Penn State Coach Joe Paterno wants the Big 10 to expand to a 12 team conference. Yes 12 teams, for those that don't know, the Big 10 actually became the Big 11 back in 1990 when they brought the Nittany Lions into the fold.
Joe wants to see a team from the east brought in, particularly one from the New York market which would increase tv revenues and exposure for the Big 10 conference. The teams Joe suggested as great fits were Pit, Rutgers or Syracuse.
I am sure the Big East is thrilled with Joe and his thoughts. However in the interview he gave Wednesday, what he said made sense.
By adding a 12 team it would ease scheduling issues. Currently in the Big 10 the teams are in rotation so they don't play each other every season, kind of muddying the waters of a Big 10 Champion if #1 and #2 don't play each other.
Should the Big 10 follow Joe's suggestion it would add revenues to the conference coffers by setting up a championship game like they have in the Big 12.
I think Joe is on spot on this one and the Big 10 and college football would benefit if the conference took in a new member. With the right team it would make the conference more competitive and a championship game would draw additional television dollars as well as extra attention for the conference.
Adding an eastern school and getting into the New York market makes perfect sense. Not only from a revenue earning stand point, but as a recruiting tool as well. The East has a large pool of football talent and any conference that does not mine the east for football players is missing out.
I hope that powers that be are listening to Joe Paterno, in my opinion, the man knows what he is talking about.
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