Colin Cowherd in his podcast on Friday said he's heard that the Big Ten is considering adding Washington and Oregon for as little as a half share of the revenues.

Start at 7:00

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/co...0602624541

So what has the AAU yesterday done to change the calculus? Not much, I think. I do think Miami of Fla would have been under serious consideration regardless of the AAU status. The Domer news doesn't change much AT ALL. Recall that they were given an opportunity to join the Big Ten back around 1992 or so. And they turned it down! If I have to guess the Ivies and the PAC/California schools swung it in their favor (although I know at least a few Big Ten schools enamored with the Domers *coughPurdueMichiganStatecough* voted for them).

The objective for me remains the same: go fully national. Build up and finish the west coast pod. Then build the Atlantic coast pod. Any combo of Pitt, Duke, Miami, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia Tech will do. Give the East some more games to travel to. The Midwest is already covered.

Also, recall the Alliance. The reason that didn't work out the last time was because of too much inequity between the Big Ten and the PAC/ACC. But the need for a partner to build out the next iteration of the autonomy group is still there. Disney/SEC is way too powerful to play fair with the Big Ten. That's why we need the Big 12 cut into the deal. We have to know our limitation and not try to singularly push things around - that would end up hurting us on the back end.

That's why I want the 4 Corners to go to the Big 12. The Big Ten going all West is not a good idea. So the strategic thing is a Pacific pod, instead. Brands and academics in just 4 more schools is very doable, if not for the small-mindedness of the legacy programs. Nothing against Utah, the Arizonas and Colorado but there isn't the space for them. Allowing the SEC to monopolize the Atlantic area below the Mason-Dixon would be the worst move. The SEC would have their choice bits but the Big 12 and Big Ten must limit the damage.

But that's not all. The point would be lost if we don't transform the conference into a destination for both students and athletes alike. This is what would help overcome the demographic and recruiting issues going forward. The resources are there but that has to be matched with a vision and a plan to attract a national, not regional, student body. Regionalism is no longer the future except for one conference. I understand that legacy fans don't like hearing that but change is a constant. Maybe 50 years from now things may revert.

(06-02-2023 01:25 AM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  So what has the AAU yesterday done to change the calculus? Not much, I think. I do think Miami of Fla would have been under serious consideration regardless of the AAU status. The Domer news doesn't change much AT ALL. Recall that they were given an opportunity to join the Big Ten back around 1992 or so. And they turned it down! If I have to guess the Ivies and the PAC/California schools swung it in their favor (although I know at least a few Big Ten schools enamored with the Domers *coughPurdueMichiganStatecough* voted for them).

The objective for me remains the same: go fully national. Build up and finish the west coast pod. Then build the Atlantic coast pod. Any combo of Pitt, Duke, Miami, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia Tech will do. Give the East some more games to travel to. The Midwest is already covered.

Also, recall the Alliance. The reason that didn't work out the last time was because of too much inequity between the Big Ten and the PAC/ACC. But the need for a partner to build out the next iteration of the autonomy group is still there. Disney/SEC is way too powerful to play fair with the Big Ten. That's why we need the Big 12 cut into the deal. We have to know our limitation and not try to singularly push things around - that would end up hurting us on the back end.

That's why I want the 4 Corners to go to the Big 12. The Big Ten going all West is not a good idea. So the strategic thing is a Pacific pod, instead. Brands and academics in just 4 more schools is very doable, if not for the small-mindedness of the legacy programs. Nothing against Utah, the Arizonas and Colorado but there isn't the space for them. Allowing the SEC to monopolize the Atlantic area below the Mason-Dixon would be the worst move. The SEC would have their choice bits but the Big 12 and Big Ten must limit the damage.

But that's not all. The point would be lost if we don't transform the conference into a destination for both students and athletes alike. This is what would help overcome the demographic and recruiting issues going forward. The resources are there but that has to be matched with a vision and a plan to attract a national, not regional, student body. Regionalism is no longer the future except for one conference. I understand that legacy fans don't like hearing that but change is a constant. Maybe 50 years from now things may revert.

bolded - those 6 tend to be the 6 teams in question. Though apparently the Big10 has talked with FSU, and maybe even NC State as well (as part of a VA/NC schools package).

