Commissioner Jim Delany said Tuesday the conference is going to explore options over the next 12 to 18 months for expanding the league.
The league's presidents and chancellors decided earlier this month that the timing is right to study adding a 12th school.
The Big Ten said in a statement it also looked at expansion in 1993, 1998 and 2003. Penn State joined in 1990, and Notre Dame rejected an offer in 1999.
