Nebraska regents could vote Friday on whether Huskers go to Big 10 or stay in Big 12

Nebraska decision on Big Ten could come Friday

OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska could be on its way to the Big Ten by Friday.

The university’s Board of Regents on Wednesday evening amended the agenda for its previously scheduled Friday meeting to include a briefing from chancellor Harvey Perlman and athletic director Tom Osborne on conference alignment. The regents could then vote to leave the Big 12.

Osborne said a decision has not been finalized, and he declined comment when asked whether the Big Ten had formally invited Nebraska to join the league.

The Cornhusker football team’s offensive coordinator, Shawn Watson, said Osborne hasn’t given the athletic department staff an indication which way Nebraska will go.

Watson said Osborne met with the staff last Friday to tell them about last week’s Big 12 meetings and to “get a feel” for what the staff thinks about the Big 12 and Big Ten.

Since then, Watson said, Osborne hasn’t updated the staff on developments.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Officials at the University of Nebraska want resolution on the future of the Huskers’ athletic programs, whether that means staying with several longtime rivals in the Big 12 or leaving for the Big Ten.

“The conjecture and all the intensity surrounding it is not positive,” Regent Jim McClurg said of the impending decision, which could come during a board of regents meeting Friday.

“Everybody needs to know and has a right to know,” McClurg added. “The calamity and opportunity that’s conjured up by not knowing sometimes exceeds reality, so I think it’s important to get a decision done.”

The Big 12 reportedly has given Nebraska and Missouri a Friday deadline to affirm their commitment to the league. The two schools are among the leading candidates should the Big Ten expand, while other Big 12 schools are rumored to be part of plans for the Pac-10 to expand.

The Big Ten announced late last year it is considering adding at least one school, and possibly more, to allow for a lucrative league championship game in football and to broaden the reach of its cable television network.

McClurg and fellow regent Chuck Hassebrook said they expect conference affiliation will be added to the agenda for Friday’s previously scheduled meeting. Board bylaws allow new business to be added to the agenda until 24 hours before the meeting.

“It’s a big deal,” Hassebrook said, “but it’s hard to comment on what it all means until we discuss it.”

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne refused to discuss specifics of the impending decision, but said during a radio interview Tuesday night that he hopes one is made soon.

“Hopefully we’ll get things put together in the next few days,” Osborne told the Husker Sports Network. “I don’t know exactly what the time frame is (that) we’ll be able to put this thing to bed. But I’m getting tired of it, you’re probably getting tired of it, and the fans are getting tired of it.”

Osborne tried to quash speculation that Nebraska would, in part, arrive at its decision based on its relationship with the University of Texas.

The Huskers and Longhorns butted heads over many issues when the Big 12 was formed, and there is a perception in Nebraska that Texas wields too much influence on league policies.

“We certainly don’t have anything against anybody in the Big 12,” Osborne said. “This decision is not going to be based on animosity or petty jealousy. I mean, you’re talking about something that could maintain for the next 75 or 100 years. This is a big deal in terms of the University of Nebraska (and) this is a big deal in view of many other institutions.”

Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, a coaching rival of Osborne’s in the 1970s and ’80s and longtime friend, said hearing Nebraska and the Big Ten in the same sentence doesn’t sound right.

Switzer said he doesn’t envy Osborne having to play a major role in the possible destruction of the Big 12, which evolved from the old Big Eight and Southwest Conference.

“I’m sure it weighs heavily on Tom,” Switzer said. “I hate to think we would lose what we have and what we built for so long. Finances are a factor, and sometimes you have to give up tradition for finances.”

McClurg said the Big 12 has been a good fit for Nebraska but that the Big Ten, if it extends an invitation, could be better. It would greatly expand the school’s reach and could mean far more money for the school’s athletic programs.

“We have to seriously evaluate any opportunity that comes our way,” McClurg said, “because everybody else is doing that.”