Michigan Football: 6 Teams the Wolverines Would Like To See in the Big Ten

The bomb dropped by Texas A&M on the Big 12 Conference turned out to be a dud. Or did it?

Sure, the SEC decided not to extend an invitation to the Aggies, but it failed to rule it out in the future.

There's no doubt Texas A&M wants to escape the shadow of Texas and/or its new Longhorns television network.

So the Aggies took the first shot in what may become another round of expansion wars.

The talks continue concerning the possibility of four 16-team super-conferences, in hopes of finally getting a legitimate national championship. In this case, the Big Ten would have to pick up four schools.  

Michigan, of course, has its favorites. Let's take a look at the schools that have attracted some interest. 

Texas Longhorns

Austin, Texas

Texas Memorial Stadium: 100,119

Head Coach: Mack Brown

U.S. News & World Report Rating: 45

Big 12

There might have been a method to the madness when the Big Ten brought in Nebraska from the Big 12. The Cornhuskers could be the lure needed to bring in the big catch, Texas.

The Longhorns, now accompanied by their own television network, are perhaps the most desirable college football program.

The Big Ten would hate to see Texas bolt to either the SEC or the Pac-12. The Longhorns have a great athletic tradition, a huge budget and solid academics.

Who could forget the 2005 Rose Bowl when Vince Young led Texas to a 38-37 victory over Michigan, the only time the two teams met?

Texas, of course, would most likely bring another Big 12 team along. It would most likely be Texas A&M, Texas Tech or Missouri.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

South Bend, Indiana

Notre Dame Stadium: 80,795

Head Coach: Brian Kelly

U.S. News & World Report Rating: 19

Independent

Ever since a group of Michigan football players traveled to South Bend in hopes of teaching the game to Notre Dame, there's been controversy. Michigan won the first eight games in the series, before Notre Dame won for the first time in 1909.

Because of "ineligible" Notre Dame players, Michigan cancelled the 1910 game at the last minute, in addition to keeping the Irish from joining the Big Ten on more than one occasion. Fielding Yost, one of the most respected men in college football,  was blamed for all of this.  

The series finally resumed again for a pair of games in 1942 and 1943. This time it was Fritz Crisler who supposedly ended the series.

A couple years ago, Notre Dame declined an invitation to join the conference, but many believe now is the time for the Irish to come aboard. One of the stumbling blocks has been Notre Dame's lucrative television contract with NBC. Still, if Texas could work out its contact situation, Notre Dame could do the same.  

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Piscataway, New Jersey

Rutgers Stadium: 52,454

Head Coach: Greg Schiano

U.S. News & World Report Rating: 64

Big East

The Big Ten would like to get a share of the New York City television market, while Michigan would like to coddle to its Manhattan alumni base. 

Academically, Rutgers is ranked 64th nationally in U.S. News & World Report's national collegiate poll.

The Scarlet Knights, who are coached by Greg Schiano, have gone to bowl games five out of the last six seasons. Schiano, who's starting his 10th season, was one of the leading candidates for the Michigan job that Rich Rodriguez eventually took.

Rutgers, which began play in 1869, has a 599-590-42 overall record. The Scarlet Knights have accumulated 29 conference titles.

Missouri Tigers

Columbia, Missouri

Faurot Field: 71,004

Head Coach: Gary Pinkel

U.S. News & World Report Rating: 64

Big 12

Missouri was a candidate to join the Big Ten in 2010 but was eventually snubbed by the conference when Nebraska was admitted.

The Tigers have won 15 conference championships in their proud history, compiling a 622-515-52 record. 

In Missouri's 1969 title season, the Tigers crushed the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium, 40-17. The Wolverines went on the defeat Ohio State and tie for the Big Ten title that same year. The Wolverines avenged the lopsided loss in 1975 with a 31-7 victory.

Head coach Gary Pinkel, who's set to begin his 10th season, has led the Tigers to six straight bowl appearances.

Maryland Terrapins

College Park, Maryland

Byrd Stadium: 54,000

Head Coach: Randy Edsall

U.S. News & World Report Rating: 56

ACC

This would be the least likely of the possibilities, since the ACC is on solid ground with 12 teams. When the conference added Virginia Tech, Boston College and Miami in 2005, football was supposed to close in on basketball as the league's feature sport.

But Miami and Florida State faltered, leaving Virginia Tech as the league's only national power. At the same time, ACC basketball was diluted by the new teams.

ESPN wasn't fazed however, as the cable television network outbid FOX for the new broadcasting rights.

None of this has stopped the SEC from looking at the ACC for additional teams. If that's the case, Maryland could join the Big Ten as a way to help its struggling football program.

Again, the Big Ten could benefit from the Washington television market, while the Wolverines could please their large alumni base in the nation's capital.

Pittsburgh Panthers

Pittsburgh, PA

Heinz Field: 65,050

Head Coach: Todd Graham

U.S. News & World Report Rating: 64

Big East

The Panthers play at beautiful Heinz Field in downtown Pittsburgh. From Ann Arbor, it's less than a five-hour drive. If you're a sports fan, you can also catch the Pirates, Penguins or Steelers.

Academically, Pittsburgh is on par with Rutgers and Texas A&M.

The Panthers claim nine national titles along with a 671-483-42 overall mark. Pittsburgh already has natural rivalries with Notre Dame and Penn State.

Despite posting a 7-5 record in 2010, coach Dave Wannstedt resigned at season's end. Tulsa head coach Todd Graham took over.