Interesting Google Autocomplete map.

When you type in “[X School] is” into Google, what do you get? We did a search and found some of the top autocompletes for colleges and their sports teams across the nation. It’s stereotype galore.


http://d3f5994kvuwcz1.cloudfront.net...14/02/map3.jpg

http://collegespun.com/features/goog...ss-the-nation#

The only thing I can take from this link, seeing as it doesn't show trends and seems to be all 2013 data, is that the SEC actually had a higher attendance average than the Big 12. Weird :hmmm:

Open records obtained by the Herald-Leader indicate about a 20-percent markup in attendance figures so far this season. That is to say, Lexington Center Corp. counts the ticket holders admitted into Rupp Arena, then UK announces an official attendance that is about 20 percent larger. UK's average announced attendance for home games this season is 22,662. The average number of ticket holders in Rupp Arena has been 18,110.

Former athletics director Larry Ivy said attendance was not a footnote for Kentucky in his many years at UK. It was important. "Leading the nation every year in attendance is one of those things you'd like to continue to do," he said. "I think Kentucky is a premier program. So, obviously, you'd want the number to be there."



Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/02/08/3...#storylink=cpy

I was just using your link you provided. And what it shows is that the Big East, SEC and Big 12 are all a decent amount behind the B1G when it comes to average attendance. :shrug:

6 years in a row interest has dwindled in that secondary sport just like we have been saying. People watch for office pools. Thanks for the data to back it up.

Yes, the BIG is a great conference. Still the best overall IMO. Which is why Mizzou begged them to let em in.

I'll be honest...I thought 3-4 years ago that the B1G was a better fit for Mizzou at first glance. I have no shame in admitting it. It was closer geographically for the most part and it had a better academic standing than all other conferences. I really didn't consider the SEC when talking about re-alignment...I just knew that the status quo (Big 12) was a sinking ship and hoped we would get off. I didn't consider the Pac 10 as likely either.

And when we got an actual invitation to the SEC I was excited but a little nervous. Like the majority of the country, I care more about football than basketball and going to the SEC was going to be a big step up in the level of competition. Ask me now what I think? I couldn't be happier with the way things worked out. I think the B1G is a good conference still, 2nd or 3rd best with the PAC being the other. I know all 3 are better than the big 12...something I don't think anyone outside of a KU fan would even waste their time disputing.

hmmmmm…… #1 Basketball conference in America and their best football program humiliates the best SEC program in the BCS.

But yeah, you're right…the Big 12 sucks, LMAO

A look at the top 3 basketball conferences according to RPI the past couple years:

2014: 1) Big 12 2) Big 10 3) Pac 12 ***SEASON INCOMPLETE***
2013: 1) MWC 2) Big 20 3) AAC (Big 12 in 5th place)
2012: 1) Big 10 2) Big East 3)SEC (Big 12 in 4th place)
2011: 1) Big East 2) Big 10 3) MWC (Big 12 4th again)


So here we are. With more facts that you two idiots love to ignore. Congrats on being the highest rated conference HALFWAY through one basketball season! That has to make you feel all warm and validated, huh?

Best conference? What way, overall, academics, towns, campuses, football, overall sports, what? Surely there's only one category there tat the SEC could lay claim to being tops.

You just wrote a post about missouri's conference affiliation and how much you love it.

You sure I'm the one looking for validation?

Championships speak otherwise you dumbass hillbillies ROFL

I like posting facts to refute the garbage you usually post. I also responded to PB talking about how we "begged" to be in the B1G. I was honest and said when re-alignment talk began, I thought that was our best direction. Mostly due to geographics and I wanted to continue playing Nebraska...as it had begun being a good little rivalry the last 10 years or so. And I also wrote that in hindsight, I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't think any validation is needed.

I'm curious though, what do you see as the strengths of the Big 12? There are only 10 schools in it. Which do you see as flagship schools and major players? Who are the ones you feel drag the conference down?

Two things: the "hillbilly" part of Missouri is probably where Mizzou has the lowest level of fan support. Lots of Arkansas fans/alumni around here. OU and KU are also well represented.

Also, I can't let this thread move on without pointing out "Slutgers". Brilliant.

Frankly I see conference pride as something that's fine for others to get involved in but it's something I don't really understand. I pull for schools that I root for and generally don't care whether or not Texas, Kansas State, Baylor, etc do well or not. But that's just me. Typically fans of schools that get all excited about what other teams in their conference accomplish have very little to show for themselves.

I see having a 10 team league as nothing but a strength. The payout per school in the Big 12 is higher than any time in it's history and compares just the same as all the other major conferences. In football there is a schedule that involves all other conference teams which is how college athletics have decided a champion since the beginning. A conference championship game is nothing but a money grab made up by the SEC in the early 90's to boost dwindling interest amongst their fans.

I look at it the same way I do conference basketball tournaments. Sure they're fun and add some more games but the true champion is the regular season. That is why we find college sports so exciting.

The SEC is now seeing the ills of having so many teams. The schedules are inherently unfair and honestly how can anyone get that excited by such confusing institutions and mascots? For example…who do you think of when I say the Tigers? Ask three people and you'll get two answers, Auburn and LSU.