ND & Texas to the Big 10?

[Whiskeyjack]

Where did this story come from? I've been looking and can't find anything.

The text quoted by TerryTate in the OP came from a Northwestern message board (Wildcat Report I believe) and the story was "reported" by a Cincinnati sports radio host earlier today.

 

[GreatGolson]

in feel like this just becomes the NFL junior (more so than it is) having four superconfences is like NFC/AFC. idk, maybe its just nostalgia, but i feel like ND joining a conference will be like
the last giant oak in an ancient forest finally going down. for so long in the past teams blazed their own trail, not so anymore. I applaud Swarbrick for preparing ND for the inevitable future, but i will mourn the death of our independence

 

[DuffHouse12]

+2
Make it 3 supporters. Who wants to sit and watch meaningless games all year. It will be like NCAA Basketball. They might as well forget the regular season and just have all teams compete in March Madness.

+3 - I don't think the BCS is being executed perfectly, but I love it. I love Bowl Games, and I love how there's a National Championship game.

If only they wouldn't put out rankings until a few weeks in...

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

+3 - I don't think the BCS is being executed perfectly, but I love it. I love Bowl Games, and I love how there's a National Championship game.

If only they wouldn't put out rankings until a few weeks in...

Nice Trey pic!

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

The text quoted by TerryTate in the OP came from a Northwestern message board (Wildcat Report I believe) and the story was "reported" by a Cincinnati sports radio host earlier today.

Thanks WhiskeyJack.

 

[pumpdog20]

I just don't see how 8 game conference schedules will work in a 16 team conference. They would only play 1 team (the protected rivalry) from the other division.

 

[Rocket89]

I really think this is a huge fallacy. Lots of people believe playoffs would make the regular season less exciting, but I just don't see how. Every game will still matter TONS because you only play 12. And instead of the 90% of teams that are completely out of it by week 6 because they have 2 losses... you'll still be in the running for a shot at your conference title.

Also.... there will be more big OOC games under a 4 conference +1 playoff system because it will remove the downside from losing a game OOC. So all of the schools that duck playing good teams now (re: Michigan) will instead have incentive to go play an Alabama or a USC on a neutral site or what have you.

It's tough to say what it would do to the regular season.

On the one hand, you're right the playoff creates a lot more exciting games later in the season when there are 2 or even 3 loss teams still trying to get into their conference championship. I think this is often ignored by a lot of the BCS proponents.

Yet, a playoff does ruin that special and unique "you have to stay undefeated" feel that makes college football so great. A playoff basically means those titantic OOC games and even some in conference games aren't as big.

We're all upset about losing to USF, but with a playoff, it stings a lot less. There's something to say for that.

Ultimately, I think the regular season is a wash. We lose the epic games (LSU v. Oregon wouldn't have meant that much this year) but we'd gain a ton of top 25-ish games throughout the season with big implications.

What puts it over the top for me is the playoff, which would be beyond awesome.

 

[DuffHouse12]

playoffs removes having goals that are not playoff related. BK said his goal this season was a BCS game and victory.

with a playoff, he's supposed to come out and say what, make the playoffs? almost make the playoffs? win a playoff game?

Rocket89 explained it well above me. the loss to USF stung because we all know that now Notre Dame will not be winning a national championship, but here we are, Thursday night, realizing there is still more to play for, in my eyes playoffs would take that away.

in addition i do not see how a playoff encourages OOC games. they'd be like in-season scrimmages. why would you want to schedule a big time team? there's no benefit. Last saturday LSU knocked a team out of their way.

i dunno, thts just my .02

 

[pkt77242]

playoffs removes having goals that are not playoff related. BK said his goal this season was a BCS game and victory.

with a playoff, he's supposed to come out and say what, make the playoffs? almost make the playoffs? win a playoff game?

Rocket89 explained it well above me. the loss to USF stung because we all know that now Notre Dame will not be winning a national championship, but here we are, Thursday night, realizing there is still more to play for, in my eyes playoffs would take that away.in addition i do not see how a playoff encourages OOC games. they'd be like in-season scrimmages. why would you want to schedule a big time team? there's no benefit. Last saturday LSU knocked a team out of their way.

i dunno, thts just my .02

What now? If there was a playoff we would still be playing for a national championship, so in theory we are playing for less now without a playoff than we would be playing for if there was a playoff.

