Nebraska Secures Stability in Big Ten

In December, The Big Ten Conference released a press release signaling their hopes to expand, which seemed to center around two goals; landing Notre Dame and securing two divisions which would culminate in a conference championship game. Instantaneously, Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton made public proclamation that the Missouri Tigers were more than interested. That left Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne contemplating a turn of events that could lead The University of Nebraska, and it's storied football program, vulnerable.

Colorado had always been flirting with the PAC 10 conference, so with Missouri obviously seeking greener pastures, the Big XII North Division becomes real shaky. During the Big XII meetings, one item could have given the whole situation some clarity about the league remaining in tact going forward, and that was the television rights. The University of Texas, who thinks they are the big fish in the pond, and they are, was set on doing their own television deal and would not commit to assigning the media rights to the conference for the long term. If you are looking to preserve the Big XII, that was the wrong answer.

During this time period, Nebraska and The Big Ten Conference began discussing a possible relationship. Given the turmoil brewing around the Big XII, Nebraska appeared set to making the move. Seemingly before a deal was finalized, Colorado, the "declared" rival of Nebraska, announced their intention to move to the PAC 10. At this point, although Nebraska appeared set to move anyhow, the Cornhuskers had no alternative now. On Friday, Nebraska was accepted as the 12 member of The Big Ten. "The Big Ten offered stability," UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said, "the Big 12 could not offer." CBS Sports.com writer Dennis Dodd sums up the events quite nicely.

I have never been a big fan of Big Ten football and I think teams from this conference are usually overrated. Therefore, from a football standpoint, I am not real happy. But this was about much more than football, and overall this is an outstanding move by the University of Nebraska. Nebraska football will be fine, and while UNL has a good academic reputation (even in the sports teams), the University will benefit in a big way academically. On the gridiron, I think Nebraska will win quite frequently and annually challenge for the conference title.

Unfortunately, as a college football traditionalist who appreciates the color and pageantry of the game and who is not looking for a playoff system, this is bad news for the game. The shifting of teams has only just begun, and the ripple effect of these moves will be titanic. As with anything while we are still a nation of capitalists, there will be winners and losers. Among the teams that may come out short are Kansas and their storied basketball program, Missouri who helped get this started by dreaming ahead of themselves and Iowa State and Baylor, who are sadly looking homeless.

Perhaps the worst of this is what appears to be the death knell of the battle of the Big Reds, Nebraska vs. Oklahoma. The formation of the Big XII made this game a non annual tilt anyhow, but the teams could have always continued the rivalry by meeeting in the Big XII Championship game on off scheduled seasons. Now Nebraska gets another red team to deal with, Wisconsin. I just can't curb my excitement.

At the end of the day, due to the confluence of events, this was a move The University of Nebraska had to make. Look out Man, Woman and Child, here come the 'Huskers. The Big Ten is impressive, but There is no place like Nebraska!