Posted on Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 8:44 a.m.
Nebraska expected to join Big Ten, perhaps as early as Friday
By AnnArbor.com Staff
An executive at a Big 12 school told the Omaha World-Herald that Nebraska is expected to leave the conference for the Big Ten, perhaps as early as Friday.
Big 12 athletic directors have been told to expect a briefing Friday that addresses the topic.
According to the World-Herald, Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne implied the timetable on conference realignment had been accelerated.
On his monthly appearance on the Husker Sports Network, Osborne said:
“I think before too long — I don't know exactly what that time frame is — we'll be able to put this to bed," then he jokingly added, “because I'm getting tired of it."
Here's the link to the full report in the World-Herald.
Comments
lumberg48108
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
@Edward Vielmetti then correct the headline... something can only be early if a deadline is imposed (or similar type time restrictions)... just because something is happening "soon" or "quickly" does not mean its early - it can only be early if its indeed, early based on time constraints!
jj
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 7:42 p.m.
Go Big Red! I'm also a product of the Osborne years and grew up loving the Huskers!
Yelmonian
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 6:01 p.m.
Calm down Laura. In not so long a diatribe... I believe I covered a lot of your points! WELCOME NEBRASKA! As a kid, a good friends parents were from Nebraska... and huge fans. I know the quality of the Nebraska followers, and they will do nothing but enhance the Big Ten! And since UM can't do it... it would be good to see someone knock OSU off their pedestal every now and then! Although... you do need a new mascot! He looks like he came from Big Boy!
laura
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 5:52 p.m.
Personally, as a Minnesotan that chose to go to Nebraska over any Big 10 school, it really shocks me when people refer to the fact that we are not "smart". If anyone would bother to look at NCAA records, we actually have the most academic all-americans currently. Suh graduated as chemical engineering major and will be pursuing med school after his NFL career. I am sick of people thinking they are on a higher caliber than our athletes when we have proven that we deserve to be treated with respect when our "knowledge" is in question. As far as how fans feel about joining the Big 10, I can tell you we aren't happy about it but Tom Osborne is sick of seeing our conference be controlled by Texas. Sources say the Big 12 will probably disband if we leave, and this is a shame as these are the best football games I have ever witnessed, and yes I have been to gopher games. The rivalry games with OU and Texas are amazing, hell any game in that conference is amazing. As far as other sports, our women's basketball had an undefeated regular season this year, our volleyball has been ranked top ten the last five years, and our gymnastics is also very decent. I went to school at Nebraska because they have incredible spirit and are academically fit so if you are really going to rip on our school being unfit apart from football, please get your facts straight.
GoblueinNE_PA
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
Personally, I can't wait for the Bugeaters to join the conference! This is good for the Big 10 and great for Nebraska. By the end of next week, the Big 10 will include Nebraska, Mizzou, and Rutgers and by the end of the Summer, ND and either UConn or Pitt.
Helmetfan
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
Having grown up in Nebraska during the Osborne years, and now a happy member of the UM community, I am tickled at the prospect of Nebraska joining the Big 10. It would bring another fantastically proud fan base to the Big 10. Now, if we can just figure out how to get my 7 year old son to warm up to the idea. His Maize and Blue core doesn't seem to think that he'll be able to live with a Husker fan if the two teams regularly play each other.
The Fan
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:26 p.m.
Its hard living in Nebraska being a Michigan fan. I just hope by the time Michigan has to play them, there good enough to beat them. I hear enough about the Alamo bowl and the 97-98 championship that I don't need to heat about them beating Michigan every year. Nebraska's no joke. I could see them possibly making it to the NT game.
lumberg48108
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
and who wrote the headline? "early as Friday?" why is Friday early? would Saturday be late? Is there a deadline on Sunday? don't you mean "as soon as Friday?" jeez people - get with it!
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 1:14 p.m.
Praise the Lord!
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
First post ever on AnnArbor.com... I am thrilled at the prospect of Nebraska joining the Big Ten. As a proud Michigan fan, I hate them. Can't stand them, can't ever forgive them for 1997-1998, when they robbed Michigan of an undisputed national championship. However, as far as the Big Ten goes with expansion, other than Notre Dame (which is still the biggest prize the Big Ten can get), Nebraska is a great fit. The football program is steeped in tradition, and their playing style is a good match. The Big Ten gets another marquee name, and Nebraska gets twice the revenue, courtesy of the Big Ten Network. Win/Win. If/when this becomes official, congrats Nebraska on the huge step up from the Big XII, and can't wait to see you get pummeled by Michigan on a regular basis. Welcome to the Big Ten. The only issue I have is when Nebraska plays Ohio State...Is rooting for armageddon acceptable in such cases? I can't bring myself to root for either one of them, even against the other.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 12:29 p.m.
Nebraska is definitely the school to watch right now. Notre Dame isn't going anywhere unless conferences start expanding past 12, which would mean the end of the Big East. The appeal of Nebraska is that it has nationally-popular football games - it strengthens the value of the Big Ten Network where it already has a presence. My guess is that if Nebraska is added now (for 2011), two more schools will soon follow. Maybe Missouri and Rutgers. Nebraska is an AAU member. Not highly ranked academically, though.
Big Ten
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
HMMMM the last time that I spelled "Knowledge" it didn't start with a 'N' So I am think that the 'N' on the Nebraska's helmets must mean something else like National Champs 5 in all.. As for Nebraska & Oklahoma rivalry that was gone when the big 12 was started bring on the Hawkeyes that would be a better rivalry any way.
A2Guy
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : noon
Uh oh....not another team for RR to lose to!!
Yelmonian
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
WELCOME NEBRASKA! I look forward to your teams and strong fan base traveling around the Big Ten stomping grounds. I love the thought of Nebraska football in the conference. The school has quality teams in Volleyball, Gymnastics, Track and Field, and ranks tops in Academic All Americans. I see this as a win-win.
3 And Out
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.
edit...they may not play every year but still a rivalry..
3 And Out
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
Neb would be a great addition for the Big Ten strengthening the football roster to be very competitive with any other conference. I wonder how/if this will affect their annual rivalry game vs. Oklahoma if Ok goes elsewhere.... and how the fans of those schools feel about this.
uawisok
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.
Does the "N" on Nebraska's helmets really stand for "Knowledge"??
81wolverine
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
Agree with Tater. I can't see ND and Nebraska both joining, without the whole 16 team superconference scenario emerging. Fear is a powerful motivator, and many of these Big 12 AD's are worrying constantly about being "left out". Given a choice, I'd much rather see ND than Nebraska. ND has a stronger overall sports program, is closer, and is strong academically.
azwolverine
Wed, Jun 9, 2010 : 8:45 a.m.
Nebraska would certainly strengthen our conference in football. Not only are they one of the all-time great powers historically, they have rebounded from their disastrous Callahan era and are currently ranked #7 in the preseason polls in defensive minded Bo Pelini's third season. Notre Dame would be the best pickup, imo, but Nebraska is certainly head and shoulders over all of the other football programs that have been mentioned (outside of longshot Texas). Good choice.