Now you can make the arguement that the USF games was more important because of the lack of playoffs but there is no logical arguement for why we have more to play for now when there is no playoff.

 

[Rocket89]

I don't think having a playoff encourages playing tougher OOC games per se. I really think it won't change things much---we'd still see some big games here and there, but mostly teams scheduling a lot of weak teams.

It would definitely be something interesting to watch if a playoff were to happen though.

 

[DuffHouse12]

What now? If there was a playoff we would still be playing for a national championship, so in theory we are playing for less now without a playoff than we would be playing for if there was a playoff.

i disagree. a playoff would eliminate the big 4 BCS Bowl games. that is what we are playing for right now. no chance Notre Dame as an independent would get into a playoff with 1 loss to USF. Not when there are conference champions running around out there trying to get in.

if you want to throw in a bunch of other scenarios on top of what i have laid out here then i would say its not even worth applying them to this season. if we were in a super conference would we have played USF? no. we'd need the OOC schedule for Navy and USC, and we'd be shooting for a conference championship like UGA is now even with a loss to Boise.

 

[pkt77242]

i disagree. a playoff would eliminate the big 4 BCS Bowl games. that is what we are playing for right now. no chance Notre Dame as an independent would get into a playoff with 1 loss to USF. Not when there are conference champions running around out there trying to get in.

if you want to throw in a bunch of other scenarios on top of what i have laid out here then i would say its not even worth applying them to this season. if we were in a super conference would we have played USF? no. we'd need the OOC schedule for Navy and USC, and we'd be shooting for a conference championship like UGA is now even with a loss to Boise.

So you are saying you would rather have chance at playing in a BCS game after one loss than having a chance at being in the playoffs after one loss (which in theory would give us a shot at a championship). Even taking this year into consideration, if there was a playoff and we won out 11-1, we will have knocked off a few good teams which would inlcude Standford who probably has a 50/50 shot at winning the PAC 12. If there was a 4 team playoff after this year, and we went 11-1, I would guess that we would have a 50/50 shot of getting into the playoffs while this year if we go 11-1 we are probably destined for a BC game. So a chance at a meaningful game vs almost no chance at a meaningful game?

 

[DuffHouse12]

So you are saying you would rather have chance at playing in a BCS game after one loss than having a chance at being in the playoffs after one loss (which in theory would give us a shot at a championship). Even taking this year into consideration, if there was a playoff and we won out 11-1, we will have knocked off a few good teams which would inlcude Standford who probably has a 50/50 shot at winning the PAC 12. If there was a 4 team playoff after this year, and we went 11-1, I would guess that we would have a 50/50 shot of getting into the playoffs while this year if we go 11-1 we are probably destined for a BC game. So a chance at a meaningful game vs almost no chance at a meaningful game?

we're not in a conference. so on any given year, 11-1(with that 1 being a borderline top 25 team) might not be good enough to get into a playoff without an AQ championship game. sure we'd have a chance, but what if we DONT make a playoff and teams from AQ conferences with losses to top 10s are getting in instead. then what? with the current system the rules are pretty well in place for what Notre Dame has to do to make a BCS game. Devil you know is better than the Devil you don't, that's all i'm saying.

 

[Rhode Irish]

playoffs removes having goals that are not playoff related. BK said his goal this season was a BCS game and victory.

with a playoff, he's supposed to come out and say what, make the playoffs? almost make the playoffs? win a playoff game?

No, in the scenario we are discussing he would say he wants to win the conference. He has said repeatedly that the reason why ND's goal is to get to a BCS is because we don't have a conference to win.

And all of your posts seem to either assume or imply that there will be no other bowls if there is a playoff. That is incorrect. Most likely the current BCS bowls will be incorporated into the playoff and the remaining bowls will remain unchanged, meaning that nothing will change for 97% of college football.

Rocket89 explained it well above me. the loss to USF stung because we all know that now Notre Dame will not be winning a national championship, but here we are, Thursday night, realizing there is still more to play for, in my eyes playoffs would take that away.

WHAT?? This could not be more wrong. If we were in a league with a playoff the USF loss would mean LESS in terms of our playing for a national championship. Usually when someone makes a terrible point I can at least figure out what they were thinking and try to add something to help clarify the situation. In this case, I don't have any idea where you're coming from.

