A post by Filly in another thread inspired me here. I know a lot of people have an opinion on this so it should make for a decent thread.

With the way conferences have been established as having more teams and trying to build up supr conferences, I think the Big Ten needs to makes a move to compete.

Add a 12th team and have 2 divisions. There are a lot of other details, but I think it would be a big move.

So who would be the 12th team?

Notre Dame is an obvious candidate and would be a great fit since, in football, they already play UM, MSU and Purdue almost every year. It makes a ton of regional sense. I don't think they would ever do it strictly because of money. I wish the NCAA would force major schools to align with a conference to be recognized for postseason eligibility.

Pittsburgh is another possibility. They are a strong school in football and basketball which is attractive, and with Penn State in the conference it makes regional sense.

Louisville is another school I liked as an option before they switched to the Big East. I still like them, but they're a bit far south for the conference and I don't think they would switch conferences again so soon.

Iowa State is a fit for a few reasons, but the Big 12 wouldn't be an easy Conference to target. Perhaps we could take Iowa State and the Big 12 could take Memphis to fill their spot. Actually, Memphis is a better fit in the SEC. I think a complicated and unlikely, but logical move would be for the SEC to take Memphis and give up Arkansas. Arkansas would go to the Big 12, and Iowa State would go to the Big Ten.

Marshall is another interesting prospect. They've had a bit of football success in the past, but they're about as good as Northwestern in basketball. Not sure they would hang with the Big Ten very well.

Since I mentioned Marshall, I suppose West Virginia would be a possibility. They're currently quite strong in both sports. Maybe Marshall in the Big East would be a good replacement if we were to take West Virginia.

We can argue that the Big Ten is a top conference, but I think unless all conferences have the same number of teams, that's a difficult argument to make.

I think all BCS conferences should have 12 teams - no more, no less.

I would like Iowa State or Notre Dame...ND probably more that ISU...I think it would be great for Football...not sure if it would be that much of a benefit during basketball.

Why the fuck is it called the big ten if there is 11 teams? Is one team small?

Why the fuck is it called the big ten if there is 11 teams? Is one team small?

Because there were only ten till the '80's, when Penn State was added.

I think, not 100%, and too lazy too double check my facts.

I think Penn State was added in the early to mid 90's. Maybe around 93 or so, but I'm just guessing as well.

I think Penn State was added in the early to mid 90's. Maybe around 93 or so, but I'm just guessing as well.


I actually looked it up. 1990.

Why the fuck is it called the big ten if there is 11 teams? Is one team small?

If you haven't already noticed, they have the number 11 hidden in the middle.
http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0003/3253/brand.gif

Personally, I think it's a big cheesy, but the name Big Ten means something. It brings with it instant history and reputation. That's the one thing I wouldn't like about adding a 12th team. While it's cheesy to have 11 teams in the Big Ten, it's simply wrong to have 12 and still call it the Big Ten, but changing the name of the conference loses a lot of nostalgia. I think the Pac 10 could change their name to the Pac 12 and still be fine. Obviously we can't change to the Big 12 because that conference already exists.
So would they change the name to something completely different? What could they change it to without it sounding like some mid-major or pussa conference? Midwest is an obvious draw for some sort of name, but doesn't strike fear in anyone. Great Lakes sounds too small, and with teams in Iowa and Minnesota it doesn't quite work anyhow. Power 12? North 12? Big North?

Why the fuck is it called the big ten if there is 11 teams? Is one team small?

If you haven't already noticed, they have the number 11 hidden in the middle.
http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0003/3253/brand.gif

Personally, I think it's a big cheesy, but the name Big Ten means something. It brings with it instant history and reputation. That's the one thing I wouldn't like about adding a 12th team. While it's cheesy to have 11 teams in the Big Ten, it's simply wrong to have 12 and still call it the Big Ten, but changing the name of the conference loses a lot of nostalgia. I think the Pac 10 could change their name to the Pac 12 and still be fine. Obviously we can't change to the Big 12 because that conference already exists.
So would they change the name to something completely different? What could they change it to without it sounding like some mid-major or pussa conference? Midwest is an obvious draw for some sort of name, but doesn't strike fear in anyone. Great Lakes sounds too small, and with teams in Iowa and Minnesota it doesn't quite work anyhow. Power 12? North 12? Big North?Hah that pic is pretty sweet.

As for a new name why not the freezing winter 12.

Because that would hurt the recruiting picture.

True.

Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and West Virginia are all good choices to add to the Big 10. It would make the conference a lot stronger especially in football.

Football, yes, but don't overlook the basketball side. Pitt and WVU are both top 25 in the RPI at the moment.

Football, yes, but don't overlook the basketball side. Pitt and WVU are both top 25 in the RPI at the moment.

WVU is a crappy academic school if I'm not mistaken. Pitt. would be a better fit.