But all that being a given, I think they do need to address the California island.

Most commentators seem to think the solution is WA and OR. And it could well be, but I'm not so certain.

Oregon's shaky AAU status, for one thing. And the fact that they would be another west coast island for travel, for another.

I think adding at least 2 of Colorado, Arizona State, Arizona, or Stanford, is probably a good idea. Adding all 4 wouldn't be bad, either.

What if:

Colorado, Arizona, Washington State, Oregon State -> Big XII

Washington, Oregon, Stanford, Cal, Utah, Arizona State, Miami, Notre Dame -> Big Ten

UNC, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Duke -> SEC

Louisville, Pitt, South Florida, Memphis -> Big XII


There's been some talk that Arizona State might stay in the Pac-12. But maybe this is part of a much larger plan to go straight to a final number of 24. The SEC would get their morsels from the ACC but Miami and Notre Dame would lessen the blow to the Big Ten. There would never be a final alignment, anyway. However, this would do a lot to address the geographical issues. Miami's isolation would be a problem for them but as a price for gaining admission into the P2/p1. And this also sidesteps any legal issues in the West. The SEC gets every in-state public school rivalry except for Kentucky, Tennessee (Vandy is private) and Oklahoma (and getting Duke would a massive boost to their basketball profile, anyway).

(06-02-2023 07:08 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  What if:

Colorado, Arizona, Washington State, Oregon State -> Big XII

Washington, Oregon, Stanford, Cal, Utah, Arizona State, Miami, Notre Dame -> Big Ten

UNC, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Duke -> SEC

Louisville, Pitt, South Florida, Memphis -> Big XII


There's been some talk that Arizona State might stay in the Pac-12. But maybe this is part of a much larger plan to go straight to a final number of 24. The SEC would get their morsels from the ACC but Miami and Notre Dame would lessen the blow to the Big Ten. There would never be a final alignment, anyway. However, this would do a lot to address the geographical issues. Miami's isolation would be a problem for them but as a price for gaining admission into the P2/p1. And this also sidesteps any legal issues in the West. The SEC gets every in-state public school rivalry except for Kentucky, Tennessee (Vandy is private) and Oklahoma (and getting Duke would a massive boost to their basketball profile, anyway).

I think Colorado and GT are more likely than Cal and Utah to the Big10.

And VA, Duke, and NC could go either way. Though I think VA is the most likely of the three to go to the Big10.

ND is gonna do what ND is gonna do, and the 8 adds are likely to happen first. so I usually look at ND as school #25 with a "special membership" of some kind.

You could also not add WA and OR, if the PAC stays (somewhat) intact. Which also means the Big12 doesn't get any PAC schools.

Washington, WSU, Oregon, OSU, Cal, Utah, Arizona, SDSU (plus 4 AAU BigWest Cal schools to get to 12) -> PAC-12

Which I suppose would make the P2, 22 each:

Stanford, Arizona State, Colorado, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Miami -> Big Ten

Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke, Virginia Tech -> SEC

Leaves them both room for growth...

The podcast is in the article, around 28:30 mark he explains no more expansion this year. I think integrating USCLA has been the priority for a while now. I also think there are schools with the Golden ticket in hand; just need to figure out how this will all work out.

I’ve been saying for a while now that Miami needs to be on the Big 10 radar. They bring FL recruiting, a great place to play prime time games in November, have a history with the Irish, and are now AAU.

If 24 is the future, and the Big 10 takes ND, Miami, and Pitt and the SEC takes 8 ACC schools, that ought to make it a lot easier to end that GOR.

Good stuff folks. I agree that the BIG should:

1. Finish off the west coast move.
To me this is some combination of Washington, Oregon, Stanford, Cal, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado. If 24 of the limit then I only see four joining, but I have this weird feeling that they could be looking at 28 or 32 and take all of them. (They may then decide to add Kansas to the central division with Colorado.)

