Notre Dame and the Big 10

So what happens if the Big 10 doesn't get all 4 teams that they've propositioned? What happens if they get 1? or 3? This article has the take on the SEC reaction if this happens, but what about the rest of the world? Time to take a deeper look into the possibility of conference expansion...

Let's start with what we know. The Big 10 has offered Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, and Notre Dame a spot in the conference.

When I was young, I watched Sesame Street. They played a game on the show called "One of these things is not like the other." Thank you Notre Dame for volunteering to demonstrate.

If Notre Dame joins the Big 10, what are the real consequences? NBC loses their weekly Saturday Catholic Mass (hell, they might not lose it. This whole thing seems to be revolving around TV rights and money anyway). Other than that, the Big East loses a basketball school, which would make their conference tournament only last 6-8 weeks instead of the full 3 months. IN MY OPINION, Notre Dame joining the Big 10 is actually a GOOD thing.

pause... breathe... Yes I said it. Notre Dame in the Big 10 is a good combination. It puts the conference at an even number (12), and Notre Dame already has rivalries with member schools. Geographically it makes more sense than them joining the Big East, and they have the ability and scholarship money to compete on the recruiting front. Coming back to the TV aspect, this move gives the Big 10 the possibility of joining the conference with NBC, not just Notre Dame.

Talking more about the money and TV issues, (which is what this whole debate seems to circle around) the Big 10 network has already proved to be profitable for the conference. Add in a weekly showcase of Notre Dame and/or another big name member school, suddenly there are connections with 2 big networks, NBC and the partnership between Fox Sports and the Big 10 Network.

Hello conference visibility. Worried about fighting with the SEC now?

Yeah the SEC and ESPN signed a deal bigger than A-Rod, Lebron, and Peyton Manning combined. And, no that won't go away for another 15 or so years. But will anybody be able to truly compete with that without something HUGE going down in conference restructuring? NO. So this is the best possible situation for both Notre Dame and the Big 10.

Rutgers just flat doesn't make sense, unless you're trying to dissolve the Big East. But why would the Big 10 want to do that? Oh wait... money. Right.

Missouri and Nebraska?? Mizzou ok... I can see that because of geographic location. But Nebraska? No way. Once again it comes down to poaching and trying to dissolve other conferences to improve their own standing.

I am in no way bad mouthing the Big 10. They made the first move in a chess match of survival.

If I was in a hole and needed to get out, I'd pull others in and stand on their shoulders too.

Sorry Big East and Big 12, you might be buried sooner than you think.