First, Dennis Dodd reports the Big Ten is looking at candidates for expansion. Actively seeking further expansion? Cal? Really?
What’s Next for Big Ten?
INDIANAPOLIS — Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren told Action Network there are “a handful of schools” besides Notre Dame that would add value as future Big Ten members.
The schools being considered by the Big Ten, sources told Action Network, are Notre Dame, Oregon, Washington, Stanford, Cal, Miami and Florida State. Warren would not comment on specific schools as potential members.
“When I say add value: value is important, but I just look at the fit,” Warren told Action Network Tuesday at Big Ten Media Days. “A fit has to be there academically, has to be there athletically. All those things are really important. There are a handful of schools that potentially could add value to us, but I’m so focused right now that we welcome USC and UCLA to our conference in 2024 with open arms.”
Warren said he was proud that USC and UCLA are AAU (Association of American University) members but also said being an AAU member is not a requirement for a potential future member.
“Literally every Power Five conference school not in the SEC has reached out to the Big Ten,” a source said about schools wanting to join the conference. “University presidents, athletic directors, senior women administrators, you name it.”
As far as a timetable and number of teams the Big Ten will add, that is unknown.
“It could be two months to two years,” another source said. “There could be an odd number, and there are not any specific number of teams.”
Will Conferences Raid Pac-12?
Since the announcement of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten on June 30, Warren said he has not spoken with Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff. Warren said his office is scheduling a call for him with Kliavkoff after Friday’s Pac-12 media day.
The “historic alliance” announced between the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC didn’t even last a year before the Big Ten raided the Pac-12 for USC and UCLA.
“We’re in a five-year period of transformation,” Warren said. “Just because these are some of the moves on the front end of the transformation, we won’t really know that until we get toward a conclusion. I think over the next couple of years, it will settle down — the movement between conferences. How many are there? How many are not there? The structure will become clear.”
If the Big Ten adds more Pac-12 teams, the Big 12 could pursue Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah from the Pac-12, sources said. Warren said he has developed a close relationship with new Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
Ironically, both Warren and Yormark’s leagues could take teams from the Pac-12. So, if the Pac-12 were no longer a power league, a key question immediately jumps out: Could the Rose Bowl actually pivot in the future to a Big Ten-Big 12 matchup?
^^ TERRIBLE idea. I don't want an NFC/AFC setup for a CFB playoff format. Dumb. I don't think Sankey would allow that to happen.
Why is the Big Ten so insistent on AQ's? Especially if they are truly wanting to expand their league. They'll be what, three power conferences, at most? Does it really matter for a 12/16 team playoff? I'd say NO, it doesn't.
16 teams is too many, IMO. I like the 12-team playoff format that got voted down. They want expansion, then they don't want expansion. Oh wait, they want expansion again.
I think Warren is really worried about the SEC sending more teams than the Big Ten to an expanded playoff. I'm sure that's what AQ's and complaining about the committee deciding everything are about. Warren knows it's bad for business and puts his league at a serious disadvantage if 5 or 6 SEC teams make it to the playoff while the B1G gets only 3. Seems to me he's against the best teams playing type of format.
Ohio State AD Gene Smith says 'you can't ignore' persistent talk of a 16-team College Football Playoff
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told ESPN on Tuesday that the talk around a potential 16-team College Football Playoff is growing.
"Sixteen just seems to be out there," Smith said. "You can't ignore it."
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, who argued strongly about automatic qualification being part of the failed 12-team model, also spoke openly about CFP expansion on Tuesday. In his remarks to the media, Warren said he's "100% supportive" of playoff expansion.
Warren said he remains in support of some form of an automatic qualifier to an explained playoff.
"I'm a big believer that you have to get some credit for winning your conference championship," Warren told ESPN. "Because otherwise, if you don't give individuals credit for winning their conference championship, you have basically watered down the regular season, right? Whatever we call it, I don't know the right deal, but I will say I've softened my stance on kind of what that automatic qualifier lists look like. I just want to make sure that the whole construct of the College Football Playoff is not dictated and governed by some third-party committee who decides who goes into it, that there has to be some credit given for winning your conference championship."
Everything commissioner Kevin Warren said from the podium at B1G Media Days
Why are they so obsessed with the bowl system and the damn Rose Bowl. B1G killed the Rose when they took USC/UCLA. Give it up already.
