Notre Dame and Rutgers to BIG 10????

[Formo]

I would be all about Rutgers. Helps broaden the footprint of the B1G AND they are the oldest football program in the nation. But that's just the B1G rube in me.

[The Big Red Lebowski]

Texas needs ND to come to the Big 12. They know without adding some bigger names to the conference, it is going to be taking on water. Texas fans have been hyping the ND to the Big 12 on SXM and elsewhere.

B1G would love ND, but the conference is not in trouble if it does not get them, or another big name to join. The B1G can probable stand pat if they want.

However, I think the balance of powers in the negotiations has drastically shifted. The B1G now has some leverage over ND, and ND is running out of chips. There is no question that the relationship between ND and the B1G would be mutually beneficial. I have zero.point.zero love for ND, but I can also see how they would be a tremendous addition to the conference.

If they ended up in the Legends division, it would be great to know that UNL v. UND would be an annual match-up in perpetuity. Nebraska v. Michigan, Nebraska v. Penn State (until their program is shut down because there is no $$$ left), and Nebraska v. Notre Dame, would be an outstanding yearly set of games.

I'd love to see ND to the Big Ten, but the only way to force them into a conference is to block them from the postseason. That's just not going to happen. Despite fielding a mediocre team for the better part of the past 20 years, ND is still an iconic brand. An undefeated or 11-1 ND team would still be the biggest national draw in college football. You just don't leave them out.

The Domers also view independence as integral to the uniqueness of the brand. It's hard to see how the Big Ten has any leverage over ND. What can the Big Ten (or any conference) offer that would be viewed as more important than independence?

[Huskerpilk]

Should have been MU and ND...but that train has sailed...so to speak.

[CombatTargeteer]

Should have been MU and ND...but that train has sailed...so to speak.

Yep, that would have been nice.

[Speedlimit]

What does Rutgers get you?

Football legacy like NU, Michigan or Ohio State? NO
TV footprint? As pointed out by others NYC is not a college football town that Rutgers can call home. NO

I could make a better case for Kansas because of basketball and KC market. In fact I suspect you'd get more TV in KC because of Kansas than you would in NYC because of Rutgers.

As noted above, getting Rutgers gets the BTN the NYC/NJ TV market regardless of whether anyone in Queens is watching or not. They get on the basic cable system and that = $$$$$$$$$$.

That is what they give you and perhaps the first football game stuff.

But TV $$$$$$ and a school from the 10th state, so the Big 10 actually mean something. JDelany has mentioned the 10 state footprint thing in the past.

[Huskerpilk]

and a school from the 10th state, so the Big 10 actually mean something. JDelany has mentioned the 10 state footprint thing in the past.

Its funny though...all this angst to keep the number 10 in the name. I understand tradition but this seems arbitrary,

[Speedlimit]

I'd love to see ND to the Big Ten, but the only way to force them into a conference is to block them from the postseason. That's just not going to happen. Despite fielding a mediocre team for the better part of the past 20 years, ND is still an iconic brand. An undefeated or 11-1 ND team would still be the biggest national draw in college football. You just don't leave them out.

The Domers also view independence as integral to the uniqueness of the brand. It's hard to see how the Big Ten has any leverage over ND. What can the Big Ten (or any conference) offer that would be viewed as more important than independence?

They (domers) are out of touch. They think this is still 1992. It is not, and especially if this 4TP thing goes through.

Right now ND is hanging on a thread. They have a chance under the current system to be relevant as long as they can finish in the Top 8 in the final BCS poll. Yet, even then, is that really a sustainable goal for a program....making a BCS Bow?

And what about when it goes from the Top 8 to the Top 4?

It is going to be tougher for them to stay relevant. Especially if the bowls go back to traditional conference tie-ins.

Right now, and in an independent future, ND only has one championship to chase, the national championship.

As Nebraska fans should understand, that can be a very fleeting goal. Yet, when you have a conference championship to chase, you can have an exciting season even when you are not a NC caliber team.

