Report: Maryland, Rutgers in 'serious' negotiations to join the Big Ten - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21029512/report-maryland-rutgers-in-serious-negotiations-to-join-the-big-ten)


Maryland (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/teams/page/MD/maryland-terrapins) and Rutgers (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/teams/page/RUT/rutgers-scarlet-knights) are in advanced and ongoing negotiations with the Big Ten regarding membership, according to multiple reports.
ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy first reported the news (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8644587/maryland-terrapins-rutgers-scarlet-knights-talks-join-big-ten-conference-sources-say) that Maryland was in "serious negotiations" to join the Big Ten. According to the report, Rutgers is in a similar situation and would also join the Big Ten if the negotiations are finalized. That news was then confirmed by Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaab--maryland--rutgers-in-serious-talks-about-move-to-big-ten.html), who -- citing multiple sources -- said both schools are in "advanced discussions" to join the Big Ten.

Announcement could come as early as next week. Maryland was always rumored to want to go to the Big Ten at some point. This would take them to 14 teams now to match the SEC. Rutgers would be exiting the Big East and Maryland from the ACC.

I still think the Big 12 needs to go to 12 or 14 teams at some point. If the PAC 12 goes to 14, the three conferences are going to be chewing up a ton of TV time and bowl space. So who should the Big 12 get to fill?

I would say ND would be great to add, but I think their new agreement with the ACC would allow them to easily slide in and replace Maryland. However, the Big 12 might help them more when it comes to big bowls (not that they will have an issue this year).

Other options:


Louisville (Big East) - They were #2 to WVU coming on board. They are 9-1 this year and continue to do well. They would also open up Ohio, KY, and IN markets to recruiting and TV.
Cincinnati (Big East) - Another decent option. They would probably be more middle of the road in the Big 12 football world, but big when it comes to basketball. Also big TV markets.
Florida State (ACC) - Gets the Big 12 into Florida, a major market. However, a little out of the way - but WVU seems to be working alright.
Clemson (ACC) - Would probably need to be a package deal with FSU.
Air Force (MWC) - Gets the Big 12 back into CO, they are a consistently decent program and normally always in a bowl but might get stuck in the basement a lot.
Fresno State (MWC) - Gets a big market in California, but not sure they could survive well in the Big 12.

Considering the Big East is losing their "major conference" status and automatic bid once the playoff is instituted, I don't blame teams for trying to jump ship. That said, I'm a bit surprised that the Big 10 would consider those two.

Air Force is a non-starter, they don't want in a big conference. During the last Big 12 go-round they evidently were asked about their interest in the Big 12, the AD decided they would rather stay in a conference with similar programs rather than go up against the OU and Texas level of spending.

Considering the Big East is losing their "major conference" status and automatic bid once the playoff is instituted, I don't blame teams for trying to jump ship. That said, I'm a bit surprised that the Big 10 would consider those two.

If this is indeed the fork in the Big East, what's the chance the Big 12 goes after Louisville and Cincinnati?

If this is indeed the fork in the Big East, what's the chance the Big 12 goes after Louisville and Cincinnati?

I hope it would be pretty high. It would really help bridge WVU.

Louisville and Cincinnati would be awesome but so would Florida State and Clemson. How bout we just invite all four?!

I say we try desperately to steal Colorado back...They have been lighting up the scoreboard in football since moving out west

FL State, Air Force, Louisville and Fresno State .. in that order, were I king for a day and allowed to set up decent road game experiences for the fans.

I say OU moves to the SEC. Without Texas if they're being prima donnas again.

I say OU moves to the SEC. Without Texas if they're being prima donnas again.

Just remember OU signed its TV rights away to the Big 12 for the next 6 years. So chances of anyone leaving the big 12 are nil right now.

If we go to 14
FSU
Clemson
Louisville
Cincinnati

If we go to 16
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech

I like the list. A good balance of quality schools.

