[NU Sports] Is the Big Ten overrated?

[Michael Vance]

Mark Ament wrote:
> Another factor in their thinking is continued symmetry with the 
> Pac-10.  There is a desire for both conferences to remain without 
> championship games or adopt them at the same time.  Since neither is 
> in expansion mode, and likely won't be for at least four more years 
> due to recently signed TV contracts, don't expect any further serious 
> discussions about it before then.

All the more reason to start the negotiations now.  Football schedules 
are largely set for the next four years.  Remember, it was two years 
after the announcement that PSU was joining the Big Ten before they 
started playing a conference schedule in most sports and another year 
after that before football joined.  Negotiate now, announce in a year, 
and have that firmly in pocket when the next round of TV contracts are done.

But you bring up a good point.  Who would be likely candidates for 
Pac-10 expansion?  The only ones that I can think of that would even be 
in the ball park would be BYU and Utah.  I don't think Nevada is even 
close to being an academic fit.  Gonzaga and UNLV have the hoops cred, 
but not football.  Boise State is the latter and needs a longer 
pedigree.  Are there any other possibilities?

-Michael