SB Nation - Nebraska Cornhuskers

BYU Skins The Cornhuskers, 88-66

Layton — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:11:23 -0000

BYU's Lamont Morgan holds up the trophy after winning the Las Vegas Classic

There's just something special about Las Vegas for BYU. And there's something really special about this year's basketball team. I'm starting to think these guys are really, really good.

The game started off just like last week's dismantling of Eastern Washington, with BYU surging to a 37-5 lead in the first 10 minutes--game over. This was a great win against a solid (8-3) Big 12 Nebraska team.

The neutral announcer mentioned, in his opinion, Jimmer Fredette (24 points) and Jackson Emery (23 points) represent the best guard team in the western United States, and called BYU the most consistent team in the MWC. Freshman standout, Brandon Davies, also dropped 16 points inside.

The Cougars are now 12-1, and will play Arizona in Tucson before opening conference play against UNLV.

Nebraska - BYU Preview/Open thread

Mr. Corn — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:00:20 -0000

The Huskers can improve to 10-2 this evening (late!), with a win over BYU in the championship game of the Las Vegas Classic. Nebraska played it's best game of the season last night beating Tulsa, but will need to recover quickly as the BYU Cougars are 11-1 while averaging 83 PPG.

Nebraska likely lost its top ranking in scoring defense, thanks to the 70 points put up by Tulsa, and will need a huge defensive effort to take down the Coug's. Here are the teams at a glance:

	W-L	PF	PA	Home	Road	Stk
Nebraska	9-2	67.2	55.0	7-0	1-2	W4
Brigham Young	11-1	82.9	62.3	8-0	2-1	W6

The Cougars put up NBA numbers last night, albeit against a mediocre Nevada team that plays no defense. Let's hope Doc has some more cards up his sleeve and pulls of another upset. We saw that the Cornhuskers can keep up with a talented offense, so I am giving them a shot in this game. The Big Red will need a ferocious effort on defense, swarming the talented BYU frontcourt. Fredette, Emery, and Haws are each averaging double-digit scoring this season for BYU. The Cougars only loss came to an 8-4 Utah State team by 10 points earlier this month.

Probable Starters for Nebraska

Player	Yr	Pos	Ht	PPG	RPG	Asts
#5 Sek Henery	Sr	Guard	6-4	7.8	4.5	2.9
#15 Ray Gallegos	Fr	Guard	6-3	5.2	1.8	1
#21 Jorge Brian Diaz	RFr	Center	6-11	8.6	4.8	1.2
#34 Lance Jeter	Jr	Guard	6-3	9.0	3.2	3.5
#44 Ryan Anderson	Sr	Guard	6-4	11.0	5.4	1.8

Probable Starters for Brigham Young

Player	Yr	Pos	Ht	PPG	RPG	Asts
#4 Jackson Emery	Jr	Guard	6-3	7.8	3.8	2.2
#23 Tyler Haws	Fr	Guard	6-5	5.2	4.3	1.4
#32 Jimmer Fredette	Jr	Center	6-2	8.6	2.8	5.5
#34 Noah Harstock	So	Forward	6-8	9.0	5.2	1.0
#54 Chris Miles	Sr	Center	6-4	11.0	3.5	0.8

Nebraska hasn't played the Cougars since the 1930's, which is a bit strange when it comes to college hoops. The two teams played 4 times during that decade, with BYU taking a 3-1 edge in the series. So far, Nebraska owns a .625 winning percentage over MWC teams. Maybe Santa Claus will visit Husker fans a bit early, and deliver a huge win as the non-con portion of the season winds down.

Tipoff: 9:30pm CST

Television: None

Radio: IMG Husker Sports Network ( Play by play: Kent Pavelka / Color: Matt Davison)

Internet Radio: www.Huskers.com (free)

Internet Video: HoopTV.net (subscription)

Holiday Bowl: Against Arizona, Motivation for Nebraska Won't Be A Problem

Jon Johnston — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:31:53 -0000

More photos » by Amy Gutierrez - AP

Suh won't go out with a loss. While one man does not a team make, his teammates will follow his lead as they have before.

Browse more photos »

There seems to be some question regarding Nebraska's motivation heading into the Holiday Bowl against Arizona. The feeling is that the Huskers will be flat because they came so close to greatness (within a second) that their game against the Wildcats must be seen as nothing more than a let down.

For fans, perhaps, it may be nothing more than another bowl game, another blip in a long history of Nebraska bowl appearances. On top of that, it's against an opponent with which Nebraska has had little history. Nebraska and Arizona have played only twice in history, the first game in 1961 in which the two teams played to a 14-14 tie. The last game was in the 1998 Holiday Bowl, a 23-20 loss for Nebraska as the Wildcats had one of their best seasons ever, while Nebraska's season, by our standards, was pedestrian at best.

History does not matter to the team. Nor does the fact that Arizona doesn't have a marquee name. For the head coach and this team, things are very different.

Bo Pelini has screamed motivation since he first arrived at Nebraska. He's talked about consistently improving his team, refusing to issue depth charts so as to make it clear to his players that no job is safe. He's benched starters in the middle of games in which they weren't performing well, replacing them with younger players who deserved their chance.