Media market wise...
Tallahassee: 106
Greenville: 100
Louisville: 48
Cincinnati: 35
Roanoke: 68
Atlanta: 9

I think FSU gives the Big 12 more tradition and of course open recruiting in Florida. Clemson and Georgia Tech are highly ranked educational institutes (US News has them at 25 and 7 respectfully). UL and Cincy open up a good amount of recruiting in the Ohio Valley and more media exposure there in markets of similar size to other Big 12 schools. Virginia Tech also comes in with a storied program, good following, and strong academics.

It would be one of those if it has to happen, these would all be great choices. The difficult part I think might come down to picking which legacy Big 12 team would go to the Eastern division to even it out. Unless you break it up to be North and South divisions to make the travel requirement equal for everyone. If that happens we would look at either OSU or Clemson going to the North.

North Division: ISU, KU, KSU, UL, Cincy, WVU, VT, OSU.
South Division: OU, TTU, TCU, Baylor, Texas, Clemson, GT, FSU.

If we looked at the BCS rankings right now for those teams to see how they balance...

North Division: ISU (46), KU (97), KSU (6), UL (19), Cincy (44), WVU (48), VT (69), OSU (20) -- Avg: 43.625
South Division: OU (13), TTU (31), TCU (40), Baylor (37), Texas (16), Clemson (11), GT (68), FSU (10). -- Avg: 28.25

So definitely a bit lopsided. However WVU, VT, and Cincinnati have all shown they can be very good. So who is to to say they during a good year the North could easily stand up to the South.

I say OU moves to the SEC. Without Texas if they're being prima donnas again.

If?

I say we try desperately to steal Colorado back...They have been lighting up the scoreboard in football since moving out west

Unless you are just kidding........


No they haven't, the score board has been lit up by everyone they play........they are horrible.

They are 1 and 10 so far this year, given up 50 + points 4 times, including 69 and 70.......

If?

Has anyone else noticed that Texas seems to be the only one that has put their name inside the Big 12 logo on the field. I think Kansas use to do this but got rid of it, unless I'm blind.

Going to 16 teams opens up lots of option for scheduling. How about instead of 2 divisions we go to 4 pods. You play everyone in your pod (3 games) and all the teams in another pod (4 games). That gives everyone 4 non-conference games (ala SEC). You then rotate the other pod you play every year. In 3 years every team will have played every other team at least 1 time and it would take 6 years to complete a home and home series with every team. Then to bust up the BCS playoff, I wouldn't have a championship game (why give a loss to one of our best teams at the end of the season). Here is how it would look.

Pod 1:
A, B, C, D

Pod 2:
E, F, G, H

Pod 3
I, J, K, L

Pod 4
M, N, O, P

In year 1 (Y1) pods 1 and 2 play each other and pods 3 and 4 play each other
In (Y2) pods 1 and 3 play each other and pods 2 and 4 play each other
In (Y3) pods 1 and 4 play each other and pods 2 and 3 play each other

Conference champs would be based on final BCS ranking.

So if you put in the team names it might look like this
Pod 1: Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, Oklahoma St
Pod 2: Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, TCU
Pod 3: Baylor, FSU, Georgia Tech, Clemson
Pod 4: Virgina Tech, West Virgina, Cincinnati, Louisville

So in year 1 - OU plays: Texas, Texas Tech, TCU, Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, Oklahoma St
in year 2 - OU plays: Texas, Texas Tech, TCU, Virigina Tech, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Louisville
in year 3 - OU plays: Texas, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, FSU, Georgia Tech, Clemson
pattern then repeats switching home and away games.

That's pretty creative. I kinda like it.

OSU's schedule would like this:

Y1 - OSU: Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, TCU
Y2 - OSU: Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, Baylor, FSU, Georgia Tech, Clemson
Y3 - OSU: Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, Virgina Tech, West Virgina, Cincinnati, Louisville

And of course we should employ the SEC scheduling method by playing all 7 conference games in the fiirst 9 games of the season. This would insure that each conference teams ends with two cupcakes so as to not have any late season loses. Then all we have to do is sit back and let the SEC, Pac 12 and Big 10 beat each other out of the 4 team playoff.

