VectorVictor

Hmmm...too bad we didn't have Net Neutrality, or we could simply bypass Time Warner and their usage caps, and instead sign up with a television-over-IP provider online. Oh well, Dish or DirecTV should work. I know Dish provides the BTN already to folks in Lincoln--it may be on one of the upper sports tiers, but frankly, is there such a thing as too much sports coverage?

Hey--Mickey's loss is the Big Ten Network's (and our) gain! And I can't be the only one around here doing a happy dance when thinking about how I won't have to shell out $40 for a crappy Fox Sports PPV game? Man, this means we only have one 11am game so far with eight scheduled, and only these four to go: 10/29 MICH. STATE 11/05 NORTHWESTERN 11/12 @ PENN STATE 11/19 @ MICHIGAN If Michigan State does well, I can easily see three of these four being picked up by Disney. This has to substantially help with recruiting efforts, especially in Texas--your kid may not play in your state, but you can watch him every week.

Not to mention that they called Dr. Tom inept as a AD, in so many words. Frankly, I think Dr. Tom has been anything but inept since he became AD. I just hope there's a plan of succession in place so we don't have to go through another half-decade of Pedeyshine again.

Why does the NCAA start so early, anyway? I never understood that...

Actually looking forward to the Minnesota game. The wife loved Mall of America (nothing like it in TX), so any excuse to combine MoA and 'Husker Football is what game theorists call a 'win/win'.

If the Big XII truly wanted a conference title game, they could petition the NCAA for an exemption to the 12-team rule and likely get it. Money isn't the issue here--getting cheap and easy NCs are. The fact that they haven't speaks volumes to how they want the Big XII to be in the years to come--an easy national championship coronation process for either Texas or Oklahoma. --- As for Big XII articles and revisionist history, remember that the Big XII offices employed one of the biggest 'Husker haters from the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram in Wendell Barnhouse to cover the entirety of the conference for their own website. This piece smacks of something he would write, and IIRC, his work has been posted at Fox Sports SW in the past. Based off of the venom Wendell slung towards Nebraska in the past and his own attempts to be exclusionary (pre-exodus) towards Nebraska coverage on his Big XII blog, I wouldn't urinate on him even if he was on fire.

Dragon Age 2--third playthrough as a mage, one 'cheevo away from getting a perfect on the game. Very tedious, though I'm having fun going through being a hypocrite. Battlefield 2 BC: On level 22 after getting the game a couple of months ago, have all but two weapons unlocked, and the game is hella fun. Red Dead Redemption: Picked it up for $20 and got the DLC when it was on sale via XBL. Going to go through that game after DA2 is finished (read: until DLC is available).

I'm sure his heart and stomach thank him, at any rate--the amount of Blood Pressure meds and antacid required to handle Pryor would had sent Joe Pa to an early grave.

I take it these logos are for the footprint market channels and not the national channel? I mean, I'd hate to be in Texas and, for some inexplicable reason, get saddled with the Michigan Big Ten Network logo.

There's only two pieces worth the B1G's time to pursue: Mizzou and Kansas. The 'state' schools in IA and KS aren't worth the time, and assuming that Delaney's 'contiguous' expansion comments weren't bunk, that takes OK schools off the table until a MO or KS school is offered, and Texas schools could only happen if we were going to 16 schools (read: conference Armageddon). Plus, as it was explained to Saunders, you're thinking with a mindset that's a decade or more too old. Sure Maryland and Ga. Tech aren't the best sports schools. But both sit in the Baltimore/DC and Atlanta TV markets, respectively, and would be a significant fiscal boost to a conference that runs its own cable network and has a TV contract with Disney coming up for negotiation in a couple of years. These market sizes are significant enough that the mediocrity of their programs are outweighed by the potential market for marque matchups or the B1G's biggest name brands (OSU and Nebraska, in order). Not to be an arguer, but Delaney actually said that contiguous states was not a prerequisite, it is far more about the school, wherever it may lie. The BiG (and commissioner) is far more concerned with which school it is than what state it is in and Delaney has said as much. There's only one feasible exception to what Delaney said about schools being contiguous, and that's Texas. Anything else, and you're risking repeating the mistakes of the WAC. Atlanta is a great media market, but I don't think it's benefits would offset the problems that would come with a detached market. And you're right, Delaney said it wasn't an absolute requirement, but it would take a rare exception of a school--it's a Big 10 bylaw that 'requires' contiguous expansion that would need to be voted out of existence for a non-contiguous expansion to happen.

