During a press conference on Monday, Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost insisted that his Cornhuskers were “prepared to look at other options if the Big Ten decided to not play.”
As you know, the Big Ten announced that all Fall sports have been cancelled and Nebraska is now left without the ability to play this season. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Ware said the following of Nebraska’s desire to play elsewhere this season: “No, they won’t if they want to be a member of the Big Ten Conference.”
Ware’s disrespect towards Nebraska may just push them out of the Big Ten. Make no mistake about it, Nebraska regrets leaving the Big 12. When Nebraska decided to move to the Big Ten, Texas and several other Big 12 schools were in discussions with the Pac-10, which ESPN reported was close to becoming the Pac-16, which would have destroyed the Big 12 in the process.
Geographically, financially and from a football standpoint, Nebraska belongs in the Big 12. Geographic rivalries with neighbors Iowa, Kansas and Kansas State just makes sense. Old Big 12 football rivalries with Oklahoma and Texas should absolutely be renewed.
Nebraska’s rush decision to move to the Big Ten was done more out of fear than need. The Big 12 needs another conference game and Nebraska is the perfect team to poach from the Big Ten right now. They’re unhappy with not being able to play, they regret their decision to ever leave the Big 12 and the chance to restore old rivalries will be hard for Nebraska to pass up on.
According to a report from Big Red Today, Nebraska could face a major economic fallout due to a lost season, including a “hit of $80 million to $120 million to the Nebraska athletic department, $300 million to the city of Lincoln and hundreds of millions to the state.”
Although a divorce from the Big Ten would be ugly, contentious and perhaps costly for Nebraska, it just may be necessary. Playing this season would easily cover the costs of a separation from the Big Ten and any future loss of television revenue.
