BiG CR articles

[DarthGrumpy]

Virginia won't be joining the Big Ten Conference. There is no benefit for them to do so. I know of no other ACC school that would be interested either with the possible exception of Pittsburgh. But even Pittsburgh might be totally content in the ACC at this point.

I agree that Virginia (and UNC) will not join the B1G today. The big question is 20+ years from now when the ACC’s GoR expires. At that point, will the demographic trends, i.e. folks from the Northeast and Midwest migrating to DC, RTP & Charlotte, shift opinions at UVA (and UNC, assuming they are about 10 years behind UVA trend wise) to be closer to the B1G than the ACC (or even SEC).

 

[DarthGrumpy]

The B1G has passed on Mizzou on multiple occasions. Why would the B1G invite them now rather than before and what is the likelihood of them even accepting a B1G invite given the prior passes by the B1G?

With respect to Missouri to the B1G, history has left a sour taste in the mouth of folks in Colombia. That said, Missouri still has traditional rivalries with Illinois and Nebraska and I am sure the academic side of the house would still prefer the B1G. Plus, the SEC does not have a GoR; but, it does have a spa at Alabama.

http://www.rolltide.com/allaccess/?media=394427

As the B1G’s expansion plan A (acquire UVA, UNC, G Tech, Florida St) and plan B (add Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas & TBD) did not work out and if the B1G does indeed want to be at 16 schools for the new V contract, then I have to assume that Missouri would be in the mix.

 

[B1GALUM]

With respect to Missouri to the B1G, history has left a sour taste in the mouth of folks in Colombia. That said, Missouri still has traditional rivalries with Illinois and Nebraska and I am sure the academic side of the house would still prefer the B1G. Plus, the SEC does not have a GoR; but, it does have a spa at Alabama.

http://www.rolltide.com/allaccess/?media=394427

As the B1G’s expansion plan A (acquire UVA, UNC, G Tech, Florida St) and plan B (add Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas & TBD) did not work out and if the B1G does indeed want to be at 16 schools for the new V contract, then I have to assume that Missouri would be in the mix.

I agree Missouri would have to be in the mix if the B1G definitely decides to expand now rather than after GOR expirations.
The B1G and Missouri would have to swallow their respective pride to make it happen.
However, the increased money from the new media rights negotiations could certainly help ease hard feelings.

 

[btstimpy]

I agree that Virginia (and UNC) will not join the B1G today. The big question is 20+ years from now when the ACC’s GoR expires. At that point, will the demographic trends, i.e. folks from the Northeast and Midwest migrating to DC, RTP & Charlotte, shift opinions at UVA (and UNC, assuming they are about 10 years behind UVA trend wise) to be closer to the B1G than the ACC (or even SEC).

I seriously doubt it. The ACC already is a Northeast Conference. So that is nothing new. I don't see Virginia or North Carolina becoming more midwest. The Big Ten Conference has no traction whatsoever in either state. There are some alumni in the DC area from Big Ten schools. Here in Richmond, however, the Big Ten Conference is hardly discussed. The Atlantic 10 gets discussed because Richmond and VCU are in it. The SEC gets some traction in North Carolina, but not all that much. 3 ACC schools, soon to be 4 with Louisville, have SEC rivals, so we do see the SEC on a regular basis play ACC schools.

 

[NickyNewark]

Virginia won't be joining the Big Ten Conference. There is no benefit for them to do so. I know of no other ACC school that would be interested either with the possible exception of Pittsburgh. But even Pittsburgh might be totally content in the ACC at this point.

SU would give up hoops to get into the B1G and I'm on their boards alot!When they heard RU to the B1G almost to a man they said "why not us" or "lucky devils" and they worship (subconsciously) and look up to PSU who they think considers them a rival !I'd guess 85% of the SU fan base given the choice would pick the B1G!And I live in CNY and know the ACC's weak perception here.Who knows if its really that weak as even the B1Gs bowl record has been down but the ACC has a shameful BCS bowl record topped off by Clemson's humiliating thrashing by WVU 2 years ago.Edit..stimpy,you should know this already since your a member of their board for a couple years!

