JoePa on expanding the Big 10
by TheMightyErik on Apr 30, 2009 11:31 PM EDT
92 comments
A nice little piece from ESPN about expanding our conference and some other good stuff from JoePa:
"We go into hiding for six weeks," Paterno said, referring to the hiatus between the end of the Big Ten regular season and the BCS bowls. The other major FBS conferences play into the first weekend of December.
"Everybody else is playing playoffs on television," Paterno said. "You never see a Big Ten team mentioned. So I think that's a handicap.
"I've tried to talk to the Big Ten people about, 'Let's get a 12th team -- Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt -- we could have a little bit of a playoff.'"
Paterno spoke to several college football reporters before a booster meeting at the Plaza Hotel. The comments came in response to a question on whether a team from the Northeast could win a national championship. The 1986 Nittany Lions are the last No. 1 team from the region.
"The only [Northeastern] team that's got a shot would be us, and yet we've got a tough job because the Big Ten is not as visible in the key times as the Southeastern Conference and the Big 12."
Asked what sort of response he had received, Paterno raised his eyebrows in a facial shrug.
"You know, it's a conference that's dominated by a couple of people," Paterno said. "If I start talking, they're polite, but they snicker.
"They don't know I know they're snickering, but they're polite. ...I wish I were younger and going to be around [more] 20 years."
With the conference commissioners holding so much power, Paterno said, the whole landscape could change if two or three people change.
"We're not talking about invading Normandy," Paterno said. "We're talking about some alignments that could happen very quickly."
There are a couple of other neat quotes about him storming the sidelines again and the link is here
While I love the fact that the old guy is still full of piss and vinegar and firing for our conference I think it's sad that he is the only one trying to keep our conference from being left out in the cold. Then again, who else in the Big 10 would you trust with that responsibility?
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JoePa's awesome
“You know, it’s a conference that’s dominated by a couple of people,” Paterno said. "If I start talking, they’re polite, but they snicker.
“They don’t know I know they’re snickering, but they’re polite. …I wish I were younger and going to be around [more] 20 years.”
You’ve gotta love it when JoePa’s taking thinly veiled shots at Michigan and Ohio State (and Jim Delaney).
And what did people think of the three teams he suggested be added to the Big Ten? Glad to see he’s moving off the thought of adding Notre Dame, because they’re just never going to join a conference until they stop getting a sole TV contract for their home games and all the special BCS treatment. As for Syracuse, I think they’re pretty entrenched in the Big East, especially for basketball. I could see Pitt possibly switching, and maybe Rutgers too, but I’m not familiar enough with either school academically to assess whether they’re up to Big Ten standards. Any talk of Big Ten expansion can’t just be wanton throwing around names of schools, because it’s just as much an academic conference as it is an athletic conference. So there are lots of schools that just wouldn’t fit. That’s a big part of why Penn State was able to join the Big Ten, because PSU has the academic/research reputation.
Let's Go State!
by Gopher Broke on May 1, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well...
Considering how the Big East already got cleaned out by the ACC for their football teams, I kinda find it hard to believe that the conference would just let another one waltz right out of their hands (including ND, as they’re Big East in seemingly everything but football). Besides, Pitt wouldn’t want to leave – they’re riding high on the b-ball train, and the Big 10(+1) isn’t as renowned for that as the Big East is.
by Sevay on May 1, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Big Ten is just biding its time for Notre Dame to join. They have to join a conference someday. Even though they’re in the Big East for other sports, I can’t see them joining the Big East for football.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why not?
It’d still be an improvement in their strength of schedule
by The JuggerNitt on May 1, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Big Ten fits for geographic reasons, but sometimes I wonder if Notre Dame wants to play in a conference that they think can dominate.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hahahaha
Notre Dame wants to play in a conference that they think can dominate
That made me laugh.
by dawsonPSU10 on May 1, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it was intentional
Losers.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ND to BE
What would Notre Dame gain by joining the Big East in football? If it was about scheduling Big East teams, they could do that right now (and heck they could potentially get some uneven series to get extra home/neutral site games). If it’s about bowl games, they would have the same access with or without being officially in the conference. If it’s about money, well, how does being in a position where they;d have to share TV and bowl game revenue help Notre Dame — they’d be a net payor into that system.
