Big Ten Media Days

[knapplc]

Shatel had a couple of interesting blogs covering what other reporters have been saying about DONU at the Big Ten meetings:

Another week, another media days, another "What Others Said'' about Nebraska. This time, from the Big Ten:
• Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN and ABC analyst and former Ohio State quarterback: "It’s a huge coup for the Big Ten. I don’t think people understand yet what they’ve gotten in Nebraska. Imagine, the red and the white, in all these Big Ten stadiums. The new rivalries that will be created. How much fun that will be. And they are peaking, getting back to being Nebraska. Their fan base, to me, is one of the best fan bases in America. And if you don’t fill your stadium, they’re going to fill it for you. I just think it’s a classy organization, not just in college football, but across the board. I just think it’s a win-win.''

• Andy Bagnato, Fiesta Bowl official, who covered the Big Ten for 12 years at the Chicago Tribune: "It fits their culture very well. I used to make many trips into Lincoln and I don’t think it’s any different than going to some Big Ten campuses. Fanatical following, smash mouth football. I just think in a lot of ways it’s a really neat fit. Nebraska did what they felt like they had to do."

• Todd Blackledge, ABC analyst and former Penn State quarterback: "I like it. I like Nebraska. I went out there and did a game last year and I hadn’t been out there in a long time. I think it’s one of the great places in college football. I can remember playing there, my junior year, we beat them. It was a wild game. And when we came off the field, they stood and clapped for us. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. The people have a passion for college football, it’s a great institution, their other sports are really high quality. I think it’s a good fit.''

• Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: "I was kind of surprised when they were picked. My initial opinion, is this it, is that what all the hype was about? Not to dismiss Nebraska at all. I just didn't see Nebraska as one of the foremost players in this. But as the weeks have gone by, it just seems like such a sensible addition, the geographics are good. It is a border state. Some of the schools that were mentioned were a little bit out there. I think it will be a lot of fun for Iowans and Nebraskans. It will sure be more interesting for us (media).''

• Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune: "I think it's outstanding. Personally, I'm just so excited to cover a game there. I cover Northwestern, so now they're going to sell out the stadium twice a year, except for when Ohio State comes to town. And if they were thinking about knocking out some seats to make it more intimate, now they aren't going to because they could probably sell 80,000 tickets. Very exciting. It's great to see Tom Osborne here yesterday. Now you have three of the all-time winning programs in history. That's a lot of glitz and glamour. I think it's really a great move.''

Greenstein is among several Big Ten writers who think the league should split the divisions down the middle, east to west, which is interesting for those of us outsiders who think Penn State should be in the west:

"I think this concept of moving Penn State to the west because you have the big four is kind of ridiculous,'' Greenstein said. "It's not fair to Penn State fans, telling them you have to go all the way out there. I think it falls very naturally, with Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin as your big three in the west and Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the east.''

 

[Creed]

Nebraska to the B10 is awesome! Great fit all around.

Next year is going to be amazing. I can't wait until the divisions, schedules and CCG are decided.

Part of me wants them them to wait until April-May to make the offseason exciting and to delay gratification.

 

[huzkerbob]

"I think this concept of moving Penn State to the west because you have the big four is kind of ridiculous,'' Greenstein said. "It's not fair to Penn State fans, telling them you have to go all the way out there. I think it falls very naturally, with Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin as your big three in the west and Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the east.''

Finally someone's using a little common sense when it comes to div alignment.

I just think it’s a classy organization, not just in college football, but across the board. I just think it’s a win-win.''

I wonder if Larry Scott had to put a gun to Kirk's head to get him to say such good things about NU?

 

[Enhance]

"I think this concept of moving Penn State to the west because you have the big four is kind of ridiculous,'' Greenstein said. "It's not fair to Penn State fans, telling them you have to go all the way out there. I think it falls very naturally, with Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin as your big three in the west and Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the east.''

Finally someone's using a little common sense when it comes to div alignment.

I just think it’s a classy organization, not just in college football, but across the board. I just think it’s a win-win.''

I wonder if Larry Scott had to put a gun to Kirk's head to get him to say such good things about NU?

He nearly implodes on camera because he doesn't think '95 Nebraska should be in the conversation for the best team ever. Then, he goes out and says stuff like this.

