Big Ten Expansion heating up.

A story has broken out about the Big Ten speeding up the process of looking for a 12th (or more) member(s). This is very intriguing in the fact that just a couple of months ago, we heard Jim Delany say that the process would most likely take up to 12-18 months. Some other known facts are that if this was to happen before the meetings of the BCS, Delany would contact the Big East commish, letting him know they would be looking at Rutgers, Pitt, and Syracuse. That would allow the Big Ten more than a month to negotiate with schools before conference presidents and chancellors meet in Chicago during the first weekend in June. Then there was this little nugget of glory.

"I don't think 16 is scaring anyone off, as long as you can find (five) that are a good enough fit," said one source who has been consulted during the exploratory phase. "They're looking long-term, across the horizon. What gives them the best shot at keeping value at a high level?"

This may surprise you, but I am actually against having so many teams in the conference. Yes, it would probably be more exciting as a whole, but it seems a bit too much to me. I think adding 1 or 3 schools at most would be alright, but 16 is a couple too many. Here is my wish list for the Big Ten for teams to be added

1. Texas
2. Notre Dame
3. Nebraska
4. Cincinnati (just so we can shut the fans up every year)

More on the Notre Dame, comes in the Chicago Tribune:

By joining the Big Ten, Notre Dame could increase its annual television revenue from roughly $15 million to $22 million, get a national TV platform (the Big Ten Network) for its top-notch Olympic sports and decrease travel costs for its teams.

Sounds like a good deal to me. I know they have the contract with NBC, but they would also get more respect as a whole, and the whole shebang! I really don't understand why they have held out so long. It's just sad to think we could have had Notre Dame added a long time ago..and they just didn't want to. Oh well.
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Big Ten starting to make some moves.

It has been reported throughout the day that the current Big 12 school, Texas, is currently having "preliminary exchanges" with the Big Ten and it's need for expansion. Most Buckeye fans, including other Big Ten schools, like this idea, or so we think. Personally, I would love the idea, because it seems every so often, Texas and Ohio State duke it out for the top spot. So this automatically makes the conference THAT much tougher on us, and we can continue to do better in bowl games. In this case, it would not only help the Big Ten, but also help Texas. The past year has led to a nice little downfall for Big 12 fans, and this would seem like a good time to get out. Unlike last time, this story HAS a source, and may in fact, become true.

Pitt to join Big Ten??

In what's sent all of the twittering world to insanity, the University of Pitt. has rumors flowing out of it like crazy. If, in fact, this is true, It would add a 12th team to the Big Ten and that would mean a confrence championship. More football? Heck yeah! Of course, these ARE rumors, and ESPN is not blowing up yet, but still, if they are saying that they will hold a meeting/press confrence on Thursday, then their is defintly a chance to have 12 teams. This would also be a huge move towards playoffs in my eyes. If everyone gets a confrence championship, thats more upsets, which means more BCS insanity. Another reason why this may not be true is simply because I doubt that Delany would announce all this right on the heels of National Signing Day. That is going to cause enough mayhem as it is (see Henderson to Ohio State). Again, hoping it is true, but don't get to excited. What I think will actually happen is Pitt will make the announcement that they will join later sometime in the next 2-3 years. So, we will see, but let me just say, this is going to be a MONSTER week for Buckeye and Big Ten Bloggers.

Bowl Week 2.

After a 2-3 start in the bowl season, Inside The Shoe hopes to make a better showing as the bowl games get bigger and more exciting. The MWC has really shown they can play, and are fighting as hard as possible to get a BCS bid. I have to agree with Yogi on the fact that BCS bowls should allow only 1 team from each confrence, instead of 2. SEC fans and B12 fans might be upset with that though. Anyway, back to the task on hand. Yogi mentioned flipping a coin, and he landed on Nevada..i feel strongly about SMU though, so let´s get this party rolling.

Today

Hawaii Bowl: Nevada v. SMU – 8:00 PM (ESPN)

SMU makes it´s first apperance in a bowl game in 25 years, and Nevada doesn´t look the kind of team to give a freebie away. Nevada will look to their Pistol attack that has worked so well in the past, while SMU will look to have a great day on offense. Both these teams really should have a party with the opposing defense´s as SMU’s 88th ranked nationally rushing defense is setting a flame to a firecracker. Nevada has 3 players with over 1,000 yards rushing, but SMU will make a splash winning 21-7.

