<p>
[quote]
Big Ten Conference looking into expanding to 12 teams?</p>
<p>Teddy Greenstein explains why one of the most powerful athletic conferences in nation would want to add another institution; Here's a hint: It's green
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Big</a> Ten Conference looking into expanding to 12 teams? -- chicagotribune.com</p>
<p>Nebraska, Pitt, Cincy, and WVU would be nice.</p>
<p>It will be Rutgers. They’re on the rise, Schiano isn’t going anywhere, solid academics, and most importantly they’ve got the NY media market and $$$$</p>
<p>Pitt would make sense, but Rutgers would make dollars.</p>
<p>Cincinnati would be an excellent addition to the Big 10, especially for football. Their program is continually expanding, however, Brian Kelly left them out to dry in the BCS. Since Brian Kelly has moved his football intelligence into the hands of Notre Dame, the school seemingly fits right into the conference, as well. Michigan is one of Notre Dames great football rivals. Why is Notre Dame under an independent conference anyway? Either way both Cincy and The Irish are notable bids for the Big 10, if they expand.</p>
<p>Notre Dame would make the most sense. It has a natural rivalry with MSU, Michigan, PSU, IU and Purdue, plus it has a great national reputation as an academic institution. The Notre Dame administration and faculty would love to join the CIC. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen because Notre Dame makes more money as an Independent and Notre Dame alums genuinely believe their school is too good for the Big 10. </p>
<p>My second choice would have been UT-Austin, but it is probably too far from the rest of the schools, but UT has more in common with Michigan and Wisconsin than it does with any school in the Big 12. </p>
<p>Realistically, Pitt would be themost likely candidate. It has a natural rivalry with Penn State, it is a fine academic institution and a major research university.</p>
<p>There is absolutely no way Cincy, Nebraska, or WVU would ever be invited to the Big Ten. They are not academically up to snuff.</p>
<p>Also the Big 10 is looking for $$$$$$ that right there eliminates Cincy…they have no media market. Also, ND is NOT leaving indy they’ll stay indy as long as they can possible.</p>
<p>Rutgers. $$$ is more important than anything.</p>
<p>i dont know much about rutgers athletics, which means that they arent anything special. they would bring money but could they really compete in football, and they maybe could in basketball. it would probably be a good idea. syracuse was mentioned and they would definitely be cool in basketball, but they would be one of the worst for football. WVU doesnt stand a chance, they are way to weak academically. Notre Dame would be sweet though, the football program could probably use some more change.</p>
<p>cross: Rutgers has a top 35 football team annually…they’re good and have gone to bowl games the past 5 years, not bad. Mens bball has much left to be desired, they’ll prob. fire their coach at the end of this year. Womens bball team is top five in the nation. Womens soccer is VERY good. They’d fit perfectly really.</p>
<p>o ha, i dont reallly pay very close attention to college football. honestly though the biggest factors are how much money will the programs bring, and are they academically up to the standards of the big 10, not that big 10 is fantastic academically but it does consist of many of the best public universities. to be honest, i dont think they are gonna care about the sports that dont bring in big money, so it will mainly come down to mens basketball and football, so womens soccer will be meaningless and womans bball wont be a huge factor, although it might be somewhat influential.</p>
<p>Pitt is a better fit than Rutgers. Pittsburgh is more “midwestern”, has atop ranked Medical school, has a $2 billion+ endowment and has a respected Football program.</p>
<p>Isn’t Rutgers more of a commuter school?</p>
<p>Pitt would be a logical choice.</p>
<p>When does ND’s contract with NBC expire? If Kelly can’t turn the fb program around quickly, look for that ND/NBC contract to be much less…perhaps they would be kicking themselves for not joining the Big Te(leve)n. For sure they are this year…no bowl payout.</p>
<p>“o ha, i dont reallly pay very close attention to college football. honestly though the biggest factors are how much money will the programs bring, and are they academically up to the standards of the big 10, not that big 10 is fantastic academically but it does consist of many of the best public universities.”</p>
<p>The Big Ten is probably the strongest major athletic conference academically, from top to bottom, in the U.S. They are not going to allow a school in that is not strong academically and I don’t care how much money is involved.</p>
<p>“When does ND’s contract with NBC expire? If Kelly can’t turn the fb program around quickly, look for that ND/NBC contract to be much less…perhaps they would be kicking themselves for not joining the Big Te(leve)n. For sure they are this year…no bowl payout.”</p>
<p>I honestly think ND blew it’s chances when they decided not to join the Big Ten in '99. The B10 is not going to embarrass themselves again by offering admittance to a school who already turned them down.</p>