ESTONES6

Question, now that the Big 12 survived and the Pac-10 will only go to 12 does the Big Ten stop its expansion at Nebraska or now that Texas is out of the picture does it move on to try to blow up the Big East, expand their tv footprint, and try to force the other big fish Notre Dame in?

I think the Big Ten might continue at their original timeline. Two of the goals were to get one of the two big fish and expand their tv footprint. Adding Nebraska while nice from a football program standpoint does not greatly expand the Big Ten network's footprint. One of the big fish may still be out there. Even if they don't get Notre Dame and only go to 14 they can say it was successful because they got a marquee program (Nebraska) and expanded their footprint (two new schools presumably from the east).

I think the Big 10 gets aggressive now. I think they make a big push at Maryland to get the Baltimore/DC market. I think they move for a NY team i.e. Syracuse, or Rutgers.

They get 14 teams, and then they make a strategic move on ND. I don't think ND wants to be an odd number team in the conference. I think they want to be "the final team." So I think if the Big 10 goes and say hey... here it is... Nebraska, Maryland, Syracuse, and Virginia are all on board... I think ND makes the jump.

I do NOT see the Big 10 resting now. I think they will get more aggressive. I think they see the potential to put a strangle hold on the college landscape. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a push for Mizzou. I know Mizzou has come out and said "oh no we love the Big 12" even after they wanted to be the first school to jump ship. I think if the Big 10 asks for a date, Mizzou would be glad to hike up her skirt.

because we were talking about TV contracts, via ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5285680

Millions of Reasons

Big 12 Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma would each receive at least $20 million annually from a new Big 12 TV contract, according to a report, comparable with what the top conference deals pay now.

BCS conference Amount of contract

Big Ten $242 million

SEC $205 million

Big 12 $78 million

ACC $67 million

Pacific-10 $58 million

Big East $33 million

I have a question for everyone. If the Big 12 stays with 10 teams, including Oklahoma and Texas... Does that make Colorado the big loser, and the Big 10/Big XII the big winner? Rather than the PAC 12 being the big winner, and Big 12 being the big loser.

Does the Big 12 try and steal TCU? and possibly 1 other school? Possibly a University of Houston, UTEP, Tulsa?

If ONLY Texas and Oklahoma go to the SEC... I don't think you will see the Big 12 fall apart. Kansas, Kansas State, Mizzou, and Iowa State have all said they would be interested in the staying in the Big 12. I could see them inviting TCU and maybe trying to steal some school from the SEC. If that happens, Colorado could have made a bad move.

I don't see some of the lesser SEC schools wanting to get beat up week in and week out with a football conference consisting of almost all power houses.

I think the PAC 10 would still want OK State and Tech, but I don't see them going alone.

With the kind of money the SEC is raking in, I don't think Vanderbilt and Mississippi State will mind getting their asses kicked by Texas and Oklahoma when they're already getting routinely throttled by the likes of Alabama and Florida.

Besides, there's no school I can think of that's annually weak in every sport.

True, but if you can make a jump and be a dominant school in multiple sports...

If ONLY Texas and Oklahoma go to the SEC... I don't think you will see the Big 12 fall apart. Kansas, Kansas State, Mizzou, and Iowa State have all said they would be interested in the staying in the Big 12. I could see them inviting TCU and maybe trying to steal some school from the SEC. If that happens, Colorado could have made a bad move.

I don't see some of the lesser SEC schools wanting to get beat up week in and week out with a football conference consisting of almost all power houses.

I think the PAC 10 would still want OK State and Tech, but I don't see them going alone.

From the last figures I seen via ESPN, the Big 10 has the largest television contract. Not including the BTN.

They want Oklahoma and Texas. I think you are correct in the sharing of the money... but after the success of the BTN and its use as a bargaining chip, the SEC is scrambling to get a network together.

I think one thing Texas and Oklahoma is wary of is joining a conference that becomes too strong... which is why I think they would favor the Big 10 over the SEC. I don't see these school and football programs pining to join a conference where they beat the hell out of each other, and then potentially only get 1 team into the BCS Championship, and maybe a bunch of 3 or 4 loss teams in lesser bowl games.