Notre Dame has nothing to gain by playing in the Big East for football. The one bargaining chip the Big East had — a home for ND basketball and other sports — they’ve already given up in exchange for tying ND to their bowl bids. The Big East has nothing else to offer.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten can offer both geographical value (less money to transport Olympic sports teams) and also much more revenue. They also have better bowl games which might only improve with adding Notre Dame.
by Laaaaazzz on May 1, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bet Notre Dame joins the Big East before the Big Ten
ND can write their own contract with the Big East. The Big Ten is all in or all out, ND would have to take the same deal Northwestern has. That’s why Notre Dame won’t join.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What deal could they possible write with the Big East that would be better than their current situation?
Get to keep all home gate revenue? Already have it.
Get to keep all broadcast revenue? Already have it.
Get to keep all bowl revenue? Already have it.
Get to have access to all Big East bowl games (and some non-Big East games, like the Cotton Bowl) without any restrictions based on record? Already have it.
Have total and utter scheduling flexibility? Currently have it, would have to give it up.
What carrot could the Big East possible dangle at Notre Dame to get them to join? The potential of playing for a Big East football championship? Um, like anyone at ND cares.
by Laaaaazzz on May 1, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see it as likely
But, phisopically, you can’t ignore Notre Dame’s similarities to schools like Seton Hall, Georgetown, Providence and Villanova, ie small catholic schools. Notre Dame has very little in common with the Big Ten schools besides geography and football.
I think that Notre Dame joining an athletic confrence on a full time basis is pretty remote, but if they did, I think that they’d think long and hard about one that’s likely to swallow them up rather than allow them to maintain their independence.
I mean, look at us. It’s been fifteen years and half of our fans still want to be an independant.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Florida State factor.
Notre Dame would be similar to FSU in the ‘90s: a program who’s reputation and recruiting far outshines any of the other members in the conference. ND could conceivably put together 6-7 championship teams a decade in the Big East.
I’m not saying that would DEFINITELY dominate the Big East-they have a hard enough time against the San Diego States of the world right now-but there has to be some appeal to winning championships and appearing annually in bowl games over tradition and mediocre results.
by Cairo on May 4, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers
Would all meet the “academic” criteria for the Big Ten. I think that Rutgers would be the most interested in joining though. Pitt and Syracuse are in the right confrence for Pitt and Syracuse. They’d be stupid to jump.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cuse
As for Syracuse, I think they’re pretty entrenched in the Big East, especially for basketball.
That might seem true, but it’s worth noting that Syracuse was eager to leave the Big East for the ACC when that expansion happened and only got left out because UVa pushed to get Virginia Tech instead of them. And also that BC was just as entrenched — they were a founding member of the Big East, like Syracuse — and left for a conference that makes no geographic sense for them. I’m pretty sure Cuse would be more than happy to leave behind the Big East to get the guranteed money and exposure of the Big 10.
by Laaaaazzz on May 1, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not so sure about that
Jim Boeheim was pretty much on the record that he wasn’t in love with the move to the ACC, as well as being pretty outspoken in his opinion that Penn State to the Big Ten was a mistake.
I think that Pitt would join the Big Ten if asked, but I don’t think that’s the right move for them.
Moving to the Big Ten, like moving to the ACC, would be a football move. It makes sense for BC and VT to make football moves, they are both traditionally football schools. I think that while Syracuse and Pitt are both loath to admit it, they are basketball schools now.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate to say it...
… but given the financial disparity between what the Big Ten brings in per school and what the Big East brings in per school, if the Big Ten extended an invite to any Big East school — even a Big East founding member like Syracuse — with lots of success in basketball and a solid run in the first decade of Big East football (in the second decade, not so much) — would accept an invite immediately.
So my Orange would go. So would Pitt. And Rutgers — as a big, research-heavy state school — is really more like most of the Big Ten schools than most of the Big East schools.
by drothgery on May 1, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love it...
….JoePa is feeling great and ready for another run at a national championship this year!
Is it any wonder why this guy is the #1 head on Pennsylvania’s Mount Rushmore of Sports?
WE ARE.......PENN STATE!
by Nick7 on May 1, 2009 7:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Better than any Big Ten commercial
You gotta love this line:
I can look ‘em in the eye and grab ’em, and that’s part of the fun for me.
by psume06 on May 1, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I've heard Rittenberg mention his idea
We swipe Missouri from the Big 12, and then they take TCU. I honestly don’t care who it is if we get a Big 12 team. And we need Paterno or some of the young coaches (i.e. Fitz) to be heard and fight for this.
by STU Boy on May 1, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paterno’s point, I think anyway, is that the BT would do better to move east, or at least it would benifit Penn State. Adding Missouri obviously wouldn’t do that.
by Kevin HD on May 1, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"The only [Northeastern] team that's got a shot would be us"
Something tells me we have not heard the last of this quote.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 8:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who is going to throw it in our face?
