they aren't the most likely because they've been in the league too long. It may be that all the desirable teams left can be accommodated with addition that does not need subtraction. I haven't examined possible scheduling arrangements in a new proposed setup.

That said, Rutgers and Maryland should probably feel a little nervous. I'd need to learn more about their respective market viewership. But at some point, the leagues may feel that they just can't add any more teams to make schedules work. And if there's still a marquee name out there, I'd guess they'd gladly trade a bad team (Rutgers/Maryland) in a high-population market that is wishy washy about either college football or the team itself for a good team and good brand in valuable high-population markets in the state of Florida.

Similarly, Missouri, Vandy, and South Carolina should probably feel a little nervous. I imagine the SEC will have less honor than the Big Ten, so even a founding member in Vandy should watch their back. If they need to cut to make numbers work and a clear upgrade is available for middling teams added to the conference in '91 or '12 in markets that aren't clearly desirable, I wouldn't put it past them.

The "Chicago market" is part of any of these conversations as long as it includes Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, or Illinois. Northwestern doesn't move the needle and other than Michigan or Notre Dame none of the others move the needle by themselves either.

TV viewership would remain unchanged (virtually), no?

NU would seem to be another dilutive mouth to feed.

They can say they're "Chicago's B1G team" all they want, but their following doesn't warrant special treatment.

ND is as much Chicago's team as Northwestern is.

that even Northwestern, with all of its arrogance, can't even bring itself to market itself as "Chicago's College Team," but instead uses "Chicago's Big 10 Team."

Chicago has always been and will always be a Notre Dame city, although I'll acknowledge that the haters account for some of those eyeballs.