Your guide to all the news about conference expansion
• For the latest developments, go to our conference expansion page here
• What specific steps will happen to move to the Big Ten? Get the details here
• Photo showcase: Coaches and stadiums of the Big Ten
• Photo showcase: Historic moments in the Big Eight/Big 12
Q: Why is Nebraska leaving the Big 12?
A: University officials could answer this as early as Friday. It's not like it was a deal breaker, but the Huskers hadn't been too happy with the league's Texas tilt. From the conference headquarters location to the current home of its football title game, both in the Dallas area, the Big 12's center of gravity shifted south.
Q: What's better about the Big Ten?
A: Let's start with TV. The Big Ten has its own network. It also has stability and cachet, athletically and academically, as one of the nation's storied conferences. And cash. There's simply more of it in the Big Ten.
Q: When can the Huskers play in the Big Ten?
A: The earliest would be the 2011 season, but 2012 might be more realistic.
Q: Why is it called the Big Ten when it has 11 teams — and possibly more?
A: Branding and tradition.
Q: Will Nebraska have to buy its way out of the Big 12?
A: Big 12 bylaws have a penalty structure for withdrawing members who give two years' notice before leaving. Stiffer penalties apply to “breaching members” who leave give less than two years' warning. If the Big 12 begins to crumble, it's unclear what penalties would have to be paid and to whom.
Q: What is the Big Ten Network and how do I get it?
A: The network shows live events, old games and original programming from member institutions. Schools become part owners. New members might have to buy their way in or take reduced conference revenue for a few years. As for getting the channel, it depends on where you live. Cox Communications in Omaha offers it for about $4 more than a digital package. Time Warner Cable in Lincoln and Charter Communications in North Platte and Scottsbluff do not yet offer the channel. Other viewing options exist, including DirecTV and Dish Network.
Q: Are road game tickets harder to get?
A: It's going to be similar to the Big 12 — the bigger the game, the harder it will be to find a ticket. And, when Nebraska plays, it's a big game — and their Big Red posse hits the road.
Q: What are the closest/farthest schools in the Big Ten?
A: The closest is Iowa. It's about a five-hour road trip from Lincoln to Iowa City. The farthest is Penn State. A football or volleyball fan would have to log more than 17 hours behind the wheel to get to State College, Pa.
Q: What's with all the weird trophies passed between rivals in the Big Ten?
A. It's all about tradition, baby! Some of the ugliest traveling trophies in football can be found in the Big Ten, and all — from Paul Bunyan's Axe to The Little Brown Jug — have a story behind them. Illy Illibuck is a wooden turtle given to the winner of the Ohio State-Illinois football game. The tradition started with a live turtle in 1925 and is meant to represent the longevity of the rivalry.
Q: What's the matter with Kansas?
A: Location, location and football. Kansas is a prestigious school with a top-tier basketball program, but it is not contiguous with any of the major conferences looking to expand, and this wave of expansion is being led by football. If the Big 12 breaks up, Kansas — and others — could have a tough time finding a good home.
Q: Why doesn't Bucky Badger wear pants?
A: The question should be why does a Badger need a sweater? The truth is the Big Ten has different traditions and different mascots, and Nebraska fans will have to deal. By the way, Texas' Bevo doesn't wear trousers, either.
* * *
Join us Friday for an all-day discussion about Nebraska's plans for conference realignment. We will launch an unmoderated reader discussion at 10 a.m. Then World-Herald reporter Jeff Robb will live blog the Nebraska Board of Regents meeting starting at 1 p.m. Lee Barfknecht and Tom Shatel could join in as news breaks. Sign up below for an e-mail reminder, then check back at Omaha.com on Friday morning to submit your questions and discuss the potential move with other fans.
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