Now someone will say, "what about the PAC-10?" Certainty an option. But I look at it as, the Big 10 is weak, but with the demise of the Big 12, it now becomes the 2nd best conference. When it comes down to it, USC and Oregon are the only contending teams, and with the USC sanctions, it might be a good 5-6 years before you see USC in a big bowl. As for Washington and Oregon State, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the future. 1 loss in a weak conference means no National Title. 1 Loss in the second best conference (Big 10), could still have national title possibilities.

I do think the Texas AD is on record as saying something to the likes of: "we love the possibility of Saturday nights in Happy Valley, in the Big House, or in the Horse Shoe. We certainty like the idea entertaining the Wolverines, Nittny Lions, and the Buckeyes, too."

So... take it for what its worth, but its fun to think about.

To be honest, when the dust settles... I think its going to be Big 10 (Big Midwest), SEC, Pac 10 (Pac 16), Mountain West, and a Big East/ACC merger.

There are strong basketball school out east and I don't see them making just a football merger move. However, I do see the Big 10 and SEC NOT stopping. Honestly, I think more school will be gobbled up, and you might see 20 team conferences. It doesn't seem likely, but with all this money revenue, I just don't see it stopping.

It's being reported that the Mountain West are looking at Kansas and Mizzou. I can see them getting Kansas and Kansas State. I think with this interest in Mizzou, it might force the Big 10's hand to extend an invite.

If the rumors are true that Texas and A&M are interested in the Big 10... there may be movement and shifting like we've never seen. I do expect ND to fall in line. There are reports the ND and the Big 10 are in talks again, and have a different feel than the previous "talks."

I am reading now that Texas and Texas A&M are petitioning to join the Big 10... which is something I don't think anyone called. Is it true? Probably not. But anyway:

High level sources in multiple conferences have told KCTV5 that Texas and Texas A&M are looking to move to the Big Ten Conference and are in talks to join the conference, while the University of Oklahoma is planning on petitioning the Southeastern Conference to become a member of its conference.

http://kentsterling.com/2010/06/10/big-ten-expansion-texas-and-texas-am-may-choose-big-ten/

http://www.kctv5.com/sports/23860558/detail.html

If this is true... now I start to get worried. Can anyone say "Game Changer"?

So, I been thinking about this whole, Super/Mega Conference expansion, and since I am in Big 10 country... I was thinking about 5 key school that would help the the Big 10 as much as possible. Here is what I came up with:

Ignore the 12... I'm not sure why it's on there.

Probably because you stole someone else's idea, and tried to pass it off as your own.....

Honestly... Someone is said there was an article about it last year in SI... I didn't read it. Never really liked SI. The Names of the divisions just came from nicknames of the regions. I guess someone from SI had done something similar.

I would like to read the article, however. I've been googling the topic, but can't find the article. What I did find was an article from Fanhouse. http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/06/08/big-ten-notre-dame-are-talking-again/

College football is about to be ruined.

How so?

This move towards mega-conferences. They're going to all but kill the mid-major conferences like The MAC and Mountain West etc. The Big XII is already on life support and it's only a matter of time before The ACC, Big Ten, and SEC finish off what's left of The Big East. That leaves us with 4 "major conferences" and schools like Boise State, Utah, etc. are basically screwed worse than they already are. In short, this is going to create a new division that's somewhere between FBS and FCS. Maybe I'm missing something but I just don't see how any of this is good for the sport as a whole.

College football is about to be ruined.

Perhaps this will be the catalyst for a playoff.

Careful what you wish for. A playoff sounds great until you start thinking about the ramifications it will have on smaller schools. With four "mega-conferences" calling the shots you're all kidding yourselves if you think teams from The MAC or MWC will ever get anywhere near a playoff. An 8 team playoff will mean the top two schools from each mega-conference. With four mega-conferences there won't be any "16 team playoff" with every conference champ getting a slot. My argument last season was that there was no way any playoff was going to include The MAC champion at the expense of a two-loss Texas or Georgia etc. With all this conference jumping going on it's even more certain that the "little guys" will be outside looking in.

Then there's this...With a playoff the big teams will have no reason to play the little guys. Why should Ohio State bring in a team like Kent when they can just as easily schedule a good team and get a real tune-up before conference play? All Ohio State will need to do is go 10-2 maybe even 9-3 and they're in. The risk of an early season loss wouldn't matter so there would be no real reason to let a Kent State come to the Shoe and get a big paycheck. Ohio State vs. Oklahoma in October will make a ton more money for both schools as well as TV. All of a sudden the Kent States of the world are no longer able to score that big check a couple times a year. The end result is that all the mid-majors aren't making any money and football programs get dropped.

