I would rather have seen the Big Ten take Missouri (but with second thoughts now) and Iowa State. Geographically better suited to the conference. Not at all a fan of the addition of Rutgers and Maryland, especially since Indiana can’t seem to beat either one in football. Or anyone else, for that matter.
But those schools were added for east coast exposure. Makes no sense, but hey, West Virginia is in the Big 12, so what does it matter any more?
Rutgers and Maryland were added for one simple reason:
Rutgers brings the New York and Philadelphia markets to the Big Ten Network, and Maryland brings Washington and Baltimore. Four very large East Coast market — higher value for the network, more money for the conference.
Having done that, they should probably approach someone like Pitt to round out their Eastern flank.