News From College Football

College fans take note - this is a big week for the Big Ten, and therefore all of college football.

Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out that Wednesday may be the day of reckoning. Yesterday Big 10 commissioner Jim Delaney met with some of his presidents at an academic association meeting, where he reportedly was to have had some expansion discussions.  Tuesday Delaney will be in a meeting with all 11 BCS conference commissioners, where he could give them a previously promised notification if the Big 10 plans on pursuing any of their members.

If the Big 10 attempts to get to 16, that means five new teams. My guess for five that would fit: Rutgers, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Texas, and Notre Dame.

But it won't quite happen. The Texas legislature just won't stand for UT going where Baylor and A&M can't, and Notre Dame isn't ready to concede conference necessity just yet. So while Delaney will pursue Texas and talk to Missouri, the MU talk is a red herring to improve the play for Texas. If the Longhorns and Irish sit tight, the Big Twelve will emerge unscathed, and the Big Ten will take on a Big East flavor with three new teams.

If by some miracle Notre Dame jumps and Texas isn't permitted, then Mizzou might be in play for balance - but then the Big Ten might just choose to add two Big East schools, and still end up with just three additions. Bottom line - I think the odds are long that Missouri goes, however much they'd prefer it.