I think I have figured him out, though. He will heap praise on Nebraska in situations like the one above. But, when it comes to breaking down who is going to win a football game on Saturdays or whose team is better, he generally rips Nebraska.

 

[HuskerJosh]

"I think this concept of moving Penn State to the west because you have the big four is kind of ridiculous,'' Greenstein said. "It's not fair to Penn State fans, telling them you have to go all the way out there. I think it falls very naturally, with Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin as your big three in the west and Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the east.''

Finally someone's using a little common sense when it comes to div alignment.

I just think it’s a classy organization, not just in college football, but across the board. I just think it’s a win-win.''

I wonder if Larry Scott had to put a gun to Kirk's head to get him to say such good things about NU?

What would Larry Scott have to do with it? Or did you mean Jim Delaney?

 

[huzkerbob]

"I think this concept of moving Penn State to the west because you have the big four is kind of ridiculous,'' Greenstein said. "It's not fair to Penn State fans, telling them you have to go all the way out there. I think it falls very naturally, with Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin as your big three in the west and Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the east.''

Finally someone's using a little common sense when it comes to div alignment.

I just think it’s a classy organization, not just in college football, but across the board. I just think it’s a win-win.''

I wonder if Larry Scott had to put a gun to Kirk's head to get him to say such good things about NU?

What would Larry Scott have to do with it? Or did you mean Jim Delaney?

Uhhhh yeah, that's the guy! :LOLtartar

 

[74Hunter]

"I think this concept of moving Penn State to the west because you have the big four is kind of ridiculous,'' Greenstein said. "It's not fair to Penn State fans, telling them you have to go all the way out there. I think it falls very naturally, with Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin as your big three in the west and Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the east.''

Finally someone's using a little common sense when it comes to div alignment.

I just think it’s a classy organization, not just in college football, but across the board. I just think it’s a win-win.''

I wonder if Larry Scott had to put a gun to Kirk's head to get him to say such good things about NU?

What would Larry Scott have to do with it? Or did you mean Jim Delaney?

Uhhhh yeah, that's the guy! :LOLtartar

New rumor is that with the 9 game Big 10 schedule, Michigan will be in the West Div., PSU in the East, and they will have that 1 rivalry/crossover game every year. Makes more sense, but I would rather see it set up more like the Big 12.

 

[BGREDSTUCKN IA]

I still dont think the media here in Iowa has grasped the concept of Nebraska making the Big Ten a better conference and what we bring to the table. I also have difficulty placing Penn St. in the west conference when they are the farthest east school, but I think it does make sense in regards to keeping the original big ten rivalries.

 

[Manhattan]

I really hope it remains an 8-game conference schedule. If it goes to 9-games, then I really hope that Ohio State forces its out-of-conference games all be home games (instead of 1 rotating each year with the strong opponent), or Ohio State could be out of a lot of money and tickets would be even more difficult to get.

 

[huKSer]

I really hope it remains an 8-game conference schedule. If it goes to 9-games, then I really hope that Ohio State forces its out-of-conference games all be home games (instead of 1 rotating each year with the strong opponent), or Ohio State could be out of a lot of money and tickets would be even more difficult to get.

8-game = 4 home league and 3 home OOC = 7 home games

9-game = 5 home league and 2 home OOC (visit strong opponent) = 7 home games

or . . . 4 home league and 3 home OOC (strong opponent at home) = 7 home games

 

[admo]

Pretty consistent excitement and praise on both sides (NU/Big10).

I prefer 8 games, but 9 is better than some OMG the helmets at the top of the board.. I just noticed that! Haha hell yeah its the Big 10 brotha! Sweet!

8 or 9 thats cool too!

 

[Manhattan]

I really hope it remains an 8-game conference schedule. If it goes to 9-games, then I really hope that Ohio State forces its out-of-conference games all be home games (instead of 1 rotating each year with the strong opponent), or Ohio State could be out of a lot of money and tickets would be even more difficult to get.

8-game = 4 home league and 3 home OOC = 7 home games

9-game = 5 home league and 2 home OOC (visit strong opponent) = 7 home games

or . . . 4 home league and 3 home OOC (strong opponent at home) = 7 home games

In the 8-game configuration you get one more home OOC every other year at Ohio State so it is 8 home games every other year.