The whole reason Nebraska got picked up by the BUG was fan following. Nebraska has one of the top followings on social media, they have more sell outs than anyone else, they travel better than most fan bases. I’m not saying we’re number one but Nebraska is still relevant. If they don’t start winning that definitely could go away. I’m in my forties and every football fan 35 or older still remembers the good Nebraska. Once those people are gone maybe they won’t be relevant.
I don't disagree with any of that, but being popular on social media and having sellouts, doesn't really benefit the conference as much as it benefits the University. I'm really surprised no one has hit on why exactly the B1G wanted Nebraska. It was talked about quite extensively when it happened, especially by TO.
The sellouts show me we still have 90,000 people interested every Saturday. The BIG brought us in for a lot of reasons. Top five winning program of all time, fan support, top 25 ranked revenue producer, culture fit, AAU member. We are working on rejoining the AAU and it’s getting close. Nebraska was one of the founders of the AAU by the way. That’s going to be huge if expansion happens. That’s why Kansas and the PAC schools are being talked about. Kansas basketball viewership is really good across the country. It will be about money and academic prestige. The AAU grant and research money is huge. I got off topic a little.
They are still a major university. Iowa State isn’t a MAC team right now. Yes, they will more than likely go back to being awful again someday, but right now, they are quite solid. They also usually have a pretty good basketball team, and they do have pretty loyal fans that travel well. 36k students is quite strong. They aren’t a MAC team, even if their football team sucked again, at least imo anyway.
It’s not about who’s winning or losing right now. That stuff goes in cycles. I’m not saying it won’t happen because hell I don’t know. Does Iowa St. bring viewers? Do they bring a new market? Geographically they fit, Academically they fit. It’s the money stuff that will drive this train in my opinion.
I get that argument when you are adding 2 teams to a 10 or 12 team conference. But when going to 16 or 20, not every market will check all boxes.
Definitely true and could be how Kansas or Iowa St get in.
How'd they finish in basketball last year?
I see them becoming a new better version of the mountain west. A few teams added in from group of five merging with the leftovers. It would still be a fun conference to watch. Unfortunately for those programs it would kill all National relevance they might have once had.
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