The 2010 NFL Draft is underway in primetime on ESPN tonight and the first round is winding down. The wheeling and dealing began with the #13 pick as the Philadelphia Eagles made a move to acquire the pick and select Michigan OLB Brandon Graham. The selection of Graham marked the first Big Ten player to be picked in the 2010 NFL Draft after the first round has been dominated with Big 12 and SEC players.
Talk of the Big Ten’s expansion has swirled throughout the sport world in 2010 with names like Texas, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Missouri and others having been brought up on several occasions. While arguments can be made for a variety of schools to join the financially-attractive Big Ten with all of their tradition, Colin Cowherd said that UConn appears to be the front-runner. The more that I think about UConn in the Big Ten the more I like it. Let’s take a look at some brief details of why.
First of all, Connecticut brings the Northeastern U.S. to the Big Ten. The New England media market currently focuses on the Big East and by bringing in one of the top Big East programs in terms of media coverage (ESPN loves local UConn), the Big Ten is a big winner. That ESPN connection will continue to ensure that the worldwide leader in sports continues to talk Big Ten regularly, thus resulting in increased brand awareness, added Big Ten merchandise sales and more.
The second main point is the huge boost that Big Ten basketball would get from the addition of UConn. Not only would the Huskies move to a competitive, but much less top-heavy conference where they would surely finish in the Top 3-4 or better annually. The addition would also help attendance at every Big Ten school’s basketball games, especially in women’s basketball, due to the tradition of both the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
Overall, the UConn addition makes a ton of sense. If the Big Ten does indeed expand in 2010, and all signs point to expansion being inevitable, UConn may have the best argument. However, a few of the other teams mentioned in Cory McKnight’s July 2007 article “Big Ten to add a 12th team?” including Missouri, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Rutgers & Notre Dame. While Notre Dame does not appear to be a major option despite the geographic logic of their joining the Big Ten, I think the other schools make more sense.
Missouri adds a western presence to the Big Ten’s media market. Having a school two hours from St. Louis makes sense and they would even tap into the Kansas City market as well. Rutgers brings another upstanding academic institution to join Northwestern and Michigan in the Big Ten and they would help grow the New York & New Jersey markets. West Virginia is not a growing market and they are well-known for their fans’ disrespectful antics so I really do not see them getting into the prized Big Ten. Pittsburgh brings a solid media market and makes great sense geographically as well as solid football and a even better basketball program.
So overall there are several good cases and likely a few I have not mentioned. However, UConn, the more I think about it, seems the best candidate for Big Ten expansion. How will it play out? I guess we will find out in time!
The conference opens their bowl season with the Wisconsin Badgers facing a tough test against the Miami Hurricanes on December 29th in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Golden Gophers of Minnesota will face Iowa State on New Years Eve with the game being broadcast on the NFL Network. On New Years Day Northwestern will face good Auburn squad while Penn State will battle LSU. In “The Granddaddy of them All” the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day at 4:30. Sparty will face Texas Tech on January 2nd. In the Big Ten’s other BCS game Iowa will face Georgia Tech on January 5th.
The Big Ten season is over for all teams ranked in the conference. However it is a big week for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Oregon and Oregon State will battle on Thursday, December 3rd for the Pac 10 title with the winner will play Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. With Big Ten football action halted until bowl games, fans can find great sports gifts including Fathead posters online at DFN Sports sites.
The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Michigan once again in the best rivalry in all of sports. The #10 Buckeyes cruised to a 21-10 victory. Next up for Ohio State is the 2010 Rose Bowl on New Years Day. Iowa moved up two slots to #11 following a 12-0 victory over Iowa. At 10-2, the Hawkeyes still have hopes for a BCS bowl bid and in the latest bowl projections Iowa is picked to play Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Penn State moved up one slot to 13 with an impressive 42-14 victory at Michigan State.
The battle for the Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl lived up the billing as Ohio State defeated Iowa 27-24 in overtime in front of over 100,000 fans in the Horse Shoe. With the victory Ohio State moved up to #10 in this week’s BCS Top 25 standings while Iowa fell to #13. Ohio State will face Michigan in the one game season in Ann Arbor where it is expected that several fans will be wearing Ohio State Snuggies, while Iowa hosts Minnesota. Penn State moved up 4 slots to #14 following their 31-20 victory over Indiana. Penn State will face a difficult task when they travel to Michigan State this week. Wisconsin moved up 4 slots to #16 following a big victory over Michigan. The Badgers travel to Northwestern this week.
You may have seen them on TV as Snuggie fleece blankets are more popular than anyone would have imagined. From the original 3 colors, the brand has grown tremendously and has even branched off into the sports world. College Snuggie blankets are now available for college sports fans to buy online with nearly 60 college teams available including 9 of the 11 Big Ten schools. Whether you are a Ohio State or Indiana fan, college Snuggies with your team’s logo are now available!
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ luck finally ran out as the Hawkeyes lost on their home turf to Northwestern 17-10. QB Ricky Stanzi sustained a knee injury in the contest, and his availability is unknown. Iowa lost all hope at a National Championship but still can win the Big Ten in Columbus when they face Ohio State. Ohio State moved up in the Top 25 rankings to #11 after an impressive victory at Penn State. The victory sets up what is essentially a Big Ten title game between the Buckeyes and Iowa this weekend. The winner will win the conference and earn a trip to the Rose Bowl. The loss sent Penn State down the rankings to #18 as the Nittany Lions will host Indiana this week. The Badgers of Wisconsin moved up one slot to #20 with their victory over Indiana. Wisconsin hosts Michigan on Saturday.
The Iowa Hawkeyes pulled out another miracle with an amazing comeback over Indiana. Iowa trailed 21-7 at halftime before out scoring the Hoosiers 35-3 in the 2nd half. QB Ricky Stanzi threw 5 interceptions on the day but finally settled down to guide Iowa to the victory. The Hawkeyes host Northwestern on November 7th. The Nittany Lions moved up from #12 to #11 in the Top 25 rankings after a big 34-13 victory over Northwestern. Penn State will face #16 Ohio State on November 7th in what could go a long way in deciding the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes moved up one slot after stepping out of conference to face New Mexico State. Terrelle Pryor lit up the Aggie defense in the 45-0 victory. The Buckeyes will face a white out when they travel to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions. The 6-2 Badgers of Wisconsin jumped in
The #4 Iowa Hawkeyes pulled out another big road victory, this time in dramatic fashion. Iowa scored on the last play of the game to pull out a stunning 15-13 victory at Michigan State as the 2009 Iowa Hawkeyes closely resemble the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes who received little recognition but won the BCS Championship Bowl game. Iowa’s defense is playing at a championship level and QB Ricky Stanzi continues to make big plays. Iowa hosts Indiana on October 31st. Penn State moved up one slot from #13 to #12 with an impressive 35-10 thrashing of Michigan. Penn State travels to Northwestern on October 31st. Ohio State moved up two slots to #17 in the Top 25 rankings with 38-7 drubbing of Minnesota. QB Terrelle Pryor was extremely impressive in the victory, but the Buckeyes step out of conference to host New Mexico State on October 31st.
Fans can find a great selection of Iowa Hawkeye apparel & clothing online at DFN Sports sites!