[HolyHandgernade]

Atomic Noodle reply:

First of all I'm not an insider. I'm not really sure how the so-called "insider" could be defined other than as someone who is affiliated with WVU and has direct (first-hand) knowledge of events -- that's not me.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, anytime anyone with information shares what they know it should be just one part the information you use to form an opinion. People can easily take facts or statements the wrong way and sometimes even apply their own interpretation to what they have heard. If a fact doesn't make sense or seems fantastical you can bet some filtration or even an honest error has occurred.

I was warned way back in January that writing about expansion is a dangerous business. These deals are made offline and usually with great deniability just in case everything falls apart.

One example is the Pac 12 and Oklahoma - Oklahoma State last year. The Pac 12 had agreed to take both and then the deal just fell apart.

So everything I write is true - or as true as it can be at the moment. The danger is always a lag between what was true and what is true now.

I do my best to cross-reference. I've been way over my head in all of this and I feel the obligation to be as accurate as I can be. I don't have all the pieces of the puzzle and for the last 6 weeks information has been hard to come by and closely guarded by those who have it.

Here's what I believe the current state of expansion in the Big 12 right now:

1. FSU is destined to be a member of the Big 12. FSU simply can't compete with their SEC neighbors with the current ACC TV contract.

2. Nothing the ACC has done, be it the Orange Bowl deal or talks with ND, has closed the revenue gap.

3. FSU believes it could make as much as $36 million per year from media revenues (T1, T2 and T3) in the Big 12.

4. The Big 12 was divided on expansion and who to add. FSU was the only unanimous choice.

5. The Big 12 has agreed to add FSU and wait to see who adds the most value as #12.

6. There is no time table for FSU joining the Big 12. Most likely the window for 2013 has closed. Eric Barron is running the expansion train right now and he agrees with the BoT that its the right move. He is being very deliberate.

7. The ball is now in FSU's court. FSU understands they have an invite when they decide to move.

8. The only hope the ACC has is ND. Only ND joining as a full member would keep FSU in the ACC.

9. Most likely FSU is waiting, much like the Big 12 waited, for ND to re-up with NBC.

10. DeLoss Dodds has Swarbrick's personal assurance that ND will not join the ACC in any capacity.

If I get any more info I'll update it here.