To think that Pelini is taking a game off from his constant harping on improvement is to not understand his nature. This isn't a bowl game to him. A win isn't about bringing home another bowl trophy, it's another step towards the return to greatness. A loss would be as unacceptable as it was in the Big 12 championship game because it would be a step back heading into next season.

For the Husker seniors, it's the end of a long journey on which they've come so far it has to be inconceivable that they would let up now.

To recall that journey, take yourself back to September 15, 2007, to the USC game. It was supposed to be Bill Callahan's coming out party against the top-ranked Trojans, but instead ended as an embarrassment and a foreshadow to the worst season in Nebraska football history. The defensive line was shredded, with USC blowing holes open large enough to accommodate a truck. As the season progressed, fans wondered if things could get much worse, and with each game, they did.

It's hard to believe that Barry Turner and Ndamukong Suh were on that 2007 defensive line. One year later under a new set of coaches their unit became the backbone of the defense. Add another year and they've become the best in the nation. Suh will finish his college career as the most decorated Husker in school history, having won the Bronko Nagurski, Bednarik, Lombardi, Outland, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy and was recently named the AP Player of the Year. To say that he's come a long way would be an understatement of preposterous proportions.

Turner had to fight back from a broken leg that occurred in September 2008 to just to be a part of this season. This season he's third on the team in sacks, and second in tackles for loss.

Consider Phillip Dillard's journey. He was the starting Mike linebacker in 2007. Entering 2009, Dillard was so far in the doghouse that he'd nearly dropped off the depth chart. He started the season on the scout team and didn't play until the third game against Virginia Tech. Since then, he's made the most of his opportunity, finishing the regular season third in tackles and playing well enough to earn second team All-Big 12 honors.

Jacob Hickman was the starting left guard in 2007. The Holiday Bowl will be his 37th start, and while the offense has been much aligned this season, Hickman has been an anchor and consistent throughout. Andy Christensen never returned to his 2006 form, but has still been a part of the team. Derek Meyer's journey took him first to Kansas State and then back again as he walked on at Nebraska in 2008. He had to sit out last year to realize his dream of playing for Nebraska this season.

Larry Asante will be making his 36th start, the veteran of a secondary that's been nothing less than stellar this season. Asante is second in tackles behind Suh and made first team All-Big 12 in his final season. Matt O'Hanlon has had some exceptional moments, including 12 tackles and three interceptions in this year's 10-3 win against Oklahoma.

Add to them Chris Brooks, Andy Christensen, Wes Cammack, Menelik Holt, David Harvey, and Colton Koehler. For some their Husker careers didn't turn out the way they might have planned, but they've still been part of an amazing turn around.

You think these guys are looking at this as just another bowl game? This is their last game as a Husker, the last time wearing the scarlet and cream. After all they've been through, is there any question that they don't want to go out with a loss?

Huskers defeat Tulsa 74-70 in Las Vegas Classic

Mr. Corn — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:12:05 -0000

Nebraska has improved to 9-2 on the season with an impresive win over the favored Golden Hurricane. Eshaunte "Bear" Jones came off the bench to lead the Cornhuskers in scoring with 12 points, and hit several key 3 pointers to keep Tulsa at bay. A big win for the Huskers, and possibly the type of performance we needed to guage whether or not we can compete with a powerful Big 12 conference. As of now, I think we are one of the top 5 teams.

Doc Sadler rolled the dice this week by holding a 4.5 hour practice at 5am on Sunday morning after the Husker performance against Jackson State left a bad taste in his mouth. It paid off, as the boys in red jumped out ahead for good after halftime. Nebraska shot 47% from the field, and 42% from the 3-point line, while out-rebounding Tulsa 30-24 despite the looming presence of potential 1st round draft pick - 7'0" Jerome Jordan.

The Huskers' Brandon Richardson held off the Tulsa charge late in the game almost single-handedly by hitting 6 of 6 free throws down the stretch. Leading by as many as 13 in the 2nd half, Tulsa mounted a furious comeback and had cut the lead to 3 with under 10 seconds left. Richardson seemed to have traveled after catching the inbounds pass, but the far side referee caught a Tulsa player tripping the sophmore guard on the play. Brandon calmly sank both free throws sealing the win, and setting up another tough battle with BYU on Wednesday.

BYU (11-1) defeated Nevada earlier in the day, and advanced to play the Huskers in the championship game of the Las Vegas Classic on Wednesday. Tipoff time will be at 8:30pm.

Husker Hardwood - Tulsa Preview

Mr. Corn — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:41:22 -0000

More photos » by Nati Harnik - AP

Nebraska's Lance Jeter (34) and Sek Henry hope to get lucky in Las Vegas. No....not "Tiger" lucky.

Browse more photos »

Place your bets! The Cornhuskers are headed west this week for the remainder of the Las Vegas Classic. (The Jackson State game was also part of this tournament.) Let's hope the roulette wheel lands on "red" in a big way this Tuesday...we could use a marquee win before the non-con schedule starts.