2. Swing through the east.
Agreed that Miami should absolutely be on the list. FSU intrigues me but I don’t see them coming. Schools like you’ve all mentioned are also there: North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, Miami, Georgia Tech and Pitt.

3. Be prepared for Notre Dame, but don’t worry about them.
If they ever agree to join then you add another team or so to round things out.

Pacific Division
Southern Cal, UCLA, Washington, Oregon, Stanford, Cal, Arizona, Arizona State

Plains Division
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Colorado, Kansas

Northeast Division
Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana, Rutgers, Pitt, Boston College

Atlantic Division
Penn State, Maryland, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, Miami, Georgia Tech

...hey, y'all...

...SO, where y'all at right now? Asking for a fine feathered friend and a mutt in Seattle...

Perhaps the Big 10 brass may have been listening to me somewhat and is now trying to put together an Atlantic coast pod, going by the buzz from this video:

There is some chatter that Fox Sports would prefer that Miami (FL) accompany Florida State to the Big Ten if they are able to come to a settlement to leave the ACC. Also, the rumor is that the SEC is hot after UNC and they'd prefer Virginia as their partner but would take either Duke or NC State if that's what it'd take to win over UNC. No real info on Clemson so far.

Just passing along what I've heard.

(12-24-2023 09:57 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  There is some chatter that Fox Sports would prefer that Miami (FL) accompany Florida State to the Big Ten if they are able to come to a settlement to leave the ACC. Also, the rumor is that the SEC is hot after UNC and they'd prefer Virginia as their partner but would take either Duke or NC State if that's what it'd take to win over UNC. No real info on Clemson so far.

Just passing along what I've heard.

The Big10 should also grab Virginia and Duke to make that decision easier for them : )

NC, NC State, Clemson, and Louisville, wouldn't be bad for the SEC...

(12-24-2023 10:08 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(12-24-2023 09:57 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  There is some chatter that Fox Sports would prefer that Miami (FL) accompany Florida State to the Big Ten if they are able to come to a settlement to leave the ACC. Also, the rumor is that the SEC is hot after UNC and they'd prefer Virginia as their partner but would take either Duke or NC State if that's what it'd take to win over UNC. No real info on Clemson so far.

Just passing along what I've heard.

The Big10 should also grab Virginia and Duke to make that decision easier for them : )

NC, NC State, Clemson, and Louisville, wouldn't be bad for the SEC...

If you go to 22, the B1G with Duke, Florida St, Miami, and Virginia wouldn’t be bad. The SEC would get to 20 with Clemson, Kansas, North Carolina, and North Carolina St and to 22 with Louisville and Virginia Tech.

The ACC (8/9) and XII (15) would want to expand rather than merge. A merger likely increases the CFP at-large spots by 1 which would inevitably go to a B1G or SEC school. So who would the get?

ACC could snag Connecticut, East Carolina, Memphis, Oregon St, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, and Washington St. The XII would bring in San Diego St. Both sit at 16.

Conference Rosters

B1G: Duke, Florida St, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan St, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio St, Oregon, Penn St, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

SEC: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi St, Missouri, North Carolina, North Carolina St, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech

ACC: Boston College, California, Connecticut, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Memphis, (Notre Dame), Oregon St, Pittsburgh, SMU, South Florida, Stanford, Syracuse, Temple, Tulane, Wake Forest, Washington St

XII: Arizona, Arizona St, Baylor, BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Iowa St, Kansas St, Oklahoma St, San Diego St, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah, West Virginia

Florida St and Miami should absolutely be the Big 10’s priority right now. Land those and then hope that Notre Dame falls into place.

I’ll be honest—I don’t see Duke or UVA as value additive.

(01-02-2024 05:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Florida St and Miami should absolutely be the Big 10’s priority right now. Land those and then hope that Notre Dame falls into place.

I’ll be honest—I don’t see Duke or UVA as value additive.

VA - built-in rival for FSU and for Maryland.

And I think Duke basketball is worth the Big10 getting, regardless of whatever else is going on.

