Joining the Big 10 or staying in a struggling conference that loses another one of the better schools. Wow, these two choices suck.

Ah it’s just another excuse to come up with a new logo so that they can turn a “10” into a “12”.

If they offer anyone, it will be Rutgers. These pinheads will imagine that Rutgers can “deliver” the New York media market to the Big 10, when in reality all New Yorkers care about is pro sports. CFB in NY ranks right up there with MLS soccer and pro lacrosse n terms of fan interest.

But the Big 10 will get its championship game and in the end, that’s really all that matters.

it will be syracuse. didn’t they try and leave for the ACC? that is the most attractive school and a better fit academically and culturally than rutgers. the big east loses a great basketball school, but an also ran in football. the conference can survive.

if any BE FB team leaves the conference i think the BE will be in trouble to keep there BCS status..BE teams should somehow come to an agreement so they dont jet over to the small 10, but if they dont, then i would not be upset if pitt did jump over to that conf. id like to see them stay in the BE, but i dont see the BE staying alive if another school leaves.
id much rather play the back yard brawl every yr then to be forced to play PSU only becuase of the conf..

Ok…so let’s play a game…your the Pitt Administration (AD, Chancellor, Trustee(s))all wrapped into one. What are your next steps? How do you play chess? If this expansion talk comes to fruition (I believe this time is for real) and ND is out, let’s not diminish the fact that Pitt is a real key player in this thing. Either way, stay in BE or go to B10…Pitt is relevant. Do you send “feelers” out and gauge Big Ten interest openly. Do you hang tight and promote Big East company line while pursuing membership in back rooms. The Pitt Admin will earn their money these next months b/c the positioning of athletics and university is key in this potential endeavor. DISCUSS…..

Spot on maguro, I’ve lived in NY my whole life and when I talk about college football or Pitt I’m usually greated with blank looks and stupid questions. The Big East tourney is the one week a year we do college sports in the Big Apple, the Big 11 is kidding themselves if they think RU or Cuse will make them relevant in NYC.

For whatever reaosn, the Missour sports blogs are overwhelmingly in favor of joining the B10 .. and it is a reasonable drive for the five western-most teams in the B10, not to mention that it penetrates both the St Louis and Kansas City TV market.

I believe Rutgers, a state-wide university handy to NYC, is the logical choice of the bE teams … and the B10 admin would relish the real possibility of having their games against the likes of OSU and PSU played in the new Giants Stadium.

I hate the entire topic. It seems to be a lose-lose scenario for Pitt.

I say try to force ND to participate in Big East football by playing hardball.

Why aren’t Iowa State or Nebraska mentioned as possible Big11 targets?

I don’t see why, if offered, Pitt would feel compelled to join; Sure, football revenues would increase, but we would suffer greatly in basketball, which produces more of a profit for the school than football. What we are in b-ball we owe to being in the Big East, and the NYC connection.

Plus, the Big11 may look at this as a mistake – look at the ACC championship what a dud that is; adding more teams actually hurt the ACC in b-ball, and adding Pitt would only help temporarily (we’ll fade once our lifeline to New York is cut). No matter which team they pick, it is one more team to cut into bowl revenue, without adding much in terms of fannies in seats or TV revenue. Bad move all around, I think.

All I want for Christmas is Pitt to be in the Big 12. Please, Please, Please.

I hate the Big East Football Conference. They are a slimey group who are more interested in fixing games to gain not money but just respect and press. I can understand money… I don’t understand why they shave points to favor the favorite on the field for ESPN Talkling Head Press.

I had it with this Conference. Pitt should pay the Big 10 to accept them. It will pay off in the end.

if the primary goal is to get the B10 championship game along with a great program with a long tradition, I like PITT’s chances. The timing of PITT’s new athletic facilities couldn’t have been better!

Mizzou has openly courted the Big 10 for several years now. They have a lot of things going in their favor, not the least of which is their TV market. They are also a land grant university, like many Big 10 schools are. In addition, they may also provide “the path of least resistance”. If Mizzou left the Big 12, they would be easily replaced (TCU, Houston, Tulsa, Utah?) No one would see it as a serious blow to Big 12 football. The BE is another story. We can’t seem to identify a 9th quality team now to round out our home and away schedules. The Big 10 would take a Big media hit if they raided the BE, just like the ACC did…And let’s not forget, the ACC was sued and did lose in court for their actions in raiding the BE. All of those one and done away games against BE schools definitely hurt those ACC schools bottom lines. What I would really like to see happen is to have the BE release a statement, signed by all BE school presidents, stating that no BE Universtiy will leave the BE for the Big 10…chances?

