Around the Big Ten

[iam416]

The B10 loves GT. They prefer UNC, I think, but GT is very attractive. FSU is probably a longshot.

Also, if ND did come on board, they would paired in the East and possibly Chicago:

Michigan and OSU would be in the same pod.

Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota,

Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, Purdue

Maryland, Virginia, UNC, GT

Notre Dame, Rutgers, Penn State, Illinois, Northwestern

There final pairings are a bit tougher. If KU comes on board, then they're obviously in the UNL pod. If they don't, but BC does, then Illinois shifts west and BC is in with ND/PSU. The southern pod needs FSU. Michigan State, from what I've heard, is actually flexible and maybe even willing to head west, so if no KU, then maybe MSU heads out there.

I think the goal would be at least 1 "king" in your pod -- that means you play at least 2 every season. FSU would be needed in that regard for the South -- or you shift ND there. Lots and lots of moving pieces.

Where things stand now is that they're moving as expected. Virginia is in. Talks with UNC are advancing.

[iam416]

BTW, dream scenario:

UNL, Wisky, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas

OSU, M, MSU, Indiana, Purdue

PSU, Rutgers, Illinois, NW, Notre Dame

Maryland, UNC, UVa, GT, FSU

Play everyone in your pod every year and everyone in a different pod once every 3 years.

[THE_WIZARD_]

STFU

[entropy]

BTW, dream scenario:

UNL, Wisky, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas

OSU, M, MSU, Indiana, Purdue

PSU, Rutgers, Illinois, NW, Notre Dame

Maryland, UNC, UVa, GT, FSU

Play everyone in your pod every year and everyone in a different pod once every 3 years.

that would be a grand slam... In basketball, nobody would touch the BIG. Baseball would be much improved and in football, it would open the states of Virginia, NC, Georgia and Florida. That would be wins for all of us.

now... I still doubt ND would join. I think the big12 would offer them the same deal they have with the ACC today. In that case, add Duke and shift Maryland into the PSU pod

[iam416]

I wouldn't be shocked to see BC if KU wants to stick with the B12. ND could probably leverage them in just like UNC could probably leverage in Duke if they really wanted to.

What I see developing, aside from the obvious move to the East Coast, is development of "third sport" content. Hockey, baseball and, yes, lacrosse. The B10 is never going to add a school based on "third sport" quality (and that includes Johns Hopkins -- they get added because of billions of research dollars), but the third sport is a nice bonus.

[WM Wolverine]

FSU is very reluctant to go to the Big XII and content with the ACC. Most recent talk about FSU to the Big XII is it ain't going to happen....

I think their options at this point are A: dying ACC B: SEC that already 'owns' the state of Florida C. B10. Their fanbase, culture is very much SEC but if the ACC is dying and the SEC passes them up, B10 suddenly is very attractive.

[Hannibal]

Big Ten coaching legend: Bobby Bowden

[entropy]

Would Florida allow them the join the SEC?

It was my impression that the schools could prevent another in state from joining..

[WM Wolverine]

Supposedly there is an agreement they won't add another in-state school; but I could see it being waived without Florida having much issue. That would solve one less tough OOC matchup for them.

[hack]

As much as we're in a new era and one ought to be open minded, wow it just sounds wrong moreso than any other of the options on the table.

[WM Wolverine]

I'd personally would like to see the B10 stop at 16 with NC/Virginia. 20 does make some sense if the B10 lands at least 5 of its 9 top targets left: Virginia, NC, ND, FSU, GT, Missouri, Kansas, Texas and Duke which is awfully unlikely imo...

At 20 teams, you can play 4 pods of 5.

[Hannibal]

Big Ten coaching legend: Dean Smith

[Hannibal]

Lawrence Taylor: greatest linebacker in the history of the Big Ten?

[entropy]

I like 12..

[entropy]

imo... if you are going above 12.. you need to to 16 or 20 and create pods. Divisions of 7 just create 2 leagues. pods, at least, you get to see each other more often, even if it isn't a traditional home and home type schedule

As i've often said... I'd like KU to be added to help the teams in the west with travel... but i understand going south and frankly, the BIG probably needs it. Kids in the south play football year round.