Big 10 (11) to expand, Missouri willing to listen

[Ghostwriter]

Originally Posted by kddani

Their academics are not even close to up to snuff.

Maybe but they party like hell and sell out every game. Athletically they would be a very good fit.

I really do not see much difference academically between WVU and many of the schools being considered. Notre Dame would be the exception but they do not appear interested.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Maybe but they party like hell and sell out every game. Athletically they would be a very good fit.

I really do not see much difference academically between WVU and many of the schools being considered. Notre Dame would be the exception but they do not appear interested.

I don't disagree that they would make a good fit athletically, but the Big 10 has made a big deal about its academics for quite awhile now. [BTW, WVU doesn't sell out every game (for instance, when Pitt played them this year there were a number of empty seats), but I will agree that they do travel well.]

I don't know enough about Mizzou, but Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse are much more on par with the Big 10 academically as being major research universities that are much better known academically. Just the quickest number I found, in 2006-2007, WVU admitted 92% of applicants. For fall 2009, Pitt's admitted 58%. Of course, that analysis could go on and on, but WVU would be hard pressed to argue it was on par with the other schools academically.

[kddani]

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/...ion-candidates

Here's a link discussing the academic side of the decision. Cincy and WVU not in the same realm as the rest of the schools.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Charlotte just announced a unanimous decision by their Trustees to start football in 2013. Hmmm maybe the Big Eleven should just wait for this to happen and add them at this time. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if there is a connection.

Pretttttttttttty sure the Big Ten isn't holding its breath for a Tier 4 school that doesn't really have any major-sports cachet.

Seriously - How about West Virginia?

Other than Mizzou/Nebraska, there's almost zero chance the Big Ten trustees allow the conference to pull in any school lower than say top 75 academically (Pitt, Cuse and Rutgers all fit this definition, while Mizzou is ~100). WVU would be hard-pressed to be top 200. Significant difference.

[ISUKappa]

What I've read on other message boards is that Rutgers would fit academically and somewhat athletically, but the draw for TVs isn't what it appears. Yeah, they could potentially bring in the NYC/NJ market, but those tv viewers are mostly pro-sports, not NCAA. Same with Syracuse.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

What I've read on other message boards is that Rutgers would fit academically and somewhat athletically, but the draw for TVs isn't what it appears. Yeah, they could potentially bring in the NYC/NJ market, but those tv viewers are mostly pro-sports, not NCAA. Same with Syracuse.

Definitely true, and this is why I'm not big on the Rutgers thing (that, and . . . I mean . . . Jersey, you know?). That doesn't mean the hubris of the schools won't make them think they can force their way in - I could see this being a colossal overestimation of their own abilities and demand.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Definitely true, and this is why I'm not big on the Rutgers thing (that, and . . . I mean . . . Jersey, you know?). That doesn't mean the hubris of the schools won't make them think they can force their way in - I could see this being a colossal overestimation of their own abilities and demand.

You don't want a bunch of "Situations" or "Snookies" (or whatever the hell the Jersey Shore nicknames are) running around in the Big 10?

I really don't know who they'll convince to join. I think Mizzou is just pouting right now which is why they're making noise. I'm a traditionalist. I hate to think of the Big 6/Big 8 being broken up.

[Elephant Walk]

I'm hoping that Mizzou goes Big Ten. Then Big 12 needs to bring in TCU/Houston/SMU. I would bet on Houston because of the media markets. But who knows.

[annabella]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

I think Mizzou is just pouting right now which is why they're making noise.

Pretty much. We knew it was technically a rebuilding year after losing so many seniors and nfl draftees, but everyone still got their hopes up for a good bowl game.

No one I know REALLY wants to leave—everyone likes the TX/OU/sometimes Nebraska games, and the MU-KU rivalry game is the 2nd-oldest in NCAA history. Plus as Mr. Walsworth noted, the travel to away games may be prohibitive to some fans.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

I'm hoping that Mizzou goes Big Ten. Then Big 12 needs to bring in TCU/Houston/SMU. I would bet on Houston because of the media markets. But who knows.

Yes, because the last thing the Big XII needs is yet ANOTHER freaking Texas team. No thank you.

Originally Posted by annabella

Pretty much. We knew it was technically a rebuilding year after losing so many seniors and nfl draftees, but everyone still got their hopes up for a good bowl game.

No one I know REALLY wants to leave—everyone likes the TX/OU/sometimes Nebraska games, and the MU-KU rivalry game is the 2nd-oldest in NCAA history. Plus as Mr. Walsworth noted, the travel to away games may be prohibitive to some fans.

Yeeeaaaah.... sorry about that. I would have been perfectly fine going to Houston, but it's really nice to go to Phoenix. I totally understand Mizzou fans being upset, though. The Big XII North really needs to man up and make some noise about the preferential treatment the South teams very obviously receive.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by annabella

No one I know REALLY wants to leave—everyone likes the TX/OU/sometimes Nebraska games, and the MU-KU rivalry game is the 2nd-oldest in NCAA history. Plus as Mr. Walsworth noted, the travel to away games may be prohibitive to some fans.

The school's alumni (obv the ones who want to consider it) have already addressed this - first, you don't play OU/UT every year, and draws like PSU/Michigan/OSU can "replace" the ticket sales. Plus, the KU game will remain either way. Away games are actually closer than Austin/TTU/etc., except PSU.

That said . . . I agree there's no 100% compelling reason for them to leave, especially given history. The most likely scenario is still no change - really, it's probably much ado about nothing.

[Ghostwriter]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Other than Mizzou/Nebraska, there's almost zero chance the Big Ten trustees allow the conference to pull in any school lower than say top 75 academically (Pitt, Cuse and Rutgers all fit this definition, while Mizzou is ~100). WVU would be hard-pressed to be top 200. Significant difference.

I have no real ox to gore in this but I really see virtually no difference between WVU's academics and MO or Nebraska's. I just cannot image either Pitt, Syracuse or Rutgers even being remotely considered for entrance. They simply do not draw and do not travel well. Maybe Iowa State but only because Iowa's is already there and ready made as a rival. Of course, Notre Dame is the only real fit. In the end it will be about athletics and $$$ and not about academics.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Of course, Notre Dame is the only real fit. In the end it will be about athletics and $$$ and not about academics.

Do you really understand the Big 10? West Virginia will never get in.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Do you really understand the Big 10? West Virginia will never get in.

Honestly, when he (or she - I realize we have no idea who this person is) said this:

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Charlotte just announced a unanimous decision by their Trustees to start football in 2013. Hmmm maybe the Big Eleven should just wait for this to happen and add them at this time. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if there is a connection.

s/he lost any amount of credibility in this discussion.

[RedRover]

Last week, the Tribune-Review had a major story about the possibility that Pitt might join the Big Ten.

I have a master's degree from Pitt, but I have very little love for the Oakland school.

Academically, Pitt is considered to be a strong research institution. (Why, I don't know, if you can't go to college, go to Pitt)

It would be nice to see Pitt and Penn State play each other again.

By all measures, Notre Dame should be the 12th member of the conference. If you heard Frank Deford on NPR recently, Mississippi State makes more money from television than Notre Dame. MSU gets its money from revenue sharing in the SEC