Frank – Such a statement wouldn’t be worth the paper it was printed on because the school presidents simply do not trust each other. And rightfully so. You saw how quickly they betrayed each other during the ACC fiasco, and they wouldn’t behave any differently if the B10/11 came calling.

Regarding Missouri – Their fans are dissatisfied because the B12 is now a Texas-centric league and they feel like a red-headed stepchild. Well, guess what? If they joined the B10/11, they would be a red-headed stepchild in that league, too. Presumably the decision-makers at Missouri understand this better than their fans do, so I would expect Mizzou to stay right where they are.

I have to agree with HbgFrank,

Talk down here is that Missouri is hot and heavy bl**ing the Big 10 for a chance to join, the Big 12 isn’t worried because TCU would jump at the opportunity to move from the Mountain West to the Big 12.

In Memphis, there is a lot of talk about them joing the Big East, their football team is a mess and their basketball team isn’t far behind since they lost their “name” coach to Kentucky, frankly there are better candidates for Big East consideration.

Its a complicated situation but Pitt would be better off in the Big 10, I don’t think you would see a drop off in the basketball situation because Pitt is established in NYC and it would improve the football situation dramatically.

Pitt better take up the Big-preten’s offer if extended. Any team in the BE [except Pitt] would leave in a heart beat. The BE will be broken up after the next round of conference expansion. The last stop will be the BE.

I have to give WV some respect, they win BCS games. But if Arkansas leaves for the B-12 they will end up in SEC in a Nordy heart beat. If ND stands pat they won’t have the BE as a last resort.

Big Ten is a huge upgrade all over. School enrollment would go through the roof increasing revenue all over. Big Ten holds a ton of acedemic clout and more research.

The Big East on the other hand lost BC, Miami, and VT to replace with acedemic powers of USF, Cincy, and Louisville all tier III acedemic schools.

Plus, Varsity Hockey!!!

note that even though no college was mentioned in the Big 10 release, Univ of Missouri President felt compelled to release the following within an hour of the Big 10 release: “The University of Missouri has not been contacted by the Big Ten. Should there be an official inquiry or invitation, we would evaluate it based upon what would be in the best interest of MU athletically and academically.”

Chas, I could not disagree more with you in that Missouri is not a big consideration .. I assure you they are a major player. And frankly, I would be very pleased if indeed they were the B10’s choice.

I believe the University of Pittsburgh is very well placed here to merit serious consideration. Not only are the well placed academically as a research institution, they also are very strong athletically. With the Pete, Heinz Field, the state of the art football facilities, and the new Olympic Sports Complex, Pitt is an attractive choice. I for one, hope this invitation is extended and accepted by the Big Ten and Pitt. Contrary to what many think, neither Rutgers nor Syracuse would deliver the NYC market. I disagree that Pitt’s basketball would suffer. Dixon is excellent at developing players–he may just need to develop players from slightly different areas of the country. To not take an invitation the Big Ten, would be a giant mistake for the University of Pittsburgh.

Dont leave the Big East… WE ARE A EAST COAST TEAM!!!!!
Lil 11 football is boring to watch. I rather watch paint dry. The last time I watched a Lil 11 game was Mich/OSU game a few years back. That year the league was told about the passing game to move the chains and scoreboard. Dont know what happen after that..
Eff State Penn.. not worth joining the lil 11 to play those arrogrant fools.
Pitt should stay in the Big East. Big East should make a counter offer.
Ask the following to join WVU, SU, Pitt, Rutgers, UCONN, USF, Ville and Cincy:
State Penn
Maryland
VA Tech
BC
Temple (sorry to the academies Army and Navy their rivalry game is too late in the year)

The goal is 12 should you have to ask more because people will say no.

Hail to Pitt!!!!
Stay in the Big East. We have the East coast market!!!

Let make a east coast power division. Go back to ShitPa’s ideal….

