Purdue is a bit of an anomaly as a University. It is a Land Grant institution, a public school in the Midwest, big and independent of the other state school systems, Indiana and Indiana State. It's a third major state school when many states have only one or two institutions or systems.
As it stands, Purdue fits in pretty well with the rest of the Big Ten. It seems like a private school, given the name and reputation, but it's backing comes from tax dollars, just the same as every other member of the Big Ten (save for Northwestern), though in 2023-4, that will change. The conference is adding UCLA and privately funded USC.
A lot of Purdue's graduates are from the Chicago area, and the market is generally split between Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois in inexact measure. The diaspora of Northwestern and Purdue grads is greater than that of Illinois, giving the Boilermakers a greater audience outside of Chicago when their teams are on TV.
Purdue is pulling it's weight in the Big Ten, and fits in with what the rest of the conference is all about. Even though it was one of the first members of the conference, and is well positioned within it. It's crazy to even talk about this, but with all of the tumult of conference expansion and realignment, and two very blue blooded programs from California of all places joining next year, it seemed like a pertinent topic for discussion.
Also, perhaps more than any other school in the Big Ten, or at least as much as any, they are perfectly content with adding whichever the most high revenue schools are that they can add. Sure, there are travel issues, but they are right in the middle of the conference. They likely don't have many worries about moving east or west as they grow.
As ever, Notre Dame is the biggest target, and they have a lot to offer the Boilermakers. An inherent rival and much less travel than other potential additions for sports outside of the revenue activities, in addition to the built in national audience. Aside from Notre Dame, the primary objective for Purdue and any additions, I imagine, is that sweet, sweet cash flow. They are athletically capable and enough of a contributor that they shouldn't feel threatened by expansion or realignment.
The way I see it, there are two paths forward for the Big Ten, and either way should be amenable to the Boilers. The first is with Notre Dame, which would likely mean three more teams to get up to 20. I suggest Boston College, Virginia and North Carolina as additions in this scenario. The second is without Notre Dame, and the conference could work to accommodate their California brethren. In this scenario, they would raid the Pac 12 again, with Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Stanford and California all standing as options. Heck, even Arizona State plays in the Big Ten for hockey.
Almost everyone without a financial stake in the game ranges from frustrated to distraught with conference realignment. It's not good for competition, or for fostering regional rivalries, or supportive of the little guy overcoming adversity. But Purdue does have a financial stake, and they are going to be happy to go along with anything that comes down the road.
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