This will be a decent measuring stick game for the Nebraska mens basketball team, as they take on a 9-1 Golden Hurricane team that averages almost 80 points a game. A tough task, certainly...but you never can tell when you play in "Sin City". Perhaps the men can ride their own hurricane-wave of positive play after watching the Husker women slap around LSU? They'll need to put all the chips on the table, and let 'er ride in this game.

Tulsa and Nebraska both come in after recent games over Jackson State. Nebraska handled the Tigers with relative ease, while putting up another defensive roadblock in holding the Tigers to 41 points. Tulsa, however, held JSU to just 39 points while scoring a season high 92 points

The Hurricane go big and small, with a 7 foot Jerome Jordan blocking nearly as many shots this season as the entire Husker team thus far. Stopping him will be a must if we want to keep this game respectable. Going small for the Hurricane means 6' 3" guard Ben Uzoh, who is hitting 50% from the field and averaging a team high 16 PPG. Nebraska will be calling Tulsa's hand however, with the top defense in the Big 12, allowing only 53.5 pts per game.

We'll break down the Hurricane-Husker matchup after the jump, and see what it'll take for the Big Red to hit the Jackpot.

Probable Starters for Nebraska:

Player	Position	Height	Class	Avg PPG
#5 Sek Henery	Guard	6'4"	Senior	7.8
#15 Ray Gallegos	Guard	6'3"	Freshman	5.4
#21 Jorge Brian Diaz	Center	6'11"	R. Freshman	8.4
#34 Lance Jeter	Guard	6'3"	Junior	9.1
#44 Ryan Anderson	Guard	6'4"	Senior	11.0

Probable Starters for Tulsa:

Player	Position	Height	Class	Avg PPG
#1 Ben Uzoh	Guard	6'3"	Senior	16.3
#12 Bishop Wheatley	Forward	6'6"	Senior	7.5
#15 Justin Hurtt	Guard	6'4"	Junior	14.9
#23 Jerome Jordan	Center	7'0"	Senior	14.4
#33 Joe Richard	Forward	6'7"	Sophmore	6.6

Tulsa is going to be tough. The Nebraska defense has to dig down deep and try to stop the potent Tulsa offense, and I'm not sure it's in the cards. The Golden Hurricane is averaging 79.5 points per game, which is almost 30 points higher than what the Husker defense is giving up. Somethings gotta give here. Nebraska has led the Big 12 in scoring defense for the last 2 years, and is currently leading the Big 12 ( and possibly the nation this week) again this season after Texas coughed up 90 points to the Tarheels.

Nebraska did score 90 points earlier this season against TCU in a shootout....so we can compete with teams that like to run. The Big Red's accuracy may be their wild-card. The Huskers are hitting almost 50% of there shots, so as long as the defense holds up, they've got a good shot at cashing in big on Tuesday afternoon. ( Sorry for the unbridled usage of Las Vegas/gambling puns here, I couldn't resist!)

Gameday Coverage:

Date: 12/22/09

Tipoff: 4:30pm CST

Television: None

Radio: www.huskers.com ( IMG Husker Sports Network)

Internet Video: HoopTV.net (subscription)

Gameday open thread on www.cornnation.com

Husker Women Upset #5 LSU - Kelsey Griffin With 30 Points, 14 Rebounds

Jon Johnston — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:00:26 -0000

The 20th-ranked Husker women's basketball upset fifth-ranked 77-63 LSU Sunday in a battle between two undefeated teams. Nebraska lead throughout the entire game, jumping out early to a 21-4 lead. LSU closed to 41-36 at the end of the first half, but after trading scores, the Huskers ripped off a 9-0 run and never looked back.

All-America candidate and Naismith Trophy candidate Kelsey Griffin had her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 30 points, and matching her career high with 14 rebounds. Griffin was 7-for-7 in the first half, and finished the game 12-for-19. Forward Cory Montgomery had 16 points and four rebounds, while guard Dominique Kelley added 13 points and three rebounds.

Alison Hightower, another Naismith candidate, lead LSU with 15 points. Katherine Graham had 12 points, while no other LSU player scored in double digits.

Nebraska moves to 11-0 on the season, dropping LSU to 9-1.

How far can Kelsey Griffin and the women's team go this season?
Photo by Dennis Hubbard

The Husker women are off to their best start in school history. After today's win, they should jump in the polls with

Guard Dominique Kelley scored 13 points and had three rebounds.
Photo by Dennis Hubbard

Freshman point guard Lindsey Moore added nine points and seven assists.
Photo by Dennis Hubbard

Kelsey Griffin - A Nebraska star in the making?????
Photo by Dennis Hubbard

7,717 were in attendance, the highest number in school history for a non-conference women's basketball game.

The Huskers have two more non-conference games before starting Big 12 play. They have a home game against Albany and then finish non-conference play at Vermont.

Big 12 play is going to be nasty. Much like the men's squads, the Big 12 is tough. Six Big 12 teams, including Nebraska, are ranked in the Top 25.

