Nebraska officials to discuss Big 12 vs. Big 10

OMAHA, Neb (AP) - The University of Nebraska board of regents is expected to discuss Friday whether the Cornhuskers should stay in the Big 12 or move to the Big Ten.

NU regent Chuck Hassebrook said Wednesday that he expects conference affiliation will be added to the agenda for Friday's previously scheduled meeting.

Board bylaws allow new business to be added to the agenda until 24 hours before the meeting.

"It's a big deal," Hassebrook said, "but it's hard to comment on what it all means until we discuss it."

According to media reports, the Big 12 has given Nebraska and Missouri a Friday deadline to affirm their commitment to the league. The two schools are among the leading candidates should the Big Ten expand.

Athletic director Tom Osborne said in a radio interview Tuesday night that a decision should come soon.

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"Hopefully we'll get things put together in the next few days," Osborne told the statewide Husker Sports Network without indicating Nebraska's preference. "I don't know exactly what the time frame is (that) we'll be able to put this thing to bed. But I'm getting tired of it, you're probably getting tired of it, and the fans are getting tired of it."

The Big Ten announced late last year it is considering adding at least one school, and possibly more, to add a league championship game in football and broaden the reach of its cable television network.

Osborne declined to speak about specifics of Nebraska's pending decision, and he tried to quash speculation that Nebraska would, in part, arrive at its decision based on its relationship with the University of Texas.

The Huskers and Longhorns butted heads over many issues when the Big 12 was formed, and there is a perception in Nebraska that Texas wields too much influence on league policies.

"We certainly don't have anything against anybody in the Big 12," Osborne said. "This decision is not going to be based on animosity or petty jealousy. I mean, you're talking about something that could maintain for the next 75 or 100 years. This is a big deal in terms of the University of Nebraska (and) this is a big deal in view of many other institutions."