Around the Big Ten

[WM Wolverine]

B10 isn't like the ACC or Pac 12. Pac 12 schedules a relatively tough OOC, the B10 outside of a few programs, don't. Two, the B10's revenue model is based upon having 'inventory' on the BTN. A 9th game, brings a lot more games ($) to the BTN...

ACC has a few programs with very tough OOC rivalries; GT, Clemson, FSU, etc. Then they have the ND series, who is probably overrated right now but Kelly has that program improving from where it was...

As far as 'revenue' which is why the B10 is making all these decisions right before their TV contract, I think we'll see the B10 was correct in adding a 9th game. IF and when other conferences have their networks up & running, we'll probably have a system where you only pay to see your favorite team/conference like NFL ticket and I hope I don't have to pay for tons of channels I've never watched.

re: Rutgers, they've done quite well in the Big East the past 8 years or so, I think it's a program on the rise (e.g. a regular bowl caliber team w/ potential to be more). They've very good talent in-state, more than Iowa, Wisky, Illini, Nebraska, etc. Ditto for Maryland. Typically, that talent usually found its way to PSU until recently where it ends up all over the ACC. Ditto for Maryland. PSU falling on hard times is great for these two programs but they need coaches who can keep the talent they do have in-state.

[Wild Hoss]

it's not like the SEC follows the rules...

True dat. But this is a critical issue to competitiveness; how the conference chooses to play its interleague games. Not a paltry issue like paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to JUCO quarterbacks.

Priorities.

[Hannibal]

Have to get the rules changed first.

I don't think that will be a problem, once the Big Ten and the SEC expand to 16+

[Wild Hoss]

Seems reasonable, but I would point that the NCAA did not do that for the WAC when they went to 16 teams. Also, with the playoff looming, I don?t know that the NCAA is going to be very amenable to adding more games. That would mean some SEC teams would be playing 16 of them pretty often.

[entropy]

I think the SEC and BIG have a little more pull than the WAC

[Hannibal]

I don't remember the WAC trying to get pods. Did they? If so, maybe the game just wasnt ready for it. But it seems like 16+ is inevitable now.

[hack]

Pods do seem futuristic.

[Wild Hoss]

...and gay.

Not like, Talent-gay, but pretty gay nonetheless.

[hack]

Yeah, true. Then again ours is an era of acceptance. For some, it is difficult to accept people like Talent. For others the acceptance challenge involves the Big Ten and what it looks like now.

[*JD*]

Well, I'm usually not there just to drink, go to the game, and leave as fast as possible. I habitually drink myself silly at home.

FIFY

[iam416]

Uncalled for, Hoss. Uncalled for. You'll be reported to board mods immediately for being a meanie!

[entropy]

I thought the mods were concerned about making up lies...

[iam416]

Heh. Bastard.

No, they're habitual liars. That's not their concern in any way, shape or form.

[Mackenzie]

C) If there is a conference playoff at the end of the regular season, it is limited to one championship game.

I'm thinkin' no...that'd pretty clearly fall under the definition of a playoff game.

Ooops! A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[Wild Hoss]

Uncalled for, Hoss. Uncalled for. You'll be reported to board mods immediately for being a meanie!

Cut a brother some slack...its overcompensation for having Pelini as our head coach.