The merits of joining the BIG 10 are very different from a basketball and football perspective. Certainly, if the BE were to lose a signinficant team that it can’t replace and that leads to losing its BCS status then it would be a big problem. I believe we could replace a Rutgers or Syracuse with say an E Carolina and still retain our BCS position. As I understand it there are 120 voting school Presidents that ultimately control the BCS system. 65 of these schools are in the 6 BCS conferences. Include ND and there are 66 pro BCS votes. If they want to eliminate the BE from the BCS they will lose 7 votes of the BE schools that would get screwed. That would leave the BCS bloc with only 59 votes. The non-BCS schools would be able to out vote the others. One solution would be to add a conference other than the BE? Not sure which one would be better than the BE,assuming we had an 8th school.From a basketball persepective it seems like a no brianer to me that we should reject the Big 10. Our program is built around recruiting between Maryland and NYC. We lose a lot of exposure in those markets when we stop playing at MSG as well as at St Johns, Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Georgetown, UConn and Syracuse.I go to most of those away games and there is always a lot of player’s family and friends in attendance. All that goes away.. I see zero upside for basketball.

Big 10 should go after Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse, expand to 14 teams, and own the midwest through NY.

increase enrollment? Pitt had over 20,000 freshman apply last year….they are turning away more kids than they accept already.

I don’t see any great benefit to Pitt joining the Big Ten…at least not for the sports I watch ..BB and FB. I really don’t care how good the ladies lacrosse team does and still won’t if they join the Big Ten. However if a team from the Big East ends up going I have to hope it is Pitt..because Big East football will be dead.

“I hate the Big East Football Conference. They are a slimey group who are more interested in fixing games to gain not money but just respect and press…I don’t understand why they shave points to favor the favorite on the field for ESPN Talkling Head Press.”

Freebird, you have made some serious accusations. You better explain yourself.

I agree with Chas, these type of stories are best during “down time” for Pitt fans. But one thing is for sure, the BE needs to get off its fanny and expand.

Hey, we’re only 10 days away from a bowl game against the hated ACC. Let’s get our game faces on and take care of business!

Syracuse was going to bolt to the ACC along with BC, VT and Miami, but Jim Boeheim (God bless him) prevented it from happening. I don’t think that it was because he didn’t welcome the competition. I believe that he saw a bigger picture: historic rivalries; geographic rivalries, etc. From a BB standpoint, I think that Boeheim would prefer the ACC to the Big 10. If he stopped Syracuse from bolting to the ACC, my guess is that he would take the same position regarding the Big 10.

From a selfish position, living in NJ, I hope that Pitt stays in the Big East and that the BE thrives in BB and FB.

What’s wrong with Big 10 hoops? 5 of their teams have won the National Championship since 1979 (6 BE teams during the same time frame).

Plaaying Izzo’s teams twice a year would be real a challenge and we’ve already learned Indiana is on the upswing.

We would also get to feast on PSU, renew acquaintances with the Michigan coach and freeze our butts off in Iowa and Minnesota.

Patrick, where are you getting your facts from? I know that the bball team packs the house while the football team does not but I can assure you that even if the bball team does make more money than football (I don’t believe they do) it isn’t by a wide margin.

Also, Pitt is enough of a national bball power that their east coast recruiting shouldn’t be hindered too much by a move to the big 11.

So there will be a “Big 12” with 12 schools which makes sense, and a “Big 10” with 12 schools.

Got it.

Pitt football team makes a lot more money than the BB team. BB attenadance is roughly 250,000 for the year.including exhib games..(actual attendance is lower since they only count people in the building)….football this year is around 375,000 and they sell a lot more higher price seats (club seats) for football then BB.

Also not sure of the specfics but the football TV contract is a lot more than the BB as well.

That said I do think Pitt BB would be hurt by move to Big Ten. Pitt has been recruiting kids who want to play in New York City, Washington DC and Philly…not Iowa, Minnesota and Happy Valley.

link to faniq.com

link to collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com

link to bleacherreport.com

Plus that Cincy-Pitt game was well out of hand. I was sitting with 2 TJ coaches and a Baldwin Coach pointing several missed holding calls once Pitt pulled ahead. You give a passing team a clear advantage.

USF didn’t get that privledge.

