There’s a lot of focus right now on Big Ten football. Which is kind of funny, because there wouldn’t be this much attention on it if it were happening. But it’s also a bit disappointing. And no, I’m not saying the Pac-12 should be receiving the same treatment (though let’s all remember how much Dennis Dixon helped us fall in love with college football playing NCAA 07). I’m saying we should be focusing our energy on making sure the 2021 NIT happens.
Yes, I know, the NIT doesn’t have as big a footprint in swing states. Yes, I know, there are actually things that can be done right now with respect to planning out a feasible NIT, and it’s much easier to rail against something that has no chance of coming back in the way you want it to come back because it can’t go badly if it does come back that way and make you look a fool.
But come on, guys. The NIT is special. It’s beautiful. It’s historic. The most historic sport we have, in fact (and if you don’t believe me, wait ‘til you hear about this “lost gospel” papyrus I’m selling to the Hobby Lobby guys). It has all the things Big Ten Football has: poor offense, a footprint in the New York media market, one or two teams that are way too good to be there. It has more things that Big Ten Football doesn’t have: late-night action, half-empty crowds, a good bit of bizarreness (all of which, by the way, are things we love about Pac-12 Football, MACtion, and the Sun Belt).
Let’s stop the partisan fighting over Big Ten Football and the votes we think accompany it in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. Let’s come together as a country and give votes from even more states to whoever pushes hardest to make sure we get the 2021 NIT.