That actually is a very interesting idea. I don't know how much I like the "conference champion is determined by final BCS rankings" though.

That actually is a very interesting idea. I don't know how much I like the "conference champion is determined by final BCS rankings" though.

If the goal is to get as many teams as possible into the BCS playoff why have your first or second best team take a loss in the final game of the season? Let the first or second best team in the SEC, Big 10, and PAC 12 take the losses. Look at the SEC this year. Alabama and Georgia are 2 and 3 but will have to play each other in the last game of the season. In ND loses and the SEC doesn't have an championship game - both Alabama and Georgia would play for the National Championship instead of a conference championship.

Considering the Big East is losing their "major conference" status and automatic bid once the playoff is instituted, I don't blame teams for trying to jump ship. That said, I'm a bit surprised that the Big 10 would consider those two.

I agree but not sure who else is left for them to take.

Unless you are just kidding........


No they haven't, the score board has been lit up by everyone they play........they are horrible.

They are 1 and 10 so far this year, given up 50 + points 4 times, including 69 and 70.......

I'm pretty sure he was kidding.

Just remember OU signed its TV rights away to the Big 12 for the next 6 years. So chances of anyone leaving the big 12 are nil right now.

try the next 13 years .. teams can not leave the big 12 before then ..

Do the when you're in, you're in rules apply automatically to any newly added teams as well?

If the goal is to get as many teams as possible into the BCS playoff why have your first or second best team take a loss in the final game of the season? Let the first or second best team in the SEC, Big 10, and PAC 12 take the losses. Look at the SEC this year. Alabama and Georgia are 2 and 3 but will have to play each other in the last game of the season. In ND loses and the SEC doesn't have an championship game - both Alabama and Georgia would play for the National Championship instead of a conference championship.

But if Georgia wants to go to the NC game, they need to beat Bama. The SEC title game can only help them.

I think we have to plan for hte situations like this year, where a Big 12 team wouldn't get in without a title game. You have to be in the top 4, getting two teams in is going to be very difficult in any given year, but a game that can nearly ensure that your number 1 gets in could help.

If the SEC doesn't have an NC game they get 1 team in no matter what. With a confernce championship game they still only get one team in. However, with no conference championship game and an ND loss they would get two teams in the NC game. While a conference championship game might be beneficial to an individual school, it isn't good for the conference. It is a case of the sum of the parts not be as great as the whole.

If the BIG XII followed my schedule plan we would have been done with conference games 3 weeks ago. Even with one loss guess who the number 2 team would be today - Kansas St, because Alabama would have lost last. OU would also be ranked ahead of LSU. It is really pretty simple. Reduce the number of conference games and play those games early in the season. Play the easy games at the end of the year.

The schedule I have above would allow for 2 undefeated team and up to 4 one-loss teams. That is 6 teams in a 16 team conference having one loss or less. With only 4 playoff spots open the BIG XII (XVI) should get 2 of those spots every year and possibly all 4 of them.

Look at Oregon, they were #2 last week and lost to Stanford. Now they are #5 and if Stanford wins next week Oregon doesn't even go to their conference championship game. So ND, Alabama, Georgia, and KSU could all lose and Oregon could still sit the NC game out.

Maryland voted this morning and accepted the invite to the Big Ten. Announcement is scheduled for 3PM ET/2PM CT.

Maryland Board of Regents approves move to Big Ten, announcement coming Monday - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21056732/)

Here we go.

Rutgers will announce tomorrow per ESPN. They are expected to join for the 2014-2015 season.

Sounds like UCONN or Louisville are the targets by the ACC.

If the Big XII is going to expand they better do it soon, or all the good (and semi-good) teams are going to be gone.

UCONN announcement to the ACC is rumored to be tomorrow now.

If the SEC doesn't have an NC game they get 1 team in no matter what. With a confernce championship game they still only get one team in. However, with no conference championship game and an ND loss they would get two teams in the NC game. While a conference championship game might be beneficial to an individual school, it isn't good for the conference. It is a case of the sum of the parts not be as great as the whole.

