Conference Realignment: The rumors will live until something actually happens

Are the rumors of FSU to the Big Ten true?  Short of being a fly on the wall, we’ll just never know until the news comes scrolling on the bottom of your television screen.

Jan.1, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles mascot Chief Osceola is seen during the 2013 Orange Bowl game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Sun Life Stadium. FSU won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

As an initial matter, I’m not sure why people are so upset.  Yes, these are rumors, again, about FSU’s potential membership in the Big Ten.  Maybe their frustration lies in that the marriage is not geographic in nature–Tallahassee is nowhere near Lansing.  We get it.  And if FSU had an offer to join a conference that featured, say, teams from Athens and Gainesville, FSU would jump on the offer immediately.  The second best option is a conference further away but one that pays significantly better.

The rumors about FSU and the Big Ten have been swirling since last December, rumors spread.

As everyone points out, ad nauseum, FSU is not an AAU member.

And then, everyone points out that neither is Nebraska.

So what’s the breaking point?  The Florida TV market is crucial and in this conference realignment game of chess, Florida State stands out as one of the big prizes.  Is Florida State posturing to get an invitation from the SEC? It is possible and I don’t think it would be a bad idea for Florida State or the SEC.  Yes, there is some duplication of the TV markets, but remember that SEC is one of the lower populated conferences, well behind the Big Ten and ACC.  The TV sets watching SEC football are on because SEC football is king.  Adding Florida State to the mix means games like Florida State playing Auburn, Georgia, and South Carolina on a regular basis.  With that said, and as much sense as it makes, it looks like FSU is pushing forward for a Big Ten membership.

Earlier in February, FSU released a plan to become a Top 25 school.  Granted, Florida State is always striving to become a better academic institution (it is their job), but this was a very public and tangible message: we are serious about our academics and improving them.

If you’re a Florida State grad, you have to be excited about this. At a minimum, even if this isn’t part of an attempt to join the Big Ten, President Eric Barron is working tirelessly to make Florida State an elite institution:

"“I have no doubt Florida State can reach the Top 25 within a fairly short period of time if our investments are strategic. We have momentum, our plan is realistic, and with our current rankings in both quality and efficiency, it is clear we know how to invest a dollar,” said Florida State President Eric J. Barron. “We intend to be a national model for affordable and accessible excellence – this is a plan that delivers for the state of Florida.”"

Also, regardless of whether you are a fan or grad, you should at least explore Florida State’s plan and consider supporting it.  If it doesn’t mean Big Ten membership, it at least means that FSU will become a better academic institution with your help.

And, lest we forget that FSU has played some great games before against Big Ten teams, including Michigan and Nebraska (though Nebraska wasn’t a member at the time).  Point is: there is some history.