How to save the the Big12

[PharmHawk]

Who really controls expansion? Notre Dame. If Notre Dame were to join the Big10 all expansion talk would stop. The Big10 would not offer Nebraska or Missouri. Texas would stay put. The Pac10 would not get Texas and no other offer looks to make their conference any significant amount of money. If Notre Dame joined the Big10 tomorrow all this talk about ISU being left behind would end. Also, the Big12 would be given a second life and a chance to sweeten TV deals and strengthen member relationships.

The problem is how to get ND to join the Big10. This is really much more simple than it seems. The power is with the BigEast. If the BigEast did not give any of ND's other sports a home ND would be forced to look elsewhere. ND's football program can survive without a conference but their other sports cannot. If the BigEast forced ND to join their conference all the way or get out Notre Dame would be forced into a conference. Now, would they join the Big10? Yes, the need for a conference home, increased athletic revenue, and membership into the CIC and access to the $6billion in research money would push there decision toward joining the Big10.

Now, why would the BigEast want to give ND an ultimatum? If expansion begins the BigEast is almost certainly going to be eaten by the Big10, ACC, and SEC. Theyre looking for a means to end expansion just like ISU, KSU, KU and Baylor/CO fans.

I have not seen this point discussed much but could be a saving grace for ISU in the end. Just a thought. Im interested to see what everyone else thinks.

 

[benjay]

yes and yes

 

[CycloneWarning]

Who really controls expansion? Notre Dame. If Notre Dame were to join the Big10 all expansion talk would stop. The Big10 would not offer Nebraska or Missouri. Texas would stay put. The Pac10 would not get Texas and no other offer looks to make their conference any significant amount of money. If Notre Dame joined the Big10 tomorrow all this talk about ISU being left behind would end. Also, the Big12 would be given a second life and a chance to sweeten TV deals and strengthen member relationships.

The problem is how to get ND to join the Big10. This is really much more simple than it seems. The power is with the BigEast. If the BigEast did not give any of ND's other sports a home ND would be forced to look elsewhere. ND's football program can survive without a conference but their other sports cannot. If the BigEast forced ND to join their conference all the way or get out Notre Dame would be forced into a conference. Now, would they join the Big10? Yes, the need for a conference home, increased athletic revenue, and membership into the CIC and access to the $6billion in research money would push there decision toward joining the Big10.

Now, why would the BigEast want to give ND an ultimatum? If expansion begins the BigEast is almost certainly going to be eaten by the Big10, ACC, and SEC. Theyre looking for a means to end expansion just like ISU, KSU, KU and Baylor/CO fans.

I have not seen this point discussed much but could be a saving grace for ISU in the end. Just a thought. Im interested to see what everyone else thinks.

I am pretty sure that this angle has been well covered, but I do think you are right. If ND would just accept the Big 10 offer, I think there is a better than 50% chance this all ends and Big 12 and Pac 10 remain the same.

But I don't think the Big East can do much to force ND.

I really think the Pac 10 strategy has accelerated this. I think ND realizes that the concept of 4 super 16 conferences just became a real possibility and their ability to remain a major player under that scenario doesn't look as clear.

 

[benjay]

I really think the Pac 10 strategy has accelerated this. I think ND realizes that the concept of 4 super 16 conferences just became a real possibility and their ability to remain a major player under that scenario doesn't look as clear.

Very true. The Pac 10 is covering its bases in case the Big 10 goes megaconference, but what they've really done is put pressure on ND to make a decision.

 

[RustyClone]

I don't like your handle one bit, but there is truth in your words. If the Big 10 and Big East would play hardball with ND all this expansion crap would go away. I've been saying that the Big 10 should prohibit its teams (Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue) from playing Notre Dame for a long time. I don't think NBC really wants Central Michigan and Toledo on their schedule. Realistically, without those three teams all they have that is marketable to TV is USC every other year.

 

[PharmHawk]

Ive seen mulitple posts talking about contacting the Iowa BoR, or what is JP doing or pretty much discussing how helpless ISU is in this situation. ISU fans want to be proactive. ISU fans have the ability to bug officials and Pollard has the ability to contact other athletic directors. The people who need to be contacted are BigEast officials.

Increasing awareness is the first step towards getting the BigEast moving.

 

[hurdleisu24]

Anyone actually think that the Big 10 is likeing this and pushed the Pac 10 to do it

 

[benjay]

Anyone actually think that the Big 10 is likeing this and pushed the Pac 10 to do it

I've been trying to figure out why the Big 10 announced its expansion plans so early in the process. Part of me thinks Delany's been setting this table for years, and all he really wants is ND. This is his path to getting it.

I know, tinfoil hat time.

 

[everyyard]

I've been trying to figure out why the Big 10 announced its expansion plans so early in the process. Part of me thinks Delany's been setting this table for years, and all he really wants is ND. This is his path to getting it.

I know, tinfoil hat time.

part of it is they began exploring options that were supposed to be preliminary and secret and mizzou couldn't keep their mouth shut, forcing the Big10 to announce.

