The Big 10 announced earlier this week that it will explore ideas for expansion.  It is pretty widely known that the Big 10 has always had a crush on Notre Dame, and for good reason.  However, we also know that Notre Dame hasn't exactly been reciprocating in the courtship.  It is still possible, however (contrary to popular belief, Notre Dame would benefit financially from the move).

Missouri has been mentioned a lot, but I don't see how that benefits the Big 10 in any way--not a ton of tradition, nor rabid fan base, nor academics, nor or huge TV market.  Personally, Rutgers makes more sense than Missouri (also, another myth is that a new school must border on the existing Big 10 footprint--which is also untrue).

But another interesting school that has surfaced is Texas.  Because why would the Big 10 not aim high if it can't get Notre Dame?  In fact, the argument can be made that Texas may be more beneficial than Notre Dame given its stellar athletics program, fan following and Houston/Dallas/San Antonio/Austin markets.  Texas fits in with the Big 10 in terms of tradition, size, market, AND academics.  As a disclaimer, I am a Big 10 guy (Minnesota undergrad) currently in Texas' MBA program here in Austin.  (As an aside I will DEFINITELY be cheering for Minnesota in the big volleyball match tomorrow night!)  So, I am all in favor of Texas moving to the Big 10.  It would probably benefit Texas financially (The Big Ten Network alone adds $6M per year and would probably grow with the addition of Texas) as well as give it more of a presence in recruiting the Midwest.  It would also be a step up in terms of academic resources (every Big 10 university is part of the prestigious American Association of Universities, as is Texas, only half of the Big XII has such designation).  

What I'm looking for is some input from Texas fans.  I do see some drawbacks such as losing some rivalry games with Oklahoma and A&M.  It certainly wouldn't be hard to keep those as non-conference games, but would only make the schedule more difficult (can you imagine playing Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M all in one year?).  Plus, I think Texas would be at a huge disadvantage playing in Minnesota, Penn State, Wisconsin and other cold weather locales where there may be several inches of snow in late season games.

But that is just football.  Texas would be a good add for Big 10 volleyball (Minnesota and Penn State are both in the Final Four this weekend), basketball (joining Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State, Minnesota as powerhouses), and baseball (Minnesota and Ohio State are the big guns here, but Texas would probably dominate).

So what do Texas fans think?  Surely, there are some positives and negatives to which I am not privy.