Big 10 Commissioner Jim Delany is anticipating complaints if
an undefeated Ohio State forfeits a chance at a national
championship because of the conference's ties with the Rose Bowl,
but he calls the likelihood of change "possible, but not
probable." In an interview with the INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS,
Delany said, "We would be very reluctant to a change that year-in
and year-out would take us away from the Rose Bowl." One plan
Delany sees as feasible would add the Rose Bowl to the alliance
national championship rotation, with the Big 10 and Pac-10
winners playing in Pasadena in non-championship years. When the
Rose Bowl has the title game, the Big 10 and Pac-10 champs would
meet in another top bowl. Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen has
proposed the Rose Bowl host the title game when the Big 10 or
Pac-10 winner is ranked No. 1, but Delany notes the problems with
selling TV ad time (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 11/9). Pac-10 Asst.
Commissioner Jim Muldoon said adding the Big 10 and Pac-10 to the
alliance mix next year "is not out of the question" (PHILA. DAILY
NEWS, 11/9). BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP TO HAPPEN? If the Big 12
plays a championship game next season, it most likely would be
played in early afternoon, according to ABC Sports Senior VP
David Downs, who notes the more established SEC championship
would be played on the same day in late afternoon or prime time.
Big 12 Commissioners meet November 30-December 1 in K.C. to
decide whether to hold the game, which is expected to generate
$2.5M from ABC Sports (KANSAS CITY STAR, 11/10).