If the BIG XII followed my schedule plan we would have been done with conference games 3 weeks ago. Even with one loss guess who the number 2 team would be today - Kansas St, because Alabama would have lost last. OU would also be ranked ahead of LSU. It is really pretty simple. Reduce the number of conference games and play those games early in the season. Play the easy games at the end of the year.

The schedule I have above would allow for 2 undefeated team and up to 4 one-loss teams. That is 6 teams in a 16 team conference having one loss or less. With only 4 playoff spots open the BIG XII (XVI) should get 2 of those spots every year and possibly all 4 of them.

Look at Oregon, they were #2 last week and lost to Stanford. Now they are #5 and if Stanford wins next week Oregon doesn't even go to their conference championship game. So ND, Alabama, Georgia, and KSU could all lose and Oregon could still sit the NC game out.

So basically, you devised it all to maximize the number of Big 12 teams in bowls and, hopefully, the playoff tourney.

You know, I can't fault you for that. The way football is now, that makes total sense.

With revenue sharing across the conference it is the only way to think about it. OU gets just as much money if TCU play in the NC game as it does if OU plays. So flood the market and rake in the dough.

All the teams wanting to live the BIG East should have gotten together and voted to make the exit fee $0 before leaving.

is it really completely equal for teams? I know they do share, but I thought the team that made the bowl at least got a lion's share of the profits of playing in the game.

I think JTF is correct. I'm pretty sure in the Big 12 TV and bowl revenue is split equally.

Venture and JTF, I know in today's conference world there are more important things than tradition. But I would REALLY miss having Bedlam every year if either of your scenarios or anything like it came to pass.

Venture and JTF, I know in today's conference world there are more important things than tradition. But I would REALLY miss having Bedlam every year if either of your scenarios or anything like it came to pass.

Having OU and OSU in different pods would be great for football in Oklahoma. In the two years where the OU and OSU pods don't play each other half of all the other teams would come to Norman or Stillwater. It would ensure a big game marque game in Oklahoma almost every weekend, except for the final 3 weeks of the season when the cupcakes come to town for massive blowouts (which could help pad the Heisman stats).

If the SEC doesn't have an NC game they get 1 team in no matter what. With a confernce championship game they still only get one team in. However, with no conference championship game and an ND loss they would get two teams in the NC game. While a conference championship game might be beneficial to an individual school, it isn't good for the conference. It is a case of the sum of the parts not be as great as the whole.

If the BIG XII followed my schedule plan we would have been done with conference games 3 weeks ago. Even with one loss guess who the number 2 team would be today - Kansas St, because Alabama would have lost last. OU would also be ranked ahead of LSU. It is really pretty simple. Reduce the number of conference games and play those games early in the season. Play the easy games at the end of the year.

The schedule I have above would allow for 2 undefeated team and up to 4 one-loss teams. That is 6 teams in a 16 team conference having one loss or less. With only 4 playoff spots open the BIG XII (XVI) should get 2 of those spots every year and possibly all 4 of them.

Look at Oregon, they were #2 last week and lost to Stanford. Now they are #5 and if Stanford wins next week Oregon doesn't even go to their conference championship game. So ND, Alabama, Georgia, and KSU could all lose and Oregon could still sit the NC game out.

What are you talking about sec had 2 teams in last year and if noted dame loses and Florida wins this weekend they will get 2 teams in again

What are you talking about sec had 2 teams in last year and if noted dame loses and Florida wins this weekend they will get 2 teams in again

Isn't that what I have been saying? The SEC has figured out how to schedule their conference games to ensure that losses are minimized and occur as early in the season as possible. If they don't lose they just keep moving up the ladder, and then when they do lose it is to a top 10 team.

Also, Florida will lose by 21 to FSU. West Viriginia has taught us that a good team in a below average conference can get up for the biggest game of their season.

I think JTF is correct. I'm pretty sure in the Big 12 TV and bowl revenue is split equally.

