In 1990, Penn State was annexed by the Big Ten, creating that neat little logo that says "Big Ten" but actually has an 11 hidden within it.
And now, nine years later, Notre Dame might up the ante. The only question is, how are they going to fit a 12 into that logo?
Actually, there are several questions.
Notre Dame's internal debate about whether to join the Big Ten continues in London, of all places. The last time Catholics had as serious a debate in merry ol' England, King Henry VIII was excommunicated and began his own church.
Perhaps this meeting is not as crucial to the face of society as a whole as the previous one. But it is very crucial to the face of college football.
In South Bend, students and alumni alike are having their own debates about whether or not it is a good idea to join a conference. And by the looks of it, the overwhelming answer is 'No, we don't want to be in a conference.'
That is definitely understandable. Take a look at the situation from Notre Dame's point of view.
First of all, they are an independent team. There is a certain aura, a certain tinge of arrogance that an independent exudes. Notre Dame seems to shout out, "We'll do it our way" to the rest of the football world.
And throughout their history, the Irish have done it their way. Notre Dame, without a conference, has been one of the powerhouses in college football. When one thinks of football Saturdays, people think of places like Ann Arbor, Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Gainesville and South Bend.
Even though they do not have a conference, they have managed to developed intense rivalries - Michigan, Boston College, Navy, Southern Cal and so on. By virtue of being an independent, the Irish play outstanding and diverse schedules.
Although Lou Holtz moaned and complained day in and day out about the difficulty of his team's schedule, it did make for a interesting viewing. And whom better to sell the excitement to than television?
Which is the second reason why Notre Dame does not need the Big Ten. It already has a lucrative deal with a major network. Every single Notre Dame game is televised, ad nauseam, on NBC. During the fall you can't turn on NBC without seeing Dick Enberg lavishing praise upon the Irish for dismantle the oh-so-dangerous Navy football team.
With these two reasons - the tradition and the TV - joining the Big Ten doesn't seem like such a good idea. For them.
But for the Big Ten, on the other hand ...
As much as I hate Notre Dame and their obnoxious following, it is in the Big Ten's best interest to allow Notre Dame into the conference.
Imagine Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame in one conference. The Big Ten would return to being the most powerful football conference in the country, just like it used to be until the last 15 years or so when the SEC took over on center stage.
With a 12th team, the Big Ten can consequently be divided into two six-team divisions and a one-game championship showdown. This structure might help alleviate the problem of a 1998 Wisconsin or a 1995 Northwestern edging its way into the Rose Bowl without having to play a conference power like Ohio State.
To get to the Rose Bowl, you would have to win your way there, not let someone else win for you.
There are certain big drawbacks to such a format, however. The biggest recognizable loss in this structure is the Ohio State-Michigan game to conclude the regular season.
Is it worth admitting Notre Dame into Big Ten and sacrificing perhaps the biggest rivalry in college football? That's the thrust of the situation, from Michigan's standpoint.
It's a tough question to answer. First of all, the up the ante. The only question is, how are they going to fit a 12 into that logo?
Actually, there are several questions.
Notre Dame's internal debate about whether to join the Big Ten continues in London, of all places. The last time Catholics had as serious a debate in merry ol' England, King Henry VIII was excommunicated and began his own church.
Perhaps this meeting is not as crucial to the face of society as a whole as the previous one. But it is very crucial to the face of college football.
In South Bend, students and alumni alike are having their own debates about whether or not it is a good idea to join a conference. And by the looks of it, the overwhelming answer is 'No, we don't want to be in a conference.'
That is definitely understandable. Take a look at the situation from Notre Dame's point of view.
First of all, they are an independent team. There is a certain aura, a certain tinge of arrogance that an independent exudes. Notre Dame seems to shout out, "We'll do it our way" to the rest of the football world.
And throughout their history, the Irish have done it their way. Notre Dame, without a conference, has been one of the powerhouses in college football. When one thinks of football Saturdays, people think of places like Ann Arbor, Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Gainesville and South Bend.
Even though they do not have a conference, they have managed to developed intense rivalries - Michigan, Boston College, Navy, Southern Cal and so on. By virtue of being an independent, the Irish play outstanding and diverse schedules.
Although Lou Holtz moaned and complained day in and day out about the difficulty of his team's schedule, it did make for a interesting viewing. And whom better to sell the excitement to than television?
Which is the second reason why Notre Dame does not need the Big Ten. It already has a lucrative deal with a major network. Every single Notre Dame game is televised, ad nauseam, on NBC. During the fall you can't turn on NBC without seeing Dick Enberg lavishing praise upon the Irish for dismantle the oh-so-dangerous Navy football team.
With these two reasons - the tradition and the TV - joining the Big Ten doesn't seem like such a good idea. For them.
But for the Big Ten, on the other hand ...
As much as I hate Notre Dame and their obnoxious following, it is in the Big Ten's best interest to allow Notre Dame into the conference.
Imagine Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame in one conference. The Big Ten would return to being the most powerful football conference in the country, just like it used to be until the last 15 years or so when the SEC took over on center stage.
With a 12th team, the Big Ten can consequently be divided into two six-team divisions and a one-game championship showdown. This structure might help alleviate the problem of a 1998 Wisconsin or a 1995 Northwestern edging its way into the Rose Bowl without having to play a conference power like Ohio State.
To get to the Rose Bowl, you would have to win your way there, not let someone else win for you.
There are certain big drawbacks to such a format, however. The biggest recognizable loss in this structure is the Ohio State-Michigan game to conclude the regular season.
Is it worth admitting Notre Dame into Big Ten and sacrificing perhaps the biggest rivalry in college football? That's the thrust of the situation, from Michigan's standpoint.
It's a tough question to answer. First of all, the Irish will probably remain independent, for their own good.
But on the other hand, the Big Ten as a whole would be better of with the increased exposure. If lowly the Minnesota football team plays Notre Dame on NBC and reaps extra profit, then its entire athletic department will reap the benefits from the game.
If the Irish do join the conference, it will certainly change the face of college football.
02-04-99
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