Division 1 College Conference Realignment

[dfwabel]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

You meant little (again). Especially since the athletic department is close to the $4M minimum in scholarship money to be class as D-1.

[WSU151]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

You meant little (again). Especially since the athletic department is close to the $4M minimum in scholarship money to be class as D-1.

Along the same lines as the scholarship money, Nevada's stadium barely meets D-1 capacity standards. Easy to change? Yes. Easy to fill? Not really.

[jkrdevil]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

[dfwabel]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

You meant little (again). Especially since the athletic department is close to the $4M minimum in scholarship money to be class as D-1.

Along the same lines as the scholarship money, Nevada's stadium barely meets D-1 capacity standards. Easy to change? Yes. Easy to fill? Not really.

FBS has not used stadium capacity for years, but they now use average attendance in terms of eligibility.

[McCall]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

[dfwabel]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

in terms of $$, there is not place which a school can try to join, if they are not wanted.

The Big East is the best option for the flyover schools as the Big East looks towards media market size in terms of their importance to get more money than the ACC did.

C-USA still has their own issues from their FOX/FX contract signed in January.

[jkrdevil]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

That is why I said unless the Oklahoma schools leave qualifier.

[McCall]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

That is why I said unless the Oklahoma schools leave qualifier.

May not make a difference. Who knows. Conference is back on shaky ground again.

[jkrdevil]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

in terms of $$$, there is not place which a school can try to join, if they are not wanted.

The Big East is the best option for the flyover schools as the Big East looks towards media market size in terms of their importance to get more money than the ACC did.

The Big East will probably get more money on the whole than the ACC given the current media climate with now 3 potential bidder in the picture (ESPN, FOX, and NBC). When the ACC signed their deal NBC/Comcast was in a bit of a holding pattern as far as rights were a concern because the merger hadn't been approved yet. While they got a nice increase in rights in retrospect the ACC signed a horrible deal.

That being said though remember the Big East has to split the basketball portion 17 ways. It is almost a situation where if this thing breaks wide open the some remaining Big East football schools and some of ACC schools make a clean break from each of their conferences and join together for a brand new conference where they can take the full rights to market.

[FiddySicks]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

Look, I'm probably the biggest Nevada Wolfpack supporter on this board, went to the university (Didn't graduate form there due to many reasons, class offerings was one though), and live about 50 miles from Reno, but the idea that UNR could be accepted into the Pac 12/4/6 is really crazy. Sure, the city is growing, but that's mainly due to lower real estate prices than just across the boarder in California and the fact that work is insanely hard to find in this part of the state. Nevada's economy for the most part depends on two things, the fortunes of their meal ticket to the west, and gambling. California is in debt up to their eyeballs right now, and Nevada is paying because of it. EVERYTHING in the state is underfunded, including the school systems. Nevada has by far one of the worst educational systems in the entire country in terms of funding. Both UNR and UNLV have had major financial cutbacks in the past few years that have all but crippled their educational offerings. And when it comes to gambling, just look at the city of Vegas. You'd be hard pressed to find any other area of the country that was hit worse by the poor economy than Vegas. It's gotten so bad in Vegas that people are leaving at a faster rate than coming into town now. I for one would be giddy as a schoolgirl to see the Wolfpack find a way to join the PAC #, but there is simply no way that either of the Nevada Universities have the resources to do so any time soon.

[thespleenenator]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

Look, I'm probably the biggest Nevada Wolfpack supporter on this board, went to the university (Didn't graduate form there due to many reasons, class offerings was one though), and live about 50 miles from Reno, but the idea that UNR could be accepted into the Pac 12/4/6 is really crazy. Sure, the city is growing, but that's mainly due to lower real estate prices than just across the boarder in California and the fact that work is insanely hard to find in this part of the state. Nevada's economy for the most part depends on two things, the fortunes of their meal ticket to the west, and gambling. California is in debt up to their eyeballs right now, and Nevada is paying because of it. EVERYTHING in the state is underfunded, including the school systems. Nevada has by far one of the worst educational systems in the entire country in terms of funding. Both UNR and UNLV have had major financial cutbacks in the past few years that have all but crippled their educational offerings. And when it comes to gambling, just look at the city of Vegas. You'd be hard pressed to find any other area of the country that was hit worse by the poor economy than Vegas. It's gotten so bad in Vegas that people are leaving at a faster rate than coming into town now. I for one would be giddy as a schoolgirl to see the Wolfpack find a way to join the PAC #, but there is simply no way that either of the Nevada Universities have the resources to do so any time soon.

