What Impact Would a Big Ten Expansion Have on Michigan State?
February 27, 2010
As the Big Ten looks to add another team to its ranks and become the….Big Ten, with twelve teams…the impact of such an expansion must be investigated by each team.
Michigan State has been in the Big Ten since the 1950 season, and they have fit comfortably into that role with their style of play, which is an offense that can air it out but also enjoys running the football with physical backs.
The rest of the Big Ten also tends to follow this mold, with the exception of those guys in maize and blue, which makes the addition of any team that plays a different style of offense something new, something dangerous.
Rumors abound on which team may join the Big Ten ranks, such schools as Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Missouri, and Texas. It seems as though the Big Ten has its heart set on raiding the Big East or Big 12.
First things first: Texas has already shot this rumor down, and if you think about it, travel time just doesn’t allow for Texas to be a viable choice as an addition. As tempting as the Longhorns would be, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone. Texas has also commented that it is considering becoming an independent, like Notre Dame.
Missouri is closer to the teams of the Big Ten, but they seem to be quite content in the Big 12 conference and convincing them to change to a new division might just prove to be too much. Mizzou is a great team in the Big 12 and is a perennial contender, but the allure of significantly more income per game may be enough to sway them. But again, public statement from the university is that they are staying in the Big 12.
Syracuse is a newcomer to the candidates, and it doesn’t look to be tempting enough for the Big Ten to bite on however. The Orangemen do have the advantage of being closer to the majority of the current Big Ten teams. On the other hand Syracuse doesn’t have the fan base that the Big Ten would like in an expansion team. They will remain in the Big East.
Rutgers is the birthplace of college football; the first ever intercollegiate football game was played at Rutgers in 1869. The Scarlet Knights would be a good addition to the Big Ten, as they have a excellent fan base and are near the largest media market in the world, New York City. Rutgers football has had some tough times recently but is on the up and up in the last few years. And the increase in revenue by joining the Big Ten could be quite tempting for the Scarlet Knights. However, they may choose to stay in the Big East where they have a better chance at competing for a conference championship.
The odds on favorite and best choice to become part of the Big Ten is Pittsburgh. Pitt has played many of the Big Ten teams in recent years and has been a formidable opponent for many of their combatants. Their style of play is similar to that of the teams in the Big Ten, and they are the closest team rumored to be in the running.
The Panthers always find a way to compete for the top of the Big East conference and would be an excellent addition to the Big Ten. They would be able to challenge the current teams and would bring in another large media market into the Big Ten.
With Pitt looking to be the best fit into the Big Ten, Michigan State should look to see how their addition will affect them. The Spartans have faced the Panthers six times in total and have a record of 5-0-1 against them.
Michigan State having never lost to Pittsburgh should be both a good thing and a bad.
It’s a good thing because Michigan State has the mental advantage over Pittsburgh; it may not be something measurable, but it does exist and it does affect games. Teams who are down in a series tend to get stressed out more in these games and make mistakes at a higher frequency than their opponent.
And with Michigan State having this advantage along with the advantage of video of successful play calls, they look to have the advantage overall against the Panthers.
However, as all Spartan fans know what the team should do and what they actually do tend to differ greatly. Pitt is a tough team and by no means will Michigan State run this series; instead, they will be tested hard and often. Given the Spartans woes on defense lately, a game against a healthy Pittsburgh may be too much to handle.
Michigan State should be excited about the possible expansion of the Big Ten, because it is a net gain for both them and the conference. With the expansion of the Big Ten, the conference gains more national attention, and with it so do the teams in it. And with another team to the conference, the possibility of a conference championship game grows significantly.
The Spartans should look forward to an increase in national attention with the bigger conference, and a larger conference would allow for a larger Big Ten network and more national coverage of games. And with Michigan State changing its color scheme and uniforms in search of a more national identity, the possible expansion of the Big Ten is nothing but good news.
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