Texas Longhorns and Big Ten Expansion? Stranger Things Have Happened

A report this morning out of the Lawrence Journal-World in Kansas has Big Ten fans more excited than a fat kid in a candy store.

The paper quotes a source with ties to the Big Ten that claims the conference has engaged in "preliminary exchanges" with a much bigger fish from the Big 12: Texas. 

"There have been preliminary exchanges between the Big Ten and Texas," the source told the Journal-World on Wednesday. "People will deny that, but it’s accurate."

Should this happen, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest conference shifts to ever transpire in college football.

Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel tweeted a link to the story, then reminded people he tweeted the idea of the Big Ten going after Texas back in December.  Mike DeCourcy from The Sporting News had similar theories.

"No one seems to recognize the genius of this suggestion, which may be evidence of its genius," DeCourcy proclaimed.

At first, this idea didn't make any sense whatsoever. Why on earth would Texas want to leave the Big 12, a conference they have recently dominated with high-powered offense, to head to the Big Ten, a conference known for tougher competition and ground-and-pound football?

Money of course.

By adding the state of Texas to the Big Ten Network market, the Big Ten could benefit from a huge financial windfall.

Texas currently brings in the most television money in the Big 12, due in large part to its frequent national network appearances.  While Texas is rumored to be forming its own statewide TV Network, the Big Ten Network does offer up a ton of potential for the Longhorns.  If the deal was sweet enough, Texas would be foolish to turn it down.

The idea of adding Texas to the Big Ten sparks way too many questions.

What would the divisions be? 

What do the coaches think? 

What do Texas Longhorn fans think?

What do college football fans on a whole think?

Is this good for the Big Ten?

Is this a scam?

Will this help me score a date with a hot Texas cheerleader?

This is almost too big to ponder.  I need a drink.