Well, not going to argue with a native. Who's the next best bet then, Air Force? They have a big national following and great academics, but would a service academy join a BCS if given the chance?

[rams80]

Random thoughts on this SEC expansion talk:

1) Sizemore is correct: the discussion on markets has less to do with where the schools are located (Athens, Fayetteville, Gainesville, College Station, Blacksburg) but where the ALUMNI from those schools are concentrated (Atlanta, Little Rock, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, DC area, Baltimore). That's the people with the money and the markets. For example, who in Houston or Dallas right now watches SEC football on CBS? Probably very few folks. Put A&M in the mix, and viewership in those places goes way up - not only when A&M plays, but because SEC games now have a bearing on A&M's fortunes.

2) I'm wondering, with all this talk of the next two being "western" schools (A&M /Mizzou, A&M/Oklahoma, etc.) how will this affect the SEC's divisions (for football, as SEC basketball no longer uses divisions). If the divisions are to remain balanced, adding 2 teams from the (geographic) west would require moving a team from the SEC West to the SEC East. Who would that be? The current eastern-most teams in the west are in Alabama, and although they could remain as each team's permanent opponent under the SEC football schedule and still play each other yearly, it would seem unlikely that anyone would want to break the rivalry.

Common thought has Vandy and the Alabama schools shifting for reasons of geography, rivalries, and competitive balance.

[rams80]

Iowa State is possibly the least desired athletic program from a public university within the current BCS conferences. As a whole, only the private schools like Vandy, Duke, and Wake are at or near the same level.

As much as I hate to say it, Kansas State is probably either 1b or 1c on that list as well. Though they do have Kansas City close by, it's still a rural-based school.

Nebraska was a hard enough sell for the Big Ten. There's no way in hell you're getting the requisite majority to agree to take on Kansas State or Iowa State. In the event of a Big XII collapse, Iowa State is likely going to become the Boise State of the MAC.

[crashcarson15]

hahahahaha spleen thinking that the B1G would add Mizzou, K-State, Kansas, and Iowa State.

Look, the only one of those four schools the B1G would go after would be Missouri. And I highly doubt they'd do that. They have the St. Louis market in Illinois and apparently the KC market in Nebraska.

Schools the B1G would be interested in? Notre Dame and Texas (as was rumoured, I hope not though) would be at the top of their list. I don't think they'd get Texas, but in a super-conference world, they'd maybe be able to snatch up Notre Dame. Besides that? Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, and Vanderbilt is who I'd go after if I was the B1G, in that order. Rutgers would give the Big Ten access to the NYC media market for BTN, and Maryland supplies both the Washington, DC and Baltimore markets. While BC might seem a bit out of the way, that gives Boston (and to a lesser extent, most of New England) to the B1G, and Vandy would give them Tennessee.

Adding Notre Dame, Rutgers, Maryland, and Boston College would put the BTN in every state north of the Mason/Dixon line, plus Maryland and DC, as well as every state east of the Mississippi, plus Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska at least. That's what this is all about.