Right now, after ND losses 3 games or so, what is left of their season. If they were in a conference, they could have very medicore years and still be chasing a conference championship.

Conference championships are the current rage for a reason. They bring lots of excitment to conference play (and $$$$$ with CCG's.


ND needs to get into the modern era of college football and I believe the 4TP can force their hand. The B1G can also force their hand by hampering future scheduling with ND, as could the Big East.


I do think ND has to join a conference if they are to remain viable, and I think the B1G should make a huge push for them right now!

[Speedlimit]

Its funny though...all this angst to keep the number 10 in the name. I understand tradition but this seems arbitrary,

It is a real PITA to change 50 years of branding


So, when in doubt, run an option to the short-side, 10 schools, 10 states, 10 cities over 300,000, 10 Farms with Emu's, etc.

[DuckTownHusker]

Conference championships are the current rage for a reason. They bring lots of excitment to conference play (and $$$$$ with CCG's.

That's because only six (I think?) conferences currently have CCGs, two of which are the MAC and Conference-USA. The ACC, SEC, PAC, and Big Ten are the only ones that have national relevance.

There are 30+ teams every year that can claim they won a bowl. Nothing special there. 4 teams can claim they won a major conference championship game and another 4 (sometimes the same 4) can further claim a win in a BCS Bowl.

Winning the BigTen championship is far more impressive than winning the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl. CCGs are better resume' fodder than just about any bowl except the 4 BCS Bowls and the National Title.


IMO, Prestige Rankings:

• Minor Conference Title without CCG - (WAC)
• Minor Bowl Win - (Poinsettia Bowl)
• Minor CCG - (MAC)
• Major Conference Title without CCG - (Big 12 & Big East)
• Major Bowl Win - (Cotton)
• Major CCG - (ACC, SEC, PAC, & B1G)
• BCS Bowl Win
• National Title

[Huskerpilk]

It is a real PITA to change 50 years of branding


So, when in doubt, run an option to the short-side, 10 schools, 10 states, 10 cities over 300,000, 10 Farms with Emu's, etc.

10 Fingers and toes...keepin it real...simple.

[The Big Red Lebowski]

They (domers) are out of touch. They think this is still 1992. It is not, and especially if this 4TP thing goes through.

Right now ND is hanging on a thread. They have a chance under the current system to be relevant as long as they can finish in the Top 8 in the final BCS poll. Yet, even then, is that really a sustainable goal for a program....making a BCS Bow?

And what about when it goes from the Top 8 to the Top 4?

It is going to be tougher for them to stay relevant. Especially if the bowls go back to traditional conference tie-ins.

Right now, and in an independent future, ND only has one championship to chase, the national championship.

As Nebraska fans should understand, that can be a very fleeting goal. Yet, when you have a conference championship to chase, you can have an exciting season even when you are not a NC caliber team.

Right now, after ND losses 3 games or so, what is left of their season. If they were in a conference, they could have very medicore years and still be chasing a conference championship.

Conference championships are the current rage for a reason. They bring lots of excitment to conference play (and $$$$$ with CCG's.


ND needs to get into the modern era of college football and I believe the 4TP can force their hand. The B1G can also force their hand by hampering future scheduling with ND, as could the Big East.


I do think ND has to join a conference if they are to remain viable, and I think the B1G should make a huge push for them right now!

You make it sound like ND is on life support without a conference. On the contrary, Forbes lists ND as the 2nd most valuable team in all of college football with $47 million in profits and a theoretical value of $112 million. They are not only viable, they are thriving financially as an independent. The school has a $6 billion endowment, and the well-heeled alums who cough up the dough prize football independence.

Again, there is nothing the Big Ten can offer ND that they would view as more valuable than independence. They don't need more money. They don't care about winning the Big Ten. They frankly don't even really care that much about going to a BCS bowl. They do care about playing annual games with USC, Michigan, Michigan St., et al.

