Power rankings: What programs are atop the Big Ten’s conference expansion wishlist?

A look at what schools could (and should) be next to join the Big Ten.

The world of conference expansion never really slows down. It just keeps plugging along. Where the Big Ten goes is likely to be the domino that creates a chain reaction throughout college football.

After all, last summer, the Big Ten created a domino effect when it raided the Pac-12 for USC and UCLA. And all the recent buzz is that the Big Ten may not be done plucking the Pac-12’s best programs.

So where could the Big Ten turn to next? There are a variety of different options in play here. Keep in mind a few things:

  • Every Big Ten school, upon entry into the conference, has been an AAU member. This matters.
  • The Big Ten is likely to add two more schools from west of the Rocky Mountains to balance the conference.
  • That doesn’t mean there won’t be any other expansion, simply that targeting the West Coast seems likely.
  • Television market size matters.
  • Football matters almost as much as television sets. Basketball is a distant third in the priorities.

Scroll down and check out where things are being projected to shake out for the Big Ten’s next big move in the conference expansion sweepstakes!