Who would you want in the Big Ten (one team only)

Submitted by crg on
Half-sincere apologies for this only moderately relevant thread (working late tonight and bored). Anyway:

If there was an opening for ONE team to join the Big Ten, who would get your vote? This is irrespective of division (maybe Rutgers gives up on football, or the entire University of Iowa decides to skip town to avoid paying Kirk Ferentz another dime - doesn't matter who left or why). Geography/academics can be a factor in your decision, but are not critical. If you care to explain why you chose whichever school, that will make things more interesting (e.g. want to have a road game in Ypsi to take in the scenery).

Go! EDIT: This is not "who should join the Big Ten for real" but more "wouldn't it be great to have this team in the Big Ten - even though there's no way in hell it ever happens"
MGoBoard
Football

jakerblue

September 22nd, 2016 at 9:04 AM ^

Beat me to it. I think GT would be an interesting addition.  Great academics. Can field pretty decent athletic teams from time to time in both basketball and football.  Huge market, and helps out with the southeast recruiting.

Virginia would also fit that.

Looking towards the south could also go Vandy, but they are rarely good at sports, and they seem a little redundant with Northwestern.

Joined: 10/09/2015

MGoPoints: 3644

BornInA2

September 21st, 2016 at 11:29 PM ^

Old school, I know, but I like ten teams, full round-robin, best league record wins the champioinship.

Playing nine conference games only to decide the champion with one game seems more about grabbing money than finding the best team to me.

So I guess I'd kick the four that were added to the original 10 to the curb. Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State, and Nebraska. The only one I might miss just a bit is Nebraska.

Joined: 02/15/2014

MGoPoints: 12802

jdemille9

September 22nd, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^

I'm with ya there. But we're in the minority.... I'd love to see ALL conferences with just 10 teams, 9-game conf schedule then a plus one after the bowl games for the national championship instead of the playoff. Sadly, no one else agrees with me on that one. 

It would have settled the Nebraska vs Michigan debate in 1997.

Joined: 01/29/2011

MGoPoints: 8524

drzoidburg

September 22nd, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^

I could dig that but i'd probably prefer 9 teams, 4 home/4away every year and 2 "P7" games mandatory A "plus one after bowls" is pretty much a 4 team playoff since the top 2 teams heading in will presumably make the plus one if they win and if not, the teams directly below them. At least the playoff guarantees the top teams face each other rather than say 12-0 alabama vs 3 loss ACC winner There's been a lot of controversy in CFB since 1997 that a plus one would not have solved. What about the year of 5 undefeated teams?

Joined: 09/20/2015

MGoPoints: 2220

GoBlueGoWings

September 21st, 2016 at 11:33 PM ^

Cincinnati so Ohio State isn't the only big program in the state.

Kick out Penn State

Texas 

The U-They play at Dolphins stadium. Steven Ross owner of the Dolphins.

UCLA or USC

North Dakota-hockey

Joined: 04/19/2012

MGoPoints: 52768

MGoBlue22

September 22nd, 2016 at 9:37 AM ^

I'm with you on 'Bama.  I'd love to see them play in something other than the tropical like weather they currently enjoy.  I cannot recall any game in which they played in frigid weather (which makes sense since most non-conference games are playing early in the season).  

Joined: 02/09/2009

MGoPoints: 301

MichiganStudent

September 21st, 2016 at 11:35 PM ^

I think 14 is about as much as a conference can handle but if we are going to 16 (I know you said one team) then I'd be all for Virginia and Virginia Tech.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 08/27/2008

MGoPoints: 7223

OwenGoBlue

September 21st, 2016 at 11:35 PM ^

Stanford, Cal, Texas and Miami would fit nicely if conferences go supernova (only scenario where this is in any way possible). 

Academics, quality competition, storied programs all good for conference recruiting and TV deals. Also would greatly improve the east/west competitive balance. 

Joined: 04/03/2016

MGoPoints: 31525

Ballislife

September 21st, 2016 at 11:36 PM ^

Swap Maryland and Rutgers for Notre Dame and Western Michigan. ND for rivalry reasons, and Fleck (if he sticks in KZoo), seems to be turning WMU into a pretty decent football school.

Joined: 02/26/2014

MGoPoints: 10049

LSAClassOf2000

September 22nd, 2016 at 7:15 AM ^

As I recall, the Silverdome was supposed to have a date with the wrecking ball, but I don't know if that includes the old practice facility, which a number of regional teams still use, so they could kind of have a piece of what was at one time the Silverdome, but first someone has to get the old USFL band back together. I wouldn't complain about that, but creating an accredited university on the fly could be a bitch. I think we're the blog to do it though.

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130776

Wall

September 21st, 2016 at 11:47 PM ^

I would add Cincinnati, boot Rutgers. Give OSU a legit team to deal with recruiting-wise in state like how we habe to deal with MSU.

Joined: 09/08/2014

MGoPoints: 493

tlo2485

September 21st, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^

I'm warming up to the idea of Oklahoma adding some star power in the West and giving Nebraska a legit conference rival. Would love to see the reaction in Texas and the LHN if their two biggest rivals bailed on them. 

Other than that, I value the academic fit, so UVA and ND seem like the most logical fits overall. GT is interesting but too far right now unless we make a move down more of the eastern seaboard. UVA would actually be a perfect additon to the East. We don't necessarily need another football giant, but they would bring excellent programs in a ton of other sports, including basketball currently--and excellent academics.

Joined: 08/06/2010

MGoPoints: 7429

rainingmaize

September 22nd, 2016 at 12:13 AM ^

We all know about their football program and the rivalry with Nebraska, but they bring so much more. Access into new markets (OKC and a little bit of the Dallas/Fort Worth market), solid (but not elite) academics, and incredible all around athletics. They are the defending champ in both men's and women's gym, softball, and were if the Final Four for basketball and Men's tennis. They also would be a solid addition for wrestling. Women's bball, and baseball. The biggest home run out there.

Joined: 04/13/2010

MGoPoints: 10458

rainingmaize

September 22nd, 2016 at 8:30 AM ^

A lot of parts are some of the most sketchy redneck parts of the US, but the OKC, Norman, Tulsa area (which is where the majority if the state lives) is perfectly fine and down to earth. They are making progress from being a backwards state.

Joined: 04/13/2010

MGoPoints: 10458

kehnonymous

September 21st, 2016 at 11:58 PM ^

Add: Virginia and Pitt - both quality schools in terms of academics who haven't been national fucking disgraces in the last two decades

Boot: Rutgers, because they're just embarassing and Penn State, because holy fucking shitballs do we even need to get into this.  (Replacing them with their rival Pitt is gravy, to boot)

Joined: 11/25/2011

MGoPoints: 33238