At this point in the season, it looks like we might have our best women's basketball team in school history. Every body loves winning teams, so we'll try to cover them as best we can. However, like the men's team, if we can find someone willing to champion their cause on CN, that'd be great!

The Bowl System: An Albatross On College Football and It's Fans

Husker Mike — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:00:22 -0000

The bowl season has kicked off, in all of it's glory. Half empty stadiums littered with advertising, filling holes in the ESPN television schedule, pre-empting poker and rhythmic gymnastics.

This is how the college football season is supposed to end?

Many years ago, bowls were something special. New Year's Day was a smorgasbord of big games matching up big games on every television network. Not any more...the bowl games start a week before Christmas and last a week after New Years Day. They're all filler in the television schedule until the "BCS Championship Game"; relegated to sideshow status as every commentator tries to discuss Texas and Alabama. If you're not in the BCS title game, you're not terribly relevant...and it's essentially made the rest of the college football season - even the regular season - meaningless.

Look at Texas. The Longhorns made a mockery of scheduling this season in their quest to win a national championship, scheduling Louisiana-Monroe, Wyoming, UTEP, and Central Florida to coast into Big XII play. When the rewards of making the Big Game are so high, why would the Longhorns risk anything knowing that non-conference schedule would be meaningless? Win the Big XII championship and go undefeated, and Texas was virtually assured of their objective.

Sadly, much of the rest of college football is doing the same thing. In the case of Boise State and Texas Christian, it's unavoidable. The Broncos and Frogs would gladly play a tougher schedule, but few teams want to risk a loss.

CornNation's Jon Johnston suggests that college football needs to focus on improving schedules rather than worrying about a playoff system. The problem with that approach is that bad schedules are a symptom of the ills of college football. The real problem: the bowls themselves.

Certainly the Rose, Orange, and Cotton Bowls are traditions in college football. But bowls have become a parody of themselves, with the Weed-Eater Independence Bowl and this year's Papa Johns Pizza Bowl. 34 bowl games, to be exact.

Great for college football, right? Well, maybe for fans who take the the week between Christmas and New Years off to sit in front of their televisions. The ratings for bowl games are high, and that's why ESPN continues to create new bowls to fill out their schedules. In fact, evidence seems to indicate that tourism and ESPN are benefiting from the bowls at the expense of college football.

One of the principal advantages of bowl games for college football is an extra month of practice time. Nebraska is putting it to good use to try and correct a moribund offense. But Nebraska won't make any money playing in the Holiday Bowl; they'll spend every penny just getting there and back. Nebraska's in good shape in this regard... most schools actually lose money on bowl games...even BCS games. Last year, Virginia Tech and the ACC lost $1.7M going to the Orange Bowl due to unsold tickets. Nebraska's great fan support works to the advantage of the Nebraska athletic department, giving them an advantage over the rest of college football.

Simply put, college football is being harmed by the bowl system. It's expensive for fans and schools, and serves only to profit ESPN who gets to fill their holiday schedule with highly-rated games at a cut-rate price to them.

Eventually, college presidents are going to look at the money they lose on bowl games and realize that they no longer can dismiss the lure of a playoff system. Playing the games at home sights ensures lower costs (only one team needs to travel) and higher attendance (larger stadiums located closer to fans). It's how they do it in every other sport - even lower levels of college football. And guess what, for those teams that don't qualify for the playoffs, the bowls still could exist if they chose. Nebraska-Omaha missed out on the Division II playoffs, and got to play in the Kanza Bowl in Topeka earlier this month. All the benefits of the bowl system: extra practice time and an extra game, but minus all of extra expense. Yeah, Topeka is not an exotic location, but since most fans don't travel to the bowl game anyway, what does it matter? Play the game at a home site or in a regional site (how about Arrowhead in Kansas City?) where more fans could attend? ESPN could still televise the game to fill their TV schedule, and then save schools all of the excessive airfare and hotel costs.

And by opening more opportunities to play for a national championship, teams don't have to run scared from competition. In fact, by reinstating strength of schedule to the formula for selecting teams for the playoffs, we actually might make the regular season more relevant.

When Oklahoma is penalized for losing to Miami on South Beach, while Texas is rewarded for whipping Louisiana-Monroe at home, you know that the system is broken.

Don't Bet On It!: College Football Bowl Edition (Part IV)

T Kyle King — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:48:06 -0000

Bowl season has just gotten underway, and already I am off to an 0-1 start in my postseason picks. Surely, I shouldn’t even need to tell you at this point, but I will, anyway: Don’t Bet On It!

Here is the next round of bowl forecasts:

Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green Falcons v. Idaho Vandals (Dec. 30): Oh, you have to be kidding me! I’m diving headfirst back into bowl season, and you’re giving me Bowling Green versus Idaho on the blue field in Boise? For crying out loud, this is a game so lame even I may not watch it! If I declared a national bowl of disinterest, this would be it. Eenie meenie minie . . . Bowling Green. Moving right along now. . . .

