This article gives good insight into the need for the B1G to recruit football players nationally, which fits the narrative of the B1G calling itself a national conference.
The Big Ten's most ambitious programs will have to beat the SEC on its home turf to reach the promised land.
saturdaytradition.com
For the current recruiting cycle, here are the states with the most 4 and 5 star talent:
Top 10 states for top-level talent (4-star or better): Florida (79), Texas (69), Georgia (40), California (30), Alabama (22), Louisiana (18), North Carolina (16), Ohio (11), Tennessee (10), Missouri (10).
Next 15: Michigan (9), Pennsylvania (8), Maryland (8), Virginia (8), Arizona (8), Illinois (6), New Jersey (6), Mississippi (6), Oklahoma (5), Indiana (5), South Carolina (5), Massachusetts (5), Kansas (5), Washington (4), Nevada (4).
Florida has nearly double the talent of third place Georgia. I think this is one reason Florida State and Miami would be B1G targets for expansion.
With Texas, Neither Texas or A&M would be available. Would the B1G go after a TCU or Baylor? To me, that’s a stretch. But you can’t overlook the importance of the state of Texas here.
In Georgia, Georgia Tech is AAU and for that reason, would have to be on the list of possible expansion teams for the B1G, just not at the top of the list.
California is fourth and the B1G now has that state covered.