Big Ten expansion candidate: Rutgers

One in a series looking at 12 different universities that could potentially join the Big Ten

School: Rutgers

Location: New Brunswick, N.J.

Enrollment: 36,041

Current League: Big East Conference

Number of sports offered: 22

Academic profile: Member of the Association of American Universities; 66th in the 2010 U.S. News and World Report National Universities rankings

Why it would fit: Rutgers boasts a strong academic profile and large alumni base in a heavy population state without a current Big Ten school. It would open a new market for the Big Ten and anchor the eastern seaboard with access to the New York and Philadelphia markets. Athletically, it competes in the Big East and spent more than $102 million on its football stadium that now has a capacity of 52,454.

Why it wouldn't: Rutgers barely registers in the markets the Big Ten wants to corner. Although it competes in the Big East, athletically it has no real tradition compared with schools already competing in the Big Ten. Any interest in Rutgers by the Big Ten is a leap of faith that the school will become a factor in New York City and Philadelphia and grow the Big Ten market.

Final verdict: It depends on the number of schools that join the Big Ten. If it's only one, it won't be Rutgers. If it's three or five, Rutgers will join the Big Ten.

YouTube moment: Rutgers fans storm the football field after upsetting then-No. 2 South Florida on Oct. 18. 2007