Here are my current thoughts on the situation...
Texas + Texas A&M --- Ideal. Would bring in the entire republic of Texas to the Big 10. Texas is one of the most well-rounded institutions in the country, both academically and athletically (AAU institution), and would bring in an elite football program. UT is the hot girl at the dance and everybody knows it... including herself. A&M would bring in the land grant university to the 2nd biggest state in the nation, their academic resume is impressive (AAU institution as of this decade), and their their athletic teams would be really competitive in our league.
Syracuse + Rutgers --- Would "bring in the New York market" (if there even is one). PSU is rallying hard to have one or both of these teams included into the league's expansion plans. Both have strong academic programs (both are AAU institutions, Rutgers is the land grant school of NJ). Both border Big 10 country. Syracuse would bring in a perennial basketball and lacrosse power and a historically solid football program (1 NC). Rutgers would bring in a perennial... women's basketball power and an "up-and-coming" football program. But at least we'd get in the NY market who's interest in college sports has nowhere to go but up... right??
Pittsburgh --- Would bring in a school with a very good academic resume (AAU institution) with solid basketball program and pretty solid football program. Would not be adding a new state to the Big 10 map and PSU wants them in the league as much as OSU wants Cincy to join us. Not elite in anything, but would help the league academically and athletically.
Missouri --- If we are adding more than one team, Missouri will be joining the Big Ten. No question. Would bring in a new state to the Big 10 with a new viewing audience, already has a rivalry with Illinois, the state borders current Big 10 country, they are an AAU institution and the land grant school of their state, and their athletics are solid but rarely spectacular. Not the "Big Bang" we all want, but they fit pretty much everything we're looking for in an expansion school minus the elite athletic programs.
Notre Dame --- Would bring in boat loads of media exposure to the Big 10 and (hopefully) TV sets around the country despite not adding a new state to the map. They have yearly rivalries with scUM, MSU, and Purdue (as well as with Pitt if they were to join) and would be natural rivals of OSU and PSU as well. One of the best undergrad programs in the country and its academicas are highly regarded nationally, but their grad program is subpar with any of the current Big 10 members and are not an AAU or land grant institution. Their major athletic programs have been down for some time now, but are still nonetheless attractive despite that due to their history. Won't realistically be in Big 10 expansion plans unless we take more than 1 school... and the more schools we take, the greater the chance ND changes it's mind about being an independent school forever and ever.
Nebraska --- Still trying to wrap my mind around this one. Would be a new state on the map and is a border state of Iowa, but would it seriously bring in TV sets? It is an AAU and land grant institution, but its academic reputation is questioned by opposing fans within their current conference. Would bring in a historically strong football program that has come upon hard times over the last almost ten years, but wouldn't add any other "can't miss" athletic programs that I'm aware of. Too many questions in my opinion, but sounds like they would jump at the question if we were to ask them to join.
I just hope we don't "settle" for schools/a school who won't strengthen the Big 10 both athletically and academically.
