Missouri fits, but Big Ten doesn't need to get bigger

Sporting News, The, Feb 22, 1999 by Mark Blaudschun

Now that the soap opera that was known as the Big Ten's courtship with Notre Dame is over, what's next for the conference and its quest for a 12th team?

First, the Big Ten needs time. Even though the official word from Big Ten headquarters was that no offer was tendered to the Fighting Irish, don't believe it. The Big Ten wanted Notre Dame; it didn't get the Fighting Irish because Notre Dame said "no."

It will be a while before the Big Ten starts dating again. And you can be sure that when it happens, the date will be a willing partner who's looking for a long-term relationship.

Guess what? That eliminates Syracuse, which wouldn't have been a good fit anyway. And it makes Texas look like a long shot. Both schools could bring something to the Big Ten in terms of new television markets, but both will have to be convinced they need the Big Ten.

The Big Ten doesn't need to convince anyone of its worth. Nor should it. There's nothing wrong with the league as it exists. It has solid teams with solid academic reputations, solid television markets and the ability to compete for national championships. Aside from geographic imbalance, the only thing out of whack about the Big Ten is the fact it has 11 teams. Twelve teams are better than 11 because the Big Ten could split into six-team divisions, have a balanced, rotating schedule and hold a lucrative championship game.

A geographically friendly school that would bring balance to the Big Ten is Missouri. In addition to its Midwestern location, Missouri is competitive athletically and academically. And, the Tigers want to join.

Missouri would strengthen the St. Louis TV market, which the Big Ten already has a presence in thanks to a strong Illinois alumni base. Plus, the addition of Missouri would open the Kansas City market.

Indeed, a Missouri-Big Ten marriage seems perfect. But it begs a greater question: Why should the Big Ten expand? Where does it say the benefits of a league championship game outweigh the negatives?

If you need proof of negatives, look at the Big 12, which has had (it says) national-championship caliber teams in Nebraska and Kansas State the past few seasons that were upset in the league championship game. That cost the conference millions of dollars in bowl revenue.

With the future allowance in certain years of a 12th regular-season game, what's the need for a potentially damaging league title game? Let the Big Ten be what the Big Ten always has been, so the argument goes, which is one of the premier leagues in college football. Add a 12th team and a championship game and watch the drama of the Michigan-Ohio State game disappear when the winner is forced to play two weeks later in a league title game for the automatic Big Ten spot in the BCS. Or, for example, watch Ohio State go unbeaten, feel as though it has done everything necessary to rank No. 1, then lose to an 8-3 Iowa team in the league championship game.

Bigger isn't necessarily better--ask the WAC--nor are more games and two-division football. Those are questions and issues to ponder over the next several months, as the Big Ten decides whether it wants to start another courtship.

A Big Ten title game would be one of the premier events of the season. But we could live without it.

RELATED ARTICLE: inside dish

CAMPUS RUMBLINGS, LOCKER ROOMS WHISPERS

A nice feud is developing between Florida State and Auburn. It began when Terry Bowden--son of Bobby Bowden--resigned from Auburn in the middle of last season under bizarre circumstances. That didn't sit well with Papa Bowden. Now, the Tigers, who were scheduled to open against FSU in 1999, have dropped the Seminoles and replaced them with I-AA Appalachian State. To do that, Auburn paid FSU a $500,000 buyout, leaving the 'Noles scrambling for a replacement game. Auburn also gave Terry Bowden some sweet parting gifts on his way out the door. But by scheduling a seventh home game, Auburn will more than make back the money it paid to FSU.... Jim Colletto made a smart move by leaving Notre Dame and joining the Baltimore Ravens as offensive line coach. Partially because he arrived after an unsuccessful tenure as coach at Purdue, Colletto was under constant fire as offensive coordinator since arriving in South Bend in 1997. Colletto is an excellent offensive line coach.... Tonya Butler, a female, will kick for Middle Georgia College, a junior college in Cochran, Ga. Butler made 64-of-65 extra points and 7-of-12 field goals with a long of 39 yards last season for Riverdale (Ga.) High. She earned Class AAA (third largest) first-team All-State honors.... The race for the top recruiting class of 2000 is on, as Florida State, Michigan and Wisconsin already have commitments from big-time prospects. Quarterback Chris Rix of Bishop Amat in LaPuente, Calif., has committed to the Seminoles; running back Reggie Benton of Grand Blanc (Mich.) High has said yes to the Wolverines; and linebacker Darius Jones of Beloit (Wis.) High has committed to the Badgers.... Let's get this straight: Rick Neuheisel didn't know it was a dead period just before recruiting, or he did know and didn't care? Or he didn't know and his assistants didn't care? Or he did know and told his assistants that it didn't matter?