The Big 12, and every other conference, have long wanted the Irish of Notre Dame to join in.
To be honest it sounded like a pipe dream, but believe it or not the Irish are considering it, with the trifecta collapse of the Big East, the massive changes in television, and the upcoming BCS changes.
Of course Notre Dame has an unprecedented deal with NBC, but that may not go on forever.
In addition the new BCS may not take care of the Irish the way it did in the past, and even they know that their days of independence could soon be over.
Notre Dame has been a member of the Big East for year in all sports but football, but having the Irish in everything but football is like having a platonic relationship with Brooklyn Decker.
The plan we’re now hearing is that the Irish will join the Big 12 in everything but football until their NBC deal runs out, and then they’ll join in football as well.
This brings up some interesting issues, as the Irish have played Big Ten schools Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue for nearly 100 years, and most everyone thought if the Notre Dame ever joined a conference it would be in the Big Ten. However the Big 12 can offer the Irish their own TV package, and that may be the largest factor of all.
The new Big 12 partnership with the SEC, and the new bowl game won’t hurt either.
We still hear that Florida State could announce their intentions to “explore options” any day now, and Clemson may join them, with Notre Dame football coming a few years down the road. Louisville is also in the picture.
As we’ve said before, conference expansion can come in like a tornado, moving very unexpectedly, but we’ll follow it right here for you at www.GregSwaim.com and the Greg Swaim Show .
ARE You hearing Rutgers and Maryland to the BIG 10 Would get both markets. This is all about money!!!!!!!!!! NJ and NY would explode because NY loves big games. Everyweek there is a big game in the BIG 10
Nobody cares about the lower schools in the big east. Reason Why Rutgers dosnt sell out each game. In the Big 10 Rutgers would be sold out for the season and some games would need to be at the Meadowlands.
Actually when someone doesn’t know then its up to other people that they will assist, so here it takes place.