Quote:We're beginning to see why the Big Ten rocked the college athletics world by expanding to Maryland and Rutgers this week. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany intimated that expansion would have been unnecessary if a proposed Pac-12/Big Ten challenge in all sports had gone through. The Big Ten might have also desired a stand-alone spot in the Orange Bowl opposite the ACC champion. But when the Orange Bowl announced its future matchups last week, it became clear in retrospect that the Big Ten was going to act quickly. Just two days after the Orange Bowl announcement, ESPN.com reported the league was in talks with Maryland and Rutgers.

Quote:Yes, if the winds blew right in college football, Notre Dame would have no major-bowl anchor in the new playoff era. It kind of depends on the Irish's quality of football. If they are good enough, they will be picked by a selection committee for some bowl or another, just not necessarily in the Orange. Think of that. Essentially, the Orange Bowl didn't want to be locked into having to take Notre Dame if it was the highest ranked among the three partners.

Quote:That's why the Orange had to remake itself. Considering that flexibility, the Orange has a better chance of staying relevant -- even more interesting in certain years than those Rose and Sugar bowls. There will be more variety. The Rose Bowl, for example, might end up with two teams ranked outside the top 10 this season. In seasons in which the Sugar Bowl is not a national semifinal, it will frequently host -- at best -- second-place teams from the SEC and Big 12.

Quote:When the Orange Bowl is hosting a semifinal (four times in 12 years), the ACC champ will be placed in another host -- or open -- bowl. The SEC/Big Ten rep will not. Remember, we're talking about a No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 choice from those leagues. If they are good enough, they will find a home in another playoff bowl.