Big 12 Conference Should Step Up

Conference realignment is again a hot topic with the announcement of Maryland and Rutgers moving to the Big Ten.

I thought this conference realignment stuff was on hold for a time, but the Big Ten move shocked me. Now, the league will expand to 14 members and qualify for the “super” conference tag.

This action obviously has a ripple effect on other conferences and schools. The so called quiet time in collegiate athletics has become the nervous time again. What will happen to the Big East and ACC? Will more conferences raid their schools?

One conference that should take action is the Big 12. The league needs two more teams to return to the magic number of 12. This will enable the league to host a conference football championship again. The Big 12 is currently the only major conference without a championship game.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby stated this past summer that he was comfortable with the 10-team league, but the realignment game has changed again. Unfortunately, the game is either pick your new members or be in danger of having your members picked. The Big 12 needs to use the pick strategy.

Paul Rhoads and Iowa State Extend Marriage

I have often written in this space that football coach Paul Rhoads and Iowa State are a good match. Last week, those parties made their commitment to each other in a long-term way when Rhoads was given a 10-year, $20-million contract.

Rhoads has been a miracle worker of sorts at the Ames, Iowa school. He has led them to two bowl appearances in three years. His first team made a bowl, won the bowl and finished 7-6.

After a hiccup last season, Iowa State entered this year with a tough schedule and low fan expectations. A bowl game was a major stretch so it seemed. But Rhoads’ boys bought into his salesmanship and the Cyclones overachieved. Their signature win against then ranked No. 2 Oklahoma State shocked the college football world.

So this 6-6 team is better than its record. A win against Rutgers in the bowl game will give Iowa State two winning seasons in three years under Rhoads.

That may not excite the masses, but Iowa State isn’t exactly a football powerhouse. However, Rhoads is making people across the country notice the program. His postgame locker room speeches have excited players and fans alike. The speeches even were posted on YouTube.

Rhoads has become a hot coaching prospect and other schools may come calling eventually. But Rhoads grew up just down the road from the Iowa State football stadium. He understands Iowa State football. He is home.

Iowa State is happy. Rhoads is happy. The two parties are in love hopefully for at least 10 more years.

What's Really Going On With the Big Ten

Media reports said that the Big Ten Conference had offered Missouri, Nebraska, Rutgers and Notre Dame spots in the conference. But Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith stated that was not the case.

So who is right and wrong in this seemingly cat-and-mouse game? Are the media just trying to break a story? Is the Big Ten playing coy because its pieces haven't fallen together yet?

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany is his usual quiet self. No word again from him. You can bet your retirement plan that media will hound him next week at the conference meetings. You can also bet Delany will be lost for words.

But for the sake of argument, let's say the media reports are true. If Rutgers and Notre Dame join, the college football picture wouldn't change that much.

Rutgers should jump at the opportunity. Despite its location and TV sets, this university isn't an athletic force. Here in the Midwest, I cannot remember seeing (for example) any Scarlet Knight apparel in sporting goods stores.

Notre Dame would be a great addition for the Big Ten. But unlike Rutgers, Notre Dame would probably lose with membership. Notre Dame with its own network must be thinking "Do we want to eat the whole pie or just have a piece?"

But a Missouri and Nebraska transfer would cause a ripple effect and probably destroy the Big 12. Missouri, like Rutgers, would probably jump at the chance to join. According to reports, the Tigers feel unloved in the Big 12. Can Nebraska benefit other than the money (from the Big Ten Network)? That is an interesting call.

So with most things in life, we will need to wait. I will although bet my retirement plan on Big Ten expansion. It's just who and when.

Thoughts on Conference Expansion

Just like the outdoor grilling season, talk of conference expansion is heating up.

In recent years, we have had some sizzle but little steak on this never-ending expansion talk. Not since the ACC and Big East provided some movement a few years ago has there been realignment.

But this time the talk seems centered on the PAC-10 and Big 10. I know, the Big 10 expansion talk is really old news. It sounds like it might happen however in the near future. This from a conference that calls itself the Big 10 with 11 teams. Change must be hard. And they are talking major change with expansion in this black spikes league?

So maybe Rutgers or Missouri might be interested? Notre Dame might reconsider its stance on football conference membership. The Irish are hardly a national power these days and might appreciate some security in the Big 10.

The PAC-10 might go calling on some Mountain West schools. I heard Utah is one target. But this is one conference that needs a splash. Right now, it has Phil Knight, Nike and the University of Oregon. And they might also consider moving the conference. Starting times make it difficult for anyone east of the Rock Mountains to keep trace of this league.

Being old school, I don't have much problem with the way the leagues (across America) are presently aligned. But it's the sign of times. People think bigger is better. I say, be careful what you wish for?

What are you opinions on college expansion?