Holiday Bowl: Arizona Wildcats v. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Dec. 30): There was some good thinking going on there. Here we have a bowl game with a long history of being one of the most exciting postseason tilts around, played in scenic San Diego, all of which adds up to one of the most watchable bowls on the slate, and some nimrod at Pacific Life decides to invite Mike Stoops and Bo Pelini, the two finalists for the AFCA’s Wayne Woodrow Hayes Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the head coach voted most likely to blow a head gasket and completely flip out on the sideline. Watching this bowl game will be like watching a hockey game . . . you’ll just be hanging around waiting for the fight to start. The ‘Cats are happy to be there and the ‘Huskers are miffed about coming within one second of winning the Big 12, so I’m going with Arizona.

Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force Falcons v. Houston Cougars (Dec. 31): I’m glad the House Committee on Un-American Activities isn’t still in existence, because I’m afraid I might be investigated for picking against a service academy in the Armed Forces Bowl. Nevertheless, the Cougs have done what putative "BCS busters" did perennially prior to the Utah Utes’ breakthrough season in 2004, winning their marquee non-conference contests while stumbling against league foes in head-scratching losses. Inasmuch as this game qualifies as a marquee non-conference contest (and is being played in the Lone Star State), I’m thinking Houston should have no problem.

Sun Bowl: Oklahoma Sooners v. Stanford Cardinal (Dec. 31): If I’d told you four months ago that Oklahoma and Stanford would be meeting in a bowl game this season, you’d have told me either that I was crazy or that my prediction was a sign of the apocalypse. Well, you may want to have your Bible open to the Book of Revelation on New Year’s Eve, because I’m picking the Cardinal to win in spite of the numerical advantage the Sooners enjoy by virtue of having pluralized their mascot.

If my math is correct (and there’s a very good chance it isn’t), I’m halfway through the bowl season, so stick around for the ~~bowls you actually care about~~ rest of my prognostications, but, in the meantime, don’t forget my regular disclaimer: Don’t Bet On It!

Go ‘Dawgs!

Big Ten Expansion: 11+1 Can't Equal 12

Bama Hawkeye — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:45:34 -0000

Here's the thing about this Big Ten expansion: it's going to be a big deal. Otherwise, it's not going to happen. If adding a twelfth team only add to the Big Ten coffers by 9.09% (or 1/11th of the current total), the deal is a wash. The Big Ten isn't going to add a school and expand for a wash. They will only expand if the expansion creates an increase in funding above and beyond what they would have received otherwise. If 11+1=12, expansion won't happen. 11+1 must equal more than 12.

Now before you and tell me that the Big Ten will make big money from a title game, recognize that your point is ceded. It will be a moneymaker for the league. However, if the expansion does not increase regular season fees by at least 9.09%, each school will receive less money from the league during the regular season. I will posit that if any part of this deal is a financial loss, it is not happening.

TRE is your one stop shop for all things Big Ten Expansion related...

Graham discusses pros and cons of adding a 12th team...and who it might be.

Lake Erie M argues for mega-expansion and a 14 team league

BHGP lists the 4 most important issues surrounding expansion.

Chadnudj details the benefits of the North/South split

That's why, you need to think big, or get out of the discussion. Big Ten expansion is not about "finding a rival for Penn State." Big Ten expansion is not about finding any local twelfth school so that the league can have a championship game. Big Ten expansion is about increasing the percentage of college sports dollars that go directly into the coffers of each institution. I am not saying this in a derogatory or cynical way. It's exactly what expansion should be about. If you're going to upset this apple cart by adding a new member, there better be some huge HUGE benefits. That was what the league got when Penn State joined. That's what the league should get now.

So stop thinking small. Join me after the jump and start thinking Big. After all, it's in our league's name for a good reason.

Let's add that 12th Team:

Remember, think BIG. Here are the teams that I think by themselves can satisfy this requirement:

Notre Dame

Yes, it's the league's white whale (and I appreciate it that the Irish again hired a coach who can personally live up to that moniker.). At the same time, it is still the most recognized name and brand in college athletics. It would be a coup for the league. It would be a perfect fit (and they'd find a way to get the Irish into the AAU; don't sweat that). If Notre Dame would say yes (and they won't), this search would be done.

Texas

Do you remember that Texas reached out to join the Big Ten in 1993/94? Shortly before the Horns and Aggies (along with the state's two successful piggybackers) joined the Big 8, Texas talked with the Big Ten about becoming the league's 12th member. The Big Ten was under a self-imposed expansion moratorium, though.

Today, I don't see Texas joining. They are the New York Yankees of the Big 12. They have every conceivable advantage and limited revenue sharing. Why would they leave that situation for long road trips (the shortest Big Ten trip would be longer than the longest Big 12 trip) and equitable payouts? Do you think the Yankees would leave baseball's system for football's - where they would share (most of) their dollars evenly with Green Bay? Texas is in a perfect situation.

Nebraska

Yes, the Big Ten wants to dominate the Omaha media market. No, this would be about adding a football giant. Tom Osborne, for one, would listen long and hard. He's preached against the Southern-dominance of the Big 12 since its inception. I don't know if the Huskers take the offer, but it's a much closer call than you might think at first blush. And don't give me the "Big 8/12 founding member tradition garbage." It doesn't pay the bills.

