Comments on: Expansion? The Big Ten Dozen’t need it http://wischlist.com/2010/03/expansion-the-big-ten-dozent-need-it/ Chronicling Chicago (and other stuff) since 2002 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 02:54:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Dave http://wischlist.com/2010/03/expansion-the-big-ten-dozent-need-it/comment-page-1/#comment-4190 Dave Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:38:05 +0000 http://wischlist.com/?p=533#comment-4190 I'm not against expansion if the team is truly worthwhile, but I'm not in favor of expanding just for the sake of reaching an even number. The school has to be worth it. I haven't seen anyone mention Texas A&M as coming along with Texas to the Big Ten. I'd probably be surprised to see that, but who knows. That means, though, that the league would have to find yet another school to reach 14. And at that point, you're starting to get Big East-unwieldy with the number of teams. I don't want to see what the Big Ten is and means watered down, and if there is expansion, I'd want to see one worthwhile school (I don't think there are three worthwhile ones, in terms of athletics and academics) or nothing at all. And, really, I'm perfectly fine with nothing at all. If I had to guess, I'd wager that the league ends up standing pat. But we'll see ... I’m not against expansion if the team is truly worthwhile, but I’m not in favor of expanding just for the sake of reaching an even number. The school has to be worth it.

I haven’t seen anyone mention Texas A&M as coming along with Texas to the Big Ten. I’d probably be surprised to see that, but who knows. That means, though, that the league would have to find yet another school to reach 14. And at that point, you’re starting to get Big East-unwieldy with the number of teams.

I don’t want to see what the Big Ten is and means watered down, and if there is expansion, I’d want to see one worthwhile school (I don’t think there are three worthwhile ones, in terms of athletics and academics) or nothing at all.

And, really, I’m perfectly fine with nothing at all. If I had to guess, I’d wager that the league ends up standing pat. But we’ll see …

]]> By: Dallon Christensen http://wischlist.com/2010/03/expansion-the-big-ten-dozent-need-it/comment-page-1/#comment-4189 Dallon Christensen Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:54:03 +0000 http://wischlist.com/?p=533#comment-4189 Dave, I don't think we'd have to worry about Texas having "ties" to the Big 12. Because of politics, Texas A&M will come with Texas should Texas decide to join the Big 10. That just leaves Oklahoma, and they can play that game as a non-conference game anyway. The game will eventually move from the Cotton Bowl to Cowboys Stadium, so the current link to the Texas State Fair will be a non-issue. I think there are enough reasons for Texas to make the jump, and they are not all athletic. If I'm the president of UT, I am looking at the academic partnerships with schools of the Big Ten. Simply put, the Big Ten has better schools than the Big 12. I don't necessarily agree with you about adding another team. The ratings and money from a football conference championship game are enough to add the 12th team, as well as eliminating the bad practice of one team always having a bye during the conference season. Dave, I don’t think we’d have to worry about Texas having “ties” to the Big 12. Because of politics, Texas A&M will come with Texas should Texas decide to join the Big 10. That just leaves Oklahoma, and they can play that game as a non-conference game anyway. The game will eventually move from the Cotton Bowl to Cowboys Stadium, so the current link to the Texas State Fair will be a non-issue.

I think there are enough reasons for Texas to make the jump, and they are not all athletic. If I’m the president of UT, I am looking at the academic partnerships with schools of the Big Ten. Simply put, the Big Ten has better schools than the Big 12.

I don’t necessarily agree with you about adding another team. The ratings and money from a football conference championship game are enough to add the 12th team, as well as eliminating the bad practice of one team always having a bye during the conference season.

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