Why Tennessee scares me

This Buckeye season has been fun to watch.  In some ways it might be my favorite considering some questioned in January whether this team could win half their conference games.  This season really ranks up there with my favorite Buckeye teams (80, 91,  92, 99, 00, 06, 07) and it has been really enjoyable to see this team come together.  I think the most amazing thing is they've been able to succeed while basically playing only 6 players.  Most teams go at least 8 deep.  Last Sunday, Georgia Tech went about 9 deep and started the game with a full court press.  After the first 8 minutes of the game the score was 10-3 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.  The Buckeyes shots weren't falling and they were noticeably breathing hard bringing the ball up the court.  The Buckeyes beat the press a few times for a couple easy baskets and Georgia Tech changed their defensive strategy.  The problem was that they even though they were substituting players they had picked up a few fouls and were also noticeably breathing hard.  The Yellow Jackets went back to their base defense and didn't press the rest of the game.  In fact, in the second half the Buckeyes looked fresh while Georgian Tech looked tired as the Buckeyes coasted to an easy victory.

Having said that, Tennessee scares me in our next game.

2009-10 Big East basketball - Most overrated conference ever?

I remember thinking after the Big Ten/ACC challenge in December that perhaps this was the year that the Big Ten would finally get some respect nationally in basketball. I was ultimately disappointed as the "experts" soon decided that the Big Ten's victory was due to the ACC being down and the power in college basketball had moved to the Big East and Big 12. Listening to ESPN it felt similar to the love they normally reserve for SEC football. Unlike football, NCAA basketball has a playoff so the good thing was I knew we'd ultimately get the answer on a neutral court in March. All we had to do was wait and see.

BCS and an overlooked impetus for change

Today the major college football championship is run by the BCS or Bowl Championship Series. This is currently 5 bowl games that guarentee payment - Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orarnge, and BCS Championship game. The conferences are considered BCS schools are the Big Ten, Pac 10, Big 12, SEC, ACC, and Big East. Each guarenteed conference in the BCS gets $17 million to distribute to however they see fit. The other 4 slots are give to the highest rated schools according to the BCS rankings at the end of the year. These schools share $4.5 million each.

Will Rutgers be the 12th team in the Big 10?

Big 10 expansion seems to be the only thing I write about these days. When the league expanded last time, Penn State was an obvious choice as it was superior in all categories. The issue this time is aside from Notre Dame, every candidate has a downside. That is why I've l like Missouri as the 12th team because it is a safe choice and the Big Ten tends to be a bit conservative. Which is the riskiest? Rutgers. Why? Rutgers football has been on par with the MAC for most of its history and it could be argued that their greatest moment occurred at their first game. So why is the Big 10 interested? Money. Sing it with me ... "Start spreading the news ... I'm leaving today.... I want to be a part of it...." You know the rest....

ND AD: Big 10/Pac 10 changes may "force our hand"

During an interview today the Notre Dame Athletic Director, Jack Swarbrick, was asked questions about the possible changes in the Big 10 / Pac 10. His response was:

Swarbrick says that looming realignment changes could be "relatively small ... or they could be seismic."

While Notre Dame prefers to remain independent in football, Swarbrick says, he and university president Rev. John Jenkins will evaluate whatever changes occur and assess how they affect the Fighting Irish.

Swarbrick told reporters Tuesday morning: "You can each come up with a scenario that would force our hand."

The ramifications of Big 10 expansion

Recently the press have gotten a leak that the study for the Big 10 expansion includes 5 schools: Notre Dame, Missouri, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse. I think a few things are evident in this release.

1. This was deliberately done by the Big Ten office to put pressure on Texas/Notre Dame and let them know that if they want to be included in the league that time is running short.
   
2. The schools included aren't a big shock and should quiet the people that keep insisting that teams like Miami FL, Colorado, Connecticutt, or Maryland belong on the list.
   
3. The target conferences are the Big 12 (1) and the Big East (3).

Ultimately I don't think Texas or Notre Dame will join the Big 10 and both have reasons for their decisions. Texas has many reasons mostly revolving around distance from the Big 10, the loss of current traditions, and Texas politics. The reason Notre Dame won't join the league is almost entirely due to their tradition of independence. Let's take a moment to look at the ramifications of the Big 10 (and Pac 10) expansion(s).