Just hours after 5k speed-walker John Taylor mentioned that Nebraska legend Tom Osborne was tired of all the Cornhuskers’ conference speculation, there’s a report that says he’s ready to do something about it.
The Omaha World-Herald released an exclusive report that cites an anonymous Big 12 executive, who says that Nebraska could become a member of the Big Ten as early as Friday. While nobody in the Nebraska administration will address this report, it does add another layer to Osbourne’s comments tonight that the timetable on conference realignment has been rapidly accelerated.
“I think before long — I don’t know exactly what the time frame is — we’ll be able to put this to bed,” Osborne said, “because I’m getting tired of it. Hopefully we’ll get these put together in the next few days.”
There have been quite a few anonymous sources over the past few weeks that have caused more harm than good, but if the World-Herald is correct, Nebraska could be the first of the big dominoes to fall, finally giving way to the potential brave new world that could transform college football.
Your move, Pac-10.
The only thing “new” is that everyone is noticing Nebraska can/likely will make official whatever they decide this Friday. However, it’s not really new, just being noticed.
As a local Omahan, the World Herald seems to be putting the cart before the horse. Which is fine, because in all likely hood, Nebraska has already called several hotels in several soon to be West Division Big Ten School cities.
I hope everyone also pays note that Barry Alvarez has strong Nebraska ties. So that’s 1 vote/lobbyist for Nebraska to join.
The only thing that’s known is Nebraska can make official it’s plans Friday. They have a Board of Regents meeting and that’s where the issue can be voted on. The Board of Regents however is mostly an oversee group, they really have anything to do with actual football operations.
I would say it’s safe to say certain things like:
Big Ten has a HUGE upside as far as revenue is concerned. Enough that Nebraska would walk away from an already pretty Pro-Nebraska pay out of Big XII Revenue.
The talk about leaving caused half of the conference to say “not before us!” showing that clearly, the Big XII is being held up by it’s heavy hitter football teams.
Texas needs to cut the chord because A&M, Tech, and Baylor are stopping them from potentially being that other major Big Ten addition, or THE addition.
Nebraska carries a lot more weight than most, other than you fine folks, seem to acknowledge. Missouri leaves, Big XII adds TCU and moves OSU north. Sorry Colombia, but you’re not a support beam. You’re more of a decorative poster. Sure you look good, but you really bare no weight at all. Nebraska however is one of 3 pillars, take one out, and the whole damn thing moves to the west coast.
After all these changes, shifts, and expansions, one thing will be painfully obvious, Football still isn’t the key focus in College Football today.
Lulz… The Big-Ten: where College Football HAS-BEEN powerhouses go to die!
I’d love to see Nebraska in the Big Ten. It seems like a logical choice and is much better than a Rutgers, at least as far as football and the passion of the fan base (no TV aspects considered) is concerned.
More arrogance from Nebraska! Sorry, but they’re just not the big player they think they are. I’ll be glad to see them go to the sluggish Big
10.
Hey grandavenue write a book about it jeez
This is cool. Nebraska will push OSU and UM to be even stronger and better…. faster.
I love the concept.
@ Dak – guess we’ll see about that
Big Ten is a money maker with a HUGE loyal fan base, unlike the fickle band-wagon jumpers on in the south and west coast.
DAK lol
umm where did The Ohio State University finish the season ranked? … do your homework son.
To Sunnydog
So being the one school who’s decision either ends the Big XII or keeps things the same and Nebraska doesn’t matter? Winning more games than ANY other team since the 70′s and Nebraska still doesn’t matter?
Clearly, people should do a little research and stop forgetting the past 50 years.
Quick – lets go to a conferance we can win games in. Its too tough being in the Big XII playing real football teams.
Who cares its not the SEC