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Topic: NIU to Big 12
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colobobcat66
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Posted: 8/4/2015 11:33 AM
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I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 12:24 PM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.

That sounds good, but their attendance doesn't indicate that they can bring the DeKalb market, much less Chicago.

I think Cincinnati and Memphis are much more likely. Neither is as big a market as Chicago, but both schools do well in their home market.
colobobcat66
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Posted: 8/4/2015 12:39 PM
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L.C. wrote:expand_more
I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.

That sounds good, but their attendance doesn't indicate that they can bring the DeKalb market, much less Chicago.

I think Cincinnati and Memphis are much more likely. Neither is as big a market as Chicago, but both schools do well in their home market.

The attendance numbers were never brought up and they are the elephant in the room. Chris Childers made a big deal however about what increased interest the Big 12 teams would bring to the NIU fans and mentioned playing some games in Chicago.

I did some research on this and found that NIU had about 225,000 alumni, Illinois has 600,000+. It's hard for me to believe that NIU would really bring Chicago to the Big 12.

They did mention that Chicago has huge numbers of Big 12 alumni. Source?

I'd like to see the TV ratings for NIU football in the Chicago area. I suspect that they are not as good as Childers thinks they are.

I'm not a big believer in UC draw for football, although their stadium issues have been discussed here before so maybe it's better than I believe. Memphis has been so bad until recently so I'd like to see a little more history for them. Neither are big name schools in football IMHO. BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.
Last Edited: 8/4/2015 12:45:13 PM by colobobcat66
Kevin Finnegan
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Posted: 8/4/2015 12:44 PM
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I live less than an hour from NIU. They're rarely covered on the local news, and that's the Northern Illinois stations (Rockford base). There is such little interest in this area for the school. Both of my in-laws are alumni and neither show much unless they're playing OHIO and they take the opposite side of me for fun. The love around here is primarily focused on Bears and Packers with nothing else. It's seen as a heavy commuter college, little college atmosphere in the Dekalb area to speak of, so little pride. You'd think that winning would change that, but it really hasn't much.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 12:54 PM
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finnOhio is right. There are times when the local Chicago sports highlights will include NIU games (usually the weeknight games). There is some ink for NIU in the Tribune. But the Chicago is a college football town because so many different school alums converge here. Northwestern seems to have the corner on this market based on their radio deal with WGN and in-town promos. I could see the Big 12 making a push for a piece of the Chicago media market.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 1:24 PM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.

That sounds good, but their attendance doesn't indicate that they can bring the DeKalb market, much less Chicago.

I think Cincinnati and Memphis are much more likely. Neither is as big a market as Chicago, but both schools do well in their home market.

The attendance numbers were never brought up and they are the elephant in the room. Chris Childers made a big deal however about what increased interest the Big 12 teams would bring to the NIU fans and mentioned playing some games in Chicago.

I did some research on this and found that NIU had about 225,000 alumni, Illinois has 600,000+. It's hard for me to believe that NIU would really bring Chicago to the Big 12.

They did mention that Chicago has huge numbers of Big 12 alumni. Source?

I'd like to see the TV ratings for NIU football in the Chicago area. I suspect that they are not as good as Childers thinks they are.

I'm not a big believer in UC draw for football, although their stadium issues have been discussed here before so maybe it's better than I believe. Memphis has been so bad until recently so I'd like to see a little more history for them. Neither are big name schools in football IMHO. BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.
UC is definitely playing the waiting game. People love the Bearcats and they just renovated the stadium big time. I think they get a little apathetic around here though because of their competition in the land of the Big East/AAC. Sure, Louisville, WVU and Pitt used to be big regional draws, but now? I can't imagine a game against South Florida really fires up the UC fans. They get Miami, FL at home this year, which should be huge and nice feasibility study for the Big XII.