[gutterputt]

Notre Dame-just another way to spell Texas

[Porkchopexpress]

You make it sound like ND is on life support without a conference. On the contrary, Forbes lists ND as the 2nd most valuable team in all of college football with $47 million in profits and a theoretical value of $112 million. They are not only viable, they are thriving financially as an independent. The school has a $6 billion endowment, and the well-heeled alums who cough up the dough prize football independence.

If I were a well financed ND alum, I'd be more concerned with ND's relevance in CFB, than staying independent. So far ND has been able to achieve both (for the most part). You aren't too relevant in a sport if there are restrictions on the access to playing for a national championship. Especially if those restrictions are gone by joining a conference.

What if ND, should they stay independent, but has the same access/restrictions to a playoff as C-USA, MWC, or MAC does? I'm guessing those wanting to stay independent would quickly change their tune.

[gutterputt]

The BCS has made exceptions specifically for ND in the past and they will continue to in the future. ND already has their own football network (AKA Notre Dame Broadcasting Company-NBC for short.) They don't need nor want any conference affiliations.

[The Big Red Lebowski]

If I were a well financed ND alum, I'd be more concerned with ND's relevance in CFB, than staying independent. So far ND has been able to achieve both (for the most part). You aren't too relevant in a sport if there are restrictions on the access to playing for a national championship. Especially if those restrictions are gone by joining a conference.

What if ND, should they stay independent, but has the same access/restrictions to a playoff as C-USA, MWC, or MAC does? I'm guessing those wanting to stay independent would quickly change their tune.

Agreed. In my first post, I wrote that the only way to force ND into a conference is to deny them access to the post season. I just don't see ND being left out of access to the playoff as some kind of power play to force them into a conference. There already seems to be agreement that a polling system or selection committee will pick the teams. This decision alone marginalizes the conference champions.

Who's going to step forward and say ND shouldn't be elligible to be ranked in the top 4 or picked by a selection committee? What's the rationale for leaving them out? Spite?

[wcbsas]

They (domers) are out of touch. They think this is still 1992. It is not, and especially if this 4TP thing goes through.

Careful - there are those that could say that we (Husker fans) still think that it is 1995!

[PimpMario]

Can we please delete this thread or at least change the name. put [Pure Speculation] in the title.

[Huskerpilk]

Careful - there are those that could say that we (Husker fans) still think that it is 1995!

But I have a Delorean so 1995 is just around the corner for me....if I can just afford the 1.21 gigawatts to start my flux capacitor.

[Speedlimit]

You make it sound like ND is on life support without a conference. On the contrary, Forbes lists ND as the 2nd most valuable team in all of college football with $47 million in profits and a theoretical value of $112 million. They are not only viable, they are thriving financially as an independent. The school has a $6 billion endowment, and the well-heeled alums who cough up the dough prize football independence.

Again, there is nothing the Big Ten can offer ND that they would view as more valuable than independence. They don't need more money. They don't care about winning the Big Ten. They frankly don't even really care that much about going to a BCS bowl. They do care about playing annual games with USC, Michigan, Michigan St., et al.

That is what I mean by 90's thinking on their part.


The TV numbers on NBC are down. How long does NBC and their advertisers drop big $$$$$ for a subpar product? And by subpar I mean a couple of things. One, they are not winning. Two, they are not relevant to CFB right now and will not be in the near future unless they are in a NC game. Thus, all the NBC money is going to run out and their stock won't be nearly as high if they continue down the road they are on now.

For ND to continue to hold their weight in college football, they are going to have to join some conference. They cannot continue into the future under their current independent model; so yes, they are about to go on college football life support, and if I was a fan or alum of the institution I would be worried that the people in charge there do not understand that.

[Speedlimit]

Can we please delete this thread or at least change the name. put [Pure Speculation] in the title.

WAAAAAAAAA

I put question marks, but I got some cheese and bread if that would help???????