Big Ten Expansion: Odds and Ends

The last in a series looking at possible expansion candidates for the Big Ten. This is a collection of schools that have been mentioned only in passing, or are pipe dreams in some way. It should become fairly obvious why.

Cornell
Pro: I know, I know, it makes no sense. It all probably started as a joke or from extreme boredom last year in this blog post before expansion was even a major concern.  Still, a Big Ten-Cornell marriage has some attractive features. In many ways it is a better fit with the Big Ten than it is with the Ivy League. It is a land grant school, with public colleges. It also has a medium sized student body. Academically there would be no question that it fits well with the Big Ten. It has a large library system, and would have the third largest endowment in the Big Ten. Has a pretty large draw in the state of New York, especially in New York City. Has had a successful basketball team in the last few years.

Cons: There are some big ones. It hasn't emphasized sports for 60 years, and doesn't give out athletic scholarships. Has a tiny football stadium, and doesn't get many fans to show up. It is only Division 1-AA, as opposed to all Big Ten Schools which are 1-A. There is a rule that a school has to average 15,000 fans per home game every other year in order to jump up to 1-A, which Cornell hasn't done.

Notre Dame
Pros: At first this might seem like a logical fit, and fairly likely, but all signs point that it isn't that likely. It has had a long history of football success, and is nationally known academically. Has a large, supportive alumni base, with a gigantic endowment, and a long history with Big Ten schools.

Cons: Has a large, supportive alumni base that has always known it as an Independent, and doesn't seem to want that to change. Has struggled in recent years to remain relevant in football. Not a member of the AAU, and doesn't focus as much on research as other Big Ten schools. Not as prominent internationally.

Vanderbilt
Pros: Would be a presence in the South, in a rapidly growing state. Good at basketball and baseball. Doesn't quite fit in the SEC, and might like a change.

Cons: Culturally very different from other Big Ten schools. In some ways it would be a good match with a school like Northwestern, but is not in the same mold.

These schools are mostly pipe dreams, and aren't very likely. However, don't rule any of them out.