Maryland

This is all about DC. The ACC has the market surrounded. The Big East has roots in the market (during hoops). The Big Ten can move on the area by adding the Terps. It's a contiguous state, which could use the move to recruit in more fertile areas (Ohio and Pennsylvania). Yes, Maryland is thought of as a basketball school first. I don't think that stops the inquiry. I don't know that Maryland jumps, but I bet they look long and hard at it.

Missouri

Missouri has already said that they would entertain the offers. Good for you, Mizzou. Missouri feels like it has received a raw deal from the Big 12 in football each of the last three years. The Big Ten would control, instead of split, the St. Louis market, while making an entry into Kansas City. Of the adding one combinations, this has the greatest likelihood of actually happening.

Here's who is not on the list:

Pitt

Like I said at the outset, this isn't about finding a partner for Penn State. In 17 seasons, the Lions have developed a nice rivalry with Ohio State and a hatred for Iowa. They don't need to bring their little brother school into the family just to have someone to kick around. Also, Pitt adds nothing but a 12th team. If you believe me when I write that this expansion has to be about more than that, then you know why Pitt won't happen.

Rutgers

I'm late coming around on this, but Rutgers adds nothing but a 12th team. Rutgers doesn't "give the Big Ten the New York market" any more than adding Middle Tennessee State would give the league the Nashville market.

West Virginia, Cincinnati, Louisville, Syracuse

They don't add anything but a 12th team.

Iowa State

Now you're just being silly.

Let's Think Bigger

An interesting article in the Tribune yesterday tipped the Big Ten's hand. They're not limiting their thoughts to 12 teams. They are also looking at the possibility of 14 teams in the league. What? Seriously? Yes. Who would this be?

How about Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Add those three to the league and you control the media markets of the upper Midwest and great plains states. That doesn't add much. But, you add one of the Top 10 football programs, one of the Top 10 basketball programs, and a legitimate contender in both. That I find interesting. How do these divisions strike you:

Big Ten North	Big Ten South	or....	Big Ten East	Big Ten West
Michigan	Ohio State		Penn State	Nebraska
Michigan State	Indiana		Ohio State	Kansas
Wisconsin	Purdue		Michigan	Missouri
Minnesota	Kansas		Michigan State	Iowa
Iowa	Missouri		Indiana	Wisconsin
Northwestern	Illinois		Purdue	Minnesota
Nebraska	Penn State		Northwestern	Illinois

I like them, too. I'm partial to the North/South alignment (playing each team in their division, their permanent rival across from them on the list, and one rotating school each year), but I wouldn't argue with the East/West breakdown either. It just doesn't lend itself as well to the split.

Would the three Big Twelve schools come together? Yes, Kansas leaves K-State behind, but i don't think that they'd worry too much about that. Coming together might make the move more palatable for the joiners. I don't know enough about the numbers to know if it would make the league more profitable for the members, but my suspicion is that it would.

If you believe that the league will go for a more balanced geographic approach, maybe it's Missouri, Pittsburgh and Maryland. Look what that could do:

Big Ten North	Big Ten South	or...	Big Ten East	Big Ten West
Michigan	Ohio State		Maryland	Missouri
Michigan State	Maryland		Penn State	Iowa
Pitt	Penn State		Pitt	Minnesota
Wisconsin	Purdue		Ohio State	Wisconsin
Minnesota	Indiana		Michigan	Illinois
Iowa	Missouri		Michigan State	Northwestern
Northwestern	Illinois		Indiana	Purdue

When you add three teams, you're adding a championship game, but you're also adding 12 extra regular season games. That's increasing regular season product by more than 25%, and likely adding a premium to the value. It's a good deal for all involved.

Let's Think Biggest

Reread the money quote from the Tribune. The league is also considering 16 team options. What? Sixteen? What would that look like? My friends, it would look like the start of a playoff system.

Big Ten East	Big Ten North	Big Ten West	Big Ten South
Penn State	Michigan	Iowa	Ohio State
Indiana	Northwestern	Minnesota	Illinois
Maryland	Michigan State	Wisconsin	Missouri
Pitt	Purdue	Nebraska	Kansas

How would you schedule this for football? Let's dream a bit. Each team plays the three teams in their division, and four teams from another division. The eighth game will be decided by standings and played on Thanksgiving weekend, with the first place teams facing off in the league championship semi-finals. You could rotate what divisions face each other for full slates and what divisions meet head to head on Thanksgiving weekend. Do you think that Big Ten semi-final weekend would get ratings? TV Money? Attention?

I know that this is a radical change from anything that college football has done. And, I realize that these divisions will move away from the traditional rival system (thus, likely making it a non-starter). But, this is the time to think in these terms. The stodgy Big Ten is allowing itself to dream right now. It should be encouraged to think as big as it can.

Remember: Think Big

Over the next 12-18 months, you'll read periodic articles focused on one small addition to the Big Ten roster. Remember that won't happen. If expansion occurs, it will be because the Big Ten was able to get Bigger.

h/t on the title to Frank the Tank.