What’s Next for Big Ten?
INDIANAPOLIS — Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren told Action Network there are “a handful of schools” besides Notre Dame that would add value as future Big Ten members.
The schools being considered by the Big Ten, sources told Action Network, are Notre Dame, Oregon, Washington, Stanford, Cal, Miami and Florida State. Warren would not comment on specific schools as potential members.
“When I say add value: value is important, but I just look at the fit,” Warren told Action Network Tuesday at Big Ten Media Days. “A fit has to be there academically, has to be there athletically. All those things are really important. There are a handful of schools that potentially could add value to us, but I’m so focused right now that we welcome USC and UCLA to our conference in 2024 with open arms.”
Warren said he was proud that USC and UCLA are AAU (Association of American University) members but also said being an AAU member is not a requirement for a potential future member.
“Literally every Power Five conference school not in the SEC has reached out to the Big Ten,” a source said about schools wanting to join the conference. “University presidents, athletic directors, senior women administrators, you name it.”
As far as a timetable and number of teams the Big Ten will add, that is unknown.
“It could be two months to two years,” another source said. “There could be an odd number, and there are not any specific number of teams.”
Will Conferences Raid Pac-12?
Since the announcement of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten on June 30, Warren said he has not spoken with Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff. Warren said his office is scheduling a call for him with Kliavkoff after Friday’s Pac-12 media day.
The “historic alliance” announced between the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC didn’t even last a year before the Big Ten raided the Pac-12 for USC and UCLA.
“We’re in a five-year period of transformation,” Warren said. “Just because these are some of the moves on the front end of the transformation, we won’t really know that until we get toward a conclusion. I think over the next couple of years, it will settle down — the movement between conferences. How many are there? How many are not there? The structure will become clear.”
If the Big Ten adds more Pac-12 teams, the Big 12 could pursue Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah from the Pac-12, sources said. Warren said he has developed a close relationship with new Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
Ironically, both Warren and Yormark’s leagues could take teams from the Pac-12. So, if the Pac-12 were no longer a power league, a key question immediately jumps out: Could the Rose Bowl actually pivot in the future to a Big Ten-Big 12 matchup?
^^ TERRIBLE idea. I don't want an NFC/AFC setup for a CFB playoff format. Dumb. I don't think Sankey would allow that to happen.
Why is the Big Ten so insistent on AQ's? Especially if they are truly wanting to expand their league. They'll be what, three power conferences, at most? Does it really matter for a 12/16 team playoff? I'd say NO, it doesn't.
16 teams is too many, IMO. I like the 12-team playoff format that got voted down. They want expansion, then they don't want expansion. Oh wait, they want expansion again.
I think Warren is really worried about the SEC sending more teams than the Big Ten to an expanded playoff. I'm sure that's what AQ's and complaining about the committee deciding everything are about. Warren knows it's bad for business and puts his league at a serious disadvantage if 5 or 6 SEC teams make it to the playoff while the B1G gets only 3. Seems to me he's against the best teams playing type of format.
Ohio State AD Gene Smith says 'you can't ignore' persistent talk of a 16-team College Football Playoff
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told ESPN on Tuesday that the talk around a potential 16-team College Football Playoff is growing.
"Sixteen just seems to be out there," Smith said. "You can't ignore it."
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, who argued strongly about automatic qualification being part of the failed 12-team model, also spoke openly about CFP expansion on Tuesday. In his remarks to the media, Warren said he's "100% supportive" of playoff expansion.
Warren said he remains in support of some form of an automatic qualifier to an explained playoff.
"I'm a big believer that you have to get some credit for winning your conference championship," Warren told ESPN. "Because otherwise, if you don't give individuals credit for winning their conference championship, you have basically watered down the regular season, right? Whatever we call it, I don't know the right deal, but I will say I've softened my stance on kind of what that automatic qualifier lists look like. I just want to make sure that the whole construct of the College Football Playoff is not dictated and governed by some third-party committee who decides who goes into it, that there has to be some credit given for winning your conference championship."
Everything commissioner Kevin Warren said from the podium at B1G Media Days
Why are they so obsessed with the bowl system and the damn Rose Bowl. B1G killed the Rose when they took USC/UCLA. Give it up already.
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