If the only other feasible option is dropping down to the American, could you blame us? B1G and PAC don’t have to expand at all if they don’t think we add value. This is best remaining option at that point. It’s a terrible option but it’s the best one of a bunch of terrible ones.
Right now the focus is on conferences, but this is really about getting down from a P5 with 65 teams (with ND) to 2-3 conferences with 30-40 teams.
It's a win/win for ESPN/FOX and the Texas, Ohio State, Bama, Clemson, OU's of college football.
It also shuts up G5 conferences who currently get 20% of the playoff money and seem on the verge of getting 1 or 2 teams (and that money) when the playoff expands to 12 teams. By adding another 20-30 former P5 teams between the P2/3 and G5, the CFB Playoff spots and $ will disappear for G5 schools.
I don't think ISU would ever end up in AAC because teams like Syracuse, BC, Louisville, VA Tech, etc could be looking for a conference home when it is all finished.