The Big Ten may explore expansion, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The paper cited a league source who said there is a “growing groundswell” among conference athletic directors to expand.
By adding a 12th team, the Big Ten could split into divisions and have a lucrative league title game at the end of the season, following the formula of the SEC, Big 12 and ACC.
“We’re irrelevant for the last three weeks of the football season because we’re not playing,” Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said.
The Big Ten tried to expand in 1999, offering an invite to Notre Dame, but was rebuffed. The Tribune reported Notre Dame likely wouldn’t be pursued again. Instead, the Big Ten may turn to Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, Missouri, Cincinnati or Louisville if it does pursue expansion.
Rivals.com
12/15/9