I've always thought BYU was Big XII material also. Wouldn't be surprised to see them and Memphis, Boise State or UCF.
Last Edited: 8/4/2015 1:25:00 PM by GoCats105
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Posted: 8/4/2015 1:36 PM
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NIU could deliver Chicago the same way that OHIO could deliver Columbus or UMASS could deliver Boston...in that none could do any of the prior.
colobobcat66
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Posted: 8/4/2015 1:54 PM
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OhioStunter wrote:expand_more
finnOhio is right. There are times when the local Chicago sports highlights will include NIU games (usually the weeknight games). There is some ink for NIU in the Tribune. But the Chicago is a college football town because so many different school alums converge here. Northwestern seems to have the corner on this market based on their radio deal with WGN and in-town promos. I could see the Big 12 making a push for a piece of the Chicago media market.

I have to say that the Ohio-Northwestern game had less of a big time feel than any of the money games that I have been to. The crowd seemed small and late arriving. I don't see Northwestern as a real big interest team, but that's only based on that game experience. It would be interesting to see what would happen with a real winning program. Chicago seems like a pro town to me.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 2:22 PM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
finnOhio is right. There are times when the local Chicago sports highlights will include NIU games (usually the weeknight games). There is some ink for NIU in the Tribune. But the Chicago is a college football town because so many different school alums converge here. Northwestern seems to have the corner on this market based on their radio deal with WGN and in-town promos. I could see the Big 12 making a push for a piece of the Chicago media market.

I have to say that the Ohio-Northwestern game had less of a big time feel than any of the money games that I have been to. The crowd seemed small and late arriving. I don't see Northwestern as a real big interest team, but that's only based on that game experience. It would be interesting to see what would happen with a real winning program. Chicago seems like a pro town to me.
During that game, we were actually told by the ushers to keep it down. We really were not being obnoxious Ohio fans, but what a reserved atmosphere.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 2:58 PM
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Zero.

Only alive because media demands content, without regard to reality.


Peoples need to find something useful, beneficial to do with their time. Improve two lives: go rescue a dog from a shelter.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 3:02 PM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
...BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.

Going West instead of East makes a lot of sense. While those are smaller media markets, they have a better chance of grabbing a big chunk because there is less competition. BYU, Boise, Colorado St, and Air Force all might make sense. On the other hand, that would leave WV as an orphan 1000 miles away from the rest of the conference. UC and Memphis are the strongest of the possible teams to sort of fill that gap in the middle.
colobobcat66
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Posted: 8/4/2015 3:51 PM
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L.C. wrote:expand_more
...BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.

Going West instead of East makes a lot of sense. While those are smaller media markets, they have a better chance of grabbing a big chunk because there is less competition. BYU, Boise, Colorado St, and Air Force all might make sense. On the other hand, that would leave WV as an orphan 1000 miles away from the rest of the conference. UC and Memphis are the strongest of the possible teams to sort of fill that gap in the middle.
IMHO, West Virginia in the Big 12 is the worse example of what the conference realignment can produce. Total disregard for rivalries and travel considerations for the athletes and fans.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 4:03 PM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
...BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.

Going West instead of East makes a lot of sense. While those are smaller media markets, they have a better chance of grabbing a big chunk because there is less competition. BYU, Boise, Colorado St, and Air Force all might make sense. On the other hand, that would leave WV as an orphan 1000 miles away from the rest of the conference. UC and Memphis are the strongest of the possible teams to sort of fill that gap in the middle.
IMHO, West Virginia in the Big 12 is the worse example of what the conference realignment can produce. Total disregard for rivalries and travel considerations for the athletes and fans.
No doubt, but with the Big East imploding, where else would they have gone save for if the ACC had been recruiting them at the time? Clearly WVU to ACC made the most sense, if they would have wanted them.

If the ACC wanted WVU, it probably would have boiled down to the money, but with the Big 12 dying on the vine at the time I'm certain they would have somehow made WVU a sweetheart deal to land them.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 4:10 PM
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D.A. wrote:expand_more
...BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.

