Any reflections on the moves adding the PAC10/12 teams to the BigTen as well as the earlier additions?
I suppose financially it’s been a boon to the BigTen expanding to left and right coasts in terms of media income stream even though to some extent travel coasts must be an increased burden financially and also impacting the athletes.
As an old timer and BT traditionalist I liked the original structure and have been dismayed at the dissolution of the PAC12 and its low-rent “return” as a “full” conference. Not thrilled with Rutgers and MD additions but fully understand the desire to tap into east coast fan viewership. Addition of the west coast teams is more solid- Oregon has been the standout in football but all four west coast teams are having a tough year in basketball to join the top tier.
The addition of the west coast teams seems to have further fueled the dominance of the BigTen over rival conferences like the SEC. I still prefer the size and geographical affinity of the old BigTen maybe with the addition of Nebby and PSU have added value. The current size of the BIgTen seems unwieldy but at least we aren’t in the spot Cal and Stanford are in. I really miss the BT-PAC10 rivalry represented by the Rose Bowl game. I think NU and the conference at large have benefited from BigTen expansion so far but with some of the BT programs really struggling (like Rutgers) I think expansion has introduced a new level of risk and instability.
I suppose financially it’s been a boon to the BigTen expanding to left and right coasts in terms of media income stream even though to some extent travel coasts must be an increased burden financially and also impacting the athletes.
As an old timer and BT traditionalist I liked the original structure and have been dismayed at the dissolution of the PAC12 and its low-rent “return” as a “full” conference. Not thrilled with Rutgers and MD additions but fully understand the desire to tap into east coast fan viewership. Addition of the west coast teams is more solid- Oregon has been the standout in football but all four west coast teams are having a tough year in basketball to join the top tier.
The addition of the west coast teams seems to have further fueled the dominance of the BigTen over rival conferences like the SEC. I still prefer the size and geographical affinity of the old BigTen maybe with the addition of Nebby and PSU have added value. The current size of the BIgTen seems unwieldy but at least we aren’t in the spot Cal and Stanford are in. I really miss the BT-PAC10 rivalry represented by the Rose Bowl game. I think NU and the conference at large have benefited from BigTen expansion so far but with some of the BT programs really struggling (like Rutgers) I think expansion has introduced a new level of risk and instability.
