Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uw...uwire&type=lgns COMMENTARY: What if the Utes really did join the Big 12? By Joe Beatty, Daily Utah Chronicle April 20, 2006 (CSTV U-WIRE) SALT LAKE CITY -- There has been an unsubstantiated rumor floating around Utedom that another conference shakeup could be on the horizon. The rumor (or perhaps just wishful thinking) is that the Big Ten would take Iowa State to bring its conference to 12 teams and give them a lucrative football conference title game. In turn, the Big 12 would turn to Utah to fill the vacancy left by the departing Cyclones. Ridiculous? Perhaps, but there is increasing pressure on conferences to get to the magic number of 12 teams. The NCAA requires a dozen members to have a championship game, which for the ACC, SEC and Big 12 has become a big-ticket item in recent years. The Big Ten would have great difficulty in wooing Notre Dame thanks to the Irish's avarice -- inducing NBC contract and conference-dispersal-free BCS payouts. So assuming the Big Ten would want to keep its regional roots, a team from the Big 12 North like Iowa State or Missouri would make sense. And if the Big 12 were faced with a vacancy, the large Salt Lake media market would be a big temptation. ADVERTISEMENT But what would happen if the Utes really did get into the BCS conference? In what sports would they compete and what kind of changes would occur at the U with the jump from mid-major to sergeant major? In football, the Utes would essentially be in a "transition program." Going into the Big 12 North is much different from being subjected to the brutal South. The Utes would be joined in their new northern digs by Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri (assuming Iowa State is the one to jump ship). The Huskers and Buffaloes have plenty of tradition, but both have been shells of their former selves lately thanks to program turmoil and coaching turbulence. Kansas State has been mediocre in recent years and has a new unknown coach, while Missouri and Kansas have been unable to make it over the hump. Assuming the aforementioned teams continue their current trajectories, the Utes would be competing for division championships right away. Of course, they would still be in a conference with Texas and Oklahoma, meaning they would have some tough games in the years the big boys were on the schedule and in the Big 12 championship game. But what would be better than a chilly October afternoon in Rice-Eccles Stadium watching the Utes battle the Longhorns? While football would be the big reason for the Utes' admission, for the most part they would compete favorably in other sports, too. Assuming this past year's men's basketball team was a blip, the Utes would be the second-best team in the Big 12 North, right behind Kansas. Giac's crew would play the Jayhawks twice a year, with single games against the tough southern teams like Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Definitely tougher than the normal MWC slate, but assuming the Utes showed well, they would have a much easier time getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the other sports, women's basketball, soccer and volleyball should be able to at least hold their own until their recruiting catches up. Big 12 gymnastics coaches would be giddy with the opportunity to compete in front of 12,000 fans at the Huntsman Center and get a home meet with Marsden's powerhouse every other year. The only real problems in the major sports for the Utes would come on the diamond. The Big 12 currently has five teams in the top 25 in softball (especially impressive considering Colorado and Kansas State do not field teams). In baseball, three conference teams are in the top 25, and the worst record out of anyone in the conference is two games under .500. In comparison, the MWC has no teams in the polls in either sport, and the Utes have shown difficulty in recent years winning even somewhat consistently in conference play. In addition to the idea that the Utes would be outclassed in every sport are two more myths. First, that Utah is a small school compared with the "big" universities; and second, that Rice-Eccles is way too small to be a BCS stadium. Surprisingly, the U would actually be the fourth-biggest school in the Big 12, according to current enrollment. Texas and Texas A&M are behemoths at 50,337 and 43,924, respectively. But the next biggest school is Colorado at 29,151. The U's 29,012 students would slot it just ahead of Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Missouri and way in front of schools such as Baylor (14,117) and Oklahoma State (21,113). Rice-Eccles Stadium seats 45,017, although with standing room the stadium has gotten up to more than 46,000. Whatever the case, it would be the smallest stadium in the Big 12, although Iowa State's Jack Trice Stadium is similar at 45,814. This all might not matter, though, as Rice-Eccles could easily be expanded to at least 55,000, a project that would be easy to validate if teams such as Nebraska, Colorado, Texas and the like are subbing for Colorado State and New Mexico. Is it likely that the Utes will be joining the big boys soon? No. But if they did, maybe it wouldn't be the huge leap everyone thinks it would be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 You can keep State, I'll take Mizzou though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 I'd be a huge fan of a 12th team for us so we can get the divisions and conference championship game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Weird. How are they going to replace the 11 to a 12 in the logo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo's Drinker Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 