 

[btstimpy]

I share your opinion with an additional thought.

"There's no way the B1G can't be at least a little interested in UConn" if Dennis Dodd et al. are to believed that the B1G does want to expand in the near future as it heads into the negotiations for the new media rights.

How would the B1G expand in the next few years and not look at UConn?

The ACC and the Big 12 have GOR. Are Jim Delany et al. willing to challenge a GOR? Do any of the ACC and Big12 members really want to leave given their signing of the GOR?

The B1G has passed on Mizzou on multiple occasions. Why would the B1G invite them now rather than before and what is the likelihood of them even accepting a B1G invite given the prior passes by the B1G?

The B1G has "vetted" Vanderbilt but it is a southern school and a founding member of the SEC with membership dating back to 1932 and no dissatisfaction or finanical issues a la Maryland in the ACC. Why go B1G?

AAU members Rice and Tulane are available but how likely is it the B1G considers them for membership given neither brings any athletics of value to the B1G?

My thought on this is that UConn, although not AAU, is a state flagship public research university located in a region of interest to the B1G and brings two basketball brands to the B1G.

The B1G has to consider UConn if expansion is desired in the next few years.

I still don't understand why the Big Ten passed on Missouri 2 years ago when Missouri was trying hard to join the Big Ten. I don't know if the Big Ten can get them now.

I also don't see southern schools wanting to join the Big Ten unless they are schools in the AAC or Conference USA wanting to upgrade their conference. And the two private schools you mention don't really fit a Big Ten profile other than they are AAU. Michigan-Rice football games don't have a lot of appeal.

I can see Kansas potentially having interest along with Iowa State. The Big Ten apparently doesn't want Iowa State. But they are AAU and fit perfectly. They are regionally connected with Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, etc.

 

[NickyNewark]

I agree that Virginia (and UNC) will not join the B1G today. The big question is 20+ years from now when the ACC’s GoR expires. At that point, will the demographic trends, i.e. folks from the Northeast and Midwest migrating to DC, RTP & Charlotte, shift opinions at UVA (and UNC, assuming they are about 10 years behind UVA trend wise) to be closer to the B1G than the ACC (or even SEC).

Already NC has passed NJ in population due to the fact so many NY/NJ/Conn/Pa and Del transplants moving there in the last 20 years for lower cost of living,cheaper housing and jobs moving south!I remember when b4 the exodus of Yankee's to the south Fla was a swampy backwater and the Carolinas were sparsely populated.As more Yank's move south they will bring their likes and habits along with there favorite teams (in their hearts) down with them!

 

[btstimpy]

SU would give up hoops to get into the B1G and I'm on their boards alot!When they heard RU to the B1G almost to a man they said "why not us" or "lucky devils" and they worship (subconsciously) and look up to PSU who they think considers them a rival !I'd guess 85% of the SU fan base given the choice would pick the B1G!And I live in CNY and know the ACC's weak perception here.Who knows if its really that weak as even the B1Gs bowl record has been down but the ACC has a shameful BCS bowl record topped off by Clemson's humiliating thrashing by WVU 2 years ago.

The funny thing about this is that when Notre Dame joined the ACC, the Penn State boards were saying "why not us", "lucky devils", and "I'm jealous". About half of the Penn State fan base would love to get into the ACC. I guess the grass is somehow greener on the other side. I also don't know too many happy campers in the Maryland fan base about now. I know several who are unhappy. Most of the Syracuse folks I talk to are very happy. The only ones that are not are the basketball fans that think they will miss Georgetown. I just suggest that they try to get Georgetown on the schedule.

 

[upstater]

Besides, what I highlighted in bold should actually make a lot of UCONN fans conclude that the B1G has no interest in UCONN. I also wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in the AAU. They run on their own schedule and are trying to keep the club as exclusive as possible.

It doesn't make me conclude that at all. People have already interpreted that in a variety of ways. UConn's eligibility for the B1G relies on its achieving the metrics needed for the AAU, and despite what you think, the academic program is elevating itself to that level.