I have to admit – the rivalry with Penn State has always meant more to me than WVU in football. Pitt would have a chance to be in an established football conference. Michigan State & Pitt would dominate in hoops.

note that originally Va Tech was not included in the 3 teams that ACC wanted. UV didn’t want them. After Syracuse backed out, there was a major push by the VA politicians to get the ACC to accept VA Tech. To his credit, Frank Beamer expressed regret to leave his fellow BE coaches behind, knowing fully well how VT really upgraded solely because of being part of the BE. Finally,BC also originally backed off .. you may remember that they didn’t leave the BE until a year after UM and VT did .. and actually Pitt turned away an ACC inquiry before BC panicked, turned its back to a gentlemen’s agreement that the remaining BE teams had,and accepted the ACC’s bid … and still will probably not admit to its mistake.

Also, I fully agree that Pitt’s BB program will decline due to its prime recruiting area where the players prefer either the BE or ACC. Note that the B10 did nothing to boost PSU’s program, even with its proximity to basketball-rich Philadelphia.

wbb,

bullshit on that revisionism. It was going to be Miami, BC and Syracuse. The other BE members started coming together and pledged love and support. Then the BE filed a lawsuit — and the ACC hesitated. VT worked hard on Virginia’s gov and legis to bring big political pressure on UVa to force their support of ACC expansion only with VT included. And at that point the Hokies went running.

Otherwise the ACC would have been a vote short on Miami as well. The ACC called the Miami bluff that they would only leave with BC and Syracuse for NE alumni reasons.

The ACC filed a request for for a rule change to allow them to have a championship game with 11 teams, they were rejected. At that point, the offer went and was accepted by BC. BC happily ran even after repledging fealty to the Big East.

Longer history lesson with links are here (with some admittedly dated and inaccurate predictions).
link to pittblather.com

Freebird, I read incompetence or selected judgmental errors and not fraud in your citations. As for me, I would not accuse anyone of fraud without evidence, but that is just me.

Pitt should go to the Big 10 because of the shady football officiating, between what went down in Morgantown 2 years ago and the debacle by the officials in this years Cin game the Big East allows politics to dictate the way games are played, they cannot be won on the field. The move would impact basketball (not hurt it) but Jamie is an excellent coach and will
lift the program to the top of the Big 10.

Marty, did you successfully complete English 101 at Pitt? (If you did, please keep it a secret from the general public.)

The Big Ten expansion may be the very thing that finally gets the extremely reactive Big East to handle it’s too big basketball conference that has been discussed ad nauseum for a while now.

Going to 7 teams with another conference getting a playoff really puts the Big East in a bind. My guess is that there will be yet another big move to add at least 3 more teams to get to an Even numbered amount.

Where I don’t know, but perhaps they look to Florida yet again for Central Florida, they look to Marshall for another rivalry for WV. Perhaps they coax a Memphis this time around for Louisville.

They probably divide the BE basketball based on this. I am not sure on NCAA rules, but can a league have a championship with a 10 team league?

Not necessarily the optimal solution, but regardless the BE will react…which is what they have been doing since their inception.

DaveD

I don’t understand why the BE doesn’t go on the offensive? Seriously, WHERE IS THE COMMISH? Oh, that’s right, he’s a Providence U honk that is just glad his school is in a conference… I digress.

Thanks to WVU, the Big East BCS bid is safe for years. Why throw that away? Why not use it as a carrot to attract others to make it the premier Football AND Basketball Conference.

Go after Penn State. Go after BC. Add Memphis for grins and giggles. Add Temple or force Villanova to beef up their D1 Football program.

North Division
================
Syracuse
Penn State
Boston College
Temple/Villanova
UCONN
Rutgers

South Division
==============
Pitt
WVU
Cincinnatti
Louisville
South Florida
Memphis

and tell ND, Marquette and DePaul..thanks but no thanks…

Pauly P,

Penn State will never leave the Big 10…I like your thinking about proactive, but it just won’t happen.

I believe that your Nort South Div looks good, but I bet you would see Pitt in the North and Central Florida in the South…

Would Temple be willing to come back after being kicked out?

Does Marshall come into play? Perhaps East Carolina?

I agree with being pro-active, but I also believe the BE basketball as we know it today will be changed dramatically.