Syracuse? Honestly we do not play anyone else who could throw it in our face.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that we play...
But there are other schools in the Northeast that might take exception to to the opinion that we are the only school in the region that can win a National Title.
West Virginia has played for a National Championship more recently than us.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
West Virginia? Are you serious?
Do you mean when they lost to Pitt while DickRod had one ear on a cell phone and the other in a headset? IF that is your definition of “playing for a national championship” can’t our 08 season count as the same? We were one field goal on the road away from being IN the championship game.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Penn State played in a title game in ‘86. WVU played for one in ’88. I’m pretty sure that’s what he meant.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well that was before the National Championship game was set.
If that is your rational then PSU played in one in the 95 Rose Bowl. It wasn’t granted but they still had a shot.
Bottom line is Joe is right the Northeast SUCKS in football with the exception of three to four teams.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
West Virginia is not part of the Northeast
Just like Miami, they won the Lambert Trophy because they play more than half of their games against teams from the Northeast – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the states of New England.
Seriously, it’s Boston College and us.
by Aaron PSU on May 1, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mason-Dixon line...
symbolizes a cultural boundary between the Northern United States and the Southern United States. While West Virginia was part of Virginia up until the “Civil War” (which most would agree is a southern state), West Virginia on its own appears to still be part of the geographic south.
One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's
by rahpsu92 on May 1, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
except for the parts that are part of what you would describe as part of the geographic midwest. I know people in New York City who consider Pittsburgh to be part of the midwest too.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There you have it...
Geographic South and Mid-west, definitely not Northeast.
One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's
by rahpsu92 on May 1, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh *is* a Midwestern city.
"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs
by Run Up The Score on May 2, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You might even be able to make a geographic argument
Pittsburgh being on the other side of the mountains and all that.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 2, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My definition of playing for a National Championship
Is being in a one versus two game that the winner walks off the field as the National Champion. West Virginia has, in fact, done that more recenly than us.
Even if Nebraska lost to Miami, and we beat Oregon and got the crystal football, that was no National Championship game.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the '88 and the '86 seasons were a completely different era
At the time both PSU and WVU were independents and the idea that an independent other than Notre Dame could win a MNC was completely reasonable (in fact over half the MNC of the eighties were won by independents). In this era, the conferences have complete control over everything. The Big East is generally the lowest regarded of the BCS conferences so they’d probably be at the bottom of the pecking order if it came down to teams with equal records getting into the MNC game. Now, I do think a Big East team could get in (like WVU almost did in 2007) but they are a long shot.
by Brett Brown on May 1, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Joe is correct.
Boston College is the only other team north of the mason dixon line and east of Pittsburgh that has a realistic shot.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check this out
Says the trophy is given to the best team in the East PSU had it in 08, WVU in 07, Boston College in 04. You have to go back to the early 90s to get any team that is not one of those three.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Link fail!
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol @ Army having more Lamberts than Pitt
"I'm driven by greatness" - Derrick Williams
by HookMania on May 1, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that rules.... lol
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member
by TheMightyErik on May 1, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess if you draw the lines just so
and argue that West Virginia is not in the northeast, even though they are in the Big East, and have competed in this region since….well always. Then Joe is right.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't have to Gerrymander
Penn State is more of a title contender than WVU.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on what?
It’s a bad argument, don’t chase it.
The quote is, “The only [Northeastern] team that’s got a shot would be us”, that’s bullshit, plain and simple. WVU was as close or closer than we were two seasons ago. They have been close several times in the past 30 years.
Penn State is not the only team in northeast that can win a national title.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It isn't a bad arguement
WVU has peaked, there is no indication that they are a serious title contender. PSU has had two legit seasons in the past 4 years. If the Big Ten gets knocked by that national media do you think the Big East will catch a pass? Forget it. PSU is the face of the Northeast college football scene, and next to them there is nobody close. I don’t buy your WVU argument. It’s pulling straws, they had one legit season in the past twenty and you want to anoint them as perennial challengers to the National Championship.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A couple things
1 He said the only team that can win a National Title in the Northeast is Penn State. The did not say anything about being a perennial contender.