Good for Nebraska for many reasons, one of which means that we have a very good chance to be the sole standard bearer for the B1G this year. If Nebraska's meteoric accomplishments (read: NC or BCS game) via moving to the B1G can offset the Ohio State scandal this year, Delaney will have exceeded whatever initial ROI he expected for us. That would certainly earn quite a bit of favor with the main man that could pay dividends for years to come. Of course, the very real worry is that we lose Bo to Ohio State. Coaching expectations won't be astronomically high as long as Ohio State remains on probation--that gives whomever goes there a nice, comfy cushion in which to build their program. While I think that would be perfect for Urban Meyer's ego and ticker, something tells me that Bo will be at the top of their list.

There's only two pieces worth the B1G's time to pursue: Mizzou and Kansas. The 'state' schools in IA and KS aren't worth the time, and assuming that Delaney's 'contiguous' expansion comments weren't bunk, that takes OK schools off the table until a MO or KS school is offered, and Texas schools could only happen if we were going to 16 schools (read: conference Armageddon). Plus, as it was explained to Saunders, you're thinking with a mindset that's a decade or more too old. Sure Maryland and Ga. Tech aren't the best sports schools. But both sit in the Baltimore/DC and Atlanta TV markets, respectively, and would be a significant fiscal boost to a conference that runs its own cable network and has a TV contract with Disney coming up for negotiation in a couple of years. These market sizes are significant enough that the mediocrity of their programs are outweighed by the potential market for marque matchups or the B1G's biggest name brands (OSU and Nebraska, in order).

The only thing that will push Notre Dame to join a conference now, IMO, is if they are in the mix, but are picked over for the Football NC game due to their schedule strength and voter apathy towards it. Not saying it *will* happen--just saying this is what it would take for the 'Domers to become a joiner. This was discussed some time ago with one of our Mizzou posters. Three of the strikes against Mizzou are that part of its state (approx. 25-30%) are already in the B1G Footprint, that it shares a border and both its major metropolitan areas with neighboring states, and that Kansas Basketball is historically and significantly more of a successful national brand than Mizzou. And if you want to add a fourth item to just rub salt in the wound, Kansas actually has been to a BCS bowl, whereas Mizzou still has yet to taste such success. Considering Delaney's statements about maintaining a contiguous footprint were not bunk, that would put Ga. Tech out, and make both Kansas and Mizzou possible targets. And if it comes down to a choice between Kansas and Mizzou to accompany a Maryland expansion, I fully expect Kansas to get the nod. The B1G is nothing if consistent, and they've already tipped their hand that they value national brands (read: Nebraska) over a relatively safe bump in subscriber base (Mizzou). Kansas brings perhaps the biggest national brand to basketball this side of Duke (sucks) and it would be hard to pass up. Plus, a nice bonus is that it would throw Nebraska and it's massive traveling horde of fans a bone in reestablishing the bi-annual Nebraska migration game in Lawrence.

Saunders--you know television ratings hold significant value. Nebraska beat Rutgers, Pitt, Mizzou, UConn, Syracuse, and Notre Dame in television ratings--all prospective Big 10 expansion targets, and all while Nebraska was hobbled with regional-only broadcasts. A national draw that generates ratings allows the B1G Network to increase advertising rates for its network significantly. Sucking up a major metropolitan area helps subscriber base and improves advertising too, but not to the extent of a national draw. Also, having more major metropolitan areas in your back pocket helps when the next round of contract negotiations comes to a head. One thing to note is that with the last round of expansion, the Big 10 made a choice between expansion of their local footprint (Mizzou) or expansion of their national brand (Nebraska). The Frank the Tank blog (which has been covering expansion better than any media outlet) ran the numbers which firmly showed the potential and upside in bringing a national brand like Nebraska on was better than the safe, moderate fiscal improvement Mizzou would bring via media markets. And you're right that Maryland or Ga. Tech, on their own merits, are as exciting as dry toast. But the point is to use those local teams to get their foot in the door to throw, say, Nebraska vs. Michigan in their face--something that even Ma and Pa Kettle, who may not have any vested interest in either team, will stop down to consume.

