Maryland to leave ACC for Big 10

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by DFWJC

I keep hearing Super Conference talk here, but if you have a playoff and slots determined by the polls/computers (vs automatic bids to conf champs), doesn't that reduce the need for super conferences? And if you go by conf champs only you have an issue to by leaving out many of the best teams.

In any case, it does look like they are trying to build about 6 very large leagues.

The only way you can have a automatice feeder system inot a playoff AND not fall back into the exclusionary ways of the past would be to have a about 90-110 teams packed into. 6 * 16 =96 almost gets you there. 6 *20 covers all the D-1 teams, I assume. Then split the 20 teams into two divisions in each league to make scheduling work. Six automatic bids and maybe another 6 at large teams. 4 teams get byes...etc.

[View Full Quote]The Maryland move to the Big Ten was all aboout that Baltimore/Washington TV market combined with a chance for UM to get out from under water. Promises from a very rice Md alum to pump 10s (100s?) of million into the Md program if they join the Big 10 also helped bothg sides. Even the ACC wins here. They add UConn and don't miss a beat. Win-win for everyone.

No, it's more then just that. Both programs fit the Academic Profile which is huge for the Big 10. Rutgers is one of the top Research Universities in the Country. They are top 10 among all Universities in the Nation in this regard. This is what the Big 10 is all about. They get tons of money for this and Rutgers only helps that by bringing the average up and pulling their own money to the table. This is huge, bigger even then athletic regard, in the Big 10.

Maryland has recently become the largest research center in the Capital Beltway. What does that mean? In addition to receiving tons of Federal Funding for research, they also are the most highly visible, most influential University and most importantly, the closest University that fits the profile to the money pot, which flows from Washington. Many, many people who control the funding have ties to Maryland by either attending or having family who attend. What does that mean? More Federal Dollars to the Big 10.

It's certainly true that the TV market was an important factor but it is far from the only factor or even the most important one. The Big 10 makes more money from Federal Research then they do off Athletics or TV contracts by far. This is the key driver in their decisions making process IMO.