2 PSU has had two legit seasons in the past 4 years. Really, because WVU has had three. Including two BCS wins against legitimate BCS teams. You can’t say the same thing against Penn State. They also had undefeated regular seasons in 1993 and 1988, which is one more than Penn State has in the time frame you suggest.
3 They peaked? Maybe in the short term. Their last two coaches before Rich Rodriguez were Don Nehlen and Bobby Bowden. You’ll find them in the college football hall of fame. They’ll either make this Stewart guy work or they’ll find somebody else. They have a dedicated fan base, and they’ll be back.
Is Penn State better historically than WVU? Of course they are, but to say you can’t win a Natonal Championship at WVU is wrong. It’s way wrong.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here are couple of things in response.
1. Have you read the interview? Joe is definetly talking about the short term here. He makes mention of his limited time left on earth. I don’t think he means in ten years.
2. Penn States legit two seasons had Penn State competing for the national title later in the season than WVU who has suffered losses early in each of the last 4 years. Sorry you can’t lose a game in the Big East and get into the national championship under normal circumstances.
3. As others have pointed out the northeast does not include WVU. Sorry I don’t care how much you try and meander history, and schedules they aren’t a northeastern team
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whatever
Morgantown is 20 miles south of the West Virgina border. I’m pretty sure Joe Paterno did not have that particular map of the “northeast” in his head when he said that. If you want to hang your arguement on what is clearly a hyper-technicality so be it. But at least admit it.
West Virginia choked against Pitt in late Novemebr in their last game of the season. Had they won, not only were they going to the BCS Championship game, they were going in ranked #1. Seeing as they lost to South Florida earlier in the year, it seems pretty damn clear that you can lose a Big East game and still get into the MNC game.
Saying Penn State was in the mix in 2005 is revisionist history, and frankly, not true. They were not #3 when they lost to Michigan, and even if they won, we still would not have played in BCS Title game. WVU controlled their destiny in 2007, Penn State never did in 2005.
Further, while Penn State arguably controlled it’s own destiny last year, we never cracked the top two, and the loss to Iowa was considerably earlier in the season. WVU got a lot closer to playing for a National Title in 2007 than we did in 2008. That’s just a fact.
Penn State has not been a pre-season top ten team since 1999. West Virginia on the other hand has in the top five a few seasons ago.
WVU has to legit BCS wins, Georgia and Oklahoma. We beat a four loss Florida State team. Barely.
Penn State has the tools and the resources to be a National Contender every year, no doubt. But how you can argue that Penn State can compete for a National Championship and West Virginia can’t, when they did two years ago, escapes me.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Note that I said under "NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES"
If you can call the 07 season normal there is something in your kool-aide.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing abnormal about 2007
was that a team with 2 losses got into the National Championship game. It was West Virginia’s to loss to Pitt clinched that. WVU was a pre-season top five team that year, nobody would have been suprised if they ran the table that season, the suprise was that they lost twice.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you cannot say had PSU beat Iowa they wouldn't have been in the National Championship?
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course I can't, which is why I didn't
Assuming that win the rest of the games..yeah, they probably would have. But what I said, was that simply beating Iowa would not have clinched it. Penn State never had a chance to clinch a birth in the BCS title game, we were never even in the top two. WVU did and was, and by virture of that, they were closer to playing for a national title than we were.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arguing "20 miles south"
is a slippery slope – then what about 21 miles then only another mile past that – next thing you know you have the whole US covered
by psupride on May 1, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slippery Slopes
Ehh…common sense can usually stop the slippery slope from getting too out of control. There is a pretty clear difference between WVU being considered part of the Northeast as opposed to Miami. Or BC being part of the south.
I deal with this kind of argument all of the time, the key is not to lose the point in the technicality.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree on that...
"...I got mad, saw a picture of you, and I kicked it..." (JoePa during a 2008 presser)
by BlueWhiteLife on May 1, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but technically it stops being a point
when you dull it with general broadness. And then what do you have? A dull pencil, that’s what! And what good is a dull pencil? Sure you can fill in scantron forms a little faster with them, but they’re a pain in the ass to write with.
by The JuggerNitt on May 1, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure he had that map in mind
“Everyone” from The Lambert Trophy to the Census Bureau defines the Northeast exactly the same way.
by Aaron PSU on May 1, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My theory on the Northeast thing is this
WVU was going to be in our eastern sports league. Paterno specifically refrenced teams that were in that league. I consider all of those teams, including Maryland, to be part of the region for football purposes.
If you’ll cede that WVU can compete for the National Title, but is not technically in the Northeast therefore not subject to Coach Paterno’s comment, fine.