DaveD

Seems to me I’ve heard this song before. Since 1950, actually. The Big Eleven builds huge stadiums and fills them because of the lack of NFL competition. It’s all about money folks. The mid-west schools market their product quite well. P firmly believe the future belongs to the Big East and THAT is where Pitt should be. Be patient fans, Pitt shouldn’t swoon when the Big Eleven flirts. Even JoPa is mortal and the day of the midwest titans has long past. George from Columbus

I for one am totally in favor of Pitt joining the Big Ten. It may hurt our men’s basketball recruiting in New York but for all the other sports it would be a bonus. Penn State was always our biggest rival. The downside would be the loss of West Virginia but we could schedule them as a non-conference game in all sports. The addition of the Ohio State rivalry would be a positive for recruiting.

Academically it would be a step up for the school. The Big Ten is a much strong conference academically than the Big East.

Pablo and Milo,
Look at the ticket prices for B-ball vis-a-vis football, and compare the manditory “donations” to the atheletic fund for both sports. Heck, quite a few die-hard b-ball fans only buy football club seats as an after thought because the “donation” they make for the right to buy basketball tix counts for football as well.

In terms of profit, football simply costs a lot more to field a team than b-ball; equipment, travel expenses, practice facilites, trainers, staff, etc. – basketball is a money maker, football loses money.

TV revenue? 12 total games for football, close to 30 for b-ball; maybe 3 or 4 football games that anyone actually cares about, opposed to 15-20 b-ball games that are top ratings generators.

Now, if Pitt is in the Big 11, and lots of Wisconsin, IU and Purdue away fans show up every year to fill those empty yellow seats at Heinz field, maybe football’s bottom line will improve.

As of now, basketball makes a HUGE profit, while football does not.

I agree that the Big East needs to go on the offensive here and protect itself. It needs to add another program to football without adding another team to the rest of the conference. That would be Notre Dame. But how? Well, I think the Big East should make the offer to ND as attractive as possible by allowing it to keep it’s broadcasting and other contracts. In other words, ND wouldn’t have to share their piece of the pie with anyone else in football. Is that fair? Probably not, but this is a business, and it’s what should be done to make sure the Big East as a whole survives. Much more money will be lost if it doesn’t survive. The Big East would make itself stronger in the long run.

Whatever happened to conference loyalty? To build it yourself?

The Big East has been good to PITT and PITT should be good to the BE!

Hail to PITT
Hail to the BE

I heard the Big11 will extend an offer to Pitt only on condition that we bring back the script Pitt…

Joining the Big11, if the offer is extended, is a no brainer. It’s a step up in stature for the university. Plain and simple. Big11 is much more renowned in academics and the athletics are a step up in tradition and coverage.

Wouldn’t it be pretty cool to play the likes of dickrod and Michigan? Ole’ sweater vest and OhSt? Oh yeah…and STATE PENN! Plus, wouldn’t you love a shot at the Rose Bowl every year?

The BigEast has overextended itself with bb and it’s choice of commissioners doesn’t show it will change any time soon…link to www2.tbo.com I still can’t get over the fact that the BigEast is run by a guy who’s coffee sweetener choice is influenced by Cher *shiver*.

The BigEast knows where its bread is buttered with bb and the football side of the conference is a distant 2nd. I would like to see more balance.

HTscriptP

Move to Big 10 would be a big mistake. (I thought Penn State’s move there was a big mistake, too).

1. Getting Pitt games broadcast to Iowa/Michigan/Indiana doesn’t help recruiting one bit. Right now we have 7 kids total on football team from west of Ohio River (that includes 3 from Ohio).

2. Don’t just think football/basketball- is Pitt really going to spend the money to send the swim team/ wrestling team/ women’s BB team to Wisconsin for a game/meet?

3. Just a thought ( a crazy one ). Would TCU, Boise State, Fresno State, Utah, or any of those programs that want to be big in football, consider joining Big East? If geography doesn’t matter to Big 10 or ACC, why should it matter to Big East? We already have teams playing BB & not football, why not have teams play football & not BB?

Why would Pitt not pay to send teams to Wisconsin? They already pay to send them to South Florida which I believe is a longer flight.

The BE cannot find a worthy #9 team. How in the world will they find a worthy #8 team if Syracuse bolts???? Nordy better pray that Arkansas does not defect to the B-12 because WV will land in the SEC. Then they will get the last laugh at Pitt.

