It would be the worst mistake Texas could ever make. Their closest opponent would be some 500 miles away and their fans wouldn't forgive them for removing Oklahoma or Texas A&M from their football schedule. I just don't see it happening.
Notre Dame would be the obvious choice if they would just sign on to it but why should they with the sweetheart deals they already have? Plus, if the Big 10 split into two divisions like all the others, Notre Dame makes it hard to split and keep all the rivalries intact.
Missouri makes the most sense. It adds the St. Louis TV market and possibly the KC market as well.
The rumors I'm hearing in Big Ten country are:
1. Rutgers
2. Pitt
3. Iowa State
4. Nebraska
5. Missouri
6. Cincinnati
Not from a win-loss standpoint. Texas would run the table in the conference unless Ohio State got lucky.
From a fan standpoint, you're right. No Oklahoma or Texas A&M would anger a bunch of fans.
I agree with you that Missouri is the most likely addition to the Big 10.
“Their closest opponent would be some 500 miles away and their fans wouldn’t forgive them for removing Oklahoma or Texas A&M from their football schedule.”
You are correct, except the Big 10 is looking to add 3 to 5 teams. So what if they “went big” and brought Texas, A&M, and Oklahoma on board? That would be a conference to rival to SEC!
Missouri would be a good bet, but then what would happen to the MO-KS rivalry ? Notre Dame won’t join anything because they’re doing well as an independent. The Rust Belt colleges further east don’t have the following that Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa have.
I still think Texas might be just the school to break new ground.
If the Big Ten went to more teams, would they have E/W or N/S and a Playoff??