As much as football money is important, sometimes, It isn't only just about that. And adding a couple east coast schools to help soften the travel issues should be a priority.

They added 4 on the west coast, these would be 4 on the east coast - balance.

And you're of course welcome to continue to hold your breath about ND, but I think I'd be bright blue for a very long time, if I did that.

(01-02-2024 05:57 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Florida St and Miami should absolutely be the Big 10’s priority right now. Land those and then hope that Notre Dame falls into place.

I’ll be honest—I don’t see Duke or UVA as value additive.

VA - built-in rival for FSU and for Maryland.

And I think Duke basketball is worth the Big10 getting, regardless of whatever else is going on.

As much as football money is important, sometimes, It isn't only just about that. And adding a couple east coast schools to help soften the travel issues should be a priority.

They added 4 on the west coast, these would be 4 on the east coast - balance.

And you're of course welcome to continue to hold your breath about ND, but I think I'd be bright blue for a very long time, if I did that.

In what world are UVA and FSU rivals? Duke and UVA are awful in football and don’t carry their states. They just aren’t worth it when the stakes are this high.

(01-02-2024 09:30 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:57 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Florida St and Miami should absolutely be the Big 10’s priority right now. Land those and then hope that Notre Dame falls into place.

I’ll be honest—I don’t see Duke or UVA as value additive.

VA - built-in rival for FSU and for Maryland.

And I think Duke basketball is worth the Big10 getting, regardless of whatever else is going on.

As much as football money is important, sometimes, It isn't only just about that. And adding a couple east coast schools to help soften the travel issues should be a priority.

They added 4 on the west coast, these would be 4 on the east coast - balance.

And you're of course welcome to continue to hold your breath about ND, but I think I'd be bright blue for a very long time, if I did that.

In what world are UVA and FSU rivals? Duke and UVA are awful in football and don’t carry their states. They just aren’t worth it when the stakes are this high.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_C...#Rivalries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_St...#Rivalries

(01-02-2024 10:08 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 09:30 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:57 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Florida St and Miami should absolutely be the Big 10’s priority right now. Land those and then hope that Notre Dame falls into place.

I’ll be honest—I don’t see Duke or UVA as value additive.

VA - built-in rival for FSU and for Maryland.

And I think Duke basketball is worth the Big10 getting, regardless of whatever else is going on.

As much as football money is important, sometimes, It isn't only just about that. And adding a couple east coast schools to help soften the travel issues should be a priority.

They added 4 on the west coast, these would be 4 on the east coast - balance.

And you're of course welcome to continue to hold your breath about ND, but I think I'd be bright blue for a very long time, if I did that.

In what world are UVA and FSU rivals? Duke and UVA are awful in football and don’t carry their states. They just aren’t worth it when the stakes are this high.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_C...#Rivalries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_St...#Rivalries

This game has been played 6 times since the ACC went to divisional play in 2005–there might be a trophy but this is hardly a rivalry. They never played prior to FSU joining the ACC in 1992.

(01-03-2024 05:52 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 10:08 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 09:30 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:57 PM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 05:24 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Florida St and Miami should absolutely be the Big 10’s priority right now. Land those and then hope that Notre Dame falls into place.

I’ll be honest—I don’t see Duke or UVA as value additive.

VA - built-in rival for FSU and for Maryland.

And I think Duke basketball is worth the Big10 getting, regardless of whatever else is going on.

As much as football money is important, sometimes, It isn't only just about that. And adding a couple east coast schools to help soften the travel issues should be a priority.

They added 4 on the west coast, these would be 4 on the east coast - balance.

And you're of course welcome to continue to hold your breath about ND, but I think I'd be bright blue for a very long time, if I did that.

In what world are UVA and FSU rivals? Duke and UVA are awful in football and don’t carry their states. They just aren’t worth it when the stakes are this high.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_C...#Rivalries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_St...#Rivalries

This game has been played 6 times since the ACC went to divisional play in 2005–there might be a trophy but this is hardly a rivalry. They never played prior to FSU joining the ACC in 1992.

over 30 years