Around the Big Ten

[Mike]

60%? UCLA barely fills 40% with no market competition. Closer to 118%. Plus, when it's a 9am local kickoff, only B10 dunderfucks will be silly enough to traipse out to Pasadena for that!

Right. UCLA will draw 40% of the fans and UM/OSU the other 60%. Minimum. They won't play at 9:00, tho. Would be funny but there's the FOX 4:00 game now that would fit neatly into those SoCal schedules.

[edindetroit]

"Hey Beekman, let me know if you want a decided schematic advantage!"

What happened to Rocky? Hasn't posted in years.

[iam416]

The question, I would imagine, is whether or not you also take Oregon and Washington when those two schools inevitably plead for a lifeline to get them off the Titantic.

[Whitley]

The question, I would imagine, is whether or not you also take Oregon and Washington when those two schools inevitably plead for a lifeline to get them off the Titantic.

I don't think Washington would be a factor here. Oregon is possible but I think Colorado (lot of Big Ten alums in that market) is a real possibility. Also one of the Arizona schools did join the big ten in hockey.

If the end game is 20 schools. Who are the last 4?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Like it or not, they are going to keep a spot open for Notre Dame as long as they think they may still be a possibility.

[iam416]

I don't know what the end number is. But, at some point the schools should be at least value neutral. Colorado is a negative. Arizonas are negative. Utah is negative.

Washington has a decent brand name and a good TV market (to the extent that even matters any more). Oregon has a good brand name and meh market. But, if you take Washington then you need to take a travel partner and my bet is on Oregon.

[iam416]

Notre Dame is pretty much cast its lot with the ACC.

[Mike]

I was thinking the SEC and Big Ten would divvy up the ACC. Clemson, FSU, Miami , +1 to the SEC and Duke, Carolina, VaTech and Virginia to the Big 20. But then I realized the ACC actually has enough juice to stay together. So then you'd look at other PAC schools. I would think Stanford would fit culturally if you need to round out an even number. We're at 16 with the L.A. schools so Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Stanford?

Just need to figure out how to get rid of Rutgers first.

EDIT: Talent, just saw your point about value neutral. That probably excludes Stanford as well, although I think the Big Ten presidents would LOVE that trophy on the mantle. Oregon and Washington seem the two most logical. Gonna be interesting. Also, poor Big 12. LOL. Another conference needs to restock!

[iam416]

Stanford is a total dud for TV value. Cal is a great school, too, but they suck.

I'd think Washington and Oregon would be first off the bus. Then I don't know. I could see Arizona State b/c of the aforementioned hockey connection and Pheonix. And I guess Colorado. Those aren't particularly great options.

I will say this -- Stanford may have some allure for ND. If you put USC and Stanford into the conference then ND is basically able to play all their traditional rivals or whatever.

[Mike]

I will say this -- Stanford may have some allure for ND. If you put USC and Stanford into the conference then ND is basically able to play all their traditional rivals or whatever.

Ooh, that's got some juice.

[lineygoblue]

I'm wondering if this would be a football only thing, or if it would apply to all sports.

I can't see the Rutgers softball team heading to USC to play a weekend 3 game series in a non-revenue generating sport. Unless football is picking up the tab.

[Mike]

It's all sports (except for beach volleyball, damnit!) and football picks up the tab for everything.

[lineygoblue]

I want USC at the Big House in a early November Big Ten Conference game.

After all the crap M has taken for getting beat by USC in the Rose Bowl, justice needs to be served.

And I want it to be one of those cold, rainy, wet early November days. The kind that Jeff loves.

[iam416]

So, let's take a look at the "brand" names (not necessarily the best current programs):

SEC: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma and LSU. Then Auburn, aTm and maybe Tennessee. Maybe. Kentucky, Vandy, SoCar, Arky, Mizzou, and the Mississippi schools -- NO.

B10: Ohio State, M, Penn State, USC and Nebraska. Then UCLA, Wisconsin, Sparty and maybe Iowa. Rutgers, Maryland, IU, Purdue, nFw, Goofers and Illinois -- NO.

ACC: Clemson, Florida State. Then Miami. The rest...NO.

I mean, the writing is on the fucking wall and it clearly says this is a B10/SEC world. The ACC has enough to survive as a 3rd conference, but a very distant third. And what happens if the SEC goes after Clemson?

Then you'll have some sort of remade P12/B12 shitpile that is the 4th conference.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I would potentially take UNC over Oregon or Washington, though the latter two would agree to anything we offer them at this point, and UNC might not budge.

I mean, don't take this personally Wizzie, but UNC is a bigger national brand name than Nebraska. At least to me.