One thing that bugs me about the split of Ohio State and Michigan is why is it being done. It isn't neccessary and it is amazing how many people who are on board who you'd think wouldn't be on board. The amazing thing is it seems to have been known by most of the higher ups in the Big Ten for a long time. Look at Jim Tressel's comments at the Big Ten meetings if you don't believe me. Or Rich Rodriguez. Both men were asked the question and neither gave very satisfying answers but they make a lot more sense a month later. You'd think that both coaches would have spoken out against it as the tradition goes back a long long time. RichRod hasn't been involved with the program for very long so I can believe that perhaps he doesn't care but he could get some cheap fan support if he stood up. That isn't happening. It got me to wonder why the entire league is being so political right now. What are they so afraid of that has gotten them all in lock step? My theory is two simple words:
Penn State.
When expansion was first announced many fans figured the league would be split geographically. I personally still like that option. The league didn't like that idea because it would become too top heavy so the geographic option was changed so that Penn State swapped with Illinois (amongst others). I personally still like that option #2.
It is apparent that neither of these options are going to happen. I can kind of understand the first but have trouble with the second. All the talk of the potential Ohio State - Michigan rematch rings hollow to me and that leads me to one conclusion. Penn State has refused to go west. Refused in such a way that Jim Delany can't possibly make them do it. Refused in such a way that all the other programs in the Big Ten have fallen in line and come up with lame excuses as to why their current thinking makes sense. What could Penn State do to force all this? They could leave the conference.
I know it sounds crazy as we've seen half of the schools in the country willing to sell their mothers to get into the conference. The exposure and money that the Big Ten gets with its TV network is better than any other conference and along with many other less visible benefits. Why would Penn State give that up?
- Travel - Travel in any large conference is tough but when your closest rival is a 6 hour drive it's tough. I can't even imagine driving from State College to Minneapolis. That's easily 20 hours. Its hard on their students and tough on their fans that would like to attend away games.
- Not Wanted - When they joined the league in the early 90s it was quickly made clear that a majority of the coaches and athletic directors did not want them in the conference. Refusing to change the name was a prime example of that ... it was like saying, "we are the Big Ten and you are a hidden 11th. It has been almost 20 years but many people at Penn State still feel resentment
- Rival - JoePa has said for many many years that he wanted an eastern rival and his comments last year were the first indication that the league might be looking. When they find a team where is it? About as far from Penn State as is possible and still be continguous to a Big Ten State. They want a rival like the other teams in the Big Ten and that does not mean Michigan State
- Money - Penn State gives more than it gets. Sure the Big Ten Network is nice but it is the Penn State name that has gotten them on the Pennsylvania stations along with the entire east coast. When it comes to splitting gate they subsidize other Big Ten schools for about $1.2 million annually.
Now imagine that after always feeling like the red headed stepchild of the league -- now the league needs to figure out how to split divisions. First they decide that the Big 4 need to be separated 2 and 2. The obvious choice is to send Penn State west. Their response ... I'm guessing it wasn't too friendly.
Paul Tagliabue was hired by the Big East to save the league. It's pretty obvious to everyone that it is only a matter of time until that league dies from either further expansion by the Big Ten/ACC or through problems between the football schools and the basketballs schools. They need a solution. You know in their dream world it involves Penn State. Imagine if they approached and got agreement from the following:
Penn State
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Boston College
Maryland
Bump South Florida to the curb and you've got a great regional conference in the biggest media market in the world. While it is true the fans in these markets are bigger fans of pro sports there is no doubt this league would have appeal. The linchpin to the whole thing would be getting Penn State to agree. Don't think that someone hasn't thought of this in the Big East. And you have to know that someone has approached Penn State with it. No doubt it would be a huge risk but Penn State will not have another chance to get in geograhpically centric league if they wait. The Big East is going to fold pretty soon and it's members will be spread to the Conference USA's of the world.
I'm not saying Penn State would actually do this. I really doubt if they looked at it that they would. But it is an option and if they were pushed far enough they might pull this out to get their way. It would explain why there is no discussion of making Penn State go west. It would explain why all the ADs and coaches almost seem afraid to talk about it. It would explain why THE GAME is being sacrificed. This gives Penn State the local rival they want for their last game. This cements their relationship to the Big Ten.
I said at the beginning this was total opinion. I don't have any facts just my gut. It just seems to make sense to me for some reason because it doesn't seem possible that the league would sacrifice THE GAME for a few million dollars. On the other hand, doing it to keep Penn State happy make sense. WE ARE....
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