First of all I now think that the Big 12 will be around a lot longer than what any of us thought 5 years ago. The league is stable and I believe we finished in 3rd place for the money that each conference gave out to its schools last year.
I really liked the idea floated early this spring about raiding the Pac 12 for some of their better programs, it might be nothing, but they tried to do it to us, we should return the favor.
For ISU to land in the Big 10, we would have to have a number of things to break our way, UT would have to go independent or cut a deal like ND has in the ACC, could happen. OU would have to go to the SEC along with OSU, could happen.
We all know that KU would jump at the chance for the Big 10, but this BB scandal may slow down the push to allow them in.
One could make the case that all the more desirable teams are taken, and the Big 10 is setting there thinking maybe ISU does not look to bad, they don't have to worry about enlarging the footprint because with cord cutting that is going away. AAU school, few to no scandal's, solid FB and BB programs, big enough stadium with great fan support.
I don't think it will happen, but stranger things have occurred, Maryland to the Big 10 for instance.