Big Ten President Issues Suspicious Update on Big Ten Expansion

Prior to the 2023 season, there was one headline that was dominating the college football world.

This, of course, was conference realignment. Programs around the country were on the move to conferences that we never could have fathomed were a possibility. Schools from Los Angeles became conference foes with programs in Nebraska and New Jersey, and programs in the Bay Area now will make conference trips to North Carolina.

In addition, the SEC and the Big Ten seemed to be on a one-way road to demolishing college football as we knew it.

Many were projecting that they were forming a two-conference super league. Those talks have since died down, and according to Iowa president Barbara Wilson, the Big Ten isn't looking to expand at all.

Well, that is, of course, unless the right opportunity arises.

“I would say for now that we’re done,” Wilson told The Athletic's Scott Dochterman. “If we’re going to grow, it will be for the right reason. Right now, there’s no compelling reason. But I’m one vote in the grand scheme of things."

While many fans may have thought that programs around the country moving around would be done, Wilson did reveal that schools have been expressing their desire to join the Big Ten.

The Big Ten is currently at 18 teams following the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington.

While Wilson didn't disclose what programs have expressed interest, we know of at least two.

However, there have been two teams practically begging to get into either the Big Ten or the SEC, which are Clemson and Florida State. They are both in the process of attempting to sue their way out of the ACC, but it has been confirmed on multiple occasions that neither the Big Ten nor the SEC want to add them at this time.

Action Network's Brett McMurphy reported back in July that there are extremely mixed reviews from members of the Big Ten and SEC when it comes to adding the two ACC powers.

Neither is an Association of American Universities (AAU), a leading research university, added strictly via invitation. According to Forbes, there are only 71 AAU universities in total.

This exclusive membership is "mandatory" to be considered for the Big Ten, according to The Athletic.

On top of that, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey seemed to be anything but interested when asked about adding the two programs at SEC media days.

"We're focused on our 16. Period," Sankey said . "I'm not going to guess about what happens next. We can certainly remain at 16 for a long, long time and be incredibly successful."

As McMurphy explained in his report, unless the ACC collapses, neither the Big Ten nor the SEC want to be the one to make the first domino fall.

Related: Colorado Star Issues Warning to Nebraska Ahead of Week 2 Matchup