From the desk of David Childers - official COCE spokesperson
As I'm sure you all know, USC will leave the Pac-12 at the start of the 2024 football season to join the Big-10. Of course, nothing is more important than how it will (or won't) impact the COCE. Chris - like me - was largely a purist. For that reason, the Pac-12 itself was an abomination to us - the Pac-10 was the ultimate conference. Now, both are effectively history. But the COCE will not be deterred. We will miss potential locations like Tempe, Seattle, Boulder and - of course - the Bay Area. In an effort to focus forward and to embrace the unusual circumstances, the COCE is proud to offer up the 2022 Big 10 Rankings. These are not football rankings - these are location rankings. Think of these as an insight into potential future COCE festivities. Also - remember that COCE 24 has already been pre-determined - it will be the epic LSU-USC clash in Las Vegas. If you aren't already setting aside your bail money, you are behind schedule.
So that means one last Pac-12 COCE in 2023, followed by a transition year for LSU-USC in Vegas, and then our first official Big-10 COCE in 2025. Where will it be? It's far too soon to speculate, but here are the conference contenders in somewhat absolute order. The rating scale is as follows: 1-10 on the following criteria: L(ocation), V(icinity), C(ompetitiveness), T(ravel) ease and S(tadium). 50 is a perfect score. Without furher adieu...
1. Wisconsin (47) - great college town, big cities nearby, great team and stadium and easy-ish travel.
2. Michigan (45) - yeah - not muich explanation needed. This has to happen sooner rather than later.
3. Ohio State (44) - haters be damned, Columbus is fun and it's Ohio freaking State. Can't wait to return.
4. Minnesota (44) - why so high? The Twin Cities - that's why. Great place to visit and a rising program.
5. Northwestern (42) - top 5 only because it is Chicago. But Chicago is that amazing and easy to get to.
6. Penn State (41) - top 4 if not for isolation. Seriously. We have to do it some day, but it will SUCK getting there.
7. Michigan State (37) - big drop off here. A lesser Michigan in every category, but still intriguing down the road
8. Iowa (37) - middle of nowhere...but a great stadium and a great program and a chance for Rob to guest host
9. Nebraska (36) - If the team gets better, this becomes more interesting. Iconic stadium and tons of history.
10. Rutgers (35) - Don't be surprised if the potential for an NYC-COCE doesn't cause us to leap frog others
11. Maryland (35) - Maryland is in the Big 10??!! Similar to Rutgers, except substitute Baltimore/DC for NYC
12. Illinois (33) - How many teams are in the Big 10?? Mildly interesting college town at least close to big airports
13. Indiana (30) - If we do a hoops trip - no brainer here. But...for football...I'm going to go with a hard pass
14. Purdue (27) - I can see a scenario where West Lafayette is our best COCE option...just kidding - a distant last