Like i said, I could see the formation of NEW conferences falling out from this... how competitive or attractive they will be, is yet to be seen.

As for the playoff idea... I think this moves us FARTHER away from it. Because it is limited... I think the BCS will look at it as, SEC had a great year, Big 10 had a great year, the ACC was , the Big East was OK, the Pac 10 was good. Who won in the those conferences? Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Cincci? Alabama is in, Cinci is out... so who was rated higher in the pre-season? Texas or OSU? OSU was, OK, OSU/Alabama for the title.

If anything, I think it makes is easier for the BCS to justify the Bowls.

All you did was rehash the scheduling which the 16 team WAC had (and was retold to America via Andy Staples' si.com story in late May).

For a 15 game schedule, NCAA Bylaw 17.11.5 (Number of Contests) as well as when the season can start/end (17.11.4 End of Playing Season) would have to be amended to accomplish that. That is if the Big Ten will still be a NCAA member.

Didn't read the article, but if that is what he had wrote, then great minds think alike. As for the NCAA length of season... If these conferences are going to force the issue, I could see the NCAA changing the ruling. It is no secret that the NCAA would NOT want to lose revenue, so an expansion would be a possibility. If not, the top 2 teams would play, and eliminate the first round of the play offs.

The Big Ten will not add West Virginia for the reasons you mentioned about wanting new markets in the Big Ten. West Virginia doesn't bring any new big markets into the equation, they aren't going to get the B10 network in very many additional new homes. Plus they aren't like a historic program like Nebraska that can get away with that. On top of that West Virginia isn't strong academically. Remember the people making the final decisions aren't the sports people but the academic presidents. Now that the Pac-10 has sold out their academics for their big move the Big Ten more than any other conference cares the most about a schools academic standing. Now the Big Ten if enough money was out their would sell their academic soul, but in this case they don't as the most attractive candidates from a market point a view (Syracuse, Rutgers, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Missouri, ect.) also fit the Big Ten's academic profile.

I ultimately think in order the invitees to the Big Ten will be Rutgers, Notre Dame (those two probably at the same time), Maryland, then either Syracuse or Missouri.

-Rutgers gets the next invite to expand the footprint and to try to force ND. While I don't know how many NYC eyeballs Rutgers will attract, it does make NJ a footprint state. That means the Big Ten can charge NJ cable operators more for the Big Ten network.

-Notre Dame "gets the next invite", but I think they turn it down at this point in hopes of holding onto academics. I don't think losing Rutgers blows up the Big East (especially with the Big 12 north teams still out there). As such ND rejects here and the Big Ten moves on to try to force.

-Maryland gets the next invite. Maryland gives you again footprint. The school provides you access to the Baltimore and DC markets, which combined is good enough to be the 4th largest market in the country. Question here is if those in charge of Maryland want to jump off the titanic or not.

-Next non-ND invite would go to either Missouri or Syracuse. It will depend on if the Big Ten feels they need to force ND more or not. Also if they feel they need to go more into NY state to get the NYC market. If so on both it will be Syracuse. If not maybe Missouri although I think they ran their mouths out of a Big Ten invite.

-Notre Dame probably relents for 16.

I understand the market aspect of West Virginia, but it adds another state, and it makes the footprint bigger, as well as adding a top 30 football team (for the most part), and a top 25 basketball program.

I would rather The Big 10 add 'Cuse rather than Rutgers because of the basketball aspect. I think the football side is a wash.

I heard Mizzou is dying to get in, but the Big 10 is giving them the cold shoulder because Iowa and Nebraska has basically said they can guarantee the Kansas City and St. Louise markets, which is the only reason the Big 10 wants Mizzou.

Now, the point you made with Maryland is pretty interesting. That, again, is clearly a money move, which I think the Mizzou move can be justified with competitive football and basketball. I had heard a lot of rumors about Maryland being the next target, and with the point you made about Baltimore and DC makes sense why they would target them.

One thing I thought would be interesting that no one talked about was Louisville. Again, you expand the footprint and is smack dab in Big 10 country... you bring in a legit basketball school... and could be poised to build a football team if it is in a more solid conference than the Big East.

