By Teddy Greenstein
The Big Red will be joining the Big Ten.
A source with knowledge of the expansion talks has confirmed to the Tribune that Nebraska will be invited to apply for Big Ten membership, a mere formality in the process. An announcement is expected Friday.
The league has not determined, the source said, whether it will remain at 12 schools or expand to 14.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said Sunday that the league "could act and act again" -- meaning that expansion could occur in phases..
Clearly, Delany knew that Nebraska, facing a loyalty ultimatum from the Big 12, would need resolution this week.
The Big Ten remains interested in both Notre Dame and Rutgers, and Delany appears willing to wait for a final response from the Irish.
A source at Notre Dame, though, indicated that the school likely has "moved on," with another saying that a top Notre Dame official assured the Big East that it intends to keep teams such as men's and women's basketball in the league.
If that's the case, the Big Ten appears likely to cap at 12 teams.
Part of the Big Ten's motivation to add only one school is its desire to avoid being viewed as responsible for causing college football Armageddon.
Texas officials have indicated that if Nebraska leaves, the Big 12 would dissolve, with Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado poised to join the Pac-10.
The New York Times reported that top officials at Texas and Texas A&M will meet Thursday in a final effort to keep the league intact. Adding a school such as TCU would do just that.
Those Big 12 talks -- and the potential breakup of the league -- could affect Nebraska's financial penalty and whether the Cornhuskers can join the Big Ten by 2011.
Nebraska had been hell-bent on joining the Big Ten, a source said, and the interest was mutual. The Big Ten gets a huge name to boost its brand and it gives the league three of the five winningest Division I programs in history (along with Michigan and Ohio State; the other two are Notre Dame and Texas).
It allows the conference to form two divisions and create a conference title game, addressing Penn State coach Joe Paterno's criticism that the league now takes a siesta in December.
One logical projection would have Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota in the West and Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana in the East.
While it creates marquee, TV-friendly games such as Nebraska-Iowa and Nebraska-Wisconsin, expanding to 12 won't do much to stretch the reach of the Big Ten Network, which became profitable in its second year by attracting 45 million TV households.
Nebraska is a state of 1.8 million people and its largest TV market, Omaha, ranks 76th nationally with around 410,000 TV homes. That's smaller than Toledo.
Tom Osborne, the Nebraska athletic director who coached the Cornhuskers to national titles in 1994, '95 and '97 (shared with Michigan), said during a recent radio appearance that the school was not motivated by a publicly perceived beef with Big 12 rival Texas.
"This decision is not going to be based on animosity or petty jealousy," Osborne said. "You're talking about something that could maintain for the next 75-100 years
A source at Notre Dame, though, indicated that the school likely has "moved on," with another saying that a top Notre Dame official assured the Big East that it intends to keep teams such as men's and women's basketball in the league.
If that's the case, the Big Ten appears likely to cap at 12 teams.
Part of the Big Ten's motivation to add only one school is its desire to avoid being viewed as responsible for causing college football Armageddon.
Texas officials have indicated that if Nebraska leaves, the Big 12 would dissolve, with Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado poised to join the Pac-10.
The New York Times reported that top officials at Texas and Texas A&M will meet Thursday in a final effort to keep the league intact. Adding a school such as TCU would do just that.
Those Big 12 talks -- and the potential breakup of the league -- could affect Nebraska's financial penalty and whether the Cornhuskers can join the Big Ten by 2011.
Nebraska had been hell-bent on joining the Big Ten, a source said, and the interest was mutual. The Big Ten gets a huge name to boost its brand and it gives the league three of the five winningest Division I programs in history (along with Michigan and Ohio State; the other two are Notre Dame and Texas).
It allows the conference to form two divisions and create a conference title game, addressing Penn State coach Joe Paterno's criticism that the league now takes a siesta in December.
One logical projection would have Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota in the West and Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana in the East.
While it creates marquee, TV-friendly games such as Nebraska-Iowa and Nebraska-Wisconsin, expanding to 12 won't do much to stretch the reach of the Big Ten Network, which became profitable in its second year by attracting 45 million TV households.
Nebraska is a state of 1.8 million people and its largest TV market, Omaha, ranks 76th nationally with around 410,000 TV homes. That's smaller than Toledo.
Tom Osborne, the Nebraska athletic director who coached the Cornhuskers to national titles in 1994, '95 and '97 (shared with Michigan), said during a recent radio appearance that the school was not motivated by a publicly perceived beef with Big 12 rival Texas.
"This decision is not going to be based on animosity or petty jealousy," Osborne said. "You're talking about something that could maintain for the next 75-100 years
I'm a husker fan from New York. I attended UN-zero when I lived in Omaha. I gotta tell you Nebraska does not fit in the Big 10 academically. High School kids from all over the country fight to get admitted to Northwestern for its dramatics and poli-sci programs. Kids study their butts off to get admitted to Michigan Law or Michigan engineering. Similarly, Purdue and Ohio St. have great engineering programs. For civil engineering and accounting, Illinois ranks with the best. Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin for business and Iowa for agriculture and engineering has produced great engineers. So where does a football school like Nebraska fit with these academic powerhouses?