 

[NickyNewark]

The funny thing about this is that when Notre Dame joined the ACC, the Penn State boards were saying "why not us", "lucky devils", and "I'm jealous". About half of the Penn State fan base would love to get into the ACC. I guess the grass is somehow greener on the other side. I also don't know too many happy campers in the Maryland fan base about now. I know several who are unhappy. Most of the Syracuse folks I talk to are very happy. The only ones that are not are the basketball fans that think they will miss Georgetown. I just suggest that they try to get Georgetown on the schedule.

No one outside of the fans disguntled with the way they were ostacised REALLY feels that way and as a native New Jerseyan Im in tune with all things PSU as after RU they are the favorite team and then ND!!But ND's fans are aging and getting harder to find and their ACC move didn't help but ND really will always be OK unless they give up CF independence!They stand proudly alone!

 

[NickyNewark]

The funny thing about this is that when Notre Dame joined the ACC, the Penn State boards were saying "why not us", "lucky devils", and "I'm jealous". About half of the Penn State fan base would love to get into the ACC. I guess the grass is somehow greener on the other side. I also don't know too many happy campers in the Maryland fan base about now. I know several who are unhappy. Most of the Syracuse folks I talk to are very happy. The only ones that are not are the basketball fans that think they will miss Georgetown. I just suggest that they try to get Georgetown on the schedule.

Try 3/4% at TOPS!There not stupid!Md was 50/50 at first but they're finally realizing it was a wise move and now Id guess 80/20 pro-B1G!

 

[UConn Dan]

I love how back in 2010, we were the 2nd best available option for B1G expansion as seen by CBS's Dennis Dodd in this blog post to not being on the radar at all for any conference. Take it for what it is, it's Dodd after all.
http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270202/21083956?tag=headlines;collegefootball

 

[NickyNewark]

Try 3/4% at TOPS!There not stupid!Md was 50/50 at first but they're finally realizing it was a wise move and now Id guess 80/20 pro-B1G!

"@In regard to Stimpys responce to me about SU fans preference."
What else would you expect SU fans to say knowing they were snubbed?I living here know their hearts and I'd be too proud to admit it too but use common sense and check out their horrid recruiting!

 

[B1GALUM]

I still don't understand why the Big Ten passed on Missouri 2 years ago when Missouri was trying hard to join the Big Ten. I don't know if the Big Ten can get them now.

I also don't see southern schools wanting to join the Big Ten unless they are schools in the AAC or Conference USA wanting to upgrade their conference. And the two private schools you mention don't really fit a Big Ten profile other than they are AAU. Michigan-Rice football games don't have a lot of appeal.

I can see Kansas potentially having interest along with Iowa State. The Big Ten apparently doesn't want Iowa State. But they are AAU and fit perfectly. They are regionally connected with Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, etc.

The opportunity to pick up Nebraska as a 12th team was a great add for the B1G given their status as a historical college football brand. If the B1G decided to move beyond adding a 12th team, then I think Missouri likely would have been invited. However, because the decision was made to just get a 12th team, Nebraska is going to trump Missouri in that situation given their (Nebraska) status.

I do not know if the B1G could get Missouri now if Delany et al. had a change of mind. Missouri is not going to compete well in the SEC but still has the prestige of being a football team in the SEC, access to SEC recruiting grounds and will likely make significant money in the SEC.

I agree with you on the southern schools. I threw Rice and Tulane as well as Vanderbilt out there just because of all the talk about the B1G only taking AAU members. None of these are going to the B1G.

Kansas has been discussed for at least two decades as an option for the B1G but the Big 12 GOR presents a significant obstacle for any expansion with Kansas in the near term.

The challenge of course for Iowa State, beyond the Big 12 GOR, is that it does not open up any new markets to the B1G.

 

[upstater]

The opportunity to pick up Nebraska as a 12th team was a great add for the B1G given their status as a historical college football brand. If the B1G decided to move beyond adding a 12th team, then I think Missouri likely would have been invited. However, because the decision was made to just get a 12th team, Nebraska is going to trump Missouri in that situation given their (Nebraska) status.