Saturday

Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall v. Ohio – 1:00 PM (ESPN)

For the 2nd time this year, Ohio will be heading to Ford Field to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd.

This game is a chance for the Bobcats to give Frank Solich his Pizza Pizza trophy. (oh lord). Star receiver Taylor Price comes off a one recepetion game aganist Central Michigan in the MAC Championship, but he will have to do way better aganist Marshall, and i believe he will, leading the Bobcats to a easy 24-13 win.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pittsburgh v. North Carolina – 4:30 PM (ESPN)

Let me just say, Pitt outdid UC in the Big East championship, it´s just, Cincy tends to get lucky. Pitt and Dion Lewis will look to have a great game, as the true freshsman running back looks to make a splash in his first bowl game. I don´t have much to say about UNC, other then, good luck, as Pitt takes the win 28-17.

Emerald Bowl: Boston College v. USC – 8:00 PM (ESPN)

If you think you have had a bad December at work, just talk to Pete Carroll to make you feel better. He has had to deal with injury´s, suspensions, and even academic inelgibilty. The upset-minded Eagles look to make USC have 5 losses this season, but i do not see it happening as USC will rely largely on their stable of running backs. Word is Joe Mcknight is practicing again, so might he play? If he doesn´t, i still see USC pulling this one out 35-10.

Sunday

Music City Bowl: Kentucky v. Clemson – 8:30 PM (ESPN)

Two teams this season that have tried their very best, although when you look at it, Clemson really made a 360 degree turn when it comes to season records. C.J. Spiller looks to close out a great Heisman running season, and might explode for his last game. Kentucky is representing the SEC´s first bowl apperance, but SEC supporters will have to wait on the bashing, as Clemson´s stud RB will run past the Wildcats 38-21.

That wraps up the rest of this week, and we will feature the new week on Monday morning as we will see the 2nd SEC team, Georgia, take on Texas A&M in the Independance Bowl. Enjoy your Christmas, we will still be posting here, Happy Holidays.

BCS Bowl Breakdown by Inside The Shoe.

Rose Bowl Presented by Citi - No. 7 Oregon vs No. 8 Ohio State

This is one of the BCS Bowl match-ups that almost everyone is looking forward to. It is sort of intresting in the plot. Here we have Oregon, looking to prove that the Pac-10 is not a one man team, and is trying to earn national respect. Ohio State, on the other hand, is trying to convince the nation that they still belong in that national spotlight. Oregon has a small defense, but will be facing a talented, big, but a very inconsistent offense, headed by sophomore Terrelle Pryor. On the offensive side of the ball, Oregon has one of the top 10 rushing games and faces the 5th ranked rushing defense in the Buckeyes. All very intresting. With all of this going on, Oregon is a 3 point favorite.

Allstate Sugar Bowl - No. 3 Cincinnati vs No. 5 Florida

In what many people view as a pretty big mismatch, the Big East champions look to take down the defending national champions. Florida comes in looking very strong on D, and a little blustered on offense. Alabama pounded them to the point it seemed like they didn't really want to seem to play anymore. On the other side, Cincy comes off a huge win over Big East rival, Pitt. After a long TD special, the Bearcats won by an extra point, showing they once again, have almost no defense. Giving Illinois 36 points is quite an amazing feat.

Tostitos Feista Bowl - No. 4 TCU vs No. 6 Boise State

I have to say, I am one of many that agree that the BCS voted for a cop-out. Instead of trying to prove a point that these confrences deserve BCS bids, and that they should have national respect, they will just be beating each other up in the face. The big key to this game is TCU's amazing defense aganist the best scoring offense, Boise State, in the NCAA. I would look out though, TCU has a pretty darn good offense.

FedEx Orange Bowl - No. 9 Georgia Tech vs No. 10 Iowa

Iowa got the 2nd BCS bowl for the Big Ten and Georgia Tech is feeling confident as they just won a close game aganist Spiller and the Tigers. GT's bread and butter is the triple option, though unfortunatly for them, Iowa's inside linmen are built for stopping the run. Just ask Ohio State. Right? Right?

CITI BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - No. 1 Alabama vs No. 2 Texas

People are already wanting to give the crystal, when Texas had to use every second they had to beat the good defense of Nebraska. After Alabama crushed the defending national and SEC champs, who would argue? I think it was read into to much about the Big 12 champ game, but I would defintaly say it's never to early to start watching film.