SERIOUSLY, can anyone name a Nobel laureate that came out of Nebraska? Clue: There are no Nobels for football. Who in hell studies their butts off to get into Nebraska?
I love the Huskers......they look good in tight pants
well i guess it's official :). all the pre trash talk can end.
Hey Buckeye4life, it looks like you're going to get some trailer park trash in your gated community. The Huskers are coming! But seriously, we're happy to be a part of the Big Ten! No hard feelings!
I'm not wild about the proposed conference division. With Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State in one division, it somewhat looks like the Big 12, with Nebraska in the "weaker" division. Obviously you can't split up Ohio State and Michigan, but maybe Penn State could fit in the "Nebraska division?"
Ok so you mention the T.V. market in Nebraska, what about us fans in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, around the U.S.? I know of at least 15 televisions in this town of 1000 that will be tuned into the Big 10 Network if Nebraska makes the jump. I personally have never watched the Big 10 network, I have always found the games to be quite boring honestly, but I can assure you if the Huskers are playing IM WATCHING. Don't forget the guys behind enemy lines, they make up a large portion of your traveling base and television viewers.
those delusions of relevance die hard at Notre dame dont they? it's like a fifty yo who was kinda hot 30 years ago protesting that she is still struggling to hold on to her virginity. Here's a newsflash.. noone wants it. BTW, even northwestern wouldve kicked ND's arse in football the past couple of years [and way more than they'd ever admit over the slightly more distant past]. So instead of saving its rotting corpse for marriage, ND better turn off the lights, spread her legs and hope the big ten doesnt look at her too hard, cause if ND doesnt, the big ten is going to break up the big east and then what will all ND's other sports do? And, as for football, ND would be relegated to having to go undefeated like a Boise State in order to get into a BCS bowl and dont think that the BCS rules wont be changed in ways that hurt ND in order to accomodate the formation of one or two superconferences. not that ND has a chance in hell of getting into a BCS game these days anyway, but yall keep BSing yourselves that ya do. good luck ND
Living in Vancouver Canada, we are able to get the Big Ten Channel on our cable. Nebraska joining the Big 10 is great and they will be another powerhouse in an already tough conference. And when you play in Lincoln, you will find the fans there are as knowledgeable as there are and as polite and friendly as you will find.
Go Nebraska and go Big 10.
PJHusker,
I am really sorry. I can't believe I acted the way I did and said the things that I said. Deep down, I am just jealous because my team can't even win when our coach cheats.
I often find myself day dreaming about being a Husker football fan because they actually have potential. I think back to the 2005 Alamo Bowl. I know that we didn't have a shot at beeting Nebraska but I was really hopeful that we could at least be competitive. Well, when it came down to the end I was so excited that we might actually win! I found myself lying on the floor crying at the end because my hopes and dreams were crushed in front of my eyes. However, I knew we were beaten by a better team.
Since my beloved Big Blue can no longer match up with the Big Red, I hope that you guys take it easy on us when we meet again.
Again, I am sorry for my actions and it will never happen again.
PJHusker,
I am really sorry. I can't believe I acted the way I did and said the things that I said. Deep down, I am just jealous because my team can't even win when our coach cheats.
I often find myself day dreaming about being a Husker football fan because they actually have potential. I think back to the 2005 Alamo Bowl. I know that we didn't have a shot at beeting Nebraska but I was really hopeful that we could at least be competitive. Well, when it came down to the end I was so excited that we might actually win! I found myself lying on the floor crying at the end because my hopes and dreams were crushed in front of my eyes. However, I knew we were beaten by a better team.
Since my beloved Big Blue can no longer match up with the Big Red, I hope that you guys take it easy on us when we meet again.
Again, I am sorry for my actions and it will never happen again.
Yes, I saw the KU report; looks like a done deal. Also, it looks like K-State will be left out in the cold (surprises me, but KU is an AAU school with a top-10 b-ball program nationally).
Is it true that Missouri is going to the SEC??? Heard that too.
Just heard a report that Univ. of Kansas is being considered for the Big 10 too. Anyone else see that?
Isn't it ironic that the pro-Big XII people are saying that Nebraska is leaving because they couldn't compete, and the Big 10 folks are saying we shouldn't have moved because we won't be able to play with the big boys in the Big 10. As a die-hard Husker fan I can assure you that I would love to play Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State every year, but it just can't happen.
If this does go through, I hope the allignment isn't strictly East-West and we can get Michigan or Ohio State in our division. Nothing against Iowa, Wisconsin, or any other of the schools, but none of them are in the class of Michigan, OSU, or Penn State on the football field and the conference would suffer the same issues as the Big 12 from a competative stand point. Just can't see Michigan, OSU, and Penn State being in the same division.
I was only kidding! We are very grateful to be joining the Big 10. I know we'll never be a "Michigan" or an "Ohio State", but I feel like we can compete and we will always be respectful of your stadiums. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'll shine your shoes for fifty-cents.
Wolvereeeen...
Isn't your 15-minute break over? You should probably get back to drive-through window and get that headset on.
I'm sure the Michigan fans that actually got accepted to and attended Michigan appreciate morons like you coming on these board to spout your crud with their label attached.
