[NU Sports] Texas & ND to Big Ten?

[Dennis W. Brandt]

> There is serious chatter about the Big Ten talking to Maryland but there 
> is
> no indication that Maryland intends to leave the ACC.  Now, that is 
> subject
> to change if the SEC decides to raid the ACC for one or two school in the
> event it decides to go to 14 or 16 -if 16, one more would presumably come
> from the west, geographic balance is very important to the SEC.  If the 
> ACC
> looks vulnerable then Maryland may have more interest.  A vulnerable ACC
> could lead to some sort of merger with the Big East, particularly if the 
> Big
> Ten decides to go to 16 and invites Rutgers, Pitt and/or Syracuse.  The 
> Big
> East is currently talking with the left out members of the soon to be
> defunct Big 12 (Big Five?) or at least Kansas K-State and Mizzou, all of
> whom were extended invites last year before the Big 12 decided to stay
> together.  Taking those three in would take the league up to 20 for all
> sports and 12 for football, which would seem to indicate that it wouldn't
> need the ACC unless it too wants to get to 16.  If so, and given its
> basketball focus, the 4 North Carolina schools would seem to me to be the
> obvious picks for the Big East.

Who'd a thunk it?  The practice of hostile takeover hits college football.