I'm not adverse to NU acting in their own self interest, but am fatigued by the rationalizations. Alas, I may be the last to the party, but I see a side to Dr Tom that I've long denied existed to my KState friends.
In a parallel universe I'd like to note Nebraska's reaction if Kansas had responded to the Big 10s overatures a couple decades ago. Just what are the purposes of conference alignments? I expected this desperate behavior from Missouri, and can't be disappointed by them. I was proud of Kansas when they cold shouldered the big 10 years ago and again showed allegiance to KState recently.
I don't understand tha assumption that UT is harming the conference by "eat what you catch" revenue sharing, but NU is merely "reaping their just desserts" when they don't share their vaunted gate ticket sales revenue. I've long admired NU's football tradition, but my Dad reminds me that he had to endure Big 10 denigration like OU and the 7 dwarfs when he was in the military.
Finally, latching onto the rustbelt was stupid. I am depressed when I travel through the rustbelt and what used to be America's manufacturing dominance. THe current American welfare state cannot continue, and the rustbelt will be decimated by the new economy(the rust belt is decimated and the welfare state is over). Nebraska is already being slurred by big city squallor dwelling sports fans - and the big 10 is the minor league in football. The big 10 hoped the b12 would implode if they picked off NU (and UT would follow), and NU assumed it also. (Imagine Dr Toms surprise when his quote about one team leaving doesn't kill a conference, when he assumed the B12 was dead, being pivotal in NU standing up to their financial responsibilities).
My Dad has always advised "never let negative emotion drive a decision," and a good deal of this NU to b10 is negative - from vitriol to MU for starting it, to hate for UT for their selfishness and disdain for (eroneously labled) the weak sisters. I'd previously not realized it but Dr Tom casts a smaller shadow than my Dad.