Big 10 Expansion

There have been a lot of reports in the media about the Big Ten possibly expanding by including Notre Dame, Rutgers, Pitt, Missouri, Nebraska, or others. The Southeastern Conference will almost certainly respond by expanding, probably at the expense of the Big 12 or ACC. Colorado, my alma mater, has been linked to the Pac 10, and the Pac 10, if it decides to significantly expand, will probably raid the Mountain West or WAC. One of my friends, a Pitt alum, is certain that the Big Ten will pursue Pitt. Pitt adds no major TV markets to those the Big Ten already reaches by way of Penn State. I think that the Big Ten will much more likely pursue Rutgers, Syracuse, and Missouri to add the TV markets of New York, St. Louis, and Kansas City.

It seems to me that the biggest prize for an expanding conference, and both the Big Ten and the SEC will probably be interested, is Texas. In size and academic pedigree, Texas would fit with the Big Ten. Geographically, Texas shifting from the Big 12 to the SEC probably makes the most sense. Texas would probably strengthen the desirability of either conference to the big networks. It will be fascinating to see if changes actually occur. If the Big Ten and the SEC expand, it will probably happen at the expense of the Big 12, Mountain West, Big East, and WAC. It will be interesting to see of those leagues survive and in what form.

Of course, it could be that all of this is just summer fancy to keep media types occupied until football starts again next season. If you are interested, probably the best analysis of all of these schools has been in this column by Andy Staples at Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/05/12/expansion-candidates/index.html . His follow up column on lessons from the collapse of the sixteen team WAC is also interesting. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/05/20/16-team/index.html

Enjoy!