Stick to what you're good at.....and get me my fries.
I can confirm the jet sighting reports in Lincoln --- I also heard this on radio.
To PJHusker:
I liked the tone of your message...very servant-like. Your Hicksters will be the door-mat of our conference...we only want you so we can have an even number of teams for a conference championship...fortunately for you, NU is an AAU school, otherwise this wouldn't be happening.
So, please continue to lick our boots with your groveling messages...we like to see you beg.
Welcome to a real league, Hicksters.
Heard on local radio that a large private jet from Chicago landed in Lincoln 30 mins. ago. What could this mean?
If the Huskers don't officially get an invite from the Big 10 it would be devestating!
As a life-long Husker fan, I can tell you that most of us have always felt a connection with the style of football you played, the intensity of your rivalries, and the immense value you place on tradition. For some of us...the connection may have been more of a little jealousy.
The big 8 was great in it's day, but really only for a couple of us. The Big 10 has a only a few teams in it that have not been very strong at some point in the last decade or so. (Don't remember Indiana or Illinois having any great years, but I could certainly be missing them.) That's a great balance of power and an exciting cyclical characteristic to have for the fan base.
I am thrilled that we might receive an invite to join your family and I know that most Nebraska fans understand that we immediately need to do everything in our power to ensure you never regret extending this invite and we'll do what's needed to earn your respect as a partner.
Haven't stopped smiling since yesterday afternoon....
To Buckeye4Life
Calibur or Caliber?
I find it odd that you refer to your own highbrow academic standing, of which we lowbrow Cornhuskers (thankfully) are not a part, and yet in the same sentence you misspell the word "caliber."
I think you will find Nebraska--both the University and the fans--a welcome addition. Simply put, we do things the right way. Classier fans there are not. This will become clear over time. We're excited about becoming part of the great tradition of the Big Ten.
To BuckEye4Life:
Delaney knew that folks like you exist in the Big Ten and he needed to bring some class to the conference. It's shameful that fans like you exist and I am sure that you do NOT represent the attitudes of fans in Buckeye nation? Or is that true?
You huskers are going to be like the girl that got all dressed up but her date to the prom never showed.
There will be no invitation for you to join our conference. We are a gated community with many mansions, and we have no room for your trailer-house. You people are pathetic to think your "university" is of the same calibur as the rest in our conference (I'm talking more than just football here).
What a joke. Won't happen.
As a lifelong husker fan, I can't wait to get drunk in Columbus and Iowa City and barf all over the bleachers! Man, I love to drink!
Gooooo BIIIIIG REDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
Hey Husker fans. Let's show the same class we show at our games. This will be an indoctrination to the fans of other Big Ten teams. Living in the Chicago area and in the "heart" of Big Ten country, they are in for a huge surprise of what sportsmanship is all about. As a grad of UNL, and pulling for Northwestern for lo' these many years, I may now find it easier to get to Husker games in this area, especially at Evanston. Self-indulgently, I love this move. Games at Wisconsin, NW, and Illinois? This is nirvana!!!!
Although it is not official yet, it looks pretty solid that Nebraska will be joining the Big 10. As a lifelong Husker fan, I am very excited about this move. I am very much looking forward to establishing new rivalries with such great storied programs within the Big 10. What a fantastic opportunity for Nebraska and the Big 10. With this excitement also comes sadness. The current respectful rivalry between Nebraska and Oklahoma will be greatly missed unless non-conference scheduling can establish a yearly matchup.
There is a reason why at every entrance to Memorial Stadium that there is a phrase that states “Through these gates pass the Greatest Fans in College Football.” I guaranty every Big 10 fan that more than 98% of the Husker fans you will meet will be very respectful of you and your team. So please, don’t allow the very few that have posted on these sites reflect who we truly are, while at the same time realizing that some of these individuals are not actual Nebraska fans.
Again, I am looking forward to this move and appreciate the welcoming comments of those from the Big 10. It truly shows the class the Big 10 represents year in and year out. Go Big Red!!!!!!
Hey Husker fans. Let's show the same class we show at our games. This will be an indoctrination to the fans of other Big Ten teams. Living in the Chicago area and in the "heart" of Big Ten country, they are in for a huge surprise of what sportsmanship is all about. As a grad of UNL, and pulling for Northwestern for lo' these many years, I may now find it easier to get to Husker games in this area, especially at Evanston. Self-indulgently, I love this move. Games at Wisconsin, NW, and Illinois? This is nirvana!!!!
Come visit us in Lincoln and feast your eyes on the sea of RED -- Hawkeyes, Wolverines, Buckeyes, & Nittny Lions...our Huskers will mop up the field with your supposed mighty BIG TEN teams.
Prediction:
Over the next twenty years, the Huskers will be Big Ten champs in Football in at least ten of those years.
GO BIG RED!
The Big 10 is a perfect spot for Nebraska to end up.
Welcome aboard.
All standard trash talking aside. As a Husker fan I am excited. My whole family is either Michigan or Michigan State fans and live in Michigan.
Historic Big 10 conference, yeah this is gonna be cool.
And since our b-ball team has never really made any waves, the new recruiting opportunities could be amazing. Might be able to nab a couple of those Detroit Day School kids :).