I don’t see any reason why Pitt, Rutgers or Syracuse can’t compete for a national title either. WVU is simply a stronger argument because they have more recently.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But it is obvious
Paterno is talking about the here and now!
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 1, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even if your right...
it’s still a stupid thing to say.
"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008
by jesse. on May 1, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you do not need to draw the lines anyway
The fact that WVU competes in the Big East has nothing to do with where they are located. So should we saw Boston College is a southern school since they have competed in the ACC for years?
The fact of the matter is WVU is NOT a northeastern team.
by psupride on May 1, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Expansion
The decision is going to be driven by television considerations. Pitt adds nothing to the mix since they are in the Big ten geographic foot print. while Missouri has a good football tradition, the conference would be far better off looking to the East.
Rutgers is the most attractive addition because it brings in the New York/ New Jersey market into play. They would bring a larger base of viewers which would drive advertising rates. As with everything else, it’s all about the Benjamins.
Reg4
by Regulator4 on May 1, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two issues I see
1) Is Rutgers actually going to stay competitive as a football school?
2) Will New York actually care if they do?
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rutgers
One issue that seems to me to be overlooked WRT Rutgers is that it isn’t just about NYC — yes, the Big Ten or any conference would love to have a big presense in NYC given the massive population and media value there. But the other fact is New Jersey — Rutgers is the major public school there and there are some 8.5 million people living in that state (good for 11th nationally according to wikipedia). That alone, even without NYC, is a huge chunk of people to gain exposure to and (in terms of money) to add as BTN customers. Yes, PSU captures some of that market but PSU + Rutgers would be a dominant presense in NJ (and it woudl help in Eastern PA too) in additiont o solidifying the Big Ten exposure in NYC.
by Laaaaazzz on May 1, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rutgers being competitive
Not to sound like too much of a dick when referring to our Big 10 brethren, but Indiana makes anyone competitive in football and I could see other teams going through their own ahem ‘dark years’ which would keep them out of the eternal cellar, IMHO. I think it would be great for them and the Big 10 but that is just me.
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member
by TheMightyErik on May 1, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two issues
1) I think so. The people of NJ want a team they can call their own. Entry into the Big Ten would force the university to allocate the resources to put a competitive team on the field .
2) The New Jersey market alone could easily fill a 75,000 seat stadium. The media exposure will get some New Yorkers interested in college football. It might just be an appetizer for the NFL on Sunday but they will watch.
Reg4
by Regulator4 on May 1, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Penn State will not benefit by having a strong competitior in New Jersey. Why make it tougher to recruite in NJ/DE/MD than it already is?
Louisville or Missouri would be my picks. Of the two, Louisville would have the most to gain.
by mwb124 on May 1, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pitt or West Virginia...
That is where the argument should begin and end.
Both of these schools make sense (proximity, rivalry, recruiting). I would rather have Pitt then WVU, simply for that built in rival (Ohio State/Michigan, Texas/Oklahoma, Florida/Georgia).
PSU Softball
by QBsneak12 on May 1, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WVU does not meet the Big 10's academic standards
neither does Louisville
by Brett Brown on May 1, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neither
Neither Pitt nor WVU make sense:
WVU fails to meet the academic qualifications of the Big Ten. It also faisl to provide any new and signficant markets for revenue. It’s a big state school which is a plus, but getting exposure in a sparsely populated state like West Virginia isn’t a reason to warrant expansion.
Pitt fits in most every quality — public school, big research insitution, quality academics, geographical fit, but it fails ion the most important one: revenues. Adding Pitt does not add any new markets and fails to add any revenue to the school. There wouldn’t even be any expansion of the BTN. Adding Pitt would not increase the revenues for other schools, so why would they consider it?
If we are going to add any Big East schools, it will be either Rutgers (large flagship public school, good academics, brand new densely populated state plus NYC to expand the BTN to) or Syracuse (good academics, private but similar to Northwestern, georgraphically sensible, expansion to very highly populated state for the BTN). Maryland would also make sense if we could get them out of the ACC. Looking out west, Missouri might be a choice for similar reasons.
Granted, none of these are necessarily likely. It’s probably still Notre Dame or bust (unless some out of the blue option like Texas appears). But Pitt and WVU are non-starters.
by Laaaaazzz on May 1, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not
Iowa State? They aren’t a powerhouse, but is Pitt or Rutgers? Geographically they make sense. It could be mutually beneficial in the fact that the conference gets their 12th team and, seeing how IA State HAS had some success in recent years, it could give them a bit of a recruiting boost.
