Sportsbook Fans Interested in Big 10 Expansion. The landscape of college football could be changing and sportsbook fans are taking notice as the Big 10 is considering expansion. Four schools have reportedly been approached by the Big 10. The biggest name school that gets attention at the Internet sportsbook of the four teams is Notre Dame but they may be the least likely of the four to join the Big 10.
Sportsbook handicappers would definitely be interested if the Big 10 expands. The schools reportedly under consideration are Notre Dame, Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers. The Big 10 has made no official comments but reports are leaking out that some schools are considering a move. Missouri is the one that makes a lot of sense. The Tigers would earn a lot more money in the Big 10 and the travel would not be a problem. It has been reported that Missouri athletics director Mike Alden, Missouri system president Gary Forsee and Columbia campus chancellor Brady Deaton met to discuss a possible move.
“You’ve got every major conference looking at how they should reposition, or if they should reposition,” Deaton said. “I don’t think all the benefits and costs are known.” The Big 10 is not the only conference that is looking at the changing college football landscape. The Big 12, Pac-10 and ACC realize that things are going to change. Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said the league is considering a partnership with the ACC.
Missouri looks to be the school that is going to move into the Big 10 eventually. Sportsbook information indicated that they would stand to gain about $13 million dollars because the Big 10 pays its schools a lot more than the Big 12. Missouri has been in the Big 12 since it was founded but the school is not happy with the conference. They are upset they have been passed over for bigger bowl games. It is the Big 12 conference selection process that has kept the Tigers out of bigger bowl games. Missouri’s governor Jay Nixon has been very vocal about wanting Missouri to move to the Big 10.
If the Big 10 expands to 12 teams it would allow them to go to divisional play and have a conference playoff game and that would be popular at the Internet sportsbook. If they go to 14 or 16 teams it would mean even more money. It is not a matter of if the Big 10 expands; it is a matter of when.