I hope this move happens. I hope to be buying a few Big 10 visiting team fans some beers before and after the games, and I hope to make it to some of the historic venues in the Big 10 for a few beers.
Tippy Dye left Nebraska and headed to Northwestern back in the 60's as AD. During Devaney's tenure, he had NU on the side of their helmets. When Dye arrived at Northwestern, he had Ara Parseghian do the same for the Wildcats on their helmets. I suggest that the effite elite fans of the old Big Ten get used to the machinations and traditions of the Big Red. Barry Alvarez, current AD at Wisconsin and long time head football coach for the Badgers, played linebacker for Devaney for the 'Huskers back in the 60's. I can only imagine he loves that his beloved alma mater is in the league. Nebraska did the right thing. Texas lorded over the Big 12, and this caused great angst for Dr. Osborne. Do some research. Why did Arkansas leave the old Southwest Conference? Odd ball step-sister to an all-Texas league.
@Garrett and VegasHusker:
I'd like to apologize for the previous comments made by "NU Alum." We don't all obsess about academic rankings and use that information to judge others, I promise. That being said, not all of us have parents who "gift wrap a 50k a year tuition" either. A lot of us take out "loans and stuff, like real people." In fact, most of the people I knew at NU took out ridiculous amounts of loans to pay for that damn degree. As a recent '09 grad, I've found that paying back those loans is NOT fun. And we're not necessarily an "extremely self-centric, individualistically driven school." Yeah, some people at Northwestern are arrogrant and have been bottle-fed an idea of superiority, but a hell of a lot of us worked damn hard to get accepted, took second jobs to pay for it, and are generally good-humoured about our athletic shortcomings in such a competitive conference. AND a lot of us are happy to have Nebraska.
So again, I apologize on behalf of my fellow alum for being offensive, whether or not that was his/her intention. And welcome, Nebraska!!
Quote from Warren Powers, ex-Husker player and Mizzou Head coach over 30 years ago:
Their Mother's love them, their fans love them, the state loves them, and they have those little red N's on the side of their helmets and KILL YOU.
Either Texas leads an exodus of five teams to the Pac-10 that follow Colorado – leaving Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State in the dust – or it remains true to the Big 12 and the league becomes more reminiscent of the old Southwest Conference.
http://philiptortora.blogspot.com/2010/06/future-of-big-12-hinges-on-texas.html
NWU Alumn,
You can attack my football team all day long, I could care less. Like I said this is the sports section of this website. When you call other schools dumb, you just show Northwesterns lack of class.
Oh, and NickMIZZ, lets take a look at who's fans have a better reputation...Missouri or Nebraska? Missouri fans have less class than Mr. NWU alumn has shown here. But thanks for chiming in.
The whole point of me being on this discussion board is to show that I am excited for change and I look forward to my team joining the ranks of some of college football's most storied universities. I am not here to talk trash or to make people think that Nebraska is better than anyone else. But I will not stand by and let someone bash my school...I have more pride and CLASS than that.
As a husker fan, I love this. Going to a conference that treats everyone equally. Wow, not sure how that will feel!! Some great new rivalries with some teams I have always respected. Will miss the old Big 8 teams (other than CU, who always treated Huskers fans terribly). Really looking forward to it, wish we didn't have to wait until the 2012 season...
Welcome Nebraska! When Michigan pulls out of its slump, the Big 10 will be invincible! Somehow, as a Michigan fan, I'm also very possessive of the Big 10 and really think it needs beefing up (no pun intended, Nebraska) to compete nationally.
Dear NU Alum,
You’re a pusillanimous idiot that appears to be a completely elitist prick. Youre university is not in the Ivy League. Your institution's federally allocated grants won’t suddenly diminish. Nebraska won’t send the multiple paramount research facilities and humanity saving exploration programs your “School of Athens” is scorching the academic world with, into a two year community college. You’ll be just fine. Sorry Nebraska isn’t Oxford. Then you could have finally have another university to sit with you upon your pedestal of superiority and arrogance. Reading your post I realize that Nebraska will be leaving a conference with one extremely self-centric, individualistically driven school (Texas), to another conference with its doppelganger, Northwestern. Only difference is, and since this is a sports dominated issue I bring this up, your school couldn’t hold the Longhorns jock.
As for the rest of everyone, I am very, very excited about joining the Big 10. I’ve always looked at your conference as a chance to actually watch history before my eyes. I could see the tradition and rivalries, all the while thinking of the past coaches and players. The century plus football excellence, played in modern day stadiums that rival the coliseum. The SEC maybe the best conference, but has far as history, the sheer development and nurturing of what is today’s college football, the Big 10 stands alone. I believe the Huskers’ blue collar, cold weather, power running, staunch defensive style, along with their own rich traditions and rabid fan support will fit like a glove with the Big 10’s current members. I believe I speak for nearly all Nebraska fans when I say, thank you for the invitation and we cannot wait.
Scott
NU alum: Shut your pie-hole.
OSU fan here. I am excited at the likelihood that Nebraska is joining the Big Ten. They are a football powerhouse, and an AAU member...so no 'dumbing down'.
