The Big 10 Conference Becoming 12?

The Big 10 conference going to a dozen is gaining traction to the point where the league itself is exploring the possibility of inviting a 12th member.

Explore heck do it. The Big 10 right now is the only league that could compete with the mega - SEC for supremacy in college football. The Big 10 is held back because they do not have a championship game which would add millions of dollars. Then the snow ball rolls, the Big 10 network benefits, ESPN ups the ante for Big 10 football, another network throws money at the Big 10 and so on and so on.

Who will that 12th team be? That question was open for discussion at the OSG HQ and here's our take.

Missouri - Most in the Big 10 feel Mizzou fits the conference's profile, large state university with some football tradition, good basketball tradition, boosters with deep pockets and a strong fan base. Should Mizzou be on the Big 10's short list the university will listen.

“The University of Missouri has not been contacted by the Big Ten." University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton said in a statement to the Kansas City Star. "Should there be an official inquiry or invitation, we would evaluate it based upon what would be in the best interest of MU athletically and academically."

The Big 10 would like Missouri in the fold. odds: 2-1

Notre Dame - The Big 10 and Notre Dame have been dancing for decades. Yes they would be a great get for the conference but Notre Dame still prints its own money and won't share. The Big 10 will dangle the carrot again and it will depend if NBC wants to continue to fund Notre Dame athletics. We will set the odds at 20-1.

Pittsburgh - This would be great for Penn State because the Nittany Lions can renew what was a great rivalry with the Pitt Panthers. Adding Pitt would give the conference another school in a large market who is football mad. While the Panthers have great support the fan base is a little questionable and how many boosters can write large checks? Odd 25 - 1

Rutgers - There are reports that Rutgers is openly lobbying for an invite into the Big 10. Greg Schiano desperately wants to raise the profile of the football program and the University is on board with that. Joining the Big 10 conference would give a huge boost to Rutgers for recruiting and profile. You wonder if the fan support and booster funds are there but Rutgers has the intangibles though. Odds 30-1

West Virginia - We are just throwing them out there but the Mountaineers would be a great fit in the Big 10. Great football tradition, willingness of the boosters to spend liberally and a terrific fan base. You just have to wonder if the Big 10 likes West Virginia's academic profile but WVU should be a no brainer for consideration. It's a football program dying to prove itself against the powers of the sport, this would do it. Odds 40-1

Nebraska - The Big 10 will study Nebraska hard. The Cornhusker fans are legendary for their support and being well behaved. While taking its lumps lately, Nebraska's football program is always top of mind. A change of scenery might help Nebraska but this would definitely be a hard sell. Nebraska would give up rivalries with Oklahoma & Colorado, have to refocus their recruiting territory and you can bet the Big 12 conference would fight like hell to keep one of its brand names in the fold. Odds 100-1.

Here's a few other schools to consider: Cincinnati (If they can upgrade their facilities big time but a big time long shot.), Kentucky (Talk about stirring the pot, raiding the SEC. We're just sayin')

Big 10 expansion is going to happen. Will the conference change its name? That's another discussion.

Meanwhile Drew Smith of WLUK Fox 11 in Green Bay, Wisconsin adds his own take and he even brings up Kentucky. Great minds think a like.

Thanks WLUK-TV/Youtube.com