If the B1G doesn't see the "value" in all these other Western schools right now, what makes them think they'll see the value in 5, 10, or 15 years from now. And if they are allowing Notre Dame to dictate their tempo, then that it just small time. If the B1G thinks they can take USC and UCLA, and let the others on the vine for a few years, what happens to the others is likely going to decrease, not increase their value. Either the other Pac schools keep their own conference and make less money. Or they join up in the Big XII with a bunch of other schools that the P2 has deemed undesirable. Niether is a value-increasing prospect. Everyday that goes by for UO, UW, Cal, Stanford et. al. without a B1G invite diminishes their brand. I don't care if it's several months while they all wait on Notre Dame, or years into the future. There are a number of schools out West cooling their heels thinking a B1G invite might be imminent. They are handcuffed from making a future deal with their own conference or another as a result. And more importantly, these schools start to viewed by all as marginal candidates by all for P2 entry. My opinion: if you value them, take them now. Maybe there is some sort of "wisdom" or "hidden reason" for the B1G doing it this way. But if not, I think it's bad for all parties.