[rams80]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

Look, I'm probably the biggest Nevada Wolfpack supporter on this board, went to the university (Didn't graduate form there due to many reasons, class offerings was one though), and live about 50 miles from Reno, but the idea that UNR could be accepted into the Pac 12/4/6 is really crazy. Sure, the city is growing, but that's mainly due to lower real estate prices than just across the boarder in California and the fact that work is insanely hard to find in this part of the state. Nevada's economy for the most part depends on two things, the fortunes of their meal ticket to the west, and gambling. California is in debt up to their eyeballs right now, and Nevada is paying because of it. EVERYTHING in the state is underfunded, including the school systems. Nevada has by far one of the worst educational systems in the entire country in terms of funding. Both UNR and UNLV have had major financial cutbacks in the past few years that have all but crippled their educational offerings. And when it comes to gambling, just look at the city of Vegas. You'd be hard pressed to find any other area of the country that was hit worse by the poor economy than Vegas. It's gotten so bad in Vegas that people are leaving at a faster rate than coming into town now. I for one would be giddy as a schoolgirl to see the Wolfpack find a way to join the PAC #, but there is simply no way that either of the Nevada Universities have the resources to do so any time soon.

Well, not going to argue with a native. Who's the next best bet then, Air Force? They have a big national following and great academics, but would a service academy join a BCS if given the chance?

To get 16, you'd probably see the Pac 10 take a run at Texas Tech, the Oklahoma duo, and Kansas. Big East may be next in the "big time BCS conference tv payday" queue, but it's not that much more stable than the Big XII and currently wracked by a heated Civil War between the basketball and football schools. Most of the old Big XII North teams merely see the Big East as a worst-case scenario landing pad-not an actual objective to seek out.

[dfwabel]

Average SAT score for WSU: 1590

Average SAT UNR: 1570

I looked at the same source (College Data) you did and you were right. My image for the university might be distorted because UNR has a great music and creative writing school, which is what I hope to in major in.

You might want to try your math again when you add up the three scores, but at least you finally see what the data shows.

And where are you getting UNR is one of the fastest growing universities? Enrollment hasn't really spiked up since 2007.

UNR's 4-year graduation rate is 15%. It's 6-year rate is 48%. Less than half the undergraduates finish school in six years. It's tough to grow when people are leaving.

I meant physically growing. Apparently, according people in the area, there are cranes running every day, and they're apparently going to renovate their stadium.

Look, I'm probably the biggest Nevada Wolfpack supporter on this board, went to the university (Didn't graduate form there due to many reasons, class offerings was one though), and live about 50 miles from Reno, but the idea that UNR could be accepted into the Pac 12/4/6 is really crazy. Sure, the city is growing, but that's mainly due to lower real estate prices than just across the boarder in California and the fact that work is insanely hard to find in this part of the state. Nevada's economy for the most part depends on two things, the fortunes of their meal ticket to the west, and gambling. California is in debt up to their eyeballs right now, and Nevada is paying because of it. EVERYTHING in the state is underfunded, including the school systems. Nevada has by far one of the worst educational systems in the entire country in terms of funding. Both UNR and UNLV have had major financial cutbacks in the past few years that have all but crippled their educational offerings. And when it comes to gambling, just look at the city of Vegas. You'd be hard pressed to find any other area of the country that was hit worse by the poor economy than Vegas. It's gotten so bad in Vegas that people are leaving at a faster rate than coming into town now. I for one would be giddy as a schoolgirl to see the Wolfpack find a way to join the PAC #, but there is simply no way that either of the Nevada Universities have the resources to do so any time soon.

Well, not going to argue with a native. Who's the next best bet then, Air Force? They have a big national following and great academics, but would a service academy join a BCS if given the chance?

Just stop, please. Before you give us another hot sports opinion, have data. One place where you can easily look at is the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education's data on athletic department budgets.

There you can follow their directions and try to look at school athletic budgets and see how they compare to major programs.

[rams80]

hahahahaha spleen thinking that the B1G would add Mizzou, K-State, Kansas, and Iowa State.

Look, the only one of those four schools the B1G would go after would be Missouri. And I highly doubt they'd do that. They have the St. Louis market in Illinois and apparently the KC market in Nebraska.

Schools the B1G would be interested in? Notre Dame and Texas (as was rumoured, I hope not though) would be at the top of their list. I don't think they'd get Texas, but in a super-conference world, they'd maybe be able to snatch up Notre Dame. Besides that? Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, and Vanderbilt is who I'd go after if I was the B1G, in that order. Rutgers would give the Big Ten access to the NYC media market for BTN, and Maryland supplies both the Washington, DC and Baltimore markets. While BC might seem a bit out of the way, that gives Boston (and to a lesser extent, most of New England) to the B1G, and Vandy would give them Tennessee.