I do not know if the B1G could get Missouri now if Delany et al. had a change of mind. Missouri is not going to compete well in the SEC but still has the prestige of being a football team in the SEC, access to SEC recruiting grounds and will likely make significant money in the SEC.

I agree with you on the southern schools. I threw Rice and Tulane as well as Vanderbilt out there just because of all the talk about the B1G only taking AAU members. None of these are going to the B1G.

Kansas has been discussed for at least two decades as an option for the B1G but the Big 12 GOR presents a significant obstacle for any expansion with Kansas in the near term.

The challenge of course for Iowa State, beyond the Big 12 GOR, is that it does not open up any new markets to the B1G.

I know Kansas has good basketball, but Missouri's market is much bigger, it has a bigger population AND decent-sized cities. I know there is crossover in Kansas City, but still Mizzou seems to have a much bigger market.

I'm surprised that Kansas would have more appeal than Mizzou, especially given the crossover between So. Illinois and Missouri. Mizzou is practically already inside the B10s footprint whereas Kansas is an outlier.

 

[btstimpy]

No one outside of the fans disguntled with the way they were ostacised REALLY feels that way and as a native New Jerseyan Im in tune with all things PSU as after RU they are the favorite team and then ND!!But ND's fans are aging and getting harder to find and their ACC move didn't help but ND really will always be OK unless they give up CF independence!They stand proudly alone!

I heard it from quite a few that I met when they visited Charlottesville last fall. There is a significant part of the Penn State fan base that has never liked the Big Ten Conference from the day they joined it. The school isn't paying them any attention though.

 

[upstater]

I heard it from quite a few that I met when they visited Charlottesville last fall. There is a significant part of the Penn State fan base that has never liked the Big Ten Conference from the day they joined it. The school isn't paying them any attention though.

As a PSU alum (grad school) I hate the B1G. That being said, I would say there is a very tiny minority that would prefer the ACC. Up until the scandal, the talk among fans was about PSU luring Maryland and Virginia to the B1G. Paterno was long rumored to have had Maryland in his "back pocket" back when he was proposing PSU and Miami to the BE in the late 1980s. He said Maryland would come along.

 

[B1GALUM]

I know Kansas has good basketball, but Missouri's market is much bigger, it has a bigger population AND decent-sized cities. I know there is crossover in Kansas City, but still Mizzou seems to have a much bigger market.

I'm surprised that Kansas would have more appeal than Mizzou, especially given the crossover between So. Illinois and Missouri. Mizzou is practically already inside the B10s footprint whereas Kansas is an outlier.

I actually think Kansas and Mizzou would both be of value to the B1G. I am surprised that inclusion of these two universities into the B1G has never happened.
Here is an article from - 1993! - that discusses the possibility of these two universities joining the B1G. Of note, Rutgers is mentioned as well.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...ommissioner-jim-delany-big-southwest-missouri

 

[btstimpy]

As a PSU alum (grad school) I hate the B1G. That being said, I would say there is a very tiny minority that would prefer the ACC. Up until the scandal, the talk among fans was about PSU luring Maryland and Virginia to the B1G. Paterno was long rumored to have had Maryland in his "back pocket" back when he was proposing PSU and Miami to the BE in the late 1980s. He said Maryland would come along.

I agree that most wouldn't have preferred the ACC up until recently. They viewed it as a Southern Conference. But some I've talked with like the idea of Boston College, Syracuse, Pitt, and Notre Dame in there now. It makes the ACC a whole lot more attractive to them than it was a decade ago. The Maryland and Rutgers invites were done in part to try to get some eastern presense in the Big Ten to try to keep Penn State content.

The direct access to Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas for recruiting football talent would be a bonus. Paterno was already recruiting in Virginia and Maryland anyway.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I seriously doubt it. The ACC already is a Northeast Conference. So that is nothing new. I don't see Virginia or North Carolina becoming more midwest. The Big Ten Conference has no traction whatsoever in either state. There are some alumni in the DC area from Big Ten schools. Here in Richmond, however, the Big Ten Conference is hardly discussed. The Atlantic 10 gets discussed because Richmond and VCU are in it. The SEC gets some traction in North Carolina, but not all that much. 3 ACC schools, soon to be 4 with Louisville, have SEC rivals, so we do see the SEC on a regular basis play ACC schools.

