Big Ten and Notre Dame want to get into state of Texas in realignment, covet Texas A&M

Longtime college football radio host Greg Swaim reports that both Notre Dame and the Big Ten conference want to get into the state of Texas during the next round of conference realignment, leading to interest in Texas A&M.

"Why does the B1G and NotreDame both want TAMU as the second team coming in for the future? Because both the B10 and Irish want to get into Texas... it's just that simple," Swaim wrote on X.

Swaim reported back in April that the B1G will "definitely have a school in Texas by the 2026-27 academic calendar.

"Received an e-mail 10 minutes ago from our Chicago B1G source, that said 'The B1G will definitely have a Texas school by 2026,'" Swaim prefaced before saying, "As we reported months ago, TAMU and the B10 have been having serious third party talks for over six months."

Swaim first revealed his Chicago source's bullishness on a potential Aggies jump to the conference in March.

"Who are the next two teams to join the #B1G and make it the Big 20? Our terrific Chicago source tells us that he's hearing it'll very likely be Notre Dame (who has a perpetual invite) and TAMU, as the B1G wants to get into Texas and the Aggies are very unhappy with the addition of the Longhorns (duh?)," Swaim prefaced before saying, "Once again he reiterates there will not be any invites to non-AAU member teams, so doesn't believe FSU nor Clemson will get invitations.

"Certainly not expecting it soon, but the TAMU to the B1G rumor does have legs. More money, no Longhorns and Aggies being told if they make this move will have veto power if Texas tries to move again."

Notre Dame appeals to, and could get what they want in, every conference

Notre Dame is in a perfect spot. If they want to get into Texas, then every Power 4 conference could get them there -- with the SEC already having TAMU and Texas, the ACC adding SMU, the Big 12 having four teams and the B1G having the in with the Aggies given the Longhorns' encroaching on their territory.

The Big Ten is the conference they make the most sense joining with existing in-state rivalries and historical ones with USC and UCLA (in basketball). The SEC may be saving their next move for the Fighting Irish and an additional poach from the ACC (FSU, Clemson, UNC) once that conference implodes. Let's not forget the power of private equity in the Big 12, though.

Notre Dame, as they always have, hold the most cards in conference realignment.