A couple of thoughts to frame my question:
1. I think the Pac 10 would like to take CU if there was another logical candidate to come with CU. As everyone knows, it needs to make economic sense for the Pac 10 to split its revenue 12 ways (up from 10). CCG will boost revenue, but it appears unlikely that revenue from CCG only justifies expansion. TV market and national perception also play a large role here. CU is desirable because Denver is the 16th largest TV market in the country, and would give the Pac 10 a one hour earier time slot for TV purposes. I'm not yet sold on Utah -- 32nd largest TV market, and it splits collegiate fanswith BYU (most people I know say SLC is 60-40 BYU to Utah fans). No way Pac 10 will consider BYU given Sunday issues (among others), and I'm not sure Utah brings enough to the table for the Pac 10 to expand with Colorado. In fact, Pac 10 is now inquiring about holding a CCG with only 10 teams despite current NCAA regulations. This makes me worried as a CU fan.
So CU needs an expansion partner....and Utah might not be enough to get us into the Pac 10.
2. Big 12 is in trouble. Commissioner hasn't shown any foresight here (I'd think about extending offer to BYU and Utah to fend off Pac 10 poaching, but that's another post), and TV deals are poor and locked in for next 5 years, which means things aren't going to be getting better in the intermediate term. Texas is a problem: it leaves and Big 12 exposure goes way down, or Texas continues to rule the roost and dominate conference affairs. Possible that Mizzou leaves, which would further strengthen Texas as the population hub of the Big 12.
So it's possible that a Big 12 team in addition to CU would look outside the conference since no Texas and probably more $$$$....
3. I think the school that may fit best is...Nebraska. In addition to maintaining the Pac 10's rivalry setup (CU and Nebraska come into the 12-Pac with great rivalry), it brings a lot of national exposure and a name brand that will help strengthen the national perception and, I believe, the TV dollars. TV games can be broadcast nationwide one hour earlier. Nebraska is an AAU school, which is important to Pac 10 presidents. I know some out there are pre-disposed to hating kNU, but they do have a large national following that expands beyond a relatively weak population base. I'd also like to see the CU/Nebraska rivalry to continue.
So my question is this -- would Nebraska consider moving to the Pac 10 with CU? And woiuld CU fans want this?
My take: if Nebraska helps clear the way for Pac 10 expansion, I'm all for it. I think Nebraska has stronger ties to the prairie schools in the B12 than CU does, but money talks and Tom Osborne is NOT a fan of the Big 12 being hijacked by Texas. And lastly, I'm concerned that if CU doesn't come with a travel partner that brings a lot to the table, there won't be Pac 10 expansion.