Eleven Warriors

Super conferences here we come. That is what this means... it's all about the $$$. Time to start paying players.

It makes strategic sense if there is more to the picture than just Rutgers and Maryland. Here's what I wrote up earlier on the topic...

The additions of Maryland and Rutgers to the B1G, assuming this actually goes down as rumored, is a part of a larger, long-term strategy. I maintain that the end game of that strategy is a final push to add Notre Dame and Texas into the B1G platform. Because that is the goal, however, it doesn't mean that's how it all plays out. There are too many dynamic variables at play to accurately determine who goes where and when. Nonetheless, Texas and Notre Dame are the end game -- Texas being the crown jewel. If there is a back-up plan, and I would be surprised if there wasn't one, it likely consists of some combination of Georgia Tech, UNC, Virginia, and Notre Dame. Let's look at some of the variables and extrapolate possible movements.

First, we know from Delany's remarks in May 2010 that a key factor in long-term expansion plans for the B1G is gaining a southern foothold. From these remarks, Delany pretty much told the world what he intends to do -- he's either heading to Texas, or in the alternative, Georgia (via Georgia Tech). For the B1G to remain competitive over the next 100 years, it must grow south. As it stands, the three most fertile recruiting grounds are California, Texas, and Florida. The Pac 12 has California in its pocket. The ACC has Florida. The SEC also has Florida, and now also has Texas. The Big 12 of course has Texas. The B1G...Ohio? You see the problem. The B1G would not consider Florida St. or Miami as expansion candidates for academic reasons -- they are not members of the AAU; all B1G members are AAU members with the exception of Nebraska which was an AAU member at the time it was invited into the B1G. The only viable target for Delany to consider is Texas, which is a member of the AAU. We know from disclosed emails between the presidents of Ohio State and Texas back in June of 2010, that there is a mutual interest in bringing Texas into the B1G. It is my view that the B1G made a concerted effort to bring Texas into the B1G back in 2010, but for whatever reason the plan was put on the backburner. One reason I believe it did not happen then is because when Delany opened up the expansion box, he had no idea at the time the frenzy and mass hysteria it would cause nationwide. All of a sudden, media painted him to be Darth Vader trying to ruin college football. A couple years later, Delany now has sufficient cover under recent expansion efforts by all the other power conferences. Delany can now go back to doing what he sought out to do in the first place, and not look like the guy about to ruin the sport. The state of Texas is the southern foothold that Delany has his sights on. Would he take North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia as an alternative? Probably, but that's not his primary objective. His primary objective is to put the pieces in place to make a run for Texas.

So let's look at Texas and where it stands. Again, we know from disclosed emails between Texas and Ohio State that there is mutual interest in bringing Texas into the B1G. Then in September 2011, the rumor mill took it to another level when a Northwestern blogger disclosed a contract proposal drafted by Texas and Notre Dame and presented to Delany. It was never confirmed whether this was an actual draft, but there was enough substance to the contract to give it some credibility. Again, for whatever reason, nothing more came from the rumor. Or did it? We don't know. Of interest in the contract proposal is the timing of things, where 2014/2015 was seen as the target date of adding Texas and Notre Dame due to certain TV contracts already in place. Also of interest is that since this contract disclosure, Dodd of Texas came out with very pro-Notre Dame remarks, saying that what he has learned through the whole expansion process, is that the Univ. of Texas has a "friend" in Notre Dame. Now, we also know the B1G is not the only suitor for Texas. We learned in 2011 that the Pac 12 made a serious push for Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., and Texas Tech. In fact, from all accounts, that deal would have happened but for Texas pulling out at the last moment. By the way, for anyone thinking that Texas has any interest in the SEC -- you are wrong. Texas has zero interest in the SEC. It would consider the Pac 12 or B1G -- it will not consider the SEC, ever. Texas may in the end just stick to its current course and keep building out a portfolio of programs to add to the Big 12. This is very plausible. But I think there are serious long-term flaws with this strategy, and I think Texas knows that, and I think Delany knows that. You have to understand both the academics and culture of the Univ. of Texas and Austin to understand the problems here. The Univ. of Texas has a very good academic reputation -- as mentioned before, it is an AAU member. Moreover, culturally, Austin is more on the progressive side of things, more in the mindset of the folks out West in the Pac 12 or some Midwestern (and now possibly Eastern) counterparts in the B1G. So knowing that, over the long term, do you really see Texas putting up with the likes of West Virginia? No way. Now, would Texas put up with a school like West Virginia if it meant it could also add Florida St. and Clemson? That remains to be seen. But my position is that the current makeup of the Big 12 is not sustainable, and Texas knows that -- and Delany knows that.

