ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Don't worry, you'll still get your regular Friday mailbag. But the response to this week's news -- or non-news -- about Big Ten expansion has predictably sparked tons of debate.

Here are a few of the many suggestions and proposals I've received, as well as my quick take on each one. Be sure to check Friday's blog for my proposed addition to the league.

Adam from Pittsburgh writes: You're great Adam (echo)! I read the blog daily! Ok, I could see conference realigning like this: -Big Ten takes Iowa State (UI/ISU rivalry) -Big 12 takes TCU (they've earned it as of lately) -Pacific 10 takes Utah and Boise State (that would be a nice conference) Now 5 of the big 6 conferences would have championship games. I could see a Big Ten East as Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue. Big Ten West could be Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Iowa State. Any thoughts?

Adam Rittenberg: Thanks, Adam. It's important that the 12th team has established rivals in the league, and Iowa State certainly would have one with Iowa. In my view, a Big 12 North school would make more sense than a Big East school because of the geographical similarities. Iowa State fans and Missouri fans have more in common with Big Ten fans than those of Syracuse or Rutgers. The Big 12 also would have an easier time filling a vacancy because of the strength of the Mountain West. TCU certainly could compete in the Big 12, as could a team like Utah. 

Todd from Toledo writes: Hi Adam. I'm a faithful reader and I wanted to ask if anyone had talked about Cincinatti in terms of expanding the conference. The football team is definatly on an upswing with Brian Kelly and the basketball team has some tradition of excellence. I'm sure they are not the academic powerhouse that Delany says he is looking for, but with their recent BCS bowl trip last year they could make an impact. Cincinatti might not have the fan base, they do have the location. I just think the Bearcats are a tough, gritty team and could make an impact with Brian Kelly as their coach. I'm not saying they would beat my beloved Buckeyes, but they could finish fourth, perhaps third. Are you buying or am I nuts?

Adam Rittenberg: Cincinnati has been brought up by several e-mailers, Todd. I agree with you, though, on the academics argument. Not sure UC is what Delany and the school presidents see as an ideal fit. From an athletics perspective, Cincinnati would be a good addition. The basketball team has been a national power in the past, and the football program is definitely on the upswing under Brian Kelly. It's certainly a school to consider, but I'm not sure it's an ideal fit.

Sean from Philly writes: Adam, Remember the famous words of Bo Schembechler regarding the addition of Penn State to the Big Ten: "This confirms the worst fear I have of presidents' getting too much control in athletics." He was right and that is why the BCS will remain. As a Penn State and Big Ten fan, I would rather save a twelfth spot for a truly special school. Penn State had a great football rivalry with Pittsburgh but I don't think a 12th spot should be given to any school other than Notre Dame or a school of similar history. Any chance Nebraska leaves the Big 12 and becomes big rivals with Iowa?

Adam Rittenberg: It's undeniable that Notre Dame remains the best fit for the Big Ten. Will the Irish eventually cave and join a league? I don't see it in the immediate future, but it might happen eventually, and the Big Ten doesn't want to miss the chance to add Notre Dame. I couldn't see Nebraska leaving the Big 12. Too much history there.

Steve from Anchorage, Alaska, writes: You could potentially break up the Big Ten in North and South, with Minnesota, Wisconsin, MSU, Michigan, Northwestern, and let's say Syracuse in the N and tOSU, PSU, Purdue, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois in the South. I think there will always be years where things are out of balance to one side or the other, but it does split up some rivalries (Mich-tOSU, MSU-PSU, NW-ILL) so that they could potentially play twice in a collosal title game matchup. Better question is: What do you call this league? Kinda dumb calling them the Big Ten now, and then it would be even more weird. Big North North? Big North South? Big MidWest (The BMW conference kinda goes with our yuppie nature).

Adam Rittenberg: The Big Ten brand is so powerful that I doubt there would be a name change. It would be weird to have a 12-team league called the Big Ten, but I assume they'll keep the name. As for the divisions, I like your model more than the East-West one. You simply can't have Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State in the same division. As long as some of the natural rivalries are preserved every year, this model could work.

Spencer from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: The topic of expanding the big ten by adding a 12th team has really got me thinking... I don't know if the league will be able to lure a team from the big east or big 12, but has there been any talk of adding a MAC team to the mix? Ball State and Western Michigan could have been at least average big ten teams last season, and over the last few years, it has been a little more common to hear about a team from the MAC beating a team from the Big Ten. In the last 2 years, 6 MAC teams have beaten big ten teams. 2007 BGSU over Minnesota Western Michigan over Iowa 2008 Ball State over Indiana Toledo over Michigan Central Michigan over Indiana Western Michigan over Illinois The MAC has lost a few close games to big ten opponents as well. What is your take on this?

Adam Rittenberg: I honestly can't see the Big Ten adding any team from the MAC. Some e-mailers have thrown out Central Michigan or even Buffalo, which has upgraded its football program significantly in recent years. But from a financial standpoint, I can't see a MAC team being able to compete regularly in the Big Ten. It's about much more than a victory now and then. You need the facilities, the booster support and the commitment to all sports to contend every year in a major conference. It also has to be an academic fit.

Josh from Philadelphia writes: Adam, heres my take on what the Big Ten could do for the scheduling if the conference decides to add a 12th team. Make 2 divisions (east and west). Have each team in the conference play 10 conference games and 2 non-conference games. Say Ohio State is in the east division, they would have to play every team in their division and play 5 of the other 6 teams from the other division. If michigan were in the west division, they could create a rule that would keep the rivalry in tact and rotate the other teams from that division. So in this case, Ohio State would be playing every team from the east division, would play michigan on an annual basis, and would still get to play 4 of the other 5 teams from the western division. This could potentially help keep rivalries in place and keep everyone happy. Personally, I would love to see Notre Dame, Missouri, Pitt, Louisville, or even West Virginia join the conference. I think they could all help restore the league's reputation and it would even help the league's other sports such as basketball, baseball, and etc. The additions of these teams would also revive some lost rivalries such as Penn State-Pitt, Penn State-ND and it would create some fantastic matchups. Could you imagine Ohio State and Notre Dame or Wisconsin and Notre Dame on a yearly basis? It would make the league that much more exciting and would bring interest to the league, something it needs despera
tely after what the conference has done in the bcs games the last 3 years. But anyways Adam, thanks for the blog and keep up the Great Work.

Adam Rittenberg: Thanks, Josh. I like your ideas, but 10 conference games is never going to happen. This is ultimately a business, and most Big Ten teams need at least three nonleague home games to bring in sufficient revenue every year. I could see the Big Ten adding a ninth league game at some point, but the league will never go to 10. As for your 12th team suggestions, I like Notre Dame and Missouri. West Virginia is an interesting possibility, and the Mountaineers would add a lot in both football and men's basketball. But much like Cincinnati, I'm not sure West Virginia is an ideal fit for this league.