To all the Nebraska fans, I apologize for this posters comments...sometimes, I wish Northwestern would just go ahead and join the ivy league.
Hey, serpico diehard Iowa fan here. Just have to tone you down a bit on the "immediately becomes down to Nebby, Mich, Ohstate, Pennst"(paraphrasing)talk. Iowa is a force to be reckoned with and has one of the better defenses coming back in the nation this year.Preseason #1 ranked defensive line in many publications. Mr suh meet Adrian Clayborn pre season Playboy all american. We have actually owned penn st over the last 5+ years (close games mind you)and its late so I'm not going to get into exact details at this point.
I know you guys have national titles and such but let's face it those glory years were awhile ago. I actually loved watching the 97" team with frazier I believe it was. Bad ass. But don't be surprised when you face off with iowa that it feels eerily similiar in styles. Smashmouth hard nosed football! Iowa is one of the most fundamentally sound teams around. Don't get all the five stars but get the job done. Been wanting to play the huskers! Here's to a new rivalry!(maybe!!??)
Nebraska fans were forced to let the Oklahoma rivalry go when the Big 12 was formed. Playing 2 of every 4 years destroys a rivalry. Oklahoma hitting a lot point in the 90s and Nebraska in the 00s didn't help either but now that Oklahoma has hitched it's schooner to bevo we are done. Maybe we play out of conference - we could play every year and that would be nice but if it does not happen I am more than okay with that now days - OU has the Red River Rivalry and we have moved on.
NU Alum,
You asked..."Mind explaining where the NU comes from? Did you guys get it backwards?"
I assume you are a NWU poster asking about Nebr. If so, I believe it comes from the husker fight song where it states..."dear 'ol Nebraska U..." hence NU.
If this thing all comes down the way it appears, we are going to have to make some concessions because I am already confused as hell trying to decipher who is talking about which NU on this blog. I am however, looking forward to kicking the U of I's butts and finally shutting up some of the wife's inlaws. Should be fun!!! Go Big Red!
As a K-State grad, I'm very disappointed in this development because after the Big 12 dissolves, my school will go to a mid-major conference (unless K-State, KU, and Mizzou get a Big East invitation, which football-wise is practically a mid-major). However, I completely understand why Nebraska would go to the Big 10. I would make the move if I was in NU’s shoes. Oh yeah, Flores, you show a lot of class when you make comments about Texas, OU, and K-State fans’ education. I guess disparaging the people involved with other universities makes you feel better about yourself. You’re obviously superior to Texas, OU, and K-State rednecks.
Chuck said...If you went to IU or Purdue, now football games with U of I or Iowa will be less frequent, meaning less talk around the water cooler.
Good, maybe you'll quit yakking and get some work done. I'm sure your employer will be in favor of this!
Garrett is a true idiot, NU fan or not. Garrett: Take grammar classes.
Dear NWU Alum,
You're right. NU was much higher than NWU in that Coaches Poll. NU was in San Diego while NWU was in Evanston.
NU is well in the top 3rd of public university rankings at 43. Sorry if that disappoints you. NWU's academics won't suffer. NU graduates more Academic All-Americans than any other institution in the country.
NU is thrilled to be in the Big 10. Sorry it's not Harvard.
NU is a decent college - not all their grads are morons.
Problem #1. Games between schools in the eastern part of the conference and the western part will become less frequent. Part of the fun of living in Chicago is that you might meet two people who really care about the Michigan St-Minnesota game, because you have a graduate from each of those schools.
If you went to IU or Purdue, now football games with U of I or Iowa will be less frequent, meaning less talk around the water cooler.
Problem #2. When Michigan gets back to being a football power, the Ohio St game will have far less meaning. I know that people who graduated from the other 9 schools don't like it, but it's fun when U of M and OSU are undefeated in conference, and the winner of that game goes to the Rose Bowl.
Problem #3. What happens to the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry? When Penn State joined the Big 10, the basically ended the Penn St.-Pittsburgh rivalry. It completely disappeared, when Pitt joined the Big East. So, will Nebraska and Oklahoma schedule each other as a non-conference game?
Problem #4. Will the Big 10 make an effort to encourage its members to schedule tougher teams on their non-conference schedules? Other than Ohio St., non-conference schedules have been a joke. Michigan plays UConn, ND, UMass, and Bowling Green this year, and ND, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and San Diego St. next year. That is typical throughout the conference.
Perhaps the conference will gain some additional prestige, when teams start scheduling some of the top schools from the Big East, SEC, Big 12 (or is it the Big 11), and the Pac-10.
this is in reference to "dumbing down" the conference.
from huskers.com 2009
The most accomplished football program in the nation at producing CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, Nebraska has captured a nation-leading 98 CoSIDA Academic All-America awards. Before CoSIDA started recognizing the nation's finest student-athletes for their work in the classroom in 1952, three other Husker football players earned academic All-America honors from other sources
Welcome aboard, Huskers! A tradition-rich and football-mad population to get us a championship game and two divisions. Should be fun ... and like PSU, I'm sure joining the league will improve the university in every aspect.