Going West instead of East makes a lot of sense. While those are smaller media markets, they have a better chance of grabbing a big chunk because there is less competition. BYU, Boise, Colorado St, and Air Force all might make sense. On the other hand, that would leave WV as an orphan 1000 miles away from the rest of the conference. UC and Memphis are the strongest of the possible teams to sort of fill that gap in the middle.
IMHO, West Virginia in the Big 12 is the worse example of what the conference realignment can produce. Total disregard for rivalries and travel considerations for the athletes and fans.
No doubt, but with the Big East imploding, where else would they have gone save for if the ACC had been recruiting them at the time? Clearly WVU to ACC made the most sense, if they would have wanted them.

If the ACC wanted WVU, it probably would have boiled down to the money, but with the Big 12 dying on the vine at the time I'm certain they would have somehow made WVU a sweetheart deal to land them.

WVU made it to a power conference and that was the best that looked doable. It looks a lot like desperation by the Big 12. They were in danger of breaking up without the 4 teams that left.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 4:15 PM
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D.A. wrote:expand_more
...BYU and Air Force make more sense to me because of national followings in some way, but there are other issues there.

Going West instead of East makes a lot of sense. While those are smaller media markets, they have a better chance of grabbing a big chunk because there is less competition. BYU, Boise, Colorado St, and Air Force all might make sense. On the other hand, that would leave WV as an orphan 1000 miles away from the rest of the conference. UC and Memphis are the strongest of the possible teams to sort of fill that gap in the middle.
IMHO, West Virginia in the Big 12 is the worse example of what the conference realignment can produce. Total disregard for rivalries and travel considerations for the athletes and fans.
No doubt, but with the Big East imploding, where else would they have gone save for if the ACC had been recruiting them at the time? Clearly WVU to ACC made the most sense, if they would have wanted them.

If the ACC wanted WVU, it probably would have boiled down to the money, but with the Big 12 dying on the vine at the time I'm certain they would have somehow made WVU a sweetheart deal to land them.
In a perfect world, the ACC would have recruited WVU and UC along with Louisville and Pitt, which would have been awesome for rivalry purposes. And the Big 12 would have taken some mix of BYU, Houston, Utah, and Boise State along with TCU.

In my eyes, the moment Colorado went to the Pac 12 and Missouri and Texas A&M went to the SEC, that totally threw geography out of the window for realignment. And it's really unfortunate. I still think it's amazing how well Mizzou has faired in the SEC. I thought they were destined for the Big Ten more than anything.

I still don't get why Texas and Texas A&M had to stop playing each other. Make that a non-conference game and everyone is happy. They certainly have the money to pay off any future non-conference opponents one would think.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 4:15 PM
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D.A. wrote:expand_more
No doubt, but with the Big East imploding, where else would they have gone save for if the ACC had been recruiting them at the time? Clearly WVU to ACC made the most sense, if they would have wanted them.

If the ACC wanted WVU, it probably would have boiled down to the money, but with the Big 12 dying on the vine at the time I'm certain they would have somehow made WVU a sweetheart deal to land them.
I think the issue with WVU to the ACC was academics (plus a little bit of VaTech hate).

IMHO, I thought WVU made a lot more sense for the SEC than Mizzou. But I guess that's why I don't make the big bucks.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 4:25 PM
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C Money wrote:expand_more
No doubt, but with the Big East imploding, where else would they have gone save for if the ACC had been recruiting them at the time? Clearly WVU to ACC made the most sense, if they would have wanted them.

If the ACC wanted WVU, it probably would have boiled down to the money, but with the Big 12 dying on the vine at the time I'm certain they would have somehow made WVU a sweetheart deal to land them.
I think the issue with WVU to the ACC was academics (plus a little bit of VaTech hate).

IMHO, I thought WVU made a lot more sense for the SEC than Mizzou. But I guess that's why I don't make the big bucks.