I thought the Ohio River runs east to west… unless you are talking about the little jog it makes along the hoopie land panhandle

So happy Thursday everyone. The morning moves on with a lobby from Ron Cook for Pitt to consider the Big Eleven should an invitation be forthcoming. He presents his rationale in a convincing manner. So convincing that I am even more against defecting from the Big East than I was before. How marvelous that JoPa thinks Pitt should be a candidate. If that vererable coach wants to play the Panthers all he has to do is say so. Pitt would accept the challenge. No fans. Mr. Paterno is interested in only one item and that is the Nits bottom line. As far as academics is concerned I’d put Pittsburgh’s university up against any of the so called midwest powers save Northwestern and Michigan. No, Pitt’s future is Pitt’s present. Go chase after Temple Joe. They would relish such an offer. George from Columbus in the heart of fantasyland.

How about this – merging the Big Ten and BE with a couple midwest teams (Missouri & Memphis). Have 2 conferences based on geography.

East:
Pitt
PSU
OSU
Michigan
Michigan State
WVU
Rutgers
Syracuse
Uconn
Illinois

Midwest:
South Florida
Cincinnati
Louisville
Memphis
Missouri
Iowa
Indiana
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Purdue

With 10 team conferences you can set up a championship game between them just like ACC divisions. Obviously some teams could be shifted from one division to another.

If you would need 12, just become 2 leagues and add schools like Temple, Buffalo.

These are pretty balanced conferences for both football and basketball.

Patrick, I am one of those people that buy better football seats because I already donate for basketball. You really think football loses money? That’s not even worth debating. Football makes a ton more money than BB, both in ticket sales and especially TV money. That is the case for almost every BCS school..Do some research before you make comments like that.

As for the idea that the Big Ten means automatic sellouts…Iowa last year attendance was 50,000…(Rutgers same year was 51,000)…MSU in 2006 47900…(Rutgers again that year 49,600)..Before that you have to go back to 95 to find a non Penn St Big Ten team and that was OSU. Not sure of exact attendance at that game, but I was at that game and I know it wasn’t near full.

When considering a defection to another conference, most teams are thinking of nothing more than their bottom line. College sports are no different than any other business. To think otherwise is foolish. And criticize Paterno, but it was his vision for the Eastern Sports Conference that preceded everyone jumping in bed with a conference; it was his vision of instant replay that brought about those changesin CFB; it was his lobbying for Big 10 expansion, despite the ridicule from some of the Big 10 dinosaurs, for years that has brought about this discussion.

I just find it funny that the notion of an invitation to join the Big 10 becomes an anti-Paterno string simply because Penn State is a member of the conference.

Just get over it. Chas said it, Paterno is a marketing piece. He’s not a President or an AD, so who cares? I just don’t get all the hand-wringing.

Chas, here is a copy of what I posted above:

“note that originally Va Tech was not included in the 3 teams that ACC wanted. UV didn’t want them. After Syracuse backed out, there was a major push by the VA politicians to get the ACC to accept VA Tech. To his credit, Frank Beamer expressed regret to leave his fellow BE coaches behind, knowing fully well how VT really upgraded solely because of being part of the BE. Finally,BC also originally backed off .. you may remember that they didn’t leave the BE until a year after UM and VT did .. and actually Pitt turned away an ACC inquiry before BC panicked, turned its back to a gentlemen’s agreement that the remaining BE teams had,and accepted the ACC’s bid … and still will probably not admit to its mistake.”

How does this represent revisionism? Your post went into much more specifics but it didn’t contradict anything here.

And yes, Beamer very much so went public with his regrets for leaving the BE, and yes, Nordenbourg very much so rejected an inquiry by the ACC before BC finally accepted, and yes, there is still much resentment in Boston and in the BC community for becoming part of the ACC.

Pitt belongs in the Big Ten (11) just like the Steelers belong in the AFC North competing against Cleveland and Cincinnati. An earlier post was correct in that expansion criteria extends beyond sports and Pitt, as a leading research university, has an advantage there. And beyond money, which Cook was right about, it is also about politics. If Pitt was to join, that would mean the two major universities in the state of Pennsylvania are aligned with the conference and all of the economic windfall to go with it. Rutgers does nothing for Pennsylvania and don’t think for a minute Rendell isn’t weighing in on this. In my view, the only two things between Pitt and the Big Ten are Notre Dame and Norenburg (he is so personally invested in the Big East, I don’t see how he could bolt and save face -and if you don’t think narcissism can lead to bad decisions, just take a look down the road at the White House).