Now the Big Ten needs to get tough with Notre Dame. If they still refuse to join, we need to stop scheduling them and giving them most of their marquee football games. No Michigan or MSU game, no PSU, OSU or Nebraska games. We'll have enough marquee games within' the league schedule.
The Irish can wake from denial and join the power league or keep playing UConn, Army and Washington State in San Antonio.
Go Cats!
I would rather improve their SAT scores.
Mind explaining where the NU comes from? Did you guys get it backwards?
Dear NWU Alum,
"I'm attacking the school's ranking. If that upsets you sorry, toughen up."
you should tell your football team to do that. It might improve their national ranking
Big Ten fans,
Nebraska fans are some the absolute worst to have to deal with in online discussion.
You will learn very soon, and be sorry.
Dear NWU Alum,
"I'm attacking the school's ranking. If that upsets you sorry, toughen up."
you should tell your football team to do that. It might improve their national ranking
I'm attacking the school's ranking. If that upsets you sorry, toughen up.
43 in what poll? I guess you missed how Northwestern was in the Outback bowl last year.
I am not a moderator for this website so I am not going to correct every single person that posts something on this site. However, I have a problem with someone attacking my school as though we are a bunch of idiots. If you want to talk trash to people about sports (like they are doing) then go right ahead but do not attack the intelligence level of a university because of some fans talking smack. If you can't handle the smack, then find something else to do.
Dear NWU Alum,
Your right we were much higher than you in that Coaches Poll. We were in San Diego while you were in Evanston.
Nebraska in well in the top 3rd of public universities at 43. Sorry to disappoint. Your academics won't suffer, ans we graduate more academic all americans than any other institution in the country.
WE are thrilled to be in the Big 10, sorry were not Harvard.
As an Ohio State alum I am thrilled with this development, adding Nebraska was my best case scenario for expansion- I'm pumped! Welcome to the Big 10 Huskers!
No, I claim you are being two sided. Look at the crap some Nebraska fans said earlier on the thread. You let that slide but instead went after me.
Todd on June 9, 2010 9:25 PM
"If the Nebraska fans that travel to bowl games are representative of Nebraska fans travelling to regular conference games, the Big 10 is about to learn a lesson in being obnoxious."
Todd, Try going to an Iowa game, Ive been to many big ten games with friends attending those universities. Big ten fans define white trash
So you admit that you have no class then since you made the "dumbed down" comment. I am glad you agree with me.
Part of the expansion of the Big 10 was supposed to find a fit that was both on terms of athletics AND academics, that is why I mentioned it. So, talking "smack" about sports is acceptable, but doing it about academics is not classy.
I could really care less about rankings. I only care about what my team does on the field. By the way, I hope you noticed that you are in the "Sports" section of this website and that is why we are speaking about SPORTS and not grades.
I just simply thought it was classless that you would say your conference was now "dumb downed". I kind of thought that the Big Ten had more class than that.
I have no idea why the University of Nebraska calls itself NU, but the ranking of the school is 96 which is lower than our public universities like Ill, Mich, and Purdue. I care more about the academic integrity of the conference than the athletic reptutation.
I suppose you look up your rank on the coaches poll far more often than I look up the US News rankings.
I do not know about where we rank compared to other Big 10 schools, you are probably right about us being lower, but, we do have more Academic All-Americans in all sports than any other school in the nation.
And why is it that the schools that have really great academic programs, but terrible sports programs, preach to other SPORTS fans about grades?
I am in no way shape or form an arrogant or cocky Nebraska fan but I certainly don't go around calling other universities stupid or dumb...real classy Mr. NWU Alumn (get used to that 'W' being added on there)
Dear Teddy:
You need to go check your math on Nebraska's pay per view numbers from the non conference last year. I think you will find that the 4.5 kids per family numbers Nebraska averages nationally for a state with a 1.5 million population means for the last 50 years kids have grown up loving Nebraska but after college have to move nation wide do to economics and #of jobs in the small state.
I think everyone will be suprised by how many Nebraska fans are really out there and I am sure Diect TV is going to be happy with the suplus increase in service and from a tornado state that means a lot of replacement dishes.
Dear "NU Alum" I assume Northwestern, which Nebraska will replace your status as NU by the way. Maybe you should actually check that US News ranking before you look down your nose. The real NU is one of the leading public universities in the nation, which is why your conference wanted us in the first place. AAU and all, leading institution in Bio research grants. No doubt Northwestern will beat us in the Knowledge Bowl, which I' sure you attend with your one other friend. But not only are we in the upper third of public Universities, we are also better at every sport you play at Northwestern, the only difference between our two schools is that our parents don't gift wrap a 50k a year tuition for us. We take out loans and stuff, like real people do that don't annually look at their former schools academic rating each year in US News...quit looking down your nose and instead look up at the cleats they are a different shade of red than the ones OSU runs you over with every year
If the Nebraska fans that travel to bowl games are representative of Nebraska fans travelling to regular conference games, the Big 10 is about to learn a lesson in being obnoxious.
Well, that just dumbed down the conference. I have not checked the US News rankings recently but I believe Nebrasks will be the lowest school academically.
