(Purely Fantasy Thread:)

Obviously none of these schools is leaving the SEC, especially after Texas and Oklahoma join in. But after power ranking the Pac 12 and ACC, I'll just do the SEC as well for grins and giggles. Again, Schmolik disclaimer: Football isn't everything, university presidents do have some input, and if you dispute, feel free to post your own list.

I'll include Texas and Oklahoma in this list.

1. Florida - In terms of ideal destinations to visit and in terms of recruiting, Florida is a big winner and relatively close to the Eastern Big Ten universities (Texas would be closer to the Central ones). Florida doesn't have Texas's ego. I think I mentioned before UF's president was a former professor of mine at the University of Illinois. If the Big Ten dominated the SEC in payday and could somehow convince SEC schools to join, Florida would be a great athletic and academic fit.

2. Texas - I've wanted UT in the Big Ten (yeah I know they're West of the Mississippi but they're a financial jackpot as the SEC will surely find out). They'd be #1 except for their Texas (literally) sized ego. Demographics and academics match well with the Big Ten, probably better than the SEC. But geography and financially the SEC is better for them.

3. Georgia - Not the demographic prize UF or UT (Austin) is not Atlanta is a good consolation prize. If I had a choice between Georgia and Georgia Tech for Atlanta, Georgia Tech is AAU but Georgia is the bigger presence in Atlanta and in the state and still a top 50 USN&WR school (#47) plus you're getting Georgia football. Georgia men's basketball? OK, that's a different story.

4. Alabama - This falls under the football isn't everything category. Of course Alabama isn't anywhere near as populous as Florida, Texas, or Georgia or as desirable a travel destination as Florida or Texas. Alabama's academics certainly aren't going to win any points with Big Ten presidents (Auburn's ranked higher in the USN&WR rankings). But of course anyone would want Alabama in their conference. There is an issue with Nick Saban being 69. If they promise Dabo Swinney will take over when Saban retires, I'll move them up.

5. Missouri - Geographically and culturally no doubt the best fit for the Big Ten being in the Midwest and bordering Big Ten states Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. Obviously they are west of the Mississippi but they are a school I would be comfortable with in the Big Ten and Illinois and Missouri could have a great rivalry. Obviously if there is one school that would think about leaving the SEC for the Big Ten it would be Mizzou but I still doubt they're not going anywhere.

6. Texas A&M - If you can't get UT, I'd be happy with A&M. If A&M really doesn't want to be with UT, I'd welcome them in the Big Ten for the conference to get a piece of the Texas market. But A&M would have to be crazy to leave the SEC out of spite just because UT is invited. Still, the door is open...

7. Oklahoma - A lesser Alabama on the gridiron, about the same academically and demographically and unlike 'Bama, west of the Mississippi. But they'd certainly bring tons of cash to the Big Ten so they'd be welcome.

8. Kentucky - Remember I'm a hoops guy. Kentucky also borders Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. UK-IU (if the Hoosiers could get their act together again) would be tremendous). If not, UK-MSU, UK-OSU, and UK-UM (the team I see the best future bet in the Big Ten) will be. If Kentucky were choosing a conference based on men's basketball between the SEC and Big Ten, they have to choose us.

9. LSU - Football team won a national championship in 2019 and they are in the same state as New Orleans.

10. Auburn - If it were based on academics/USN&WR rankings, Auburn would be the choice in the state of Alabama (they're top 100). I'm not sure if Illinois wants Bruce Pearl coming back to Champaign though.

11. Tennessee - Tennessee is decent sized state and has Nashville in it.

12. Vanderbilt - The only remaining SEC school in the AAU and unlike Tennessee is actually in Nashville. But they are a private school and are athletically challenged in both football and at least lately men's basketball.

13. Arkansas - Well they did make the Elite Eight in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball championship and did win a national championship ... in 1994. I was a student at Illinois when that happened.

14. South Carolina - When you've become irrelevant in your own state by a school named "Clemson"...

15. Mississippi - I guess if the Big Ten had to take one school in the state of Mississippi, I'll take the first choice school.

16. Mississippi State - Just like there's only one OSU in the Big Ten, there's only one MSU.

How about power ranking the Big Ten as expansion candidates and power ranking the 48 schools that could comprise one conference/league in the near future?

(07-25-2021 09:33 AM)NJ2MDTerp Wrote:  How about power ranking the Big Ten as expansion candidates and power ranking the 48 schools that could comprise one conference/league in the near future?

I don't want to give other conference ideas that the Big Ten schools are "expansion candidates". We're not going anywhere! Well if you want Rutgers you can have them!

Besides, it would also depend on the conference that is targeting them and their values. Geography would be a factor. The Pac 12 would value Nebraska higher than the ACC would (obviously every other conference would value Ohio State regardless of geography). A conference that puts a higher value on academics would value Northwestern more than a conference that doesn't. Northwestern would probably fit in well with the ACC with many private schools and many large markets but not as well in the SEC with only one other one and many small markets/college towns. Northwestern would fit in the SEC as well as Vanderbilt does now.

When it comes to money, all bets are off the table. We saw that last fall as both Ohio State and Penn State "struggled" with B1G's Covid football ban. Besides that, it would be fun.

Re: Rutgers - Schiano's been very busy (and successful) this summer recruiting. Looks like they'll have something special in Piscataway in a few years.