Addendum:

We never said what we were going to name this Bigger Big Ten. Sure, we could stick with the easy moniker and keep the Big Ten. Or we could go to the Big 14 or Big 16. But we can do better than that. We need something that demonstrates our dominance in college football. Something that shows that we will not only compete with those Southern units, but that we will dominate them. Got it...

THE UNION

Gen. Sherman approves.

Fortune Teller: 2009 Bowl Predictions (Part 1)

Brian @ BCI — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:16:14 -0000

For the third straight year, we preview the upcoming college football postseason. Here are our picks for bowls 1-17, which takes you from the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque to El Paso, Texas for the Sun Bowl.

Leave your thoughts on any of the first 17 matchups below.

New Mexico (December 19)

Matchup: Fresno State (8-4) vs. Wyoming (6-6)
The Line: Fresno State -11.5

The Lead: Wyoming makes only its second trip to a bowl this decade while Fresno State makes its 9th bowl appearance in the last 10 years. Fresno State returns to New Mexico for the second straight year (losing to Colorado State 40-35 last year).

Brian Pick: Fresno State -11.5
Jeff Pick: Wyoming +11.5

St. Petersburg presented by Beef ‘O’ Brady’s (December 19)

Matchup: UCF (8-4) vs. Rutgers (8-4)
The Line: Rutgers -2.5

The Lead: Rutgers just making a bowl game game is no longer exciting for their players and fans who had higher hopes coming into this season than to finish 3-4 in the Big East. UCF meanwhile will be playing less than three hours from their campus and should be thrilled to be there.

Jeff Pick: UCF +2.5
Brian Pick: Rutgers -2.5

R + L Carrier New Orleans (December 20)

Matchup: Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Middle Tennessee (9-3)
The Line: Southern Miss -3.5

The Lead: Southern Miss returns to the New Orleans Bowl for the second straight year. Last year, Southern Miss blocked a field goal in overtime to defeat Troy 30-27 in one of the more entertaining 2008 bowl games. Middle Tennessee State is one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 6 straight and reaching the 9 win plateau for the first time since joining Division I-A in 1999. Southern Miss has a perfect 3-0 record in the New Orleans Bowl.

Brian Pick: Southern Miss -3.5
Jeff Pick: Southern Miss -3.5

MAACO Las Vegas (December 22)

Matchup: Oregon State (8-4) vs. BYU (10-2)
The Line: Oregon State -2.5

The Lead: BYU was on top of the world after beating Oklahoma to start the season. Oregon State was on top of the college football world in the final Thursday night of the season when playing Oregon for the Pac-10 title. Things didn't work out as either team had hoped from those points on though and they both fell to the pre-Christmas Las Vegas Bowl. Oregon State has plenty to prove though as they attempt to beat BYU, TCU and Boise State in the next 11 months and serve as the non-BCS school killer.

Jeff Pick: Oregon State -2.5
Brian Pick: Oregon State -2.5

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia (December 23)

Matchup: Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4)
The Line: California -3

The Lead: With BC losing to Vanderbilt last season, Utah now owns the longest active winning streak in bowl games, having won their last 8 games including last year’s Sugar Bowl over Alabama. Cal is riding a seven game streak for bowl apperances, the longest in school history.

Brian Pick: Utah +3
Jeff Pick: Utah +3

Sheraton Hawaii (December 24)

Matchup: Nevada (8-4) vs. SMU (7-5)
The Line: Nevada -15

The Lead: This game features a very good WAC team against a very good C-USA team but does that mean that they are actually good teams? It's tough to say. Neither team has a very impressive win this season and both seemed to lose all their games when they had opportunities to prove themselves. Will anyone watch the Christmas Eve game in Hawaii? Other than Brian?

Jeff Pick: SMU +15
Brian Pick: Nevada -15

Little Caesars (December 26)

Matchup: Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-4)
The Line: Ohio -2.5

The Lead: This game renews a rivalry game between the two schools located only 80 miles apart. Ohio and Marshall used to compete in the Battle for the Bell which is set to be renewed in 2010. Ohio leads the all-time series 29-17-6, however Marshall has won 8 of the last 10 matchups between the two geographic neighbors.

Brian Pick: Ohio -2.5
Jeff Pick: Ohio -2.5

Meineke Car Care (December 26)

Matchup: Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4)
The Line: Pittsburgh -3

The Lead: What a disappointing finish to the season for Pittsburgh. Pitt lost to their backyard brawl rival West Virginia before losing to Cincinnati in a de-facto Big East Championship game. The Panthers led the entire game against Cincinnati but could not finish so now instead of the Orange Bowl they get a trip to Charlotte to play North Carolina in a "road" bowl game. Good luck getting your team fired up for this one, Dave!

Jeff Pick: North Carolina +3
Brian Pick: Pittsburgh -3

Emerald (December 26)

Matchup: Boston College (8-4) vs. USC (8-4)
The Line: USC -9

The Lead: The 8-4 Eagles travel to San Francisco for the second time this decade to take on the 8-4 USC Trojans. This is the first time in seven years that USC hasn’t played in a BCS bowl game (5 Rose Bowls, 2 Orange Bowls). Good news for the Eagles is the last time Pete Carroll found himself in a non-BCS bowl game, the Trojans lost 10-6 to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. You don't think we would pick against BC now, do you?