I down the road when all of the GoR’s expire and the P5 becomes the P4, I do believe that the ACC is in stronger shape that the XII to be the 4th P4 conference. If the ACC is the conference to implode, I believe that in 20 years UVA will definitely go to the B1G while UNC is about 50/50 between the B1G and the SEC.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

The funny thing about this is that when Notre Dame joined the ACC, the Penn State boards were saying "why not us", "lucky devils", and "I'm jealous". About half of the Penn State fan base would love to get into the ACC. I guess the grass is somehow greener on the other side. I also don't know too many happy campers in the Maryland fan base about now. I know several who are unhappy. Most of the Syracuse folks I talk to are very happy. The only ones that are not are the basketball fans that think they will miss Georgetown. I just suggest that they try to get Georgetown on the schedule.

From what I heard in the office (a lot of PUS alums), the talk of Penn State going to the ACC was an act of revenge against both the B1G and the NCAA over how Penn State as a whole was treated over the Sandusky crimes. Once it calmed down, everyone agreed that Penn State would not give-up access to the research dollars that the B1G provides for a more ‘favorable’ athletic environment in the ACC.

 

[pj]

I actually think Kansas and Mizzou would both be of value to the B1G. I am surprised that inclusion of these two universities into the B1G has never happened.
Here is an article from - 1993! - that discusses the possibility of these two universities joining the B1G. Of note, Rutgers is mentioned as well.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...ommissioner-jim-delany-big-southwest-missouri

It's a little mysterious why this didn't happen. Ohio State's Gee has expressed regrets that it didn't. Presumably the B1G could only take Missouri if it went to 14 and needed Kansas to go along, and maybe Kansas State influence or some other factor inhibited the move. The B1G's huge money advantage is a relatively recent development. I have to think a Kansas-Missouri tandem move was considered at the time Missouri moved to the SEC. Delany was already looking east then and maybe there was concern about being overweight in the midwest and locked in brand-wise as a midwestern regional conference. Now that Kansas has signed the GoR it's hard to believe a move is imminent. But perhaps UConn is a strong enough partner for Missouri, now that Rutgers and Maryland are in, to make it favorable. The B1G is going to wait for feedback from its TV bidders. I could see UConn-Missouri being the expansion option. If as rumored the SEC is considering a GoR, it will have to happen in the next year.

I wonder how much of the B1G's moves are motivated by a desire to become a national, not a regional, conference. I wonder if getting spurned by Notre Dame over their regional reputation has lit a fire under the idea of east coast expansion.

 

[btstimpy]

I down the road when all of the GoR’s expire and the P5 becomes the P4, I do believe that the ACC is in stronger shape that the XII to be the 4th P4 conference. If the ACC is the conference to implode, I believe that in 20 years UVA will definitely go to the B1G while UNC is about 50/50 between the B1G and the SEC.

If the ACC were to implode, yes Virginia would consider the Big Ten as an option. There are some in the UVA fan base that like the idea of the SEC, but we'd have to flush 6 or 7 sports to go to the SEC. I see the ACC developing into a power conference particularly with the country's demographic growing right in the heart of the ACC footprint and direct access to all of the eastern markets from Bangor, Maine to Key West, FL. I'm not worried about the ACC. I think that the Big XII is now the nervous conference.

 

[UPitt]

As a PSU alum (grad school) I hate the B1G. That being said, I would say there is a very tiny minority that would prefer the ACC. Up until the scandal, the talk among fans was about PSU luring Maryland and Virginia to the B1G. Paterno was long rumored to have had Maryland in his "back pocket" back when he was proposing PSU and Miami to the BE in the late 1980s. He said Maryland would come along.