To be honest, I think a lot of schools like Maryland, Cuse, Louisville would be interested in joining, and depending how Big the Big 10 really wants to be (since it is media driven based), might be willing to have a 20 school, truly MEGA conference.

I know the Big 10 is also trying to justify the moves by academic standards, which is why Nebraska was a shoe-in, and why Syracuse/Rutgers are also viable. The 3, including Maryland, are all part of the Association of American Uni's. Louisville and WV are not.

I did hear the ND pretty much wants to snub their nose, until the Big 10 gets 15 teams... and basically says... either you are 16, or you are nothing. And if it comes to that, I have heard ND will accept the invite.

The Big 10 is in an interesting spot, because of all the possibilities they have. My problem with the Rutgers move is this: if its going to be a market based moved, bring in Rutgers, but then why not bring in Boston College? Just because they are not AAU, they wouldn't be considered. What about Virginia? could they be justified? It is crazy to think about.

To be honest, after this Big conferences realign... I would be willing to bet the house that a new conference emerges. Some of these schools are not going to be willing to join this lesser conferences.

I just don't see the Big 10 NOT inviting Mizzou. Just because I think they want the 70% revenue instead of just 30%.

Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State to Pac-10; Texas A&M is torn between Pac-10 and SEC.

Source

Texas A&M won't split from Texas.

So, I been thinking about this whole, Super/Mega Conference expansion, and since I am in Big 10 country... I was thinking about 5 key school that would help the the Big 10 as much as possible. Here is what I came up with:

Ignore the 12... I'm not sure why it's on there.

Anyway... So... rumors came out that the Big 10 wanted to have a 2 League, 4 division, Conference. There were rumors of adding 5 of the following teams: Nebraska, Mizzou, Syracuse, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Maryland, and Pitt.

Now, main main objective was to NOT add a school that was in a state that ALREADY had a school in that state, except for ND. The reason is this. One report stated that the Big 10 gets 70% of the profits earned from states that have a school in the conference. For viewers OUTSIDE of a state that has a school, the Big 10 only gets 30% profit.

Now, where I deviated was West Virginia and Syracuse. Here is why. West Virginia add another state market, as mentioned above. WV also brings in the back yard rivalry with Pitt, as well as Virgina Tech.

Syracuse was chosen to bring in the New York state market, which is being craved by the Big 10. Now, I chose the Orange for 2 reasons. The first is the market. Second, it couples up with the addition of West Virginia. It now brings 2, established basketball schools to join Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

I think this is an important factor because it gets away from the football ONLY idea, and makes the Big 10 legitimate in football and basketball, while still bringing it potentially massive amount of revenue.

Now... The Big 10 said they wanted to add a championship game, and I think its a great idea... they need it. But my idea is extended to a 2 game playoff. As you can see, I separated the 16 schools into 4 divisions, based on location. I tried to separate major rivalries for the following reason: it enables a Big Midwest Championship between Michigan and Ohio State.

Now people are going to say OMG YOU CANT SEPARATE THOSE TEAMS! bla bla bla. Here is how it will work. I am estimating a 12 game regular season with a 2 game playoff. I will refer to Ohio State for the remainder of the scenario.

As part of the 12 games, Ohio State will play the 3 teams in its division. Total: 3 games.

Every 3 years, the Divisions will cycle each other. So the melting pot will play 4 teams from the Breadbasket 1 year, then the 4 teams from the Great Lakes the next year, and the 4 teams from the Heartland in the 3rd year. Total: 7 games.

Now, it seems there will be 3 "tune up" games to start the year... i.e. Akron, Toledo, Ohio U. Total: 10 games.

This leave 2 games. My idea is, the years Ohio State DOES NOT play Michigan, they use 1 of the 2 remaining games to schedule Michigan. The last game (or both) if the school chooses to, is to schedule out of conference power house games, like USC, Miami, Florida. whatever. Total: 12 games.

Now... for the play off. It will take the winning team from each Division. They can either be ranks overall 1-4 and 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3... or, it can simply be the Winner from Heartland West plays the winner of Breadbasket West. Then the winner of Great Lakes East plays the winner of Melting Pot East. The winners play each other.

It is just something I have been thinking about. Yes, it leads to a potentially 15 game season, but I think it adds 2 extra games of revenue, also adds conditioning for the NFL. If the regular season ends on a saturday, there would be a week off, then the following saturday would be the first play off game. Another week layoff, then the following saturday would be the championship.

