Ben5

Well. Nebraska and Mizzou are shoe-ins. That will take the total to 13. I think where the Big Ten screws up is taking Rutgers over Syracuse. I think the Orange fan base is bigger than Rutgers and is closer to "Big Ten Country." ESPN reports that someone familiar with the situation is saying to think outside of the box, like Georgia Tech or Maryland - neither of which I agree with.

As for the Notre Dame idea. I understand ND has the great TV contract, but with the ESPN and Big Ten Network contracts, it will be a lateral move. I think where ND has to think about is the National Title hopes. ND is not going to get into a BCS title game being independent. But if they join the Big Ten, they have a shot at beating a good OSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State teams, and getting that 1 or 2 rank at the end of the season.

Now the reports I am reading and hearing about is that the Big Ten wants to expand to 16 teams... but get this: With 4, 4 team divisions in 2 leagues. I am guessing it is a way to increase the Big Ten season 2 games in order to avoid that super long lay off between their end of season and BCS bowl games.

I think if the Big Ten were smart, they would invite Nebraska, Mizzou, Syracuse, West Virginia and Notre Dame. However, I do NOT think they want to double up with schools in the same state, which is why I think if Notre Dame denies the invite, they should go after a team like Virginia Tech or Louisville. Looking at the map, those 2 schools fall right into Big Ten country, and it would set up an easy break down of rivalries and divisions.

Teams I have heard are on short list: Nebraska, Mizzou, Notre Dame, Rutgers

Teams that are also in consideration: Pitt, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Vanderbilt

The 5 Teams that I would make the most sense: Nebraska, Mizzou, West Virginia, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. WV brings in Pitt for the Backyard Rivalry, Pitt also plays Penn State. ND already has established rivalries with teams in the Big 10. Nebraska has a national fan base. Syracuse brings in the NY audience.

It is going to be interesting wither way... a 4 team, 4 division, 2 conference Mega Conference. The only way I think that works is a 3 year rotation. School 1 plays the other 3 teams in it's A division, plus division B... that's 7 games. Then leave it to the schools to schedule 5 at large games. This would allow 3 tune-up games to start the year, and 2 games for out of conference schedule. Then school 1 from A plays all its teams plus division B... and so on and so fourth.

Obviously, they are going to have to align the divisions so OSU and Michigan can play in the Big Ten championship, as well as play every single year - making the Michigan vs OSU game an at-large game.

I think you are off base on a couple points here. First off, I don't know how much ANY New York team has a foothold in the NYC market. From what I understand, Penn State is just as big in the city, if not bigger than Rutgers and Syracuse. It is my opinion that people from New Jersey think Rutgers is the New York team, but that is just wishful thinking.

West Virginia is not really an option. Geographically, academically, number of teeth, etc. I don't think they will look there. Louisville won't bring in a big enough market. Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech would be interesting, but neither in Big Ten country. Not even close. No way they bring in Vandy. They have almost no football presence.

Finally, Ohio State and Michigan will be in the same division. The idea is that hopefully at least one of them will be leading the division and the winner will either go to the conference championship game or spoil it for the other guy. Having them play twice a year would cheapen their regular season game. Having them not play at all in a season (if they both don't make the championship game) would be even worse.

Do we have a source on these invitations?

Thanks jpslapshot22. You hit the nail on the head. I was going from CMYK to RGB. I appreciate your help.

I have a question about saving files. Is there an easy way to do it? I normally just copy the image and paste it into photoshop, but the blues always turn out a funny shade. Is there some easier way that I am overlooking?