I'm starting to like the idea of Tulane as #12 for the conference

[RustShack]

Expansion is all about increasing TV market value for the existing members so adding a bottom feeder like Tulane is senseless from that perspective.

Are they much worse than Colorado?

 

[Al_4_State]

but, if we are going to take 10 years and "create" a big XII program why not do it with a state school. How about we just say we are taking, for example, Ohio University (enrollment 32,000) and going to invest and promote the **** out of them and in 10 years they are going to be taking tOSU to the woodshed with Texas players.

That's why I like the idea of adding Cincy.

 

[everyyard]

That's why I like the idea of adding Cincy.

I Don't see any way cincy makes the cut.

 

[cykadelic2]

Are they much worse than Colorado?

Yes, they are. Don't let Colorado's recent struggles cloud the fact they were a national power in the 90s and won a B12 title in 2001. With the right coach, they can again become a Top 25 program.

 

[cykadelic2]

I Don't see any way cincy makes the cut.

Agree, Cincy is buried in a pro sports market like Houston, Tulane and USF plus it's a commuter school.

 

[RustShack]

We aren't going to land many schools who make the immediate big contribution. We need one who has the potential to become one.

 

[zwclones51]

I'm sure Texas and OU won't mind...it's an easy victory and a recruiting in-road to Louisiana

I didn't even know Louisiana had high school football. I just figured everybody was like off the tv show swamp people

 

[cykadelic2]

We aren't going to land many schools who make the immediate big contribution. We need one who has the potential to become one.

It sure as heck isn't Tulane. ND, BYU and Louisville are far better candidates.

 

[alarson]

It sure as heck isn't Tulane. ND, BYU and Louisville are far better candidates.

ND has no interest, BYU thinks it deserves all sorts of conditiosn. Louisville is likely your #11.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

And who cares about the NOLA market. A team in a large market with hardly any fans (i.e., Tulane) is inferior to a team in a small market with many fans (i.e., almost everyone else) from a TV perspective.

Besides the Big 10's selection of NU-L, this is not true.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

Besides the Big 10's selection of NU-L, this is not true.

Can you furnish any examples of teams with few fans in large markets that have been invited (or are even coveted) exclusively on the basis of their encompassing media market?

Rutgers exemplifies my point; it's in the nation's largest media market, but has now been passed over by both the Big Ten and the ACC (and from all indications, they'll be passed over twice by the ACC if Notre Dame joins). If it's primarily about the size of the media market, you'd also think that Houston, SMU, Rice, NIU, etc. would be receiving a lot more consideration. The number and dedication of fans counts; Neinas has stated that the TV networks told him as much, and it goes along way to explain why kNU, Syr, Pitt, aTm, and Mizzou get picked over schools like Rutgers and UConn.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Can you furnish any examples of teams with few fans in large markets that have been invited (or are even coveted) exclusively on the basis of their encompassing media market?

Rutgers exemplifies my point; it's in the nation's largest media market, but has now been passed over by both the Big Ten and the ACC (and from all indications, they'll be passed over twice by the ACC if Notre Dame joins). If it's primarily about the size of the media market, you'd also think that Houston, SMU, Rice, NIU, etc. would be receiving a lot more consideration. The number and dedication of fans counts; Neinas has stated that the TV networks told him as much, and it goes along way to explain why kNU, Syr, Pitt, aTm, and Mizzou get picked over schools like Rutgers and UConn.

First market size is not the only criteria. Secondly, for college sports, you are talking about a minority of the market actually watching the games. Since a majority of the markets viewers is not required, more than one team can carry a market. Syr, Pitt, aTm, and Mizzou teams may be located in smaller cities, but have been deemed to carry, or gain a conference, large markets. Why take Houston or SMU when UT or A$M can get you those markets? Additionally, why take Rutgers for NYC, when NU and Notre Dame get you the national market? Rutgers exemplifies nothing.

SLU basketball fans are far outnumber by people who follow pro sports,, MU, U of I, but SLU basketball still gets the St. Louis market.

 

[agrabes]

I don't think so.

This is the proper response.

 

[jbhtexas]

Overrated, imo.

I don't think it is.

Almost every conference spans huge geographic footprints now.

That doesn't make it wise, or stable in the long term.

We have WVU already out east.

The Big 12 already has one outlier. No need to make things worse by adding UCF or USF.

The big 10 goes from Pennsylvania to Nebraska.

At least it's a contiguous conference state-wise. The outliers still have a number of teams within a reasonable distance to them. The distance from State College to Lincoln is about 1100 miles. The distance from Ames to Tampa/Orlando is about 1400 miles.

The big east goes coast to coast.

Kind of. SDSU is only moving to the Big East for FB, because they know that the large geographic span is impractical for full conference involvement. IMO, even SDSU's FB membership in the Big East won't last long term. In any case, I wouldn't be using the Big East as a positive example for conference realignment.

The PAC almost went from Washington to Austin.

Almost being the operative word there.

A lot of people here were proponents of BYU. Does everyone realize how far away they were?

True. I was not a proponent of BYU, geography being one reason...

If we're just gonna add close schools, we might as well add Houston.

I don't believe that Houston is an AAU member.

 

[cyatheart]

but, if we are going to take 10 years and "create" a big XII program why not do it with a state school. How about we just say we are taking, for example, Ohio University (enrollment 32,000) and going to invest and promote the **** out of them and in 10 years they are going to be taking tOSU to the woodshed with Texas players.

You have a point. I think the problem is with any 12th team (assuming Lville is 11) is that there is no obvious 12th team. Any 12th team that is available right now is going to have a lot of flaws.

 

[cykadelic2]

You have a point. I think the problem is with any 12th team (assuming Lville is 11) is that there is no obvious 12th team. Any 12th team that is available right now is going to have a lot of flaws.

Which is exactly why B12 expansion should not happen (and likely won't) unless ND and Louisville are involved as full members.

 

[State43]

A huge plus for Tulane is to bump up the Big12's prestige as most of the AAU members left the conference (A&M, MU, CU & NE-not anymore of course). I like the idea of inviting a team like this. We would at least get to beat on them for a few years if they ever did turn into a good team.

 

[isuno1fan]

There is no doubt the B12 will be mocked if it adds Tulane, but to me it makes a ton of sense. I want to see Louisville (done deal I think already to be announced this Spring) and Tulane. Only thing that will keep Tulane out IMO is if Notre Dame said yes to all sports or we would do something crazy like pull an ARK, Kentucky, or Florida State.

 

[JP4CY]

Yes, they are. Don't let Colorado's recent struggles cloud the fact they were a national power in the 90s and won a B12 title in 2001. With the right coach, they can again become a Top 25 program.

I think they could have in the B12 but not the Pac12. I just can't see them improving any time soon.

 

[cygrads]

I say bring in Tulane and Rutgers both are members of the AAU. Then you have these divisions:

Nerds:
ISU
Rutgers
Tulane
KU
Texas
Baylor

Jocks:
OU
OSU
TTU
KSU
TCU
WVA