Adding Notre Dame, Rutgers, Maryland, and Boston College would put the BTN in every state north of the Mason/Dixon line, plus Maryland and DC, as well as every state east of the Mississippi, plus Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska at least. That's what this is all about.

I don't think the Big Ten wants Texas. Or at least Texas with the Longhorn Network. Nebraska alone would fight to the last ditch to oppose this, and I suspect the rest of the Conference didn't really enjoy their negotiations with Texas last summer. Just not worth the headache. On a similar note, I think the Big Ten has reached a point where they will no longer actively seek out the Irish, but wait for Notre Dame to come to them.

[rams80]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

That is why I said unless the Oklahoma schools leave qualifier.

May not make a difference. Who knows. Conference is back on shaky ground again.

Seriously. When your beleaguered Conference responds to its latest defection with "It's ok, we're grabbing that jumped up community college, Houston." You have to be looking for your own exit strategy.

[dfwabel]

Well it looks like this is happening. TAMU has moved up their board of regents meeting to discuss conference affiliation and ESPN is reporting to expect a press conference shortly afterwards. Also the quotes from the Big 12 people sounds like A&M is leaving.

Oh boy... Looks like the Big 12 is going to be dead in the water now. Who would of thought that Texas A&M would be the one that gives it the potential death knell?

Big 12 is not dead unless the Oklahoma schools bolt (they are likely a package deal where if they leave they have to leave together). The Big 12 can probably still exist as the Texas, Oklahoma + 8 other conference. Mainly because the 8 others don't have anywhere to go and deal with Texas having the power. So if A&M leaves they'll operate at 9 or call up Houston fill a spot and be a doormat for Texas.

Naw the uncertainty surrounding the potential of more departures is gonna be too great. Most of the schools are probably going to start to reach out to the other major conferences for membership so that they can find some security and not be left on the backburner with nowhere to go but the MWC.

They may be able to survive with the remaining schools, but I don't think any of them are gonna want to wait around and try and find out.

That is why I said unless the Oklahoma schools leave qualifier.

May not make a difference. Who knows. Conference is back on shaky ground again.

Seriously. When your beleaguered Conference responds to its latest defection with "It's ok, we're grabbing that jumped up community college, Houston." You have to be looking for your own exit strategy.

Exactly, the Big XII would be better to go after BYU and let them keep their TV deal than go after Houston, a school which they already have covered with alumni and active viewers.

[thespleenenator]

hahahahaha spleen thinking that the B1G would add Mizzou, K-State, Kansas, and Iowa State.

Look, the only one of those four schools the B1G would go after would be Missouri. And I highly doubt they'd do that. They have the St. Louis market in Illinois and apparently the KC market in Nebraska.

Schools the B1G would be interested in? Notre Dame and Texas (as was rumoured, I hope not though) would be at the top of their list. I don't think they'd get Texas, but in a super-conference world, they'd maybe be able to snatch up Notre Dame. Besides that? Rutgers, Maryland, Boston College, and Vanderbilt is who I'd go after if I was the B1G, in that order. Rutgers would give the Big Ten access to the NYC media market for BTN, and Maryland supplies both the Washington, DC and Baltimore markets. While BC might seem a bit out of the way, that gives Boston (and to a lesser extent, most of New England) to the B1G, and Vandy would give them Tennessee.

Adding Notre Dame, Rutgers, Maryland, and Boston College would put the BTN in every state north of the Mason/Dixon line, plus Maryland and DC, as well as every state east of the Mississippi, plus Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska at least. That's what this is all about.

Iowas State and K-State are a bit iffy I'll given you that, but Mizzou and Kansas? Who wouldn't want those schools. In terms of football, yes, you're correct. But Kansas plays basketball too. They also have great track. Also, Iowa State is, along with Oklahoma State, are the top wrestling programs in the nation.