The major advantage to a new twelve-team structure is that the conference could split into two divisions and have a longer regular season, as is found in the SEC. Right now, Big Ten teams typically have a longer break between their last game and their bowl games than most other teams, which can be a real disadvantage.

Before any specific schools are evaluated for a possible move to the Big Ten, the conference will evaluate whether or not this is actually a good move for the conference. So, no names have been officially thrown out yet. My guesses? Syracuse and Pittsburgh seem like natural choices, and I wouldn’t count Missouri out of the running just yet, though I’m not sure that they’d want to leave the Big Twelve, which is rising in popularity faster than the Big Ten these days. I’d put Cincinnati and Temple on the list of teams to consider, too.

I think it will depend how all of these teams continue to play over the next few years, but let’s not forget – this is more about money than it is about invited the strongest team into the conference. The Big Ten wants someone who’s competitive, in order to boost strength of schedule, but at the same time, they want a team that has a growing fan base, and one that fits into the Big Ten “state of mind.”

Now, I know a lot of people have been talking about Notre Dame again…but I just don’t think that will ever happen. Negotiations take time and money, and after 1999’s talks didn’t work out, I doubt they’ll try again to convince the school to conference up. Besides, Notre Dame doesn’t really need a conference affiliation. The school has amazing contracts and fans on their own, thank you very much.

If I had to guess today, I’d put my money on Pittsburgh. It seems like the most solid choice for a twelfth school for the Big Ten. What’s your guess?

Post from: EveryJoe

Big Ten Wants Twelve

It doesn’t look like that will be the case. Today, Iowa fell, but not to Penn State (no, they beat them gloriously – sigh – earlier this season) and not to Ohio State (they play one another next week). Iowa was stomped into the ground by none other than Northwestern.

Ok, “stomped into the ground” is a little harsh. The game ended up with a score of 17 – 10, which isn’t necessarily bad, until you realize just how mediocre  both of the teams really were today. It’s really easy to claim that this only happened because Ricky Stanzi, the Hawkeyes quarterback, got taken out with an ankle injury in the first half. That definitely contributed to the loss. I’m not buying it, though, that the team deserved to be ranked #4, with or without Stanzi. Iowa may have been undefeated, but what the records don’t show is that they’ve played sloppily in many games and almost lost more than once.

So at this point, the Big Ten title could still go to Iowa, or it could belong to either Ohio State or Penn State. After the Iowa game, all of these teams had one loss. Just a short time after, though, Ohio State and Penn State kicked off, and it quickly became apparent who had the upper hand. Personally, I think that both quarterbacks looked pretty bad today, but when it was put on the shoulders of the rest of the offense to make plays, Ohio State’s players stepped up. Penn State’s embarrassing 24 – 7 loss puts them out of the running for the title.

Yep, this was pretty much the scene all day in Happy Valley. Image: Newscom

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Michigan State finally showed that they actually remember how to play football by crushing Western Michigan 49 – 14. Michigan, on the other hand, didn’t have such a good day, losing 38 – 36 to Purdue. I will say, however, that even though Michigan’s record isn’t so good, they’re hanging in there every week and actually showing some hope for the future under Rich Rodriguez. Wisconsin held on against Indiana (for the record, I think they’re overrated too at #21, but that’s a post for another day), and Illinois overcame Minnesota 35 – 32.

The Big Ten may not be a powerhouse at this point, but hopefully they can rebuild the conference to be competitive nationally again. At least with teams like Iowa rising to such a high ranking, which teams in the Big Ten do consistently every year, they’re remaining attractive to prospective students, which can only lead to strong teams in the future.

Post from: EveryJoe

Big Ten Teams Shake Things Up

Image: Newscom

Under the nex rule, which will be in effect from 2010 to 2013, if the Pac-10 or Big Ten has their conference champion playing in the National Championship game, the Rose Bowl must take a non-BCS team, if one qualifies. Otherwise, the game will still be Pac-10 versus Big Ten.

As it should be.

What? I’m a purist when it comes to the Rose Bowl.

Post from: EveryJoe

Rose Bowl Rules Change

Image: sxc.hu

Some thoughts I have:

• Having alcohol at the games at Penn State isn’t dangerous, so I can’t see how it would be at Minnesota. The people who get so drunk they can’t see are typically students who walk home, and the drivers are responsible most of the time. There will always be incidents, but not enough to ban alcohol.
• The possible ban stems from state alcohol disputes with the school. The liquor licensing control board says that they have to offer alcohol to everyone at the stadium or to no one at all. So instead of making beer available to people in the stands, they’re going to take it away from people in club areas. Yes, that makes tons of sense.
• All this is going to do is make people hide their alcohol or binge drink before getting to the game. Those things are a lot more dangerous.

All in all, its a bad decision to ban alcohol at any college sporting event. Control, yes…but ban? No.

Your thoughts? Leave a comment!

Post from: EveryJoe

No More Booze at Minnesota?

Joe Paterno, Image: Newscom

Unfortunately, he also thinks that some people are laughing at him.

“You know, it’s a conference that’s dominated by a couple of people. If I start talking, they’re polite, but they snicker. They don’t know I know they’re snickering, but they’re polite. …I wish I were younger and going to be around [another] 20 years.”

JoePa is the winningest coach among major college football teams, so maybe they should listen to him. He’s right about one thing a Big Ten playoff or Big Ten championship game would bring more exposure to the conference. Of course, with recent talks about changing the BCS system having made it to congress, expanding the Big Ten for more exposure and a conference championship may be a moot point.

Post from: EveryJoe

JoePa Wants to Expand the Big Ten

Because his father is Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes head coach.

Kirk Ferentz, Image: Newscom

Lil Ferentz is a center for the team and was arrested along with fullback Tyler Christensen and tight end Zach Derby. Christensen reportedly pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication. He’ll pay fines of nearly $500. Both Ferentz and Derby have pleaded not guilty.

University public safety officers say that Derby and Christensen attempted to pick a fight with an off-duty officer around 2 am on Monday. He called for backup, and they say that while the responding officers were talking to the two, Ferentz came over from a nearby parking lot “yelling and screaming.” He reportedly blow a BAC of .160.

Kirk Ferentz has said in a statement that his son and the other two boys are suspended for the remainder of spring practice and further team participation is pending. We’re betting that he’s also grounded and not allowed to have desserts for a month.

This James Ferentz’s second strike – he was cited for underage alcohol possession in October. Following that charge, he was ordered to go to counseling sessions and participate in community service.

Post from: EveryJoe

James Ferentz and 2 Other Hawkeyes Arrested