This entire topic is all about one factor…..$$$.
The Big 10/11 is considering expansion simply to garner a bigger share of TV dollars. The ONLY way to look at this subject is to examine what is in the Big 10/11’s best interest and the answer screams out loud ND/RUTGERS. O.K. we all know that ND is the obvious 1st choice, however, it is unlikely that an agreement can be reached to enable South Bend to keep its TV revenue and still join the Big 10/11. (I have 35 years of broadcasting background in Noo Yawk).
So, what’s the second best choice for the Big10/11? Rutgers!!! No, not Mizzou, Rutgers!!
Yes, the Noo Yawk market is NOT a hotbead for college football or basketball. In fact, Rutgers has almost no following in the City, L.I., Westchester or Southern Conn. The Scarlet Knights are a Jersey school in the same way that the Jersey Devils or Nets are Jersey teams. A big, however, the N.Y. market thinks in terms of MAJOR EVENTS……..and make no mistake about it there is a surprisingly large number of Big 10/11 alumni living and working in the Noo Yawk market.
As a corporate center you would be amazed to know how many college graduates from the Midwest are in the Big Apple marketing area. Here’s something you probably don’t know,the largest selling college sweatshirts in the Noo Yawk market are…..NDU, Syracuse, Michigan and Penn State. The new “in” school for students applying
out of state is Indiana……….and you would be amazed to learn how many college students from Noo Yawk attend Wisconsin.
Another thing that many of you might not realize is the snob appeal of certain conferences in Noo Yawk. Yep, The Ivy League is #1 by a huge margin!
The ACC is also highly thought of because of Duke and UVA (HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVERS). Believe it or not the Big 10/11 is not far behind because of Michigan, Northwestern, Wiconsin and yes, Penn State (YES PENN STATE).
Do any of you fully realize how important the NOO YAWK market is in terms of advertising and marketing $$$ to the Big 10/11? The Big East is absolute garbage in football in Noo Yawk. Repeat garbage!! Do you think that a Louiville, Southern Florida game pulls any kind of a rating?
Syracuse, U.Conn football/What football?? BASKETBALL SI/ FOOTBALL NO! So where does this leave us?
Rutgers!! Semi-decent football/miserable basketball……..but, games that can be payed in the new 80,000+ Giants/Jets stadium. Basketball that can be played in either the new 17,000 seat venue in Newark or Madison Square Garden.
The Noo Yawk mentality of also thinking BIG//LARGER than life. The snob appeal of the Big 10/11. The corporate alumni from the Big 10/11 schools that work in key positions throughout the Noo Yawk market. What Big East?
It is sad to say that Pitt is lost in the shuffle.
As a Pitt grad I know that our University is thought of with respect in Noo Yawk, however it is a very minor player in terms of alumni and corporate impact in Noo Yawk.
TRY TO FIND A PITT SWEATSHIRT IN NOO YAWK!!
If Rutgers is tendered an offer to join the Big 10/11 I believe that the Big East will be in very serious trouble. What can the conference do to remain a BCS power…add Eastern Carolina or Central Florida, two low level academic institutions? The Big East needs a strong Syracuse football presence, a Pitt team that can actually win games that count (Sorry Big Dave…no more nonsense), a U Conn that can recruit football players the way it obtains basketball stars and an all powerful WVU. I think that the football fortunes are a dream that might never come true.
The Big East is nothing more than a bloated basketball league with a hodge podge of academic institutions that range from outstanding (Georgetown) to Lousville (mediocre in the class room). $$$$$$$$$$ rules and the Big 10/11 will
opt for Rutgers and take its chances on gaining traction in Noo Yawk and Pitt will be swallowed up by Penn State. Sad but true. TV $$$$ rules the roost and Pittsburgh already is exposed to the Big 10/11 through the large and active Penn State alumni base in Wstern Pa. NDU keeps its own TV money. Syracuse is a non-factor in football and is a TV market not much larger than
Richmond, Va. RUTGERS WINS a sad day for Pitt!!

there is a big difference, in my mind, for the teams bolting to the ACC back in 03 compared to whomever may leave to the B10 in 011.

Mainly, the B10 is classy enough to publicly announce its intentions well in advance, as opposed to backroom meetings. This will allow the BE to make alternate plans should they lose a member, and even may be proactive in adding a team or two before then.