 

[PapaIrish37]

Obviously we're all focusing on football, but if this report is true, it could very well explain why ND has not made an announcement regarding future hockey conference affiliation. All the buzz has been between the new NCHC and Hockey East, but perhaps our new hockey home will be the new Big 10 hockey conference which doesn't begin play until 2013. My preference is for us to retain our football independence, but if can maintain our traditional rivalries with U$C and Navy (Along with our Big 10 rivals), and add Texas, this doesn't look too bad.

I agree about the hockey. It would then make sense why ND has taken so long to make a decision.

Also, Syracuse has been mentioned (even approached?) as a potential Big 10 member in the last few years. 'cuse has more alums in greater NY than Rutgers, a stronger football tradition except for the last few years and would be a great get for the Big 10 in basketball.

Adding Pitt and Syracuse spreads the conference east, grabs the NY TV market and possibly the Garden for the Big 10 B-ball tourney, and gives PoSU a natural, in-state Big 10 rival.

I would rather we stay independent but I think the Big 10 (as much as I hate them all) is the most natural landing place. If Texas is in the mix and the concessions mentioned in the original post are in place, this is probably the lesser of several evil options.

 

[phork]

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[irishff1014]

They were talking During the Oklahoma State and arizona game tongiht on ESPN and they said that the odds are Where ever Oklahoma goes Oklahome state will follow.

 

[beryirish]

Another perspective...

Having superconferences it could create great out-of-conference matchups. Discussed earlier, you could lose all your OoC games and still win your division, go to the championship game and play for a national championship. So teams may be more likely to not schedule cupcakes and schedule good football games.

USC vs Florida
Ohio State vs Alabama
Florida St. vs Michigan
Oregon vs Texas

Year in and Year out....if they lose..oh well..we pleased the fans and got better from playing a good team.

Just my thoughts.

 

[micks60]

On the other hand why play anyone good because it does not matter. You would make more money scheduling home games and just pay a team like western michigan to come in. Also reduces the chances of staters getting hurt because they are not playing as much. They could call it the "big ten plan". I only named it that because that is what most the big ten teams do now anyways.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

On the other hand why play anyone good because it does not matter. You would make more money scheduling home games and just pay a team like western michigan to come in. Also reduces the chances of staters getting hurt because they are not playing as much. They could call it the "big ten plan". I only named it that because that is what most the big ten teams do now anyways.

TV money would be the answer to your question.

Alabama vs Ohio State out of conference brings the $$$$$

Alabama vs William and Mary out of conference, not so much.

 

[DuffHouse12]

TV money would be the answer to your question.

this is a very good point. i also think this is the reason why teams should not want to split their national championship game money with 15 other teams in a super-conference.

or their playoff tv money for that matter.

 

[OCIrish]

I like it if its true, Texas and us jointly proposing to the Big10. I read the thread some more (the wildcat nation forum that is) and a few of the posters said how credible the OP was. He was spot on with Nebraska and I think Texas A&M.

I'm not sure I like being forced to join a conferance, but if this is the shape of things, then I'd rather it be on NDs terms and not that of said conferance. If it is the Big 10, than what an unbelievable makeup of football teams...I'm excited about the prospects of going to Camp Randle, the Horseshoe, hell, I'd even make a trip to lowly Memorial Stadium (Bloomington) for a game.

Adding Texas to the mix is crucial though. Without them, I don't think I would like it as much.

 

[Rocket89]

i disagree. a playoff would eliminate the big 4 BCS Bowl games. that is what we are playing for right now. no chance Notre Dame as an independent would get into a playoff with 1 loss to USF. Not when there are conference champions running around out there trying to get in.

if you want to throw in a bunch of other scenarios on top of what i have laid out here then i would say its not even worth applying them to this season. if we were in a super conference would we have played USF? no. we'd need the OOC schedule for Navy and USC, and we'd be shooting for a conference championship like UGA is now even with a loss to Boise.

What would you think if the playoffs were created and the bowl system was still around but SEPARATE from the playoffs? Think about that with ND either in a conference or still an independent.

