Interesting post on the Dude's blog...
"What better scenario to possibly put TWO Big 12 teams in the Final Four than by having 11 full members (current 10 + FSU) and ND as an associate member for schedule strength and $$$?...Everyone keeps talking about bigger being better when it comes to conference realignment. The Big 12 is thinking outside the box. They realize that going beyond 11.5 is a long-term disadvantage for any league looking to make the playoffs in the new playoff set up."
Don't know if I agree, but I hadn't really thought about it this way, either.