Big Ten Football: Latest Speculation Places Texas, Notre Dame in Big Ten by 2014

The move of Texas A&M to the SEC may be on hold for the moment, but don't expect the Big Ten to be caught empty handed as the dominoes fall.

The latest bit of speculation involves the inclusion of Texas and Notre Dame into the Big Ten.

Appearing on a Rivals.com message board, both schools jointly presented a proposal to the Big Ten on Wednesday night. 

There were only a few items tossed on the table by the two college football powers: The Big Ten would drop its idea of a nine-game conference schedule and allow for midseason non-conference games, the revenue stream created by the newly-formed Longhorn Television Network would need to be reworked and NBC's contract with Notre Dame would need to be examined.

The two teams would most likely join in 2014.

Texas and Notre Dame would be great additions to the conference.

Texas not only offers its great tradition, its success on the field and its large television market, but it also brings a fertile recruiting area to the remainder of the Big Ten.

Notre Dame, of course, has always been a perfect fit for the Big Ten. The Fighting Irish bring a national television market, a great tradition and excellent football history.

With the move, the Big Ten would feature the four winningest college football programs: Michigan (885 victories), Texas (851), Notre Dame (843) and Nebraska (838).

The admission of Texas and Notre Dame would give the Big Ten 14 members, just two shy of the 16 expected to make up one of the four super conferences.

Now, which are the other two dominoes to fall?