This. And it would piss off Jerry Jones to no end that the other local teams (Baseball, Basketball) have experienced more success recently than what the Cowboys have experienced.

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say hiring Darin Erstad as head coach is like hiring Eric Crouch as head coach? Actually neither is comparable. Crouch has almost zero ability to coach football. Erstad however would be a good coach. Do we know either to be absolutely true? I don't recall Crouch ever taking a coaching position, and technically Erstad got fired his first year on the job. I'm just sayin'.

This is not correct, Saunders. If the market is a 'local' market, then the B1G Network can increase the carrier cost to the cable provider significantly. This time last year during expansion talk, it had come out that the rates the Big 10 Network can charge (because they're a local provider) are significantly higher in their footprint than the rates for cable providers outside of the B1G footprint. Since the B1G uses the local market revenue for base operating expenses to the Big 10 Network, that ultimately means a fatter operations bottom line for the network. This is why Mizzou was in the mix--if the B1G picked Mizzou, then the cost for cable carriers to provide the B1G in MO (read: KC, St. Louis) triples (or quadruples--it's been a while) overnight. (One of the problems, mind you, with Mizzou was that the north part of Missouri (and over 25% of the population) are already considered part of the B1G footprint.) Additionally, this expansion into major media markets would mean the Big 10 Network could charge much more for advertising space on their network. Advertising money is the actual revenue which fills the huge pot 'o money that the Big 10 splits equally. Just the expansion of the Big 10 Network into the Atlanta and DC/Baltimore media markets would pay for onboarding two new folks in a matter of a few scant years, if not sooner (depending on quality of product). 10 or 20 years ago, Saunders, your thinking would have been sound. But the Commissioners of these athletic conferences are wearing more than one hat--they're now cable channel directors, too, so fans need to start thinking accordingly when trying to process the logic behind these decisions. And yes, I agree that the Maryland and Ga. Tech athletic programs themselves do nothing to pique my interest. But their media markets (and the increased revenue to DoNU) do make me interested.

Of note: Boston Globe link Makes sense. Maryland would get the D.C. and Baltimore, MD markets, while Georgia Tech would grab part of the Atlanta market. Both are very "poachable" targets, too, IMO--good academics, good fanbase, good media markets. I'd personally rather see the Big 10 go after Kansas and Missouri, but Atlanta and D.C./Baltimore have better media markets IIRC, and that's what is driving the expansion bus.

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say hiring Darin Erstad as head coach is like hiring Eric Crouch as head coach?

This, and there are some fringe fans that are (still) opposed to our move to the B1G and view this as an affront to the program bigger than anything SP did. Nevermind the context, the Texas/Big XII Hypocrisy, or the massive improvement to academics with this move (not that they were inadequate before, mind you). Some folks just plain don't like change, and TO (ironically) changed the whole of the university in one fell swoop.

I don't think Kendall Rogers has a clue. Knowing Erstad. . . he's not sure if he wants to be a full time assistant coach because of the time commitments...I don't think he's up for the Head Coach gig. I was told again this morning unless someone really impresses during the interview its Will Bolts job to lose. Agreed. Plus, Will is more likely to keep Erstad on too. Someone has made mention that MA micromanaged the effectiveness out of Erstad as the season went on--I think giving Erstad another year to prove he can make a positive impact would benefit this team greatly. Also, the comments from the Lincoln and Omaha papers suggest that our moving to the Big 10 really isn't impacting us that much in our search. Seems like coaches like an easy road to the CWS tourney more than the RPI damage, and the Big 10 currently is as easy as it gets for a major conference. Plus, there are few schools north of the Mason-Dixon line with as much support (financially and otherwise) for their baseball program as Nebraska enjoys.

Doesn't bother me any. Then again, I've never been one to subscribe to the silly notion that one must wait until noon local time to consume alcohol.

Alamo City Husker-- Good information, and thanks. Glad you left the hat with the pastor, though, or there would had been trouble a'brewin, especially when local 'whorns catch wind. In the future, though, could you please split your posts into multiple paragraphs--that was a tough read to chew through.

He should have been named head coach when van horn left. He was an outstanding recruiter who knows pitching very well and can mold guys on the mound. He isn't coming here, although I'd love to see it. How much was Childress making in comparison to MA? If we're offering more than what he's making at A&M, then I would think we have a reasonable shot to land whomever we want, regardless of how Big 10 Baseball is perceived.