I think a fair amount of PSU fans would prefer being in another conference, but that other conference does not exist. With Rutgers and MD, PSU will fit better geographically in the B1G, but many of the PSU fans I know have always felt that they did not belong in the B1G. For different reasons, most PSU fans feel they would not fit in the ACC. They likely would have been a bad fit in the old Big East. Really, PSU has been on an island for years with respect to a conference, but the B1G (although not perfect) has more in common with PSU than any other conference.

 

[B1GALUM]

If the ACC were to implode, yes Virginia would consider the Big Ten as an option. There are some in the UVA fan base that like the idea of the SEC, but we'd have to flush 6 or 7 sports to go to the SEC. I see the ACC developing into a power conference particularly with the country's demographic growing right in the heart of the ACC footprint and direct access to all of the eastern markets from Bangor, Maine to Key West, FL. I'm not worried about the ACC. I think that the Big XII is now the nervous conference.

I agree with you. I think the ACC is stable. What about our UConn hosts? I have posted in favor of their inclusion in the B1G but I certainly believe they would be a great fit for the ACC as well.
Do you see a time that BC et al. will step aside in favor of adding UConn to the ACC?

 

[DarthGrumpy]

It's a little mysterious why this didn't happen. Ohio State's Gee has expressed regrets that it didn't. Presumably the B1G could only take Missouri if it went to 14 and needed Kansas to go along, and maybe Kansas State influence or some other factor inhibited the move. The B1G's huge money advantage is a relatively recent development. I have to think a Kansas-Missouri tandem move was considered at the time Missouri moved to the SEC. Delany was already looking east then and maybe there was concern about being overweight in the midwest and locked in brand-wise as a midwestern regional conference. Now that Kansas has signed the GoR it's hard to believe a move is imminent. But perhaps UConn is a strong enough partner for Missouri, now that Rutgers and Maryland are in, to make it favorable. The B1G is going to wait for feedback from its TV bidders. I could see UConn-Missouri being the expansion option. If as rumored the SEC is considering a GoR, it will have to happen in the next year.

I wonder how much of the B1G's moves are motivated by a desire to become a national, not a regional, conference. I wonder if getting spurned by Notre Dame over their regional reputation has lit a fire under the idea of east coast expansion.

The fact that if the B1G wants to get to 16 that UConn and Missouri would make the most sense means that it will not happen.

Missouri adds an AAU school in a contiguous state with a decent football and basketball brand that adds Kansas City to the B1G’s footprint and does not have a GoR in place while also making Nebraska happy.

UConn adds a marquee Basketball brand in an affluent market that when tied to Rutgers, Penn State and other B1G Alumni could claim NYC for the B1G that would drive the ACC and ND nuts.

The big question for me who will the SEC pick-up to get back to 14 schools so that they won’t fight over Missouri’s departure. No one in the American says yes right now (Cincy would be the best bet but they are in the Midwest, Houston is an option farther down the road, Tulane is not going back, Memphis makes most SEC schools looks AAUish). I would say either West Virginia (could challenge the GoR, which I think the XII and others would want to avoid) or Louisville (especially if they have not signed the ACC GoR yet, which is the rumor and while Kentucky would raise a fuss, Kentucky is not Florida, i.e. why Florida State will never been in the SEC).

 

[B1GALUM]

I wonder how much of the B1G's moves are motivated by a desire to become a national, not a regional, conference. I wonder if getting spurned by Notre Dame over their regional reputation has lit a fire under the idea of east coast expansion.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/65736/jim-delany-discusses-addition-of-maryland

Why did the Big Ten expand?

The Big Ten explored 14- and 16-team models during its last expansion study but decided to add only Nebraska and monitor the landscape. Well, the landscape kept changing with more realignment. The Big Ten created a collaboration with the Pac-12 as an alternative to expansion, but when the Pac-12 decided this summer it couldn't go through with it, Delany and the Big Ten presidents put expansion back on the front burner.

With so much realignment elsewhere, Delany said the league had to question its vulnerability.

"It's pretty obvious to us that the paradigm has shifted," Delany said. "It's not your father's Big Ten. It's probably not your father's ACC. The paradigm shift is that other conferences had [expanded], we had chosen not to, and we explored the collaboration [with the Pac-12]. It couldn't be executed. The Pac-12 couldn't do what they thought they could do. ...