By the way, incorporating the bowls into a playoff would be an awful idea and would ruin half of the fun of a playoffs. If we ever go to a playoffs, we know the bowl games are going to stick around. So let the top 4 or 6 teams enter the playoff and fill out the BCS games and the rest of the bowls with whomever is left.

Anyway, a 1-loss ND could still make the playoffs as an independent. And if there is a playoff system, it doesn't mean the BCS bowl games go away---but they will take a hit in prestige, which is the way it should be IMO because they are meaningless now anyway.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Nobody knows for sure how a playoff system would work, so this is all conjecture. But if there is a playoff system I believe that it would be directly tied to the conferences (the 4 "superconference" winners would play a 4 team playoff), and an independent would not have a way in. I would be shocked if that weren't the case, because I think the only way we'll see a playoff is if we have 4 superconferences.

 

[DuffHouse12]

i don't see why there could only be a playoff with super conferences. there could be a 4 team playoff now, top 4 BCS ranked teams. no reason there can't be. we don't need the super conferences.

nothing is stopping a playoff but the decisions being made by the same people who trying to make super conferences.

 

[DuffHouse12]

i disagree that the bowl games are meaningless now. the big 4 are amazing games and they mean a lot to the teams and schools that play in them. if there was a playoff, that would make the games even more of consolation round than they already are with a Championship Game, but lets remember - the BCS Championship Game is hosted by 1 of the big 4 bowls. so every year, a different Bowl organization gets 2 games. they are the ones benefiting the most now.

 

[Rhode Irish]

i don't see why there could only be a playoff with super conferences. there could be a 4 team playoff now, top 4 BCS ranked teams. no reason there can't be. we don't need the super conferences.

nothing is stopping a playoff but the decisions being made by the same people who trying to make super conferences.

It isn't that there CAN'T be a playoff right now, its that there WON'T be a playoff with the current system. If there is a massive realignment of the conferences it MIGHT lead to a playoff. If there isn't a massive realignment of the conferences, then there WILL NOT be a playoff.

 

[Little Napoleon]

The big ten won't accept ND and Texas having rights to it's television coverage outside of the big ten. There are too many powers in the big ten that will have a problem with those agreements. The big ten network is a good deal for all conference members. I don't see this being a bad thing for ND. If anything it would be a good thing for both ND and the big ten. I don't see the conference accepting Texas with an existing long horn network. Texas could end up being left out of any conference which would be a huge disadvantage to them. After super conferences have formed I don't see Texas scheduling enough quality opponents to be voted ahead of an SEC or Big Ten champ to play for the NC. Few super conference teams would want to schedule a Texas match up as a non conference game. With schedules being tough enough there is just no advantage. Texas will have to give in or it will be left out. It goes back to the fact that Texas should have acted in better interest to it's fellow members of the Big 12 and avoided this mess all together.

 

[DuffHouse12]

It isn't that there CAN'T be a playoff right now, its that there WON'T be a playoff with the current system. If there is a massive realignment of the conferences it MIGHT lead to a playoff. If there isn't a massive realignment of the conferences, then there WILL NOT be a playoff.

right i get that. so whats the motive for forming a super conference? for a team like Utah and TCU, joining a conference increases your chances at a championship. but from a conference perspective, why would the B1G want to share their TV money with more schools? Texas is the only school in limbo right now that stands to provide significant increased revenues through TV to any conference. but how do you justify to Purdue, Michigan State, and Northwestern that now they have to start sharing with someone like Kansas State or Kansas? i'd be against that.

 

[Rocket89]

i disagree that the bowl games are meaningless now. the big 4 are amazing games and they mean a lot to the teams and schools that play in them. if there was a playoff, that would make the games even more of consolation round than they already are with a Championship Game, but lets remember - the BCS Championship Game is hosted by 1 of the big 4 bowls. so every year, a different Bowl organization gets 2 games. they are the ones benefiting the most now.

The big four are always amazing games? No way. There have been plenty of stinkers, bad matchups, and blowouts:

Rose Bowl: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008

Sugar: 2010, 2008, 2007

Fiesta: 2011, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001

We haven't had a compelling in Orange Bowl in five years!

That's like half of the BCS bowls over a decade with rather non-amazing games. They are not all their cracked up to be...just look at this past season, yet again another 2 crappy BCS bowl games.

With a playoff, just have the final game played at one of the four BCS bowl locations. It's really that simple.