Big 12's most coveted 11th team?

IMO, if they pursue ND then they will need another to bring the conference to 12. I would prefer a model like the SEC....play each division team, one cross rival and then fill out with others in the other division....I think 14 might be the upper limits tho..

IMO, Notre Dame must join a good football conference, or they will be left out of the playoffs, regardless of how good a season they have.

ND will join the conference that ensures it the most revenue. The Irish are only entertaining any thoughts of joining a conference for football based on the team's poor performances after the last several years that have hurt revenues. Right now, they have a "wait and see" attitude with respect to Brian Kelly. As it is, the only conference that could possibly look good to them for football is the Big Ten.

Oh, one more thing: Irish will NEVER join the Big 12 football. That's a hookah dream.

The only way you will get ND is to let them keep all of their NBC money and get their share of the rest of the money.

I do not think the Big 12 should wait a year or two before expanding. There are several teams that would probably jump at the chance to move right now but that may not always be the case. Things change fast today. A year ago the B12 looked doomed; eight months ago the ACC looked stable.

What if FSU has a great year, maybe one or two other ACC teams, and ND decides to join it if ESPN will renegotiate a stronger contract? With an ACCN the ACC is suddenly back in the CFB game again. At that point no team, not FSU, CU, GT, etc., would be looking to leave. Of course as long as the ACC keeps Swofford in charge I doubt they manage to make any truly positive moods. But if they can hire someone in the Scott or Delany mold, then the conference could actually be something. They need new leadership and time. If the B12 gives them the time then those programs now willing to jump ship might find things looking better in a year or two (however unlikely it is possible these days).

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:15 PM ET  06.03 by toad

The only way you will get ND is to let them keep all of their NBC money and get their share of the rest of the money.

If they keep all of their home game money, they are not getting a full share of the home game money from a conference. Nobody wants them badly enough to give them twice as much money as everyone else is getting.

Just finish in the top 4 every year and we can remain independent, no problemo, consider it done.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 12:23 PM ET  06.03 by VanByTheRiver

Just finish in the top 4 every year and we can remain independent, no problemo, consider it done.

So I take it you support joining a conference? :)

(In all seriousness, finishing in the top four every year won't happen for anyone for any prolonged period of time. All great streaks come to an end. Alas, I know this from experience.)

Just two years ago, the B1G was considered to be at a disadvantage because we didn't have CCG. Now the Big XII thinks it might be good to not have a CCG. I wish everybody would get on the same page. IMO, the larger your conference, the more conference games you need to play. Bravo to the PAC 12 and Big XII for playing 9 games. I wish the B1G would play at least 9 conference games. The SEC could solve their scheduling problems by playing a 10 game conference schedule. I mean, if you're never going to play somebody, are they really in your conference?