"We said, how do we participate in the new paradigm? Our answer was let's look at contiguous states first, let's look at AAU members first, and let's figure out if there is a way to continue to bridge from Penn State into the Mid-Atlantic. Is there a way to collaborate with like institutions, to grow our footprint, to compete and to position ourselves for the future? We determined this is the best way to accomplish those ends." ...

According to Delany, there wasn't one institutional move that triggered the Big Ten's decision to expansion.

"It's multiple institutions in multiple parts of the country moving into multiple regions," he said. "It really wasn't Notre Dame [joining the ACC in all sports but football]. It was pretty clear to me that Notre Dame for a long time wanted to maintain its independence, and as that's a matter of fact, I knew there wasn’t a possibility for us to add Notre Dame."

 

[upstater]

I think a fair amount of PSU fans would prefer being in another conference, but that other conference does not exist. With Rutgers and MD, PSU will fit better geographically in the B1G, but many of the PSU fans I know have always felt that they did not belong in the B1G. For different reasons, most PSU fans feel they would not fit in the ACC. They likely would have been a bad fit in the old Big East. Really, PSU has been on an island for years with respect to a conference, but the B1G (although not perfect) has more in common with PSU than any other conference.

PSU does fir into the B1G. The problem with the B1G is that Michigan and Ohio St didn't want PSU, and the treatment from the league office and the referees has been beyond absurd over the years. Quick Q: when is the last time that a team was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for fans cheering too loud? (and on 4th down late in the 4th Q of a tight game no less)?

 

[upstater]

From what I heard in the office (a lot of PUS alums), the talk of Penn State going to the ACC was an act of revenge against both the B1G and the NCAA over how Penn State as a whole was treated over the Sandusky crimes. Once it calmed down, everyone agreed that Penn State would not give-up access to the research dollars that the B1G provides for a more ‘favorable’ athletic environment in the ACC.

PSU's board developed the roadmap for its own punishments--the NCAA and B1G had little to do with it. That being said, the feathers were ruffled when Michigan St. opened the issue of expelling PSU from the conference.

 

[upstater]

It's a little mysterious why this didn't happen. Ohio State's Gee has expressed regrets that it didn't. Presumably the B1G could only take Missouri if it went to 14 and needed Kansas to go along, and maybe Kansas State influence or some other factor inhibited the move. The B1G's huge money advantage is a relatively recent development. I have to think a Kansas-Missouri tandem move was considered at the time Missouri moved to the SEC. Delany was already looking east then and maybe there was concern about being overweight in the midwest and locked in brand-wise as a midwestern regional conference. Now that Kansas has signed the GoR it's hard to believe a move is imminent. But perhaps UConn is a strong enough partner for Missouri, now that Rutgers and Maryland are in, to make it favorable. The B1G is going to wait for feedback from its TV bidders. I could see UConn-Missouri being the expansion option. If as rumored the SEC is considering a GoR, it will have to happen in the next year.

I wonder how much of the B1G's moves are motivated by a desire to become a national, not a regional, conference. I wonder if getting spurned by Notre Dame over their regional reputation has lit a fire under the idea of east coast expansion.

Missouri is now in a position of negotiating strength. The B1G has to grovel to add Missouri now when it could have had them for a pittance. The difference is this: look at Rutgers' deal, they won't be fully vested for almost a decade. They will pay-into the B1G for a long time. Missouri, since it's in the SEC, will rightly demand immediate full membership. And they have every reason to do so, since a Rutgers type deal would see them take huge losses monetarily. The moment they announce intentions to leave the SEC, the SEC stops paying them. Assume that means 2 years. Now add $15-20m in exit fees. Then subtract the SEC max payout of $30m from the money the B1G will dole out to Mizzou on average over the first 7 years, and you are talking about a huge loss. By my estimate, Missouri would be out $150 million if it decides to move from the SEC to the B1G, UNLESS the B1G came grovelling and gave it a sweetheart deal to move.