Syracuse seems to be back in good stead despite the clandestine agreements but note that while future games are scheduled by BE games with Va Tech and Miami, I’m not sure this is the case with BC which after pledging loyalty to remain, bolted anyway. (I could be wrong — BC may have to play due to the settlement of the lawsuit between the ACC & BE.)

While there may be some hard feelings this time should RU, SU or Pitt leave, I believe the other teams would not blame them knwoing full well that they would have accepted if offered.

BTW off topic .. Sam scored 20 pts last night in Grizzlies loss. DeJuan had 8 pts and 5 reb in Spurs win

Milo I was also at that OSU game in ’95 and don’t know what game you attened if you think it wasn’t packed. The stadium was packed that day…granted there was a lot of Red. The attendance which I just looked up was 54,917 and was the highest Pitt had in 5 years. The capacity was 56,150 I believe for the stadium. I’d say thats pretty close to full. Painful game to watch though.

One nit–ND is not a member of the AAU.

I would like the BE to stay as is, but if a team has to go, I’d rather have Pitt go to the B10 than stay in a crippled BE.

Pittapotamus, I remember empty seats in the endzone..with the attendence you listed that is possible…for the final game against ND they had over 60,000 squeezed in. My point is they still didn’t sell out the game…and the last two more recent Big Ten teams that came they didn’t even come close to selling out and had more fans for Rutger’s game. I think the notion that Pitt will sell a ton more tickets because they’ll join the Big Ten is false. They might sell a few more initially but if they fall back to 4-8 terriority it’s not going to matter who they play.

Palease, really, some of you, go back and look at what you wrote. This is the biggest no-brainer I’ve seen in years if Pitt were offered. #1 Who cares what JoePa said 30 years ago, get over it man, the Pitt-Penn St game would be back on every year. No offense WVU, but, in true Pitt fans hearts, the big rivalry that really tugs at your heart strings is Penn St. the anger, the emotion, don’t lie people, we all know it’s true, it’s ok to admit. #2 People, Michigan, Ohio St. Mich St, Iowa Penn St consistently coming to play? Heck, even the also rans are huge names, Minnesota, Purdue, Northwestern, Illinois. Come on, let the grudge grow, be a member of one of the Big 5 Conferences. #3 look at the names you gusy are throwing around, Temple, E.Carolina, C. Florida, Buffalo, Memphis. This is such a huge no brainer. Yes, I would rather play Northwestern and Purdue than Rutgers or South Florida any day of the week. #4 If Pitt gets first chance of any Big East team and says no, shame on them, and more power to Syracuse or Rutgers for moving on with the big boys while we stand hear saying, well, S.Fla helps with our recruiting, and UConn football is coming along!!

Also, please, no one take offense to my rantings. Obviously, if we all are on here, we bleed blue and gold. I’m not old, but, a bit old school too, just the geography of the big 10, all connnected, plus Pitt in the 40’s 50’s and 60’s was almost a member, they used to play Indiana, Minnestoa, Michigan regulary. Many of my Penn St friends and family say the forced Mich St- Penn St. game has no rivalry whatsoever. The Pac 10 has now said thining about expanison, BYU and Utah maybe. I just have a bad feeling, there are going to be 5 big 12-14 member conferences in a couple years, and we’re gonna be left sitting on the sideline, in a Big East we try to make ourselves believe is relevant. Hey, maybe we won’t even get offered. Hail to Pitt!!

This has been a hot topic on the Facebook page for my blog, and I if I were a betting man, I think it’s going to come down to one of the teams in Big XII North.

The two top candidates are Missouri and Nebraska. All of those members have felt disenfranchised with the fact that the Big XII favors the Texas schools.

Mizzou, which was 8-4 this season, was just passed over in the bowl selection process by a 6-6 Iowa State team, and Tiger fans say that wouldn’t happen if they were in the Big Ten.

If it happens to be any of the Big East teams, it would come down to Rutgers or Syracuse. The Big Ten wants to expand to a ninth state because of their own network. And remember this, the Big Ten Network receives $1.10 per subscriber, and if you live in a Big Ten state, you automatically get it on basic cable whether you want it or not.

I am sure there are a lot of cable subscribers in New York and New Jersey. The Big Ten Network is already on Comcast in the Pittsburgh area.