WHy would you want missouri they suck at almost all sports. I would love to get kansas into the big 10, to compete against the local teams. I would imagine the big 12 would want to add Colorado State or Arkansas. Big 10 so much better than Big 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 If the Big 10 decided it wanted to go to 12 teams, it would be a pretty big deal. The natural selection is of course Notre Dame, who is both in sports and scholastically on par with what the Big 10 is looking for. Had ND had a few more down years, I think this scenario could of become a reality, but if ND is doing good they make so much money on their own, there is no need to share it with a conference. After ND I think the pool of schools would be, from the Big East Pitt, Louisville, and Syracuse and from the Big 12 Missouri and ISU. When you actually look at the list of schools ISU is not that far fetched. I am not sure if the Big 10 will go to 12 schools, I almost wonder if they would be more likely to go back to 10 schools and then have a 5-5 split, and a cross over game or something like that. At one point they wanted NU out, who knows what will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Do you really consider the Big 10 that much of an upgrade over the Big 12 that you would lose all your old rivalries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo's Drinker Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Apr 25, 2006 -> 11:56 PM) Do you really consider the Big 10 that much of an upgrade over the Big 12 that you would lose all your old rivalries? Old Rivalries, we could schedule a game with them still. The big 12 sucks, no joke. Its all texas schools, because that is where the money is. I repeat i would love to see ku play illinois, indiana, mich state every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Theoretical New Big Ten alignment West Illinois Iowa Iowa St/Mizzou Minnesota Northwestern Wisconsin East Indiana Michigan Michigan St Ohio St Penn St Purdue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 Iowa State would be trashing a lot of history, being in the same league with at least 5 of the original Big 8 since early this century. I don't think there'd be a lot of support from our side for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 02:35 AM) Theoretical New Big Ten alignment West Illinois Iowa Iowa St/Mizzou Minnesota Northwestern Wisconsin East Indiana Michigan Michigan St Ohio St Penn St Purdue I like it, although Iowa State is currently in better shape and position for growth than Mizzou athletics IMO, so I'd take the Cyclones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 08:29 AM) I like it, although Iowa State is currently in better shape and position for growth than Mizzou athletics IMO, so I'd take the Cyclones. Jamie Pollard was a freakin' godsend. Thank you, Wisconsin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 02:35 AM) Theoretical New Big Ten alignment West Illinois Iowa Iowa St/Mizzou Minnesota Northwestern Wisconsin East Indiana Michigan Michigan St Ohio St Penn St Purdue OMG YOU CAN'T BREAK UP THE IU-ILL FOOTBALL RIVALRY!#@$@#$@# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 Both ISU and Illinois would benefit from being able to have a shot at a conference win in football.....because ISU would instantly become one of the worst football teams in the Big 10errr+2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 It won't be too long before Illinois is consistently winning multiple conference games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Haha. It's not like I'm expecting anything from football, but if that would be the breakdown, Indiana would be better off throwing football out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 However if that did happen, I have a feeling ISU vs. Illinois basketball could develop into a rivalry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo's Drinker Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(Heads22 @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 10:42 AM) However if that did happen, I have a feeling ISU vs. Illinois basketball could develop into a rivalry. I don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 12:18 PM) I don't Why is that? Two of the best homecourts in the midwest, with Illinois' being one of the best in the nation.....Illinois would be the new Kansas on Iowa State's schedule. The Illinois side of the rivalry would pick up after we beat them in the first few meetings.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxhawks Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 I think it's a good idea, but I think TCU to the Big 12 makes more sense than Utah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(soxhawks @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 01:34 PM) I think it's a good idea, but I think TCU to the Big 12 makes more sense than Utah Which Oklahoma school comes north? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 11:31 AM) OMG YOU CAN'T BREAK UP THE IU-ILL FOOTBALL RIVALRY!#@$@#$@# Michigan is our intense rival, remember? :rolly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 If you guys thought Baylor-Iowa State football was intense, wait til Iowa State- Illinois. Just wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEWOOD Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 12 in the BIG 10 we will NEVER see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T R U Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 They could change the name to The Midwest 12 Better than being the Big 10 with 12 teams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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