Interesting post from SB Nation's University of Illinois blog, The Champaign Room:

https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2021/7/...cumstances

The author posts a list of non AAU universities that the Big Ten should consider if they ever become available. Many of the schools are in the SEC so good luck getting them to leave. The author also hinted that the Big Ten "didn't want Oklahoma" because it wasn't AAU.

I would say I prefer an AAU school or a strong academic (high USN&WR or similar academic ranking) school but I'm no idiot either. If a school is going to bring a ton of cash to the Big 10, sign me up.

The only 2 non-AAU schools I’d consider now that Oklahoma is off the table are ND and Miami.

(08-05-2021 05:07 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  The only 2 non-AAU schools I’d consider now that Oklahoma is off the table are ND and Miami.

I assume you assume all SEC schools are off the table. I'm big on academics and even I would take Alabama in the Big Ten.

From the ACC, you wouldn't take Florida State? You have a huge public school in Florida (prime real estate) as compared to a small private school. Why would Miami be more valuable than FSU? Miami might be better in football now but long term if they were the same Florida State's fan base is bigger and historically they are about the same.

The other one I'd be surprised a football mind would leave out would be Clemson.

Why not A&M? They can’t be happy with Texas coming to the SEC & the B1G would be a lateral move financially so it would be worth discussing. You could pair them with Kansas & the SEC could take in Okl St as their replacement. It’s a move that would help Nebraska & possibly make the B1G more appealing to ND.


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(08-07-2021 08:13 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  Why not A&M? They can’t be happy with Texas coming to the SEC & the B1G would be a lateral move financially so it would be worth discussing. You could pair them with Kansas & the SEC could take in Okl St as their replacement. It’s a move that would help Nebraska & possibly make the B1G more appealing to ND.


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Because Texas A&M IS an AAU university.

(08-07-2021 08:13 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  Why not A&M? They can’t be happy with Texas coming to the SEC & the B1G would be a lateral move financially so it would be worth discussing. You could pair them with Kansas & the SEC could take in Okl St as their replacement. It’s a move that would help Nebraska & possibly make the B1G more appealing to ND.


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I'd love A&M in the BIG. Never will happen but one can wish! I personally believe they fit nicely with tOSU, PSU, Mich, Nebraska, Purdue, Wisconsin and Iowa.

(08-08-2021 10:19 AM)cubucks Wrote:  

(08-07-2021 08:13 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  Why not A&M? They can’t be happy with Texas coming to the SEC & the B1G would be a lateral move financially so it would be worth discussing. You could pair them with Kansas & the SEC could take in Okl St as their replacement. It’s a move that would help Nebraska & possibly make the B1G more appealing to ND.


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I'd love A&M in the BIG. Never will happen but one can wish! I personally believe they fit nicely with tOSU, PSU, Mich, Nebraska, Purdue, Wisconsin and Iowa.

If it were to happen it would be now.


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(08-05-2021 05:32 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(08-05-2021 05:07 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  The only 2 non-AAU schools I’d consider now that Oklahoma is off the table are ND and Miami.

I assume you assume all SEC schools are off the table. I'm big on academics and even I would take Alabama in the Big Ten.

From the ACC, you wouldn't take Florida State? You have a huge public school in Florida (prime real estate) as compared to a small private school. Why would Miami be more valuable than FSU? Miami might be better in football now but long term if they were the same Florida State's fan base is bigger and historically they are about the same.

The other one I'd be surprised a football mind would leave out would be Clemson.

Yes, I’m assuming the whole SEC is off the table and that the second the SEC caught wind of talks between Florida St and/or Clemson the Big 10, the SEC would have a counter offer presented and approved by the university trustees by the end of the afternoon.

I don’t think the SEC would be quite as phased if we moved in on Miami, especially if they’ve already claimed FSU for themselves. Heck, they probably wouldn’t care if we took GT either but I’m not as convinced that GT’s football following won’t continue to shrink as T-shirt fans in the state continue to but their loyalty in the Falcons and UGA.

It’s unfortunate that Texas and Oklahoma didn’t have opposite academic profiles. An AAU Oklahoma would have been a no brainer and cultural kindred spirit that would have blended in flawlessly in the Big Ten while Texas would similarly blend into the SEC fabric