Will we join the Big 10?

Nobody of power has said anything. Mostly the press has taken this whole story to a new level. Is it a possibility? Yes.

As a fan, the first thing I think of is how the match-ups will be. I mostly think of football. This is the biggest thing going at Nebraska most of the time. I wonder if this would even be talked about before the new coaching staff was hired and we saw success in the program again.

How would it be not playing Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas in football? This is assuming Missouri goes to the Big 10 also. It may take a few years for our football team to be playing these teams in non-conference games if we leave the Big 12. They could sort of boycott us. Who knows.

It would be exciting to play Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan St., Notre Dame(if they join the Big 10), and Penn State. Of course there would have to be two divisions for this to work out. We may not play each of those teams every year. There would also be Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern, and Wisconsin.

The Big 10 plays a different brand of football. They play tough defense and mostly run first, pass second on offense. Games are many times 17-14 or low scoring of some sort. We won't see the 56-44 games that we see in the Big 12. That is unless they change their offenses and go different areas for faster and quicker recruits.

Right now we can drive to a Kansas, Kansas State, Misssouri, or Colorado game. If we go to the Big 12, we would probably drive to an Iowa game and Missouri game if they would join. Otherwise you are flying somewhere. Flights to Chicago are available so if you get that far, you can rent a car and get to a lot of the Big 10 schools but it will take special travel plans.

Now to men's basketball. I think Nebraska could be more competitive in the Big 10. We'll have to step it up a notch but Nebraska won't have to play Kansas or Texas as often. The Big 12 is arguably the top conference in basketball in the nation. The Big 10 is competitive but hasn't had the power teams the past few years. With Texas down this past year both the Big 10 and Big 12 had four ranked teams.

In women's basketball the Big 12 is the best conference in America with seven teams being ranked last year. The Big 10 had two.

In volleyball, Penn St. has been a power the past few years. As a conference the Big 12 may be a little stronger but the Big 10 would be very competitive.

Baseball? I think kids want to play in the Big 12. Lots of talent and probably the best conference in most years from top to bottom.

AS I said in a previous message, the Big 12 is a very strong conference and to save it they need to market itself better. Texas has to stop acting like a bully and work more with the rest of the league, especially the North schools.