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Word out of Big 10 headquarters is that the Big 10 conference (plus 1) is now looking for a new, 12 member to join their conference, which would allow them to divide their conference into 2 divisions (presumable east and west) and add a championship game. Of course the reason for this is the CASH that can be made for the championship game, it doesn’t add anything else, by adding another team, just another game that TV will pay to broadcast. Plus, the timing of this is great as it falls right in line with the launch of the Big 10 network, talk about outstanding timing (wink, wink).

I have heard that two of the teams high on Jim Delaney’s list besides Norte Dame, who has spurred the Big 10 once previously is, the University of Nebraska and believe it or not the University of Texas.

Now looking at Nebraska, it does makes a lot of sense from a number of perspectives such as location, size, national following, and academic standards. But Texas, beside the academic perspective doesn’t make much since at all to be added to the Big 10. They would be on an island in regards to geographical location, and it would increase the travel costs of all the schools involved.

However I don’t believe that Nebraska would want to leave the rivalries that have existed for 50-plus years, with Missouri, Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State. My guess is that the Big 10 and Delaney will look closer to home.I would suggest that they look at Louisville, West Virginia, or Virginia Tech, all are great choices when you simply consider the athletic side of the school, but the Big 10 is very proud of their academic success, and that would tend to eliminate the two Virginia school and leave Louisville.

Louisville also makes a great geological choice as they are right in the mid-western area of the county, so travel budgets would not be dramatically affected, also Louisville’s success in basketball, football and baseball would add value to the conference and the state of Kentucky has a high enough population that would also increase the value of the television package. So the bottom line is, what I think the Big 10 will do (like my opinion matters to the Big 10). I don’t think they will make any choice at all right now, that they will sit tight for at least 2-3 more years, waiting on Notre Dame to finally see the light and join the Big 10 once and for all.

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JEH45 said:

	I read today that Jim Delaney has said no expansion at this time. Delaney said any thought of expansion is on the backburner. Some of the ideas are fascinating, but now there is nothing going on per Delaney.
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August 06, 2007
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