It used to be that the bowl game participating team got one extra share. In simple terms, when there was 12 teams, the bowl game money for each game was split 13 ways, with the participating member team getting 2 shares with the rest of the league getting only one. Not sure how it is now though.

It used to be that the bowl game participating team got one extra share. In simple terms, when there was 12 teams, the bowl game money for each game was split 13 ways, with the participating member team getting 2 shares with the rest of the league getting only one. Not sure how it is now though.

That is correct, but if you get one more bowl team in then it negates at least a part of the 13th share. A 16 team Big XII should have no problem getting 10 or more bowl eligable teams. You only need 6 wins and my format gives everyone 4 non-conference games. If you schedule teams you can't beat that is your own fault is you don't get to 6 wins.

Is someone forwarding this info to the Big XII? I doubt that OKCTalk is THAT popular.



... hey, what happened? my free membership just got revoked?

Is someone forwarding this info to the Big XII? I doubt that OKCTalk is THAT popular.

You assume the powers that be in college football and Big XII are interested in logic and fan experience. They are only interested in dollars. However, I think my plan also maximizes the dollars as well so who knows.

BTW - my plan requires OU/Texas to be a home and home series or else OU and Texas will have years that they only have 2 home conference games and that won't work.

The Rutger's announcement: Rutgers announces it will join Big Ten as conference's 14th member - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com News, Scores, Stats, Schedule and BCS Rankings (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/21071296/rutgers-announces-it-will-join-big-ten-as-conferences-14th-member)

That is correct, but if you get one more bowl team in then it negates at least a part of the 13th share. A 16 team Big XII should have no problem getting 10 or more bowl eligable teams. You only need 6 wins and my format gives everyone 4 non-conference games. If you schedule teams you can't beat that is your own fault is you don't get to 6 wins.


The big 12 bowl money was split 14 ways 2/14 to team in game 1/14 to every other team and to the conf

Now it is a 12 way split. 2/12 to team 1/12 to the other 9 and conf

Thanks BoulderSooner. So the more teams in a bowl the more money available to share.

The big 12 bowl money was split 14 ways 2/14 to team in game 1/14 to every other team and to the conf

Now it is a 12 way split. 2/12 to team 1/12 to the other 9 and conf

You mean a ten way split? We only have ten teams

You mean a ten way split? We only have ten teams
12 pieces of the pie.
2 pieces go to the school getting the bid
1 piece to each of the other conference schools (9 pieces total)
I piece to the conference offices

12 pieces of the pie.
2 pieces go to the school getting the bid
1 piece to each of the other conference schools (9 pieces total)
I piece to the conference offices

Thank you. You have know idea

Best choice for Big 12 would be Louisville Cinninnati BYU and Norte Dame. These fours teams are the best Florida State and Clemson would never pick Big 12 over the Best conference in college football the SEC. Plus SEC share tv money equally.
OU and Texas gets about 60 percent of the big 12 money then 40 of the money share by other 8 schools. Texas and OU would have to share equally if they want Nortedame to join.

Florida State and Clemson also have in-state schools that have supposedly blocked discussion of their admission to the SEC in the past.

I thought during the last go round of conference stuff the Big 12 went to equal distribution. According to the linked article West Virginia is the only one not getting a full distribution because the conference financed their separation from the Big East. The 60/40 split was before the current agreement and most was determined on a scale based on who was on TV the most and appearance on certain outlets (like ABC) paid more than other outlets. Since OU and Texas were on the main network games the most, they got a larger share of revenue.

Statesman.com - Big 12 to share the wealth of revenues, TV deal (http://www.statesman.com/news/sports/college-football/big-12-to-share-the-wealth-of-revenues-tv-deal/nRpCD/)

Big East has added Tulane and East Carolina.

Big East adds Tulane and East Carolina, can't nab BYU - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21160906/big-east-adding-tulane-but-working-toward-bigger-fish----byu)

They were talking to BYU as well, but BYU turned them down.