I was waiting for the "Big Red" battle to begin...from one "Big Red" to another "Big Red" it will be exciting to see the Huskers in a conference that is as historic and competitive as the Big 10 is.
Wisconsin season ticket holder here.
Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska! We're psyched over here. Glad to add a national fan base to an already tradition-rich conference. We love our football and gawd knows you guys do, too. I've got some buddies who are Hawkeye fans and they're stoked as well.
Just remember, though, Wisconsin's the original "Big Red".
I've been pulling for Nebraska to join the Big Ten since Penn State joined. As a Buckeye, I realize we'll mostly be playing you in December - in the conference championship. Bring it on!
I knew from the get-go that the Big 12 would turn into University of Texas' personal playground. I wish Nebraska would have never joined in the first place. Tom Osborne knew it would be a bad fit for Nebraska from the start. The Big 10 move is the right move. GO BIG RED!
Hello BIG 10! I am die hard NU fan, and trust me Nebraska loves you guys, my facebook is going crazy with big 10 comments. I respect all the teams in the Big 10 and am really looking forward to some new rivalries. I am not trying to brag about our football team, but we will compete, Nebraska as a state revolves around Husker football. I was just wondering if you Big 10 fans are as excited as we are.
Nebraska celebrating is a little premature.
You have not even been invited yet. What the F*** !
I will agree with Flores on this one. For the most part, Nebraska fans are knowledgeable and respectful...however, just like any other school, we have those that we are ashamed of...
As Nebraska fan, thanks for the invite Big 10 many of us would have liked to join with Penn State back before the Big Texas Conference.
Furthermore ignore the morons that keep posting smack, they are usually uneducated and used to dealing with Texas, OU and K-State fans (which are all equally uneducated)thats the only way the rednecks know how to communicate. brought us down to that level.
They will flood your board until they relize they are the only one posting anything becasue others have better things to do with thier time
No uglier than the last time the played in the late 70s, NU 69 IU 17.
I must take a moment and thank the Big-10 for the invitation. I have admired this conference and their teams (maybe not Mich St. - just kidding). It is with great respect and genuine desire for good clean hard hittin fun and giggity goo anticipation for the thrills and chills that are to come from such a rich fertile collegiate field to select opponents, and share in the comradery. I am humbled and pleased.
The new pac 10 will soon compete with the SEC as the best Football conference.
The PAC 10 will be "THE" BASEBALL CONFERENCE.
Since 1947 the New Pac 10 holds 35 out of the 62 Baseball Championships.
Nebraska will be involved....
When the Pac 10 teams go to Omaha and win every year.
The conference of Bo and Woody???? Do you mean Bo Pelini!!! I think you Big 10 schools better get ready for BIG RED. I can't wait for the annual day after Thanksgiving game with Iowa. Nebraska fans will be feasting on bird both Thursday and Friday!!!
Check that - 11. I went back and counted.
Chuck - I don't think the Oklahoma rivalry has anything to do with why we're headed to the Big Ten. It has everything to do with money, academic prestige, and getting into a more stable and equitable situation in the long term. The other ten BigXII schools signed off on everything Texas and we lost a lot of the power that kept balance in that conference. This is why Texas is so upset about the breakup of the BigXII - they've now got to take their ball to another court that might not be so subserviently accomodating. The BigXII failed to listen to Osborne's warnings at the founding of this dysfunctional conference and now it's disintegrating as a result. It seems we're heading in a much better direction. I'm excited about coming to the Big Ten - or whatever it's going to be called.
GO BIG RED!
JLM, checked the facts and you're still wrong. 4 since 1960 (50 years).....I was counting the last 40....but we'll go 50. Still not as many as Nebraska, and now you might have to go through Nebraska. I'm glad you know how to spell Ohio....it can be difficult sometimes.
JLM - if we counted "national championships" the way you do to arrive at tOSU having 5 in the last fifty, then Nebraska has (no joke) in the range of 8 or 10 in the same time period. We don't claim the ones that four or five others claim at the same time.
Kind of lost in all this is basketball...as an Neb hoops fan, I think one of 4 other people I am excited to see if we can actually recruit the areas we never had access to even if it is just the scraps, guys over 5'11 would be great! WE also are building a brand new 20,000 seat basketball arena, so something tell me this application had been submitted long ago. Can hardly wait to see OSU and Illinois, god even the Hoosiers and Purdue will be great. Playing Iowa 4 hous away will be something great as well.
By the Way, Nebraska IS a legitimate contender in football right away, I think the Big Ten will be shocked at our defense and a Pellini coached team with Big Ten style.
Thanks for having us
The first thing Tom Osborne will do is try and re-establish the yearly revalry game with Oklahoma. Tom, years ago, stated that Nebraska's primary recruiting tool was the Oklahoma game. Since the teams only periodically play, Nebraska's recruiting has suffered. OU, however, held its recruiting edge because of its Texas rivalry. The inability to maintain its historic rivalry with OU is the primary reason NU is leaving the Big Twelve!
The osBOURNE identity.
Buckeyes won 5 national championchips over the last 50 years...check your facts buddy. O-H-I-O
What's that I hear? I thought I just heard Texas say "Who moved my cheese"? Tom Osborne, that's who. The only question now is, can you southern boys surf?
