The latest and greatest reason for the Big Ten to expand from 11? The number 18.

That’s how many millions of people watched CBS’ coverage of the Dec. 5 SEC title game. The exact figure of 17.969 million gave CBS the most-viewed college football telecast this season. By far.
ABC earned the silver medal for its coverage of the Big 12 title game, even though it was only slightly more exciting (until the end) than your average Lovie Smith news conference. Nearly 12.7 million tuned in for that one.
Rest assured, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany already knows these numbers by heart.
He also knows both CBS and ESPN just earned their highest season-long college football ratings in at least 10 years.
Heck, he might even know 84 percent of those responding to an unscientific question at chicagotribune.com said they would like to see the Big Ten become the big dozen.
In short, the public’s appetite for college football never has been greater. And the Big Ten seems poised to offer dessert, in the form of a conference title game.
But first the Big Ten would have to expand. Although we’re at least a year away from the horse race, let’s handicap some possible entries — from the Big Ten’s perspective:

Missouri
Undergraduate enrollment: 23,042.
Average SAT scores: 1,080-1,310.*
U.S. News ranking: 102.**
Why the Tigers: Solid football and basketball programs, a “Braggin’ Rights” rivalry with Illinois, geographically friendly campus, access to St. Louis and Kansas City markets, top-notch journalism school that has produced ESPN’s Pat Forde and the Big Ten Network’s Mike Hall. (Hey, good PR never hurt.)
Why not the Tigers: So-so football stadium that seats 71,004 but rarely sells out, a perceived lack of buzz for the program.
Bottom line: The blog Mizzou2bigten.com sees a perfect fit. Missouri would get richer through Big Ten revenue sharing and boost its TV presence via the Big Ten Network.

Pittsburgh
Undergraduate enrollment: 17,427.
Average SAT scores: 1,160-1,360.
U.S. News ranking: 56.
Why the Panthers: Strong football program with rich history, home games at Steelers’ Heinz Field, a U.S. News ranking that’s higher than five current Big Ten schools, geographically friendly, solid TV market (23rd), powerful basketball program and, hey, it’s Da Coach’s alma mater.
Why not the Panthers: Some smallish crowds at Heinz Field. A low Director’s Cup ranking of 93rd in 2008-09 that reflects weakness in the overall athletic program. Penn State might balk out of fear it actually might have to play Pittsburgh.
Bottom line: A lot of pluses here, but the Big Ten would not be able to expand its recruiting base.

Rutgers
Undergraduate enrollment: 28,031.
Average SAT scores: 1,090-1,310.
U.S. News ranking: 66.
Why the Scarlet Knights: Access to the nation’s largest TV market, solid academics (ranks above Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa in recent U.S. News list), a football program on a solid five-year run, a newly renovated (for $102 million) stadium, the East Coast recruiting base, the muscle of First Fan James Gandolfini (aka Tony Soprano).
Why not the Scarlet Knights: Long trips from western schools such as Iowa and Minnesota. Until recently, Rutgers football was a joke.
Bottom line: Here’s guessing Big Ten schools would rather fly into Newark, N.J., than State College, Pa. And Rutgers would love to make the leap to the Big Ten because of the Big East’s crummy bowl tie-ins (last four years, including 2009): Texas, International, Papajohns.com and St. Petersburg.

Syracuse
Undergraduate enrollment: 13,651.
Average SAT scores: 1,070-1,270.
U.S. News ranking: 58.
Why the Orange: Top-notch basketball, a football legacy of Ernie Davis and Jim Brown, a superb communications school with alumni such as Bob Costas and Fox Sports President Ed Goren.
Why not the Orange: Tiny TV market (83rd) and so-so-football program that plays in the rundown (and not air-conditioned) Carrier Dome.
Bottom line: The ’Cuse fits the profile, but who, exactly, longs to take winter trips to central New York?

Notre Dame
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,363.
Average SAT scores: 1,320-1,500.
U.S. News ranking: 20.
Why the Irish: Touchdown Jesus, seven Heisman Trophy winners, a packed house on Saturdays, a famous name, superb academics and excellence in the Olympic sports. And ideal geography for travel.
Why not the Irish: Now that Charlie Weis is gone, it’s hard to think of a reason. Oh, yeah. Because the Irish dissed the Big Ten in 1999. Joe Paterno’s feelings were hurt. And he’s not alone.
Bottom line: The Irish already have their own network and the power to please alumni and recruits by playing in Los Angeles, Boston, New York and Orlando. Why would they give that up? They’ve already said they won’t.
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* —score (reading and math combined) range for middle 50 percent of first-year students.
**—U.S. News & World Report’s national universities rankings.