I’ve speculated enough over the years that I have no idea. So this is just a shot in the dark. That said it doesn’t look good for either school. KSU isn’t AAU so the BIG is not an option. Obviously the SEC is out for both. I can’t imagine the ACC wants to add them, that just dilutes their payouts because they don’t bring enough television revenue. About their only option would be the PAC 12 and I can only see the PAC taking them if they take the rest of the Big 12 with them, but that doesn’t seem likely as I don’t know what long term financial value that actually bring to the PAC. I can see the PAC 12 going to 16 teams and taking Baylor, TCU, TTU and Okie Lite. That gets them to 16, brings in Texas TV revenue and opens up more Texas recruiting. So that could make sense, but bringing KSU and ISU along for the ride doesn’t add much.
As much as I think it would be awesome to raid the ACC and get ND, I think those are extreme long shots. Things may have changed, but my understanding is that the ACC structured buyouts during the last round of realignment to be pretty steep. We’re already footing the bill for Maryland, I don’t know what appetite we would have to foot more of the bulk for others, and disillusion of the ACC seems like a long shot. And with out taking the really big boys of the ACC then IMO ND is off the table. I think the best course of action for the BIG is to come to some sort of a long term agreement with the PAC 12 and negotiate a joint TV deal.
