Conference Expansion Gets Under Way, Maryland Still Standing Pat

by Ben Broman on Jun 10, 2010 6:41 PM EDT

And so it begins. Colorado has accepted an invitation to the Pac-10 and will be introduced on Friday, CBS Sports reports. They're the first change of what figures to be a massive change in college athletics.

Meanwhile, Nebraska could be introduced to the Big Ten as early as Friday, if reports are to be believed. So much for that 12 month timeline, eh?

If Nebraska is officially added to the big Ten, there's a strong possibility that they'll be looking to expand to 14 or 16 teams - the general thought was that Notre Dame and Texas were the only teams big enough to make sense as a one-team expansion. But the Big Ten's plans still remain to be seen. In fact, it sounds like Nebraska is the only imminent move and that they'll expand in phases.

So no matter what the rumors indicate, it's doubtful that there are major plans for expansion in the Big Ten right now, Marlyand-related or not.

Just in case you weren't sure, though, Debbie Yow is taking the same stance on the topic she's had since Day One: it's a wasted discussion.

"No change as far as I know, " Yow said. Just lots of rumors"

"I guess I could be surprised," Yow said, "but, really, how does a founding member of the ACC leave it? Better to just be ready with our own choices if someone should leave for more money elsewhere."

Of course, it has to be said that Yow has to take this stance, no matter what her (or the school's) actual intentions are. It also needs to be said that this isn't her decision to make, but rather the President of the university (whomever it may be) and the Board of Regents. It's likely that they may have a different stance.

For what it's worth, sources still say that there's been no serious talks between Maryland and the Big Ten (or within Maryland's own administration) about switching conferences. It remains far more likely than not that Maryland will be remaining in the ACC, just as it always has been.

Whether or not that is good or bad is yet to be seen, but that seems to be the situation right now.

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John Swofford has made James Barker (the Clemson president) the head of the ACC Expansion Task Force to explore any options out there.

Sounds like the blind leading the blind here. I would think that the FSU president may be asked as well. This could be a ploy by JS to allow Clemson and FSU the chance to make the ACC what they want it before they make a decision whether to go to the SEC or not (should the time come).

Many rumors swirling out there for all of the big schools that are even close to considering a move somewhere.

Wake Forest '12

Mother So Dear

by RAJohnston on Jun 10, 2010 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

MD better be looking out for itself

I hope Miss Yow is only saying what she is “supposed” to say. She is NOT the one making the decision. Unless John Swofford can pull a “leprechaun” out of his hat, the ACC is on the verge of becoming a mid-major conference in all ways imaginable. But let’s don’t look out for ourselves- let’s stay in a conference that has shunned us and considered us as total outsiders – A conference that has only been concerned about NC schools and basketball. Well, the game has changed now. Basketball is not the money maker in college sports now, and thanks to UNC and Duke, the conference has always had to abide by their rules and their needs. To hell with them. Let them stay in the ACC and pick up the teams no one else wants. It is exactly what they deserve. Or better yet let them just have a NC conference and play each other 6 times a year.

This is not just about the athletics either. Federal grant research money that goes to Big Ten schools is HUGE and the academics are fabulous. And since we have no extra money right now, I think the estimated 30 M is much better than the 11.2 M the ACC has just negotiated (but supposedly not signed). Do we really think ESPN will not change those terms if we lose 2-4 teams to the SEC?

This is one time the TURTLE should put on some wings and FLY to the Big Ten!

by frencha012981 on Jun 10, 2010 8:19 PM EDT reply actions