Would you miss the Huskers?
So, OU President David Boren thinks the Big 12 should look to growing up to, well, 12. The article at the worldwide leader indicates one of the options for growth might be taking Nebraska back, in addition to the usual speculation of Cincy, BYU, and others.
I think our obvious vote on this board would be to give them Maryland and Rutgers. Or do we hand over all 4 of our recent additions?
From what I recall, most Nebraska fans had grown disillusioned with the Big XII and welcomed the move to the Big Ten. It was more than just the disproportionate revenue-sharing that drove them away; they felt like they were getting the short end of the stick on everything from division alignment to scheduling to the site of the conference championship game. Indianapolis is actually closer to Lincoln than Dallas is (which is significant, since their fans travel well).
are happy with the B1G move. Only griping I ever hear is the increased distance to drive to games, which is significant, and the new divisional set up. Believe it or not, we'd rather play better, more interesting schools like Michigan every year than play Purdue and Illinois. And the academic value of being in the B1G isn't lost on most NU fans, either.
Have to disagree about recruiting. We still do fine in TX, we currently have a QB and RB in 2016 class from TX and OK, and 2 players in the 2015 class. Heck, our current QB is from TX. And we've always recruited nationally, the mix of players from the top talent states just varies from year to year. Pelini wasn't a particularly strong recuiter, but Mike Riley seems to be. He's very stong in CA, which has been a traditional source for us as well.
Personally, I miss playing UM every year, and enjoy the fans. Happy to hear most of you are pleased we're part of the B1G. GBR!
Take Penn State, I'll throw in Maryland and Rutgers to sweeten the deal. We'll take Iowa State.
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Great idea! Was thinking about another in-state rivalry in the B1G for the Iowa State plan.
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Nebraska who?
I agree with everyone else the Big19 or whatever is just too dang big. Take Nebraska with our blessing...Maryland and Rutgers too.
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Yes.
By the way, isn't Nebraska one of only three programs (with Oregon and Alabama) to have 9+ wins each of the past six seasons? (Of course, this led to Pelini's ouster.)
Yes they have, but they've had some embarrasing beatdowns to Wisc and OSU, humiliating losses (for them) to Iowa and NW, and they were never a real threat to win any kind of championship.
It's been a pretty tepid 9 wins each year with no line of sight to get better. It made them restless and Pelini made it easy to want to get rid of him.
I like Nebraska in the Big Ten, especially since the West is weak.
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I certainly would! But, I'm a little concerned for them about their recruiting territory... especially with no Texas/Okalahoma to recruit. I'll be glad when they get their full share of Big Ten revenue, which will be right around the corner. Plus, I totally agree about needing some strength in the West. If they can get rolling and start playing for the B1G Ten championship then I think their stock will rise again. Storied program, getting settled in but needs to take the next step.
I am VERY happy they are part of the B1G Ten, I do think the addition of Mizzou in the west would be a natural fit/additional for
In BIg 8 times they did most of their out-of-state recruiting in B1G territory (plus the Dakotas)--their '71 NC team had more players from Michigan and Ohio and Illinois and Iowa than from all the Big 8 states put together (except Nebraska of course).
When their conference expanded into Texas, so did their recruiting. But their natural recruiting base had always been where they are now.
"... more players from...Iowa than from all the Big 8 states put together...."
I guess that tells you what I think of Iowa State--apparently I don't.
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“The elephant in the room remains the network south of us that has struggled and has in a way as long as it’s there,” Boren said. “And we have done quite well with our network and if anything ever changed, it has value to it which we see. But someday, maybe we’ll get past that other problem as well. It’s a problem.”
The Longhorn Network possbly unpopular with Big 12 brass? Noooooooo.
I actually laughed at him throwing Texas under the bus on this point, I admit.
but their pedo-blow-up-sex toy has GOT TO GO!
I think anyone who sees this and thinks "sex toy" is who has to go. The mascot itself is fine. Its how you think about it that is kidn of disturbing.
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1) Notre Dame (not for long!)
2) Michigan
3) Oklahoma
4) Ohio State
5) Texas
6) Alabama
7) Nebraska
8) USC
9) Tennesse
10) Penn State
I REALLY like having 4 of the top 10 most storied programs in the Big Ten!!
I think NU is a great fit for the conference. Plus the fans seem to be pretty level headed and nice. I like a rivalry with Wisconsin, especially since they wear about the same uniforms.
I like Nebraska in the B1G. I just hope that Michigan plays them more.
I'd give them Rutgers in a heartbeat, though. That school offers absolutely nothing of value.
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NJ, #1 state for top recruits divided by Power 5 teams in their state, I think Maryland is number 3.
Plus academically, NJ has more students leave their state for college than anyone else.... I think Maryland in #2 or 3.
Pluse those two states have the like 6 of the top 10 richest counties in the nation.
Those 2 things will help two things very important to the Big Ten: Academics AND Football
I'm very happy with Penn State, Nebraska, Rugers and Maryland... the more I read and reseach the more I'm impressed with these moves!
Plus I get to alternate Manhattan with DC every other year if I want.... Did Rugers last year, Maryland this year!
Rutgers and Maryland have great potential!! Especially with Michigan, OSU, Penn State and MSU visiting these cities and bringing their enthusiasm the the East Coast. OSU, Michigan and Penn State have the 3 largest fan bases in the nation (per Wall Stree Journal). We got them when their stock was low, they will increase over time....
What's wrong with Maryland?
I live in NYC and always thought Rutgers was a foolish move because nobody here cares about college sports enough. There is no advantage to having them IMO.
I wanted Oklahoma, Nebraska & Maryland originally so I got 2/3.
There is one advantage to having Rutgers - they're in a very talent-rich state.
yeah but how does that help the Big Ten? Gives Rutgers a small boost at best.
It gives the rest of the B1G access to that talent.
Like we didn't recruit areas before that.
It's easier to recruit an area that is in your conference region, since it means regular visits. We're going to be playing at Rutgers every other year.
Men:
- Baseball: 3rd, lost in superregional
- Basketball: 2nd, lost in round of 32
- Football: 3rd in east, lost to Stanford in Foster Farms Bowl
- Hockey: dnp
- Lacrosse: tied for first, lost NCAA title game
- Soccer: tied for first, won B1G tournament, lost in first round of NCAA
- Tennis: dnp
- Wrestling: tied for last
Women
- Basketball: 1st (undefeated), won B1G tournament, lost to UConn at final four
- Gymnastics: 8th
- Field Hockey: 1st, lost in second round of NCAA
- Lacrosse: 1st, won national championship
- Soccer: 9th
- Softball: 8th
- Tennis: 11th
- Volleyball: 13th
There are some sports they aren't competitive in, especially on the women's side, but that's five regular season championships out of 14 and three trips to NCAA final fours. Did anyone in the conference have a better year?
And the fact that no one gives a shit about any of that only strengthens the argument that Maryland doesn't belong here.
I enjoy Maryland, they'll be better at basketball and football next year. They beat us in both. A good school that is respectable in athletics.