Now, let's take a look at Notre Dame. It is clear that Notre Dame is not satisfied with the current makeup of the B1G. Notre Dame does not want to be a member of just a midwestern conference. Notre Dame wants to maintain an east coast presence, a west coast presence, and a southern presence. The west coast presence will be maintained so long as the series between USC (as well as Stanford) remains viable. The recent deal with the ACC where it schedules five games with ACC opponents every year, gives it both an eastern and southern presence. The only way the B1G has a chance to finally bring Notre Dame into the B1G, is by expanding its footprint both east and south. Notre Dame will not join just because of Rutgers and Maryland, however. That is a start, but more is needed. Notre Dame would join if one of two other scenarios plays out -- Texas joins, or a combination of Georgia Tech, UNC, Virginia joins. It is my position that Delany still has his sights on Notre Dame and he is currently building out the foundation to make a final push to bring them into the B1G.

Finally, let's look at Rutgers and Maryland and why these are two very important pieces of the puzzle. We should know more by the end of this week whether or not these two will become new members of the B1G. If they do, here's why Delany went this route. We all know that Rutgers and Maryland are bottom feeders on the football field. What they bring to the table however is the B1G to the DC Metro and NYC markets. More importantly, what they bring is Texas-Notre Dame, Texas-Nebraska, Ohio State-Texas, Penn St.-Nebraska, Michigan-Ohio State, Michigan-Texas, Penn St.-Texas,,, the additions of Rutgers and Maryland brings some of the biggest, most historic brands into the Big Apple and DC metro. That's big exposure -- that's big money. Plus, a tide raises all boats. Maryland and Rutgers will see huge benefits for being partners in this new dynamic conference model that extends down to the gulf to the great lakes and to the eastern seaboard.

People in Delany's position -- that get to play with power and profits and pride for a daily living -- do not make Rutgers and Maryland the end game. Delany's end game is the really big fish -- football giants like Texas and Notre Dame. Plus, people like Delany -- ultra competitive types -- simply cannot stand to see the SEC dominate the sport for the next 5 decades like it has the past 7 years. Ultimately, Delany has set out on a path to make the B1G more competitive against the SEC. Rutgers and Maryland do not national championships make. But they are pieces to bring in Texas and Notre Dame, and in combination with Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska -- this is the recipe to compete with the SEC. This is a dynamic affair, however, and it is unclear whether or not he can accomplish what he has set out to do. It may be that his back-up plan is most viable. I'm not sure. I'm confident however, that Delany wants Texas and Notre Dame, and if Rutgers and Maryland are brought into the B1G, it is because of this end game.

LMAO!!!  Awesome play!

Rutgers tomorrow!  The Rutgers move will be huge if FOX has indeed bought 49 percent stake in the YES Network.  They can basically tell providers if you want the YES network, you have to offer the BTN.  That immediately cracks the NYC market and adds a ton of revenue. I find it funny on Frank the Tank's slant, that people think the end game for the B1G is to add Virginia and UNC though.

TX and ND would be awesome, but not going to happen. Hoping we can snag FSU and GT though.

I can't believe Maryland athletic department was livening by each weeks paycheck.  The also eliminated 7 programs this year.

Can't wait to play the fighting Van Pelts

I almost made it to the second paragraph this time.