I can see the REAL BIG RED fitting in real nice with the current big ten. Natural rivals with borderstates and the battles between Ohio, Penn, Mich will be more than this fan could have dreamed of. When the Big 8 took on the faling South West Con. everyone was greatful. Since then Texas and their fellow teams have craped on the north. Do I really think NU is going to come in and dominate? No, but they will be able to challenge most teams. What I hope and I think will happen is that the other programs outside of football will benefit from this move. Maybe NU will now get a credible basketball program and keep the level of their other programs growing. This is good let the trash talk start....GO BIG RED....Blackshirts dominating all the way to the Rose Bow.
I think this is a great move for the B10 and Nebraska. I just hope the B10 does NOT pick up Rutgers.
I think it's funny that you quote a source for your story that is a longhorns news reporter. Before you go using him as a source, maybe you should call some people in Nebraska, like maybe the Nebraska Board of Regents President to find out what's going on. He would have told you that there couldn't have been a vote on it because the Board of Regents hasn't met yet. When will media outlets stop listening to Chip and start doing their own research? The guy is merely speculating and boasting when one of his many guesses comes out correct.
I think U of N in the Big 10 is very interesting prospect. Considering that the Big 10 style of football and the Big 12 style of football are two totally different games.
And if Missouri joins as well, could be interesting.
As someone who spent my life going back and forth from Michigan to Nebraska, I can say I hope the way Nebraska treats visiting fans rubs off on some of those at The Big House.
Looking forward to some exciting times..
I'm glad NU is in the Big 10, it immediately becomes OSU, Michigan (you would think at some point), PSU, and Nebraska battling it out. All great defenses (hopefully Michigan will get it figured out).
Great for the Big Ten and great for Nebraska
I'm glad NU is in the Big 10, it immediately becomes OSU, Michigan (you would think at some point), PSU, and Nebraska battling it out. All great defenses (hopefully Michigan will get it figured out).
Great for the Big Ten and great for Nebraska
mtk - your right. I've been wanting to get Iowa on the schedule for a long time, but didn't want to get them during their down phase coaching change. Now that they have their rythm, this should be a hoot and a half. And now I actually know where Purdue is located. I think Northwestern is somewhere between South Bend and the projects, but will advise when I figure that one out. I moved to Chicago 15 years ago and have a hard time seeing Nebraska games. Now I have a bunch of teams within driving distance. This is a match made in heaven. Quality schools in a quality conference. Exponential giggity goo!
Get ready for some real football now, Big 10.
Uh jintsjason, you were asking who had the most above .500 seasons in the last 10 years......that would be Nebraska 8-6, you don't want to go back 15 years....think about it. NU is a decent football program, but don't get ahead of yourself.
I love it already, I feel like we already belong......keep this up!
@jints
Really? You come running your mouth with Northwestern? Wow...I thought Northwestern folks were supposed to be the smart ones...
This is a breaking story??
nick
Really? I don't know if anyone told the Big XII, but NU hasn't been the doormat in the Big 10(11) for a very very long time. Just ask Iowa and Wisconsin.
Who has had more above .500 seasons in the past ten years...Nebraska or NU. Who consistently over the last decade has played at or near the top of their respective conference...actually you can go back to 1995...so fifteen years. .
But go ahead, look past us...I look forward to kicking Nebraska's butt year after year.
kuks,
What Nebraska GAINS regardless of their football success is a major boost to its academic budget, research facilities, professor salaries and national reputation. Just ask Penn State. All reasons the Irish would be insane not to take advantage of the same move (another football program I'd love to beat every year).
Cheers!
Lifelong Nebraska fan and grad, living in Chicago. LOVE this news. I think that in outdoor sports like football and baseball the similar climate of the Big 10 schools will make things very competitive. It's cold during baseball season from Lincoln to Chicago to Happy Valley. Texas and TX schools dominated non-football outdoor sports because of their climate, and now in the PAC10 they will play other warm-weather schools.
Now, let's have a Big 10 Champ Game in Soldier Field the first Saturday in December! I can dream, though I know it'll likely be in Indianapolis.
First, it's not a bad decision because it will mean millions more dollars to Nebraska. Second, it opens up new recruiting areas for them. Third, they will be fine football wise, they have won 10 games four times in the last 10 years and 9 games twice.
What I am wondering and I think will be good for the Big 10, is how long will it take for a huge rivalry between Nebraska and Iowa? With their fan bases and all of that I bet in the future those will be great games.
Middle of the pack team in the Big 10? REALLY??! If you look at the last 40-50 years of college football (modern era), the number of National Championships are as follows:
Nebraska - 5
Ohio State - 2
Penn State - 2
Michigan St. - 1
Minnesota - 1
Michigan - 1
Don't be surprised if Nebraska is very competitive in the Big 10.
aycsyc
This is terrible mistake for Nebraska... they will regret this decision for many years to come. They will be an outsider and they will become a middle of the pack program in the Big Ten.
The Big 10 is tired of losing the Rose Bowl.
Nebraska in the Big 10 or is it gonna be Big 13? How ugly could Nebraska-IU or Nebraska NU football games get?