Re: Rutgers and Maryland...

I really hope this thing doesn't go through. Adding 2 patsies to an already weak B1G will not help matters. And my biggest gripe would be Maryland and those God-awful helmets and uniforms. I really can't stand all the uniform changes. I guess I'm just getting old.

I agree.

This move wouldn't add much value to the conference, other than more TV sets.

Not a good move, IMHO.

I realize that you're making you decisions based solely on football (and if that was the only consideration your views would be warranted) but adding those 2 universities would be a good thing for the B1G TEN as a whole. Both Rutgers and Maryland are outstanding academic universities, Rutgers moreso. Rutgers would almost automatically go to #3 in the conference for academics (behing Northwestern and UM) while Maryland would be "somewhere" within the 4-6 range. Adding those two schools would add more of an East Coast presence for the conference with means more money, more students, more resources, and better pretty much everything (well maybe not football). Maryland has a fairly good bouncy-ball program (for those of you who care about that). And even though th quality of the Football may not drastically, or at all, improve it would help solidify the B1G TEN as a conference that isn't going anywhere unlike the Big East.

I do agree with you Go_Blue on the utter hideous nature of Maryland's uniforms. IMO there should nbe a clause in any agreement that states Maryland must change out of those atrocities...

personally I like the move I think Maryland adds to the Basketball part of the conference . will also give us a East coast, and Eastern recruiting in. I think the Big might even help these schools recruiting, which would make them better. I mean what has Indiana and Minny done in football lately, yet in Basketball they are a potent force. I say bring them on. I would have like Maryland and Missouri better, but what the heck.

Maryland approves move.

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/71795/maryland-regents-approve-big-ten-move

Ready or not here they come. Go Big 10 errr...11..I mean 12 soon to be 14.

Hate this.

Just keep adding more teams to the conference that we'll never play.

I love it. Brings the DC market, brings a lot academically, brings a decent basketball program to the table. It's a win if you ask me. Add Rutgers and the NY market. It's all good.

Perhaps so, WH, but I have to concede artist's point as well: the added recruiting advantage on the Middle Atlantic region: kids who really want to
play in front of their families and old buddies will now have the option of playing for a higher-caliber program (ours) and still make a trip twice to
the Balto-Wash area (even though as you say we won't play Maryland every year).

And heck, look at all the top-notch recruits and players we already have, or have had, from this (Baltimore) area: from the 90's (Matt Dyson and Dhani Jones were two of our all-time best LBs), to today (Countess, Poggi, Furman, no doubt a few I can't think of OTTOMH).

And michmik, don't forget your name-sake Mike Hart who was from Syracuse, New York. Oh yea, knowing how the Divisions are lined-up (M's, N's, and Iowa that way it's easy to remember for fans) I think Maryland goes to the Legends and Rutgers to the Leaders. That makes no logical sense but then again, it does...

I know not many people here care much but that also opens an avenue for Hockey recuiting. The Eat Coast has a lot of talent and with the B1G Ten HOCKEY CONFERENCE next year that's another benefit, of course I highly doubt that was considered...

Bo, I thought I read earlier today on ESPN.com, Maryland president said, they & Rutgers to leaders, Illinois switches to legends. Going to see if I find article

I've seen that rumored everywhere but I've seen no confirmation yet. In fact I've only seen confirmation of Maryland to the B1G, nothing about Rutgers.

I found article on ESPN.com, Loh, UM president, told board of regents they & Rutgers to leaders. But like you said nothing official. Supposely Rutgers makes it official tomorrow. Sounds like done deal.

Never said that I doubted it.

Here's an article on Maryland (and casually mentions Rutgers) from The Daily:

http://www.michigandaily.com/sports/maryland-accepts-invitation-big-ten-rutgers-expected-follow-suit?page=0,0

Evidently the Maryland students aren't too thrilled about the move...