C for now
Joining a conference doesn't have to mean your academics or reputation go south. No one dings Stanford for being in the same conference as Oregon. Or Vandy for being in a conference with...well a lot of lesser academic schools.
Having said that, the big 10 makes the most sense. Geographically, it fits. Academically, they aren't bad. ACC would have the edge there, but I don't see the ACC surviving. Maybe the big 10 will grab Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest to go with Oregon and Stanford. I don't see Clemson, FSU or Miami going North.
Eventually it may end up being de-emphasizing football, but until it reaches that point, big 10 makes sense. Even if we do de-emphasize football, there is still all the other sports to consider.
Having said that, the big 10 makes the most sense. Geographically, it fits. Academically, they aren't bad. ACC would have the edge there, but I don't see the ACC surviving. Maybe the big 10 will grab Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest to go with Oregon and Stanford. I don't see Clemson, FSU or Miami going North.
Eventually it may end up being de-emphasizing football, but until it reaches that point, big 10 makes sense. Even if we do de-emphasize football, there is still all the other sports to consider.