Many on the Rutgers boards think this partnership is also a ploy to force ND to make a decision by stripping it of its traditional games in the B1G (Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue) and in the Pac-12 (Stanford, USC). With the proposed collaboration, each team would have 8 conference games, 1 B1G/Pac12 cross conference game, and 1 1aa tune up game. This only leaves 2 spots for OOC games. Those teams playing ND every year will have MUCH less flexibility in scheduling.
There is some speculation that all this is done is to kick the conference raiding up to 2015 instead of 2013... 1 view is that Texas is sticking around to help strengthen the B12 (to prevent any issues with Texas Tech from arising) but will leave with Oklahoma to join the Pac 12 in 2-15-2017.
Similarly ND and Rutgers would join the B1G. ND would join to ensure all their major rivalries continue as well as to become part of a STRONG national conference (B1G/Pac12 collaboration). Rutgers is a no brainer complementary piece to go along with ND. Rutgers would have joined the B1G if Nebraska hadn't expressed interest. Word was that legal papers were in the process of being signed when Nebraska expressed interest...
With this new conference realignment the new BE and new B12 would join in a similar "collaboration" with each other. Similarly the SEC and ACC (more stable then B12) would also "collaborate". The Big East and Big 12 would absorb members including independents to each get to 14.
With 14 teams in each conference you get 2 7-team divisions with 6 division games, 1 permanent cross division rival and 2 rotating cross division games for a total of 9 conference games. Then the 10th game is a rotating cross conference game due to collaboration. The 11th game is a 1aa type tune up game with the 12th being an OOC home and home game.
Anyway this is all just speculation on what the true end game is... It may or may not happen... If it does happen, the rich will keep getting richer and the poor will keep getting poorer...
Our take on this