Absolutely agree on the SEC with WVU.
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Posted: 8/4/2015 4:37 PM
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Teams from the Big 12 and the MAC should just form their own conference called the Big MAC.
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Posted: 8/5/2015 9:17 AM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
finnOhio is right. There are times when the local Chicago sports highlights will include NIU games (usually the weeknight games). There is some ink for NIU in the Tribune. But the Chicago is a college football town because so many different school alums converge here. Northwestern seems to have the corner on this market based on their radio deal with WGN and in-town promos. I could see the Big 12 making a push for a piece of the Chicago media market.

I have to say that the Ohio-Northwestern game had less of a big time feel than any of the money games that I have been to. The crowd seemed small and late arriving. I don't see Northwestern as a real big interest team, but that's only based on that game experience. It would be interesting to see what would happen with a real winning program. Chicago seems like a pro town to me.
The real college football power in Chicago is Notre Dame.
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Posted: 8/5/2015 9:22 AM
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Long Train Runnin' wrote:expand_more
finnOhio is right. There are times when the local Chicago sports highlights will include NIU games (usually the weeknight games). There is some ink for NIU in the Tribune. But the Chicago is a college football town because so many different school alums converge here. Northwestern seems to have the corner on this market based on their radio deal with WGN and in-town promos. I could see the Big 12 making a push for a piece of the Chicago media market.

I have to say that the Ohio-Northwestern game had less of a big time feel than any of the money games that I have been to. The crowd seemed small and late arriving. I don't see Northwestern as a real big interest team, but that's only based on that game experience. It would be interesting to see what would happen with a real winning program. Chicago seems like a pro town to me.
The real college football power in Chicago is Notre Dame.

Right on. A caller to the show mentioned that and that was discussed a little.
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Posted: 8/5/2015 11:52 AM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.
Big 12 should just add Uconn and Cincinnati already and get on with it. Solid football crowds that could get a 10K bump with better conference rivals. Basketball sells out. And with Uconn you get some stellar other sports teams into your conference. (Yes, I'm a homer for Uconn.)

All mid-majors just need to look at Akron. They built it. They are in a sports crazy area with a sizeable population. They had a chance. And, nobody is showing up. The Browns and Buckeye's still rule.
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Posted: 8/5/2015 12:02 PM
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Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.
Big 12 should just add Uconn and Cincinnati already and get on with it. Solid football crowds that could get a 10K bump with better conference rivals. Basketball sells out. And with Uconn you get some stellar other sports teams into your conference. (Yes, I'm a homer for Uconn.)

All mid-majors just need to look at Akron. They built it. They are in a sports crazy area with a sizeable population. They had a chance. And, nobody is showing up. The Browns and Buckeye's still rule.
Texas doesn't want to split the B12 pot or fold the Longhorn Network into a B12 Network, which ESPN would love to do since it's become a financial disaster. As it stands, they get a 15 million dollar check each year from ESPN regardless of how much money the network loses. OU always stood by UT despite the latter's constant b.s., but it would seem that even they have had enough and might be looking to hop the SEC train. Boren's holding out for the B1G, but that's not happening.
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Posted: 8/5/2015 1:22 PM
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Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
I've been listening the last hour to a discussion on Sirius 91 about why NIU should end up in the Big 12. A lively discussion for sure. Main reason-they will bring the Chicago market. Secondly, they have been one of top G5 schools during the past 10 years. If you get a chance, tune in quick.
Big 12 should just add Uconn and Cincinnati already and get on with it. Solid football crowds that could get a 10K bump with better conference rivals. Basketball sells out. And with Uconn you get some stellar other sports teams into your conference. (Yes, I'm a homer for Uconn.)

All mid-majors just need to look at Akron. They built it. They are in a sports crazy area with a sizeable population. They had a chance. And, nobody is showing up. The Browns and Buckeye's still rule.
That makes me want to NOT look at Akron. Why would any mid-major in a state where there are other bigger options want to do that?
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Posted: 8/5/2015 1:26 PM
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This thread should be named Slowest News Day Ever.
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Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
This thread should be named Slowest News Day Ever.
Conference realignment speculation is like the Fulmer Cup. It starts after the NC game and doesn't stop until opening weekend.
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