Brian Pick: Boston College +9
Jeff Pick: Boston College +9

Gaylor Hotels Music City (December 27)

Matchup: Kentucky (7-5) vs. Clemson (8-5)
The Line: Clemson -7.5

The Lead: If Boston College's 2008 performance in the Music City Bowl is any indication of how Clemson might play this year after the disappointing ACC Championship Game, it's is going to be tough to watch for Tiger fans. But after losing to South Carolina, the ACC really doesn't need Clemson, or any of its top programs, to lose to mediocre SEC teams. Clemson ticket sales for the bowl have been soft but hopefully Dabo can rally this team to victory.

Jeff Pick: Kentucky +7.5
Brian Pick: Clemson -7.5

AdvoCare V100 Independence (December 28)

Matchup: Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
The Line: Georgia -7

The Lead: Georgia wraps up an otherwise disappointing, up-and-down season in Shreveport, Louisiana. For every quality win for UGA, there seemed to be an equally puzzling loss this year. Defeat Arkansas, get crushed at Tennessee. Defeat Auburn, lose to Kentucky at home, come back and defeat in-state rival Georgia Tech. Texas A&M has had a similar up-and-down season, but seemingly backed into the postseason having lost 3 of their last 4 games.

Brian Pick: Georgia -7
Jeff Pick: Georgia -7

EagleBank (December 29)

Matchup: UCLA (6-6) vs. Temple (9-3)
The Line: UCLA -4

The Lead: UCLA had to wait to see the result of the Army-Navy game before getting officially invited to this bowl game. In the bowl's second season, I don't imagine that their will be much hype this year compared to last year's geographically favorable matchup of Wake Forest vs. Navy. Look for Temple to surprise some people and possibly knock off a BCS school in this one.

Jeff Pick: Temple +4
Brian Pick: Temple +4

Champs Sports (December 29)

Matchup: Miami (Fla.) (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
The Line: Miami -3

The Lead: This year’s Champs Sports Bowl is a matchup of 9-3 ranked teams. Both teams are coming off strong finishes, each winning 4 of their final 5 games. Wisconsin finished the season with a 51-10 drubbing of Hawaii on the road, while Miami took care of USF 31-10. Miami is 2-0 all-time in the Champs Sports Bowl. Wisconsin played in Orlando last season, losing to Florida State 42-13. This is the last year the Big 10 will be represented in this bowl as the Big East will send a team to face an ACC opponent starting next season.

Brian Pick: Miami -3
Jeff Pick: Miami -3

Roady’s Humanitarian (December 30)

Matchup: Bowling Green (8-5) vs. Idaho (7-5)
The Line: Idaho +1.5

The Lead: Another game that might set an attendance record this season but not the kind of record that you want to be setting if you are putting this bowl together. Boise fans might already be on their way to the Fiesta Bowl so even getting a few locals to come out for this game will be difficult. Bowling Green has a pretty good WR, and Idaho plays home games in a dome. That's all I have for this one.

Jeff Pick: Bowling Green -1.5
Brian Pick: Idaho +1.5

Pacific Life Holiday (December 30)

Matchup: Arizona (8-4) vs. Nebraska (9-4)
The Line: Arizona -1.5

The Lead: Arizona - having defeated the Trojans 21-17 to move to 6-3 in conference - will represent the Pac-10 as its #2 team in the Holiday Bowl. Nebraska won the Big 12 North, finishing the season at 9-4, 6-2 in conference. The Cornhuskers are coming off a heartbreaking 13-12 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Brian Pick: Arizona -1.5
Jeff Pick: Nebraska +1.5

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces (December 31)

Matchup: Houston (10-3) vs. Air Force (7-5)
The Line: Houston -4.5

The Lead: The mighty Houston Cougars who knocked off Oklahoma State at home are only 4.5 point favorites against Air Force? Oh right, we later found out that Oklahoma State was not nearly as good as anyone thought the would be and failed to make a push for a BCS bowl by nearly losing to Colorado and then getting destroyed by Oklahoma to end the season. Air Force had another nice season but only managed a 1-5 record against bowl bound teams this season.

Jeff Pick: Air Force +4.5
Brian Pick: Houston -4.5

Brut Sun (December 31)

Matchup: Oklahoma (7-5) vs. Stanford (8-4)
The Line: Oklahoma -8

The Lead: This should be an intriguing matchup between the unstoppable force (Heisman runner-up Toby Gerhart and the 15th ranked Stanford Cardinal offense) and the immovable object (Oklahoma's 7th ranked defense). Oklahoma has had an otherwise disappointing season, that is, up until they put a 27-0 hurtin' on in-state rival Oklahoma State in Bedlam. Stanford may or may not be playing without the services of starting freshman quarterback Andrew Luck.

Brian Pick: Stanford +8
Jeff Pick: Oklahoma -8