Looking at the next decade

[rak21]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4846268

18. Mike Leach will return as a head coach

Maryland makes sense

14. The Big 12 North will close the gap

Nebraska finally found stability under coach Bo Pelini, who will bring the "Blackshirt" defense back to Lincoln. Once the Cornhuskers learn how to play offense as well as they play defense, they'll be a tough out for Big 12 South teams in the league's championship game. Kansas will get better, too, with former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill returning to the Big 12 as the Jayhawks' new coach.

3. Several big-name coaches will retire

We lost our share of great coaches during the past decade, and we'll stand to lose a few more over the next 10 years. Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer, Texas' Mack Brown, Kansas State's Bill Snyder, Penn State's Joe Paterno and Spurrier will hang up their hats during the next decade. Either Temple's Al Golden or Rutgers' Greg Schiano will inherit the unenviable task of replacing Paterno, major college football's all-time winningest coach.

1. Widespread realignment

The Big Ten is exploring the possibility of adding a 12th team, and I'm betting it will be Missouri before the 2011 season. With 12 teams, the Big Ten can split into two divisions and stage a conference championship game. Who can't wait to flock to Detroit or Minneapolis in early December?

With Missouri leaving, the Big 12 will add tcu to its lineup of schools. Not to be left out, the Pac-10 will add Boise State and Utah, giving it 12 teams and a moneymaking championship game. The Big East will react by adding Memphis, East Carolina, Central Florida and Temple.

[WildcatNkilt]

What a terrible article.  I see the coaches all hanging it up, but ku getting better with Gill?  Mizzou to Big 10 before 2011?  tcu to Big 12?  Don't see it happening. 

[Dick Knewheizel]

Not to mention James Franklin is HCIW @ maryland iirc.  Although I think Leach would fit in well inside the Beltway

[Big Sam]

Plus, it will either be Pitt or Rutgers to the Big10(11), not Mizzou.

Sam S.

[Haverhill]

I don't understand how a school of 6,000 students can support a Big 12 Athletic Program. Many claim that ISU is struggling and we have upwards of 27-28k students.

[WildcatNkilt]

If Mizzou threatens to leave, I think it will get too much pressure from Big 12 conference to stay (especially since they were part of the Big 8 etc.).  

I also think tcu would be a terrible team to bring into the Big 12 conference.  Not necessarily on their competitiveness in sports, but more because their fanbase.  Their fanbase is extremely small, and when they are a top 5 team in football (America's sport) they still cannot sell out their small football stadium (seats a bit over 44k).  If I remember correctly, they only had 19k there for one of their last home football games this season.  Terrible to say the least.  

Bo Pelini will show how good of a coach he really is next football season.  Losing 5 of your top Defensive guys will not be an easy thing to replace.  NU's offense will need to show some improvement for them to continue to get better.  That being said, the Big 12 North will not close the gap on the Big 12 South.  OU and TU will always be head and shoulders above the rest.  Tech might slide a bit because of Leach.  

[Wildcat09]

In regards to conference realignment, it will come down to Missouri or Pitt. Rutgers, why would they add Rutgers? Pitt has a huge, HUGE out to get out of their conference (only about 10 million more than Missouri).

I do foresee them going after Missouri because I think Missouri wants to go. I think they are much more inclined to jump that Pitt. Paterno wants Pitt for the instate, but beyond that, I don't really think that anyone else wants the Panthers. They don't add anything to the conference. Missouri will bring in the St. Louis and Kansas City market. Not saying they will choose Missouri first, but if I were the Big 10, they'd be my first choice.