Last week, Colorado announced it will be leaving the Big XII and joining the Pac-10. The following day, Nebraska announced their move to the Big Ten. While this answers some questions, it also opens up more debate. What now happens to the Big Ten, Pac-10 and Big XII?
Leading into the debate on conference realignment, the two conferences with the most to gain were the Big Ten and the Pac-10. This is because the BCS mandates that a conference must have 12 teams in order to host a conference championship game. As we all know, a conference championship game equals big money and exposure.
Therefore, the Big Ten, sitting at eleven members stretching eight states, needed only one additional school, which it accomplished with Nebraska. The question now with the Big Ten is how will the conference divide itself? Geographically, Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan would find themselves in the same division, with Wisconsin virtually unmatched in the opposing division. (This is one of the many reasons why I believe a 16 team mega football conference cannot possibly work). With the traditional Big Ten powers, potentially finding themselves in the same division, this drastically decreases their chances for a National Championship.
The Pac-10, sitting at ten members in only four states, desires not only two additional teams in the least, but also a greater expansive reach in the West Coast. Therefore, Colorado, while not a great addition athletically, is a strategic move geographically. The question remains, who else will the Pac-10 find? Will they stop at twelve teams?
In my opinion, Utah would be a great addition both athletically and geographically. However, with the Mountain West recently adding Boise State, it seems to be exerting itself as a potential BCS conference. It's hard to argue against this fact, especially as the MWC seems poised to scoop up the remnants of the Big XII.
But the question still remains will the Big XII fall apart? The Big XII now has ten teams in only four states, but it also controls almost all of Texas. It is no secret that the Pac-10 eyes Texas and Oklahoma, two national powerhouses in two large television markets. However, do these schools not realize that if the Pac-10 expands to sixteen teams, then the Big XII is simply going to become a single division in Pac-10, when it could be it's own conference! Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State would be the division. Sounds like the Big XII! I find it hard to believe that the money earned would outweigh the decreased chances for a National Championship.
The easiest solution and most viable is for the Pac-10 to scoop of Fresno State or UNLV from the WAC and for the Big XII to invite Fresno State/UNLV, Nevada or even Utah State. The Big Ten is complete. The SEC, while it is rumored to covet Texas A&M, already has twelve teams and has no reason to expand. And last but not least, ND maintains its independent status.
-DH
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
1-0
Brian Kelly earned his first victory as head coach of the Fighting Irish in the 81st Blue-Gold Game last Saturday. Kelly led the Irish onto the field before an enthusiastic crowd of 27,000 plus. The game was stock full of offensive and defensive highlights, that really elevates the optimism heading into this season. Ultimately however, the spring game is a chance for individuals to showcase their talent. Therefore, here is a quick offensive break down by position:
QUARTERBACK
Shedding concerns about his injury, Dayne Crist impressed with his mobility after publicly admitting not being 100%. Crist however was easily overshadowed by Nate Montana, who returned to ND after a worthless and pathetic year at a California community college (you know I love Montana's commitment to ND). Montana finished 18 of 30 for 223 yards and a TD. Montana's performance provides ND fans with a level of comfort knowing Montana can fill in if Crist can't go. Not to mention, having witnessed Kelly succeed with multiple QBs at Cincinnati last season, I can feel good about ND's position at the close of spring ball.
RUNNING BACK
This is easily the most showcased position at a spring game, as evident in past MVP winners Junior Jabbie and Travis Thomas (both of whom flopped majorly at the tailback position). Therefore, it was no surprise for the RBs to provide the highlights - but just the names that did so. Jonas Gray ran for 57 yards and a TD while Cierre Wood rumbled for 111 yards and a TD. These two began the spring as #3 and #4 on the depth chart. However, getting this production from them during the year will go a long ways towards a successful season.
WIDE RECEIVER
This is easily the position with the least depth, and thus plenty of room for players to prove their worth. Shaquelle Evans racked up the most yards of the WRs with 69 yards, while Duval Kamara, Theo Riddick, and TJ Jones all caught TD passes. The Irish will without a doubt have a plethora of weapons at WR this season, and all will be called upon in Kelly's spread offense. It is just a matter of who will step up when it matters most.
TIGHT END
TE was a power position under Weis with starting NFLers Anthony Fasano and John Carlson. Kyle Rudolph is poised to follow in those footsteps, and Mike Ragone proved he might be there as well. Ragone filled in for an injured Rudolph amassing 75 yards and a TD. Health at the tight end position will be something to watch as Ragone has sat out the last two seasons and Rudolph is still hampered by a shoulder injury. Nonetheless, having multiple threats at the TE position will only strengthen the options for Kelly's offensive attack.
OFFENSIVE LINE
There has been much shuffling along the offensive front this spring. Trevor Robinson, Taylor Dever, and Zach Martin have all been in the mix at tackle and guard. 5th-year senior Dan Wenger and Braxton Cave have been battling it out at center. Chris Stewart is solid at guard. Matt Romine is looking to get in the mix at tackle. Basically, it's hard to get a good read based off a spring game. However, ultimately, I believe the starting five will be Dever and Martin at tackle, Stewart and Robinson at guard, and Cave at center.
-DH
QUARTERBACK
Shedding concerns about his injury, Dayne Crist impressed with his mobility after publicly admitting not being 100%. Crist however was easily overshadowed by Nate Montana, who returned to ND after a worthless and pathetic year at a California community college (you know I love Montana's commitment to ND). Montana finished 18 of 30 for 223 yards and a TD. Montana's performance provides ND fans with a level of comfort knowing Montana can fill in if Crist can't go. Not to mention, having witnessed Kelly succeed with multiple QBs at Cincinnati last season, I can feel good about ND's position at the close of spring ball.
RUNNING BACK
This is easily the most showcased position at a spring game, as evident in past MVP winners Junior Jabbie and Travis Thomas (both of whom flopped majorly at the tailback position). Therefore, it was no surprise for the RBs to provide the highlights - but just the names that did so. Jonas Gray ran for 57 yards and a TD while Cierre Wood rumbled for 111 yards and a TD. These two began the spring as #3 and #4 on the depth chart. However, getting this production from them during the year will go a long ways towards a successful season.
WIDE RECEIVER
This is easily the position with the least depth, and thus plenty of room for players to prove their worth. Shaquelle Evans racked up the most yards of the WRs with 69 yards, while Duval Kamara, Theo Riddick, and TJ Jones all caught TD passes. The Irish will without a doubt have a plethora of weapons at WR this season, and all will be called upon in Kelly's spread offense. It is just a matter of who will step up when it matters most.
TIGHT END
TE was a power position under Weis with starting NFLers Anthony Fasano and John Carlson. Kyle Rudolph is poised to follow in those footsteps, and Mike Ragone proved he might be there as well. Ragone filled in for an injured Rudolph amassing 75 yards and a TD. Health at the tight end position will be something to watch as Ragone has sat out the last two seasons and Rudolph is still hampered by a shoulder injury. Nonetheless, having multiple threats at the TE position will only strengthen the options for Kelly's offensive attack.
OFFENSIVE LINE
There has been much shuffling along the offensive front this spring. Trevor Robinson, Taylor Dever, and Zach Martin have all been in the mix at tackle and guard. 5th-year senior Dan Wenger and Braxton Cave have been battling it out at center. Chris Stewart is solid at guard. Matt Romine is looking to get in the mix at tackle. Basically, it's hard to get a good read based off a spring game. However, ultimately, I believe the starting five will be Dever and Martin at tackle, Stewart and Robinson at guard, and Cave at center.
-DH
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)