totally agree. PSU was an independent along with several schools including ND. At the time, there were three networks that dominated TV via stations that used their programming in large cities. Those were CBS, ABC and NBC. In the 80's, Fox emerged. also, of note, almost every single game was played on Saturday with an early and a late game. Do the math, 6 games a week max. So there were regional games and national games of the week. ND signed an exclusive deal to be broadcast, I think nationally, every weekend. So the conferences moved to get TV contracts and lock in TV deals. It was clear, PSU, was on the outside looking in. Joe favored a conference that was almost like the Big East with Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers and more. But none of them really had great football other than PSU and Pitt. It never materialized. So PSU needed a conference and the only one taking members was the B1G.
Unfortunately, to this day, the B1G has always been about tOSU and Michigan in football. So that set us back. Fortunately, ESPN came along with cable. That made college football national in scope. for the first time, a person in PA could get a weekly dose of USC or people in CA could get a weekly dose of B1G football. So kids started to want to play for teams that captured their imaginations. today, of course, exposure and recruiting are national.
But I do believe moving to the B1G hurt us for a while.