Unfortunately, 90% of this info in this thread is a whole lot of nothing, minus the few people that do have some info and insight that have shared their thoughts since day 1. Imho, there's five takeaways here that, with limited information or observation, we can make.
- Depending on the situation, Miami seems to be the 2nd to 4th team that the Big 10 hopes to add in a future expansion. Where we fall on the pecking order depends on which variables are thought to be the most important for the conference (Fox view of ratings/brand, ND wanting a spot, perception of us by Big 10 presidents, etc.). Miami may not be an immediate expansion member, but may receive it's invite prior to the next Big 10 contract, which means anytime in the next 6 years.
- There doesn't seem to be a path for Miami in the SEC. There hasn't been any expressed interest of whispers of any momentum there. I can speak to this a bit, as I do have a friend with SEC contacts, and they have repeatedly said that SEC schools do not want Miami in the conference primarily for recruiting reasons. Big "but" here, the SEC seems to be far more locked down on leaks and info than the Big. Nobody in the world had any idea that Texas and OU were going to the SEC, until the near moment it was announced.
- There's been a lot of posts and talk about Genetics. My take on him is that he's a guy with some pretty good sources plugged into Big 10 politics and current events. However, I do think (for purposes of content and engagement) that he stretches his info and extrapolates it beyond a reasonable measure. As his account has become more prominent, the extrapolation has become more pronounced. I also think other school's insiders use him to launder their talking points. The chief example of this is when he made that post about Miami athletics and financials. I know for a fact that 95% of the info in that post was blatantly false, and that a good amount of it read like fan fiction from Warchant.
- Miami generally understands that staying in the ACC would be a death sentence for the FB program. Miami Athletics is working in a much more quiet manner than its other ACC competitors in figuring out its next steps. Rudy Fernandez, Dan R., key members of the BOT, and big $$$ donors are leading the way here. This is not a situation where Miami is sleeping at the wheel. Miami knows that it has to find a landing spot, the Big 10 being the most likely destination. However, this leads into the next point...
- Oregon and Washington's move to the Big really really screwed a quicker expansion timeline for us. Also, the GOR was always an obstacle that we would need to overcome.
Imho, based on the very limited information we seem to have, I think the Big takes 4 teams in its next expansion, with Miami being one of those teams. The process could be expedited by a big turnaround by us this year. If we make the playoff (not saying we will), it would give us a lot of leverage and reset some expectations.