As for OSU/Michigan. They will NOT be in the same division/conference. There is too much money to be made if they meet in the Big Ten/Big North/Big whatever they are going to call it, Title Game.

Bet you they won't be if they follow the model of other conferences. We've been over this before, if they're in separate divisions with the game being played on the last day of the regular season then it would set up a whole slew of problems. One, if they both have their divisions clinched then we're going to see a bad game in the regular season with the possibility of tanking. Two, it would mean that they would play in consecutive weeks. Three, some have suggested that the Michigan game be moved to earlier in the season so they don't play in back to back weeks. That can't happen because the date of the game just can't be moved. For the sake of the rivalry, they have to be placed into the same division.

Well... Like its been stated... the Big Ten is looking to do 2 leagues, with 4, 4 team divisions. After the regular season, there would be a 1 week lay off... then the division champs in each league would play each other, with the Conference championship game between the last 2 teams.

So it would be a 4 team play off over a 3 week period. The Big Ten would be set up as 4 division, A1, A2, B1, B2. The cycle of games would be considered Team 1 in A1 plays the other 3 teams in its division (3 games), then it would have a 3 year cycle, played A2, B2, then B3 (bringing the total to 7 games). Then there would be 5 at-large games. 2 or 3 "tune-up" games... like your Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, etc. etc. bringing the total to 9 or 10. The final 2 or 3 games being out of conference/"big ticket games" i.e. OSU/Michigan, OSU/USC, OSU/Miami(FL). It would set up quite perfectly. Which is precisely why OSU and Michigan will NOT be in the same league/division; so they can play during the regular season, and then have the potential to meet in the Conference Title game.

Big Ten country is going to expand. So, Tennessee can be included in it, if they choose to expand that far.

As for OSU/Michigan. They will NOT be in the same division/conference. There is too much money to be made if they meet in the Big Ten/Big North/Big whatever they are going to call it, Title Game.

If ND says NO with this current offer... I could see The Big Ten only having 14 teams with Nebraska, Mizzou, and Rutgers. Then once ND comes to their senses, they will offer them the 15th position, with a 16th hinging on Pitt/WV/Cuse.

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.

Well... Vandy, GT, and MD have all been mentioned by someone close to the situation, according to ESPN. They literally described it as "Think outside the box." Vandy could work. It's in Big Ten Country, and would be one of the lesser teams like NW and Illinois. It also brings them into the basketball discussion, which is why I think the Big Ten would rather have Syracuse before Rutgers.

West Virginia AND Virginia Tech both could work, and I think, would be ideal if they can't get Notre Dame. Geographically they work well, making a East and West conference, with a Division of Penn State, NY area team, VT, WV. East conference being the aforementioned teams + Ohio State, Michigan State, Indianan, and Illinois (Indy and Illi because it would break up Indy with Purdue and Illi from Northwestern).

As for OSU/Michigan. They will NOT be in the same division/conference. You would be crazy to think so. If they are smart, they will separate them so they have the possibility of OSU/Michigan for the Big Ten title and have National Title implications. It would NOT be smart to put them in the same division/conference. Since this is mainly a money-driven move, I don't think the Big Ten officials would be that naive to make that mistake.

There is no way the rivalry would be cheapened. Having a 2 game playoff, meeting in the regular season and then in the Big Ten Title game, extracting revenge or enforcing dominance. That is the Big Ten's dream.

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.

this:

Lol obviously from the sig/av, you can guess it is going to be a question some how related to Cleveland... I am just curious as to what font this is:

Obviously i know the C is stylized, but i was wondering what the "avaliers" is. Thanks for anyone who can help.

this is pretty similar:

for my use, either one will work.

I did find another font online just browsing through for a few hours. There is a sample editor here: http://www.linotype.com/1252/mtscript-family.html?subviewmode=FONTS&samplestr=S

Another font that i think could work is HT Pizzeria. If anyone has these, can they please contact me? Thanks Thanks.

Lol obviously from the sig/av, you can guess it is going to be a question some how related to Cleveland... I am just curious as to what font this is:

Obviously i know the C is stylized, but i was wondering what the "avaliers" is. Thanks for anyone who can help.

I'm looking for this blank (no colors or stripes) template for photoshop: http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/7/155/full/enuhgbwjwtqkijb0ikfl0k584.gif

If someone can email me the template or the location, that would be easiest. Thanks.