesting, and since acedemics are not a huge issue, their focus would not be a distraction- Utah is a decent sized state. TCU? I guess to replace Texas for the market- but why do you need another texas team- they are already covered (and now taken by the B10/11/12).

If the Big 12 loses two teams, and one of the two is Texas, they're pretty heavily boned. Colorado is close to replaceable, but losing Denver as a market HURTS. Likewise with Mizzou and St. Louis (though they keep KC via the Jayhawks). Nevertheless, it puts them in a very vulnerable position with regards to TV contracts.

If the Pac 10 takes neither Utah nor BYU, though, I would expect the depleted Big 12 to make a play for them both. Doesn't help TV much, but no one else would be as competitive, and anyone else they can grab probably won't deliver their markets.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

The Big Ten could force Notre Dame to accept -- freeze them out of NC games. Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue would take a significant short term hit, but the conference would reap an enormous long term gain. Obviously ND wouldn't take kindly to having a gun put to their head, but even speaking as an old grumpy Irish fan... what other choice would they really have? Schedule Navy 5 times? Join the ACC?

Its possiable, they could just get together and tell everybody to not even invite Notre Dame to any of the Big Ten Schools for anything, including the minor sports as well. Notre Dame having to find other schools to play baseball with or run track with are not a solid body blow that them not getting to play football with the Big Ten programs would be, but they would be a few nice well placed jabs that could just back ND into the corner where the Big Ten wants them. Nobody in South Bend wants to see Ball State come to town!

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

I foudn that article a few months ago. I've been pondering it for a while and I think the comments sections actually provide some serious insight into the whole deal (and quite a few that add less than nothing).

I also encourage people to read the second, third, and fourth parts to the FranktheTank big ten expansion posting.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

IT'S NOT A TRAP!!!!

Tuesday, Ole Miss students voted to find a new mascot to replace the abandoned Colonel Reb. A student committee to develop and propose a new mascot will be formed soon.

Ackbar, a member of the Mon Calamari species who led the Rebel Alliance ships into the Battle of Endor, appears to be the early favorite. He has more than 14,000 Facebook fans. Websites like notatrap.org -- "It's a trap!" was his famous line -- are promoting Ackbar's candidacy.

 

[Priceless]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli faces a burglary charge in connection with a theft at a campus fraternity house in late January.

The Lane Country District Attorney's office says Masoli and former Oregon receiver Garrett Embry have each been charged with one count of burglary in the second degree.

Masoli and Embry face arraignment in Lane County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon.

The district attorney's office did not respond to a phone call seeking further comment on the case. Representatives for the Ducks also did not immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment.

A fraternity member reported that Masoli and Embry stole two computers and a guitar from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on Jan. 25.

Ooops.

 

[French Rage]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Ooops.

At this point I think it's shorter to listen Oregon players who aren't in trouble with the law.

 

[French Rage]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Goddammit they just moved the Big Game to 11/20 as Stanford's second to last game, that's ****ing stupid.

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Goddammit they just moved the Big Game to 11/20 as Stanford's second to last game, that's ****ing stupid.

***? I'll never understand why this has become a theme.

 

[Bob Gray]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

Goddammit they just moved the Big Game to 11/20 as Stanford's second to last game, that's ****ing stupid.

Same thing happened here in Arizona last season iwith the ASU-U of A game for the Territorial Cup. U of A jumped at the chance to play USC at the end of the season, rather than their local rival.

 

[blockski]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

About freakin' time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5006284

For the first time in team history, Michigan will host a night football game at Michigan Stadium when it welcomes rival Notre Dame on Sept. 10, 2011.

New Michigan athletics director David Brandon made the historic scheduling announcement Thursday afternoon in Ann Arbor.

The 2011 game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET and be televised by ESPN or ESPN2.

 

[moe24]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

About freakin' time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5006284

I forget, are permanent stadium lights part of the renovation or are they still going to have to rent them?

 

[blockski]

Re: College Football 2009: Where Championships are won by a majority vote

I forget, are permanent stadium lights part of the renovation or are they still going to have to rent them?

I'm pretty sure that there are lights, but they're more for the ability to use the field at night and aren't up to TV specifications - they might have been sufficient for a late afternoon game though. They'll truck in a few Musco trucks.

I'm also pretty sure that they did build power supply and places on the roof to specifically place the lights.