Big Ten doesn't feel finished

The Nebraska media isn't quite conditioned for the Big Ten.

It doesn't know that when you ask commissioner Jim Delany about a specific school the conference might have its eye on for expansion, you're going to get a stone wall.

So, the Notre Dame question came up.

"I wouldn't characterize any institution in any way," Delany said at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Visitors Center on Friday. "That's one of the things we think we've done well. It doesn't stop anyone from speculating, but you're not going to hear the Big Ten talk about any other institutions."

Nebraska joined the Big Ten on Friday and it doesn't sound as though it's finished.

"We're still going to be open and aware of what's going on around us," Delany said. "We will continue to study the process. I don't think the change that is in play is going to abate."

For the second consecutive day, the Big 12 lost a conference school. Colorado left for the Big 12 on Thursday. Friday, it was Nebraska's turn.

During a conference call with reporters, Big 12 commisioner Dan Beebe said he felt "under siege." That feeling likely won't go away. Five more Big 12 teams could be headed out the door.

The Pac-1o is poised to invite Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. This could happen early next week. The Oklahoman reported Friday that the University of Oklahoma has decided to join the Pac-10 but will wait to announce until the University of Texas declares for the league.

"I don't think you could read all the commentary out there and not feel under siege with all the speculation," Beebe said via teleconference. "I want to emphasize that we have very strong institutions that are remaining in the conference that have a lot of value."

When Big Ten expansion talk started last December, Delany mentioned a "12 to 18 month" time period for study. He mentioned that again Friday. So did Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon, who mentioned Friday that "two-thirds" of the study period remain in play.

"There could be less of a change than people speculate on, there could be something as seismic as others have speculated on," Delany said. "For us, we're in a great place. We're stronger today than we were yesterday."

Delany said the Big Ten isn't working under any particular timeline.

"I want to get back with our presidents, athletic directors and take a deep breath and see what some other possibilities might be," Delany said.

For the record, the Big Ten and Notre Dame talked in 1999. Those ended in Notre Dame passing on an offer to join.