[NU Sports] Big Ten Expansion

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> It's always annoying when the voices at sports talkers
> parrot these myths (Notre Dame has it's own network ! 

Like I said, we'll have to see -- but this one just seems crazy enough to work the more I hear it. Texas is a pretty natural fit in every way but location -- and the Big Ten probably LOVES the location part because it ...

1) Brings in 2 megamarkets, some other big ones and even more nationwide
2) It opens more doors to Texas High School recruiting
3) For spring sports like baseball, as Roy mentions, it would raise our game considerably -- play down in Texas early and up north late. Probably wouldn't help NU much, but some programs are close to hitting the big time in baseball (OSU especially) and it might give them more of a boost recruiting and in games down south.

And on Texas side, you have the academics, the money and the league prestige in football and other sports.

It just might bring enough money to work with the minor sports and end up being good for all ... like I wrote with the distances, the Pac 10 isn't any closer travel wise and the Big Ten would have a far better shot at making the distances work than the ACC or Big East.

> an academic question.  Other than the Ivy League, all
> are admitting that the Big Ten represents the highest order
> of academics, and the other leagues aren't even close.

And there you go - if it is an academic decision, then Texas will run, not walk, to the Big Ten. Other leagues have similar strength at the top (Duke, Vandy, Cal/Stanford) ... but no one comes close in depth. The "states" (OSU/MSU/PSU ... especially OSU) would be mid-level or better in other leagues -- and Michigan/Wisconsin/Illinois/Minnesota would be top-level ... then the Big Ten brings out NU and UC and it's over.

It's interesting that this rumor has been out in the sports media for awhile now and while fans and talk radio have a lot to say, the Big Ten and Texas are pretty silent. You can bet the folks in South Bend have noticed that as well.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
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