National CFB Games This Weekend.

It's time again for the weekly games to come. This is really the last regular season week, and to look back on it, this has been the fastest year of college football of my life.We the Buckeyes have had our ups, (Penn St. Iowa) and our downs (USC, Purdue). Overall though, most Buckeye fans realized that we would be headed to the Rose Bowl, due to losing to Penn St. and USC, just like last year. Well, USC came and went, but we lost to Purdue, but won out. So really, expectations were met this year. Now for the rest of the BCS, it really counts tonight and this weekend. After last week, we at Inside The Shoe are now 10-4. So! Let's get to it.

National Games

Today – #14 Oregon State at #7 Oregon – 9:00 p.m. (ESPN)

This match-up will deciede who Ohio State faces in the Rose Bowl. Oregon comes in off a double overtime win @ Arizona, with QB Jermiah Massoli, and running back(s) LeMichal James and LeGarette Blount(?). Oregon State will look to win the Civil war, although most Buckeye fans agree Oregon would be the "sexier" opponet. I think that Oregon faces trouble ahead, but will eventually come up victorious 37-21.

Saturday - #5 Cincinnati at #13 Pittsburgh – 12:00 p.m. (ABC)

After last week's debacle aganist WVU, I lost a lot of faith in Pitt. They don't seem to be very consistent, and Brian Kelly and Co. won't have any of it as UC will take this one, and try to head to the BCS, 28-13

SEC Championship Game: #1 Florida vs. #2 Alabama – 4:00 p.m. (CBS)

This one is being dubbed as the defacto BCS Championsip game. That's terrible. I honestly believe that Florida is overrated, and Alabama is a national title contender this year. As long as the Defense holds up for Bama, then they will win this thing fairly easily, 24-10.

ACC Championship Game: #10 Georgia Tech vs. #25 Clemson – 8:00 p.m. (ESPN)

Georgia Tech's triple option is one of the best I have seen in a long time, but i have to go with Clemson and my man, C.J. Spiller, 17-6.

Big XII Championship Game: #3 Texas vs. #23 Nebraska – 8:00 p.m. (ABC)

All i have to really say about this game is, Welcome to the NC since 2005 Texas, 35-14.

Thanksgiving Weekend CFB Games.

It's Thanksgiving, and i can't think of a better way to spend it then with family, friends, and football. There is a lot to be thankful for, especially if your an OSU fan. You get to watch college football without worrying about who your playing this week, and they beat the hated rival, AND, they get a trip to the Rose Bowl to either face Oregon or Oregon State. We here at Inside The Shoe are now 8-2, those darn Bears, even without Jahvid Best, made the win come to them with a late INT giving them the win.

National Games

Thursday – #2 Texas @ Texas A&M – 8:00 p.m. (ESPN)

I looked at this, and i thought, really? Along with having a pretty decent defense, and a stud Heisman running QB, Texas comes in aganist a rival that, well, has been frefalling into the depths of the college football landscape. I honestly don't even expect a very large crowd. Texas will win this one, despite suspicions about it, 35-10.

Friday – #8 Pittsburgh at West Virginia – 7:00 p.m. (ESPN2)

In my opinion, i will clearly tell you this is the game of the week. Note that i said week, not weekend. This is really Déjà vu because in the 2007 season, West Virgina was ranked 2nd in the nation, and they came into the Backyard Brawl and got upset by Pitt. Now, it's flipped, only Pitt is just trying to keep their BCS dreams alive.This is going to be real high energy game, and i have to say it's the toughest game I've had to decide in awhile. I'm going Pitt 21-17.

Friday – Illinois at #5 Cincinnati – 12:00 p.m. (ABC)

This is one of those games that probably end up being the game you watch and realized you shouldn't have. Illinois goes to the Queen City, trying to get Juice Williams his final win in a topsy turvy season. This is the first time this season the Bearcats will play a Big Ten team, and they should be able to handle it with the Two-Headed Monster that's Pike/Collaras. UC will face Pitt next, but for this, it will be 33-7

#18 Clemson at South Carolina – 12:00 p.m. (ESPN)

The Clemson Tigers are on a roll thanks to running maniac C.J. Spiller. South Carolina will give them a good game, but Clemson will take over late, 28-21.

Well, that's all that we have for you, we could have added FSU-FU, but didn't feel the need to smooch all over the Gators, although upset could happen easily. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Inside The Shoe.