I was really hoping the Big XII would take Louisville before the ACC. I feel like we missed a good opportunity for expansion that wouldn't water down the conference.

Louisville to the ACC - ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8685541/acc-votes-add-louisville-cardinals-source-says)

I guess maybe the Big XII just plans to stay with 10 teams. We can always add Rice and Houston. :(

I'm virtually certain Texas, and to a lesser extent, OU, are happy with 10 teams. They don't want a conference title game to hold the risk of spoiling a chance at a conference rep making it to the BCS title game, at least under the current format (for the next two years). That's weighed against the idea that a CCG might actually *help* a team, as it did OU in 2008.

Purely from a competitive standpoint, I'm kinda old-guard in that I like a round-robin schedule because it gives you a natural champ. Everyone gets a shot at everyone. Divisions with a title game tend to manufacture something in the vein of a made-for-TV event, especially when you factor in rematches (which I certainly don't like).

I don't get *too* worked up about not being at 12 teams, but what does concern me is that it may become a practical necessity whether we like it or not, but things are moving in other conferences toward 16 teams, and the time is rapidly approaching where the only schools available will necessarily water down the conference. I am not crazy about Louisville as a prospective 11th member, but I like their prospects geographically and competitively a great deal more than, say, Houston, or (yikes) Rice - and you have to think in pairs, because the Big 12 won't just add a single member. Now, adding two good programs will be tough. The notion of adding four is daunting. Adding six may be next to impossible.

If the Big 10 jumps to 16, as it appears they want to, don't think for a second ol' Mike Slive in the SEC will stand by idly. The ACC is moving quickly, leaving potential for a slew of bad Big East leftovers as the remains for the Big 12. I hope Bowlsby (sp) has some sort of plan. Like I said, competitively, I personally don't have to go to 12 or 16, but if we want to keep the conference competitively relevant, we may have to make the jump. If that arises, I'd hate for us to have waited too long, and find nothing valuable to invite to the conference.

if the BIG and sec go to 16 we will have plenty of schools to choose from to expand ... so until they move we will stay at 10

Getting teams isn't the problem. Getting quality teams is the problem.

Getting teams isn't the problem. Getting quality teams is the problem.

right which is why the big 12 won't expand unless the BIG and SEC go to 16 .. then there will be quality teams around to add ..

I was really hoping the Big XII would take Louisville before the ACC. I feel like we missed a good opportunity for expansion that wouldn't water down the conference.

Louisville to the ACC - ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8685541/acc-votes-add-louisville-cardinals-source-says)

Reading comments from Louisville it seems they were still wanting the Big 12, but they didn't want to wait around for the Big East to completely collapse. They wanted to control their own path and not let a group of indecisive people string them along. This is a pretty big loss for Oklahoma and things are going to get tighter.


if the BIG and sec go to 16 we will have plenty of schools to choose from to expand ... so until they move we will stay at 10

We are already at a disadvantage to the SEC with them at 14. If they go to 16 it'll be game over. They have stocked their conference with the perception of having strong, amazing teams that always garner high rankings. The ability to isolate them some in divisions helps to keep everyone from blowing each other up - like we have in the Big 12. Of course it all comes down to money.

The Big 12 is nearly capped out on Bowl potentials this year with 9 out of 10 teams eligible. With the way it is shaping up, all 9 teams have a good chance at going bowling. If we are going to be in the position to have all 10 eligible, it would mean no school escaping with only 1 conference loss. the SEC is also sporting 9 eligible teams right now and could easily have had 12 teams without negatively impacting the 3 1-loss teams. That is more money to go around.

The Big 12 is going to need to move. They might be waiting on Maryland v. ACC to get resolved. With UL out of the picture the options seem to go down to: Clemson, Florida State, Cincinnati, and Georgia Tech.

Some rumors going around in media back East that the Big Ten is considering invites to North Carolina and Virginia. SEC is considering invites to Clemson and Florida State (not sure if something changed to make it possible so I'm not putting much stock in that).