 

[hurdleisu24]

The only way to get ND to join a conference is to scare them into joining. If the big east wants to kick ND out I think they just join the A-10 in everything else. If ND feels they have to join because of the Super conferences then they may join the big 10

 

[PharmHawk]

The only way to get ND to join a conference is to scare them into joining. If the big east wants to kick ND out I think they just join the A-10 in everything else. If ND feels they have to join because of the Super conferences then they may join the big 10

Notre Dame prides itself in providing top notch competition for all sports. Settling for something like the A10 would never happen.

 

[hurdleisu24]

I understand that but if ND won't join in FB and the Big East kick them out and the Big Ten won't let them in where do all the other sports go they all cant function as independent

 

[PharmHawk]

I understand that but if ND won't join in FB and the Big East kick them out and the Big Ten won't let them in where do all the other sports go they all cant function as independent

Notre Dame has been invited before to join the Big10. In 1999 their faculty senate voted almost unanimously to join the big10 before their board of trustees eventually voted it down. If Notre Dame had no where else to go with their other sports that would be enough to push them into the Big10. The Big10 offers too much for Notre Dame to say no with no where else to go.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Good post Pharm.
One slight variation: I see ND turning down the Big 10 sending NU/MU to the Big 10, Big 12 South to Pac-10, and the remaining Big 12 members teaming with the best of the Big East (and maybe TCU) forcing ND's hand. The new Big 12/East would probably force ND out, and this in combination with the Big 10 refusing to schedule ND in football could get ND to join.

 

[CYdTracked]

Out of Bounds today had an interesting scenario. If the Big 12 breaks up leaving us, KU, KSU, and likely Baylor or CU behind, there is some kind of penalty for the teams that leave that they'd have to pay the Big 12 conference. If we pooled that money we could in turn invite other schools from the MWC, Conference USA, etc. and rebuild the Big 12 with teams of our choice possibly and still maintain a competitive conference. I kinda like that idea but the biggest hurdle would be getting some teams like Utah, Boise St. Colorado St., Tulsa, etc. to get on board with the idea.

I think KU has the most to lose of the 4 of us that are being treated like the ginger stepchild in this mess. Their BB program is consistently in the top 5 in the country and to no longer play in a competitive conference and not have some of the marquee conference matchups could really hurt their program. We'd be smart trying to hitch on to whatever KU and KSU does and work together.

 

[RandomFan]

It's simple, the BCS powers-that-be write a rule that says "A school must be a part of a conference to be eligible to play in a BCS bowl."

 

[Bestaluckcy]

Don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but I think much depends on the goal of the big ten. If their goal were to become the premier conference of the north one way to do that would be to destroy their competition. If they invite Big 12 schools and Big East schools they could enhance their conference and at the same time maybe even eliminate competition if they cause the Big 12 to implode. It could be an effective business strategy. If this is the case they would not stop with Notre Dame.

 

[LutherClone]

Don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but I think much depends on the goal of the big ten. If their goal were to become the premier conference of the north one way to do that would be to destroy their competition. If they invite Big 12 schools and Big East schools they could enhance their conference and at the same time maybe even eliminate competition if they cause the Big 12 to implode. It could be an effective business strategy. If this is the case they would not stop with Notre Dame.

I think this is a good point. Personally, I think Delany is out to lay waste to the Big XII and Big East.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

If their goal were to become the premier conference of the north one way to do that would be to destroy their competition.

It is always about getting the most $$ you can. The Big 10's attempt and failure to get Texas suggests the north factor has little to do with it. The biggest draw after UT, may be ND.
Really, the Big 10 would just be changing the licence plate in front of them from "Big 12" to "Pac-16".

 

[weR138]

Who really controls expansion? Notre Dame. If Notre Dame were to join the Big10 all expansion talk would stop. The Big10 would not offer Nebraska or Missouri. Texas would stay put. The Pac10 would not get Texas and no other offer looks to make their conference any significant amount of money. If Notre Dame joined the Big10 tomorrow all this talk about ISU being left behind would end. Also, the Big12 would be given a second life and a chance to sweeten TV deals and strengthen member relationships.

The problem is how to get ND to join the Big10. This is really much more simple than it seems. The power is with the BigEast. If the BigEast did not give any of ND's other sports a home ND would be forced to look elsewhere. ND's football program can survive without a conference but their other sports cannot. If the BigEast forced ND to join their conference all the way or get out Notre Dame would be forced into a conference. Now, would they join the Big10? Yes, the need for a conference home, increased athletic revenue, and membership into the CIC and access to the $6billion in research money would push there decision toward joining the Big10.

Now, why would the BigEast want to give ND an ultimatum? If expansion begins the BigEast is almost certainly going to be eaten by the Big10, ACC, and SEC. Theyre looking for a means to end expansion just like ISU, KSU, KU and Baylor/CO fans.

I have not seen this point discussed much but could be a saving grace for ISU in the end. Just a thought. Im interested to see what everyone else thinks.

I mentioned once that I heard the reason the BE hired Paul Tagliabue was to get this done. Hopefully it's getting worked out, today.