Nebraska, Syracuse, Pitt, Rutgers and Missouri To Big Ten

[UNHWildCats]

A source in St. Louis familiar with the situation told NewsCenter 16 Thursday afternoon that Missouri will leave the Big XII and soon join the Big 10. Other schools expected to follow the Tigers are Syracuse, Pitt, Rutgers and Nebraska.

Many have speculated that such an expansion would include Notre Dame but ND athletic director Jack Swarbrick told me today that the Irish prefer to stay independent in football and in the Big East for other sports. Swarbrick said maintaining football Independence is such a part of what Notre Dame is.

He went on to say the Big East is a great partner for the University in other sports.

"We do have to monitor what is going on," Swarbrick said. "There will be significant shifts. "Hopefully we can navigate them by keeping our football independent and keeping our Big East affiliation because that is what we care about."

The move of Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers to the Big Ten from the Big East could categorically change the landscape of the Big East itself. Thus, what Swarbrick is referring to when stating the University must continue to monitor what is going on.

The interview with Swarbrick was done before the late afternoon announcement.

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[ASUMountaineer]

Notre Dame is retarded. I understand the contract dollars from NBC, but seriously...in the long run, joining the BigTen is the smartest thing ND could do. Their basketball team would immediately begin competing for championships (not as likely in the BE), and football would have a better chance of becoming relevant again. Stupid. Just another reason to hate ND.

[bluehenbillk]

Certainly what that is, is a rumor right now, could certainly be true as there are no shockers with those 5. What it does though is put a dagger through Big East football unless the Big East throws a take it for all sports or get the hell out approach to ND as also rumored. Would make me sad as a Cuse hoops fan to see them goto the bor-ing Big Ten for hoops. Love it to see Nebraska play football against the likes of OSU, PSU & Big Blue.

[T-Dog]

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[AZGrizFan]

This is just stupid. So, the Big 10 is now the Big 16? The NCAA really needs to step in on this and put a halt.

[grizzaholic]

This is just stupid. So, the Big 10 is now the Big 16? The NCAA really needs to step in on this and put a halt.

It works, sort of, for the CAA so why not the Big 10?

[ASUMountaineer]

This is just stupid. So, the Big 10 is now the Big 16? The NCAA really needs to step in on this and put a halt.

As pointed out, the NCAA needs the "big six" more than they need the NCAA (at least in football). If the NCAA tried to put an end to this, the big six will do it anyways, remain part of the BCS, and form their own "league" for football. The NCAA's only real option is to let it happen, but try to mitigate the damage. We'll see what happens. The only benefit from this, is it will allow some FCS schools to jump to FBS.

[AZGrizFan]

This is just stupid. So, the Big 10 is now the Big 16? The NCAA really needs to step in on this and put a halt.

As pointed out, the NCAA needs the "big six" more than they need the NCAA (at least in football). If the NCAA tried to put an end to this, the big six will do it anyways, remain part of the BCS, and form their own "league" for football. The NCAA's only real option is to let it happen, but try to mitigate the damage. We'll see what happens. The only benefit from this, is it will allow some FCS schools to jump to FBS.

Many fans don't see this as a 'benefit'.

[ASUMountaineer]

As pointed out, the NCAA needs the "big six" more than they need the NCAA (at least in football). If the NCAA tried to put an end to this, the big six will do it anyways, remain part of the BCS, and form their own "league" for football. The NCAA's only real option is to let it happen, but try to mitigate the damage. We'll see what happens. The only benefit from this, is it will allow some FCS schools to jump to FBS.

Many fans don't see this as a 'benefit'.

True. I am a fan that believes it can be a benefit...and speaking for my team, I think it would be a benefit.

[Gil Dobie]

If I'm still in Minnesota, it would be nice to see Nebraska come in and play once in a while.

[89Hen]

It works, sort of, for the CAA so why not the Big 10?

How's that? We were 12 and I'm not sure there was a single CAA fan that liked being 12.