What the next decade holds--according to ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id…
1. Widespread realignment
The Big Ten is exploring the possibility of adding a 12th team, and I'm betting it will be Missouri before the 2011 season. With 12 teams, the Big Ten can split into two divisions and stage a conference championship game. Who can't wait to flock to Detroit or Minneapolis in early December?
With Missouri leaving, the Big 12 will add TCU to its lineup of schools. Not to be left out, the Pac-10 will add Boise State and Utah, giving it 12 teams and a moneymaking championship game. The Big East will react by adding Memphis, East Carolina, Central Florida and Temple
8. Michigan will become relevant again
The Wolverines will return to national prominence -- under current LSU coach Les Miles or Stanford coach (and UM alumnus) Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines will stick with coach Rich Rodriguez for a couple of more seasons, before eventually pulling the plug on what has been a bad marriage. Rodriguez will return to his native West Virginia, where he'll unsuccessfully run for public office.
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^
I am so tired of the Robert McNamara-esk charts,graphs,etc to rationalize the current state of the program. Has anyone here honestly asked this question..What is it about RRod that seems to rub the entire country the wrong way? Is anybody prepared to tackle that question? I didnt think so..
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:21 PM ^
Getting a ten year forecast on sports is just like trying to get a ten year weather forecast.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
What "rubs the entire country the wrong way"? I can honestly say living south of the mason dixon that they dont really care about rich rod. They are utterly convinced that SEC is the only world that matters (I get a lot of Speed, Energy, Championships). The people that are rubbed the wrong way by Rich Rod are by and large WVU fans, big east fans (power conferences are consistently poaching their coaching), tOSU fans and of course ND. Considering the commmunications program at Syracuse puts out about a zillion sports analysts and commentators, it doesnt suprise me that the main stream market media has a slanted bias of our guy. That being said, would you really want the entire country to piss rainbows whenever they mentioned Michigan (and its coach)?
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:49 AM ^
I don't get the logistics of why all these leagues are looking to get to TWELVE teams. Why can't you just have ten teams, two divisions of five, and a conference championship game? Do any sports management specialists want to fill me in?