Let's say after repeatedly being left out of the playoffs, Big Ten schools start looking around at other options.

The Pac 12 seems like an unlikely ally, but they actually strike first and go for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. The Pac 16 uses the relatively compact footprint of the incoming members to make travel as manageable as possible.

The SEC lands the kill shot with Michigan and Ohio State.

Maryland joins the ACC, and Notre Dame sees the writing on the wall. The Irish finally join in football.

The Big 12 then invites Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern, Purdue, Nebraska, and Rutgers.

SEC North - Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan
SEC East - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee
SEC South - Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, Mississippi State
SEC West - Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas, Vanderbilt

ACC Atlantic - Louisville, Clemson, Florida State, Syracuse
ACC East - Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Miami, Boston College
ACC Central - North Carolina, Duke, NC State, Wake Forest
ACC Coastal - Virginia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Maryland

Big 16 South - Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor
Big 16 West - Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State
Big 16 North - Nebraska, Iowa State, Northwestern, Purdue
Big 16 East - Michigan State, Penn State, West Virginia, Rutgers

The Pac 16 then sees Iowa left without a home, and then offers the Hawkeyes a spot, along with a surprising choice for #18: Rice.

Pac 18 East - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Rice
Pac 18 North - Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, California
Pac 18 South - Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, Colorado, UCLA, Southern California

The Pac 18 cites being shut out of Texas in previous expansion attempts, as well as Rice's AAU status, and a desire to have a school in the East Division capable of hosting baseball games early in the season.