BCS leagues expanding - yeah?

But it doesn't matter who watches. The Big 10 doesn't necessarily give a shit if you actually watch its network. It cares much more about getting its network onto the Comcast, Insight, Time-Warner, etc. cable package so that it gets its dollar and change in subscriber fees from each package sold.

 

Speaking of which - there is no worse network on television in terms of awful programming than the Big Ten network

 

if the Big 10 expands, the SEC will expand for the sole reason of making it a dick-measuring contest between Jim Delany and Mike Slime

 

I tend to agree with you on this point, though Louisville won't ever be considered. Kentucky wouldn't let it happen. I'd expect the SEC to at least put out feelers to A&M and Texas, but I don't see it happening.

Georgia Tech would be target number one. The Jackets were a charter member of the original SEC, they would add another academic powerhouse to the conference, and its a good fit for football, baseball and basketball. Florida State and/or Clemson would be next. Again, both would add good football and baseball with at least decent basketball.

And while the SEC doesn't *need* to expand, you can bet that if the Big 10 goes to 14 teams, the SEC won't be far behind. No conference has as much pride in itself as the SEC, and it's not going to be second -- whether in perception or performance -- to any league, especially the Big 10. And if you don't think the SEC powers that be wouldn't raid the ACC with smiles on their faces, you're mistaken. The SEC would love to ruin the only other conference with a sizable footprint in the south.

 

Georgia Tech is a non-starter for the simple reason that they don't put butts in seats. Florida State isn't much better in that regard. Clemson kinda makes sense, and I get the feeling they have more of a fanbase in North Carolina than USC East, but it still duplicates an already small market.

 

I really don't understand the advantages of expanding.

I think conferences are too small at 8 members but perfect at 10 members.

They aren't bad at 12 but any more than that they are too big and don't get me started on the Big East's ridiculous make up.

So why does the Big Ten think it will be better off with more members?

Let's say the conference championship game makes $10 million, which is probably wishful thinking but let's say it -- once the conference takes its cut and then the money is divided 12 ways - what does that leave each team with -- $750,000? Maybe?

That is a drop in the bucket for the Big Ten teams given their budgets and not really worth all the trouble.

 

And one other thing - the idea that Connecticut, Syracuse or Rutgers will bring the New York market is laughable as people in NYC couldn't give a shit about college football, much less any of those three programs.

I'd be willing to bet both Penn State and Notre Dame both have more alumni/fans in New York City than those three combined.

 

My guess is Texas and aTm, which I hate as a Vol fan.

Speaking of:
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/04/19/if-big-ten-expands-will-sec-follow-ranking-the-expansion-candid/

 

Well, a school known as aTm will certainly fit in well in the SEC.

 

I wonder if the pending NFL and NBA shutdowns will cause the conferences to accelerate their reconfiguring? There's a good chance CFB and NCAA hoops will be the only games in town for a season.

 

Yeah, it was laughable a couple of years ago when Rutgers had their dream season how the NY media was suddenly jumping on the bandwagon. A few years before that, there was never any mention of them anywhere on TV or in the NY papers.

New York hasn't been a college football town since the 1940s, except in rare instances, for Army.

 

I'd be stunned if any Texas school bolts forn the SEC. I'm not saying it won't happen, but those Texas schools know its in their best interest to be playing each other (and the Oklahoma schools) every season. Nobody is going to get that worked up over A&M playing Auburn or LSU.

Texas or OU is big enough to go off on their own, but they're smart enough not to.