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"
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doggdetroit

September 22nd, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^

I realize this is hypothetical, but in reality there are only 5 choices at least in the short term. ACC schools are off the table since they just signed a grant of rights for the next 20 years. Notre Dame is also off the table since they are contractually obligated to the ACC if they want to join a conference for football within the next 20 years.

Pac 12 schools are too far geographically. My number one choice (if every school is available) would be Florida, but they would never leave the SEC. The B1G would also never "double up" meaning no Iowa State (which would be a horrible business decision by the way). That leaves the following:

Texas (biggest prize in the Game of Conferences)
Oklahoma (questionable academics but not much different from Nebraska academically)
Missouri (no GOR in SEC, would probably join if offered)
UConn (very good basketball but very bad football, at least they further solidify NYC market)
Kansas (horrible football outweighs elite basketball in my opinion)

When you play the Game of Conferences, you win or you die. I'll take Texas.
 

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UMProud

September 22nd, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^

Notre Dame #1

Texas #2

Hell why not a west coast team maybe UCLA?  USC?

Notre Dame and Texas both would yield massive new market numbers to B1G games.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure Michigan would benefit since the contract has already been cut to the broadcasters?   Can this be re-negotiated with changes to the conference?

I will say, as an old guy growing up with the original Big Ten I preferred the original set of schools.  I miss not playing many of the B-West schools regularly and have zero emotional investment in any of the new schools.

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1201 S. Main St.

September 22nd, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

I think some school that would be kind of cool to add (aside from Texas and other major programs) in no particular order would be:

Colorado
Pitt
Virginia
Boston College
UConn

They all are pretty close in terms of location of other Big Ten schools and I think each have pretty good academics and could contribute in either basketball or football, at least at a level better than Rutgers....which is a low bar.

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1201 S. Main St.

September 22nd, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

I think some school that would be kind of cool to add (aside from Texas and other major programs) in no particular order would be:

Colorado
Pitt
Virginia
Boston College
UConn

They all are pretty close in terms of location of other Big Ten schools and I think each have pretty good academics and could contribute in either basketball or football, at least at a level better than Rutgers....which is a low bar.

Joined: 10/09/2015

MGoPoints: 844

redhotjabrillpeppers

September 22nd, 2016 at 2:16 PM ^

ND to the B1G West. Pitt to the East. Making it 16 teams. It would even things out, with the East being so dominant. Change the format to 10 conference games and 2-3 cross overs. It would secure the UM and MSU rivarly with ND. I know 10 conference games is a lot, but lets be honest, the season for Michigan starts Saturday, they did their job in non-conference play, but you do not need more the 2 non-conference games to get ready for the season. Week 1 could still be a high caliber non-conference opponent (Florida in 2017), and the second week could be agianst a UCF, Hawaii type caliber opponent. Thoughts?

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Lee Everett

September 22nd, 2016 at 7:21 PM ^

BC and UConn would be a decent wrap if the goal was 16.

Minnesota/Iowa/Wisonsin/Nebraska

Maryland/UConn/Rutgers/Boston College

Penn State/Michigan State/Ohio State/Michigan

Illinois/Northwestern/Purdue/Indiana

It really, really simplifies a four-division setup, not changing much for the good guys other than being locked into a game against PSU.

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drzoidburg

September 22nd, 2016 at 5:26 PM ^

I could see them adding NYU if rutgers ever dropped - biggest market and there's always time to add a football team later Georgia i'd like the better teams in our conference to play H/H once so if we can just do that, no need to invite them Others mentioned academics, so I would tolerate Virginia or UCLA. Stanford no thanks, no need for more private schools full of completely spoiled kids from "relative middle class"

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Carcajou

September 22nd, 2016 at 5:47 PM ^

Definitely:
Significantly expands the media, fan, and recruiting areas for Michigan and other teams in the B1G.
Pretty good academics, I hear.
Major airport/Airline hub, so easy to get to.

[All things that NE did not add BTW]

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 5796

Goblue228

September 23rd, 2016 at 1:08 AM ^

I would kick out Purdue. They do nothing for the conference on any level. I'd add Texas if I could only add one. With 2 I'd add Oklahoma. At least MD and Rutgers bring in those regions to the big ten.

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megaswami

September 23rd, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^

B1G has stood fast by one common measurement for admittance...school must be member of AAU. It ensures the link between academics and athletics no matter the success of the school's sports teams.



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