IF they go to a 16 team conference, the next two teams could be Maryland and Virginia. I don't believe Virginia Tech is a CIC member? Add those two schools and the Big 10 has all of the Washington DC area and probably more. Or Pitt (because I like Pitt). The Pitt/Penn St would be installed and would be a huge college rivalry again. Maryland and (or) Virginia --natural additional rivals for Penn St. Again, HUGE TV markets. BB instantly puts the Big 10 up there with a match to ANY other conference. Would open up huge recruiting markets for Big 10 teams.
Would OSU still rule the Big 10 in football...probably. With their recruiting advantage they probably would anyway. Texas? Would they rule the Big 10? I think Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, MSU, Iowa, Penn St, and I daresay, Notre Dame might have another thought about that?
A Nebraska/Texas game would be a national game with national interest. Nebraska HATES Texas and would love to be on an even field with Texas (in conference).
The number of games that would/could draw national interest is astounding. Even without adding two east coast teams; add two of them and the TV networks pi$$ down their legs wanting part of the big 20 INCLUDING ESPN. ESPN is afraid of the potential of the Big 10 network and what that network could do to their earnings.
Delaney is a smart smart man and the Big 10 is smart. They are not about to be bullied by teams WANTING to join the Big 10. The Big 10 holds all the cards. In fact, I don't think the Pac 12 would cave to Texas. The ONLY two conferences that Texas will consider joining. Texas and Notre Dame KNOW where the money conference is located and they KNOW what joining that conference would do for THEM. They will join like Nebraska did. If they join they will join as Big 10 members--one vote per school, like Indiana, Iowa, NW, Michigan, OSU....
The Texas and Notre Dame academic community are pi$$ing down their legs hoping that both institutions join the Big 10. Opportunities are endless for everyone.