"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"
by nitwit86 on May 1, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Although
Not sure how they might stack up academically. Just thinking about the geography when I threw that in the mix.
"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"
by nitwit86 on May 1, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty sure that their academics aren’t even close to being good enough.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
However
If ISU did join the Big Ten, it would probably generate a hillarious BHGP article.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They suck
The problem is that ISU doesn’t really do anything.
Kath?
by psuphiman80 on May 1, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This guy was awesome
Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w
by jtothep on May 4, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never really understood why this qualifies as a "bad" thing to do
and I don’t think I ever will understand it…
by The JuggerNitt on May 5, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If a Big12 team were to be
poached/lured I have been in favor of Missouri for years. Everything I know about them looks a good fit for the Big Ten.
Since the name Big 12 is already taken, Big10 seems silly with 11, let alone 12 teams however it has history, I can’t see the name ever changing.
One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's
by rahpsu92 on May 1, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great Lakes Conference just doesn't do it for them, I guess
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big ZUG Conference
Well, now that we have that settled, onto finding a 12th team…
"...You know, Reemer, someday I'm gonna own a big sports bar."
by IcersGuy on May 2, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Penn State, Iowa, and a Bunch of Stiffs Conference
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 2, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
iowa State???
What would be the point? What coudl they possible bring tot he table?
Academics? No, they are far inferior to all Big Ten schools.
Major flagship school for their state? No, that’s Iowa, already in the Big Ten
Good at major sports? No, they suck at football and basketball.
Important, densely populated state? No, it’s Iowa — if there’s a state you really want to get more exposure in, it’s not Iowa.
We might consider Missouri from the Big 12 who would add St. Louis (or at it better on top of Illinois perhaps) and Kansas City and is a border state. Iowa St is worthless.
by Laaaaazzz on May 1, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Besides
Do we really want another Iowa school in the conference. The one does enough damage already.
by dawsonPSU10 on May 1, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Iowa State sucks so bad and I don’t think they’d give us as much trouble.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given this comment . . .
“Everybody else is playing playoffs on television,” Paterno said. "You never see a Big Ten team mentioned. So I think that’s a handicap.
If it’s more media attention, send out the invite to Ball State. The conference would probably get some kind of mention on Letterman practically every night.
"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"
by nitwit86 on May 1, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I've always liked...
Cincinnati as an option. Big time hoops and football is on the rise. Geographically works, etc.
by hbeach08 on May 1, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ohio State will NEVER let another team from Ohio in. Ever. Plus, their academics might not be good enough.
Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno
by ReadingRambler on May 1, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pros and cons to possible members
Rutgers
Pro: Large State School with solid academics located in large TV market (in NJ close to NYC). Good on-field performance in recent years (could be immediately competitive in conference play)
Con: Not much in the way of tradition. Prior to a few years ago, program was a complete doormat (can they maintain success?)
Pitt:
Pro: Large State School with solid academics. Decent, but not great on-field performance in recent years (probably could at least be a middle of the pack team right away). Plenty of tradition has won MNCs back in the day. Natural rival for PSU.
Con: TV market already covered by conference. Hasn’t really been a football power since the early eighties.
Syracuse:
Pro: School with solid academics. Strong football tradition.
Con: Recent on field performance has been awful. Syracuse area is not a huge market.
West Virginia:
Pro: Great recent on field performance. Solid tradition.
Con: Does not meet Big 10’s academic standards. West Virginia is not a big TV market.
Temple:
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Missouri:
Pro: Large State school with solid academics. Large TV market. Decent on-field performance in recent years.
Con: Not a whole lot of tradition. Would be hard to steal a team away from the Big 12.
Notre Dame:
Pro: Very good academics. Tons of tradition. Huge fan base. Makes geographic sense. Already has rivalries with almost half the Big 10 teams.
Con: There’s no way they’re giving up their great TV contract to join a conference.
Cincinnati;
Pro: Decent recent on field performance.
Con: Does not meet Big 10’s academic standards. Market already covered by conference. Ohio St would throw a hissy if another Ohio team was invited to join the conference.
Iowa St.:
Pro: Makes geographic sense and would be a natural rival for Iowa. Decent academics.
Con: Bad recent on field performance and very little tradition. Small TV market that’s already covered by the conference.
I’m